Three of us spent the weekend doing some birding on Naneum Ridge between
Ellensburg and Wenatchee. We camped on the Swift Creek Road between Naneum
Ridge Road and Coleman Canyon Road. Most of our birding was spent between
4500' and 5500'. While most of the birds observed were common species there
were a few surprises. Here are a few of the highlights of our weekend.

Western Meadowlark - a pair observed on Naneum Ridge near Wenatchee Mountain
at over 5500' elevation.

Osprey - a pair over the Naneum Airstrip carrying prey. We later realized
that there are several lakes below the ridgeline on the Wenatchee side.
Still unusual at that elevation. They continued on toward Ellensburg, flying
out of sight.

Barred Owl - three calling at the headwaters of Coleman Creek just after
dark on Friday

Spotted Owl? - One, possibly two, calling near camp woke us up at 2:00 AM
Sunday morning. They hooted very similar to the tapes
(Who....who-who...who), but sounded somewhat deeper to me than the tapes.
Comment?

Northern Goshawk - hunting in the headwaters of Coleman Creek

Pine Grosbeak - one female on the Swift Creek Road

Red Crossbill - large group watering at a spring on the Ellensburg side of
the ridge above the Swift Creek Road

Williamson's Sapsucker - upper Coleman Canyon Road in a logging area

Common Nighthawk - Swift Creek Road

Wild Turkeys - several with young

Blue Grouse - 1 with 4 young

A little disturbing was the lack of Corvids. We saw only 3 nutcrackers, 4
Gray Jays, and no Steller's Jay in two days. In years past there were many
jays in this area.

We spent a little time on Naneum Ridge near Naneum Point and feel that this
could be a good location for a 'Hawk Watch'. We saw several hawks here
soaring along the ridgeline. Also saw three swallow species that ran with
the wind, but we could not identify them. We plan on returning in September
to spend an entire day and see what happens.

Good Birding

Doug Schonewald
Moses Lake, WA