I had a few interesting highlights today north of Ellensburg, Kittitas
Co. and thought I'd pass them along to people. Fairly good numbers of
Northern Shrike, 3 in all see below. Also a flock of Common Redpolls and
a few Tree sparrows which can be tough to get in the valley. Road
conditions were a little iffy this morning but by afternoon had returned
to normal with some slush in places. Below is highlights of species by
location:

Northern Shrike (all adults)
1 Robbins Rd.
1 Gravel end of Smithson Rd.
1 Yakima Canyon RD. near interesection with Ringer Loop Rd.

Common Redpoll
A flock of 18 flying through the shrub-steppe (Bitterbrush/stiff sage)
just north of the turnoff to Reecer Creek game farm off of Reecer Creek
Rd.

American Tree Sparrow
2 birds in the brush along Reecer Creek road just north of the
intersection with Transformer lines.

Merlin
1 bird perched along the gravel end of Smithson rd

Good birding all.

Scott Downes
downess at cwu.edu
Yakima WA