Hi Tweeters -
I kind of drove all over the place yesterday, taking advantage of the
beautiful weather to see some of the Spring arrivals in Eastern
Washington. A short list of the highlights:

SAGE THRASHER, SAGE SPARROW, BREWERS SPARROW, LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE,
MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD, - Kittitas Co, Old Vantage Hwy [Delorme p. 51
A-7], especially at the Quilomene Wildlife Area. A Seattle Audubon
trip was there birding this area more extensively, so they'll
probably have better info on what was there.

SANDHILL CRANES - Still there - huge clouds circling around Corfu at
mid-day, and a group at the County Line Ponds.

AMERICAN AVOCETS - At the County Line Ponds [Grant Co., Delorme p.53
B-5.5], and at the Para Ponds [Adams Co., Delorme p.53 B-7]. Also,
present, at these and other spots - BLACK-NECKED STILT, CINNAMON TEAL.

ROSS' GOOSE - One at County Line Ponds, as reported by others recently.

CLIFF SWALLOWS - several locations, checking out old bridge nests near Othello.

TURKEY VULTURE - Along SR26, just west of Othello.


BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON: 185! Following up on Mike&Merrylynn
Denny's report of a couple weeks back, I arrived a bit before dusk
to checkout the flyout from the NW corner of Potholes, in Grant Co.
[Delorme p. 69, D-5, WA ABA p. 358]. I they flew by in small groups
from 6:30 until it was too dark to keep watching. I'd bet there were
a good number more too, since I took a couple short breaks in there
to make a failed stab at finding a BUSHTIT other birders had found
nearby, and another futile attempt to track down a hooting
Great-horned Owl.

Also at this spot, GREAT EGRET - maybe 12 or more, in the trees and
flying around. GREATER YELLOWLEGS 1, WOOD DUCKS 2, many other ducks
in the water.

And a question: There's a raptor nest along E rd SE, just a bit south
of SR26.[Delorme, p. 52, A/B-4] It is in a stand of trees just west
of the road and north of a county building [transport, water or
somesuch]. I saw a pair flying in to the nest, but never managed to
get an id on them. If you are there and get good an ID, please pass
on word to me - I was thinking Prairie Falcon, but it didn't seem
quite right for that --


Good birding,

Matt Bartels
Seattle WA
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