Umtanum Canyon, from the Yakima River to Durr Road and return: Nov 28.

Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-shafted Flicker 2
Black-capped Chickadee 4
Canyon Wren 1
Bewick's Wren 1
Winter Wren 3
American Dipper 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Song Sparrow 2
Oregon Junco 4

This was a lot of walking in excellent natural riparian habitat for so few
birds. Hasn't Dennis Paulson commented on the winter lack of birdlife in
native habitats? That is certainly what I encountered on this excursion.

However, early in the morning I did see two groups of Bighorn Sheep. The
first contained three ewes. The second consisted of eight ewes accompanied
by one full curl ram. Both groups were in the riparian zone but retreated
onto the northern rocky shrub-steppe slopes as I approached.

It's a strange day when I see more individual Bighorn Sheep than species of
birds!

Jim Duemmel
mailto: j.duemmel at att.net