Hotline: Lower Columbia Basin
Date: March 5, 2004
Phone: 509-627-BIRD
Compiler and Transcriber: Bill and Nancy LaFramboise, wlafra at owt.com

BIRDS REPORTED

Swainson's Hawk
Pacific Loon, Greater Yellowlegs
Merlin
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Greater yellowlegs, Dunlin
Sandhill Crane, Orange-crowned Warbler

TRANSCRIPT

This is the Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society Bird Alert for March 5,
2004. 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, date, and sightings after the tone.

On February 11, Kathy Criddle observed a SWAINSON'S HAWK over her Richland
home. This sighting is very unusual as Swainson's Hawks typically return
in April. The bird was well seen and described.

Nancy LaFramboise found a PACIFIC LOON with a nearby Common Loon on the
Columbia River downstream from Bateman Island on February 11.

A MERLIN was seen by Kathy Criddle at the intersection of Columbia Center
Boulevard and 10th Street in Kennewick on February 13.

On February 19, Mike and MerryLynn Denny discovered a YELLOW-BELLIED
SAPSUCKER that is apparently over-wintering in Hood Park. The bird has
continued through at least March 2. The bird is still in immature plumage.

Bob Woodley reported 22 DUNLIN and 3 GREATER YELLOWLEGS at the Yakima Delta
on February 22.

SANDHILL CRANES are making their appearances in the area. The first local
observations reported were 60 seen over Richland by John Thorp on February
29. Also on that day, Annet and Jim Dittmer saw 50 cranes on their way to
Ringold. At Ringold, Annet and Jim observed several ORANGE-CROWNED
WARBLERS among the winter birds. Warblers have been scarce after the cold
and snow this winter.

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