Hi Tweets

An enthusiastic group from Seattle Audubon took a trip to eastern
Washington today. After we crossed the pass we ran down to South Cle
Elum and found a nice group of Evening Grosbeaks under great light. We
next ran out to Old Vantage Hiway to get to sage brush country fairly
early. Along the way we saw both Western and Mountain Bluebirds (pairs).
>From a great vantage spot on a ridge we had several Sage Sparrows
singing, letting all of the group eventually see them. During this
period we had a displaying Horned Lark lift off, circle around and go
right overhead. Down at Gingko overlook we had a pair of Say's Phoebes
busy acting like they are in nest preparation stage, while some
Violet-green Swallows circled overhead. At Wanapum Dam we saw 5 Common
Loons, each in a different stage of molt - what great comparisons. A bit
further south we had a singing Canyon Wren, as well as Common Goldeneyes
and Greater and Lesser Scaup.

After returning to Ellensburg, seeing Red-tailed Hawks along the way, we
made our way up Hiway 97. Just short of Smithson Rd. we got wonderful
looks at the Great Horned owl on the nest in the top of a Cottonwood
tree. Through the spotting scopes, the bird was truly beautiful in the
nice afternoon light. West of Swauk Prairie, we were invited onto a
property and managed brief, but satisfying looks at a Ruffed Grouse.

Lots of other great birds, see below and a fine day - sunny and warm.

Brian Bell
Woodinville WA
bellasoc at isomedia.com

58 species:
Canada Goose
Tundra Swan
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow's Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Ruffed Grouse
Common Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Eared Grebe
Western Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Prairie Falcon?
American Coot
Killdeer
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Say's Phoebe
Northern Shrike
Steller's Jay
Black-billed Magpie
American Crow
Common Raven
Horned Lark
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Canyon Wren
Western Bluebird
Mountain Bluebird
American Robin
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
Sage Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
Brewer's Blackbird
House Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak
House Sparrow