Hotline: Lower Columbia Basin
Date: January 23, 2002
Phone: 509-627-BIRD
Compiler and Transcriber: Bill and Nancy LaFramboise, wlafra at owt.com

BIRDS REPORTED

Western Gull
Gyrfalcon, Prairie Falcon, Merlin, Northern Shrike
Northern Goshawk
Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Wigeon
Steller's Jay, Snow Goose
Bohemian Waxwing

TRANSCRIPT

This is the Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society Bird Alert for January 23,
2002. For questions regarding LCBAS, please leave a message.

To skip the announcement, push the star button on your phone and give your
name, phone number, and sightings after the tone.

There has been a flurry of good winter birds in the basin recently. On
January 18, Bob Woodley observed an adult WESTERN GULL at the marina just
east of Bateman Island in Richland.

Also on the 18th, Dennis Rockwell birded on the south slope of Rattlesnake
Mountain, north of Prosser. Along Case Road he observed 4
falcons: AMERICAN KESTREL, MERLIN, PRAIRIE, AND GYRFALCON. He also found
an immature NORTHERN SHRIKE.

Bill and Nancy LaFramboise went in search of the Gyrfalcon and did not find
it, but observed an adult NORTHERN GOSHAWK along Case Road as well as both
LOGGERHEAD and NORTHERN SHRIKES along Crosby Road.

On January 20, Ruth Fischer enjoyed quite a display of BALD EAGLES at the
Bateman Marina. Two adult and two immature eagles spent several minutes
vying for possession of an American Coot. The local PEREGRINE FALCON was
on a snag in the Yakima Delta and the EURASIAN WIGEON continued to be at
the Family Fishing Pond at the east end of Columbia Park in Kennewick.

Rare in the lower Columbia Basin, there were 3 STELLER'S JAYS at Crow Butte
State Park on January 20. Dennis and Glenda Rockwell , with permission of
the caretaker, walked in to the campground which is officially
closed. They also observed 110 SNOW GEESE at Whitcomb Island.

On January 21, Nancy LaFramboise observed a large flock of 100 Cedar
Waxwings along Enterprise St in North Richland. There was 1 BOHEMIAN
WAXWING in the flock.

To report your own sightings, please give your name, phone number and
sightings after the tone. Thank you.