Four adults and two boys had a beautiful day birding in Kittitas Co. on Friday. On the way over we saw 2 OSPREY at the nest at the Cle Elum exit and 1 at a nest close to Ellensburg. Our first stop was at the wetland on Ringer Loop Road. There were a couple of male YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS as well as RED-WINGED and KILLDEER. A VIRGINIA RAIL responded to a recording. It was within 10-12 feet and eventually made an appearance. There was one yellow-bellied marmot there as well. Next we went to the Umtanum Creek trail beyond the suspension bridge. We watched two PRAIRIE FALCON flying back and forth and to a nest in the cliffs. We also saw COMMON RAVEN, one NORTHERN HARRIER, one TURKEY VULTURE, an AMERICAN GOLDFINCH and a SAY'S PHOEBE. After lunch we headed back up Canyon Road and saw 10-12 big horn sheep, mule deer and a few elk. We drove back to Ellensburg and then took Umptanum Road (does anyone know why it is Umtanum Creek, but Umptanum Road) to the bluebird box area. We got g!
reat looks at a number of gorgeous MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS and also saw a few WESTERN BLUEBIRD. At the top of the road we walked to the draw and had two GREAT HORNED OWLS fly out with seconds of each other. I played a number of recordings with no response, but we did see a SAGE THRASHER that chose not to vocalize. We heard WESTERN MEADOWLARK and saw MOURNING DOVES as well. We ended up back on Thorp Road to hwy 10 and stopped at an area of cliffs on the north side of the road. An AMERICAN KESTREL was perched in a snag. After playing a recording, a CANYON WREN showed up on the rocks right near the rode for great looks. A stop at the Teanaway bridge resulted in two AMERICAN DIPPERS. It was a great trip on a perfect day, warm but not hot, and I believe two boys acquired a real interest in birds.

Hugh Jennings
Bellevue, WA
hughbirder at earthlink.net