I made a trek east today, first in search of the scissor-tailed and second
for migrant/vagrant search along the Palouse river area. Arrived shortly
after 9 AM and the Sullivans and Keith Brady had already located the
flycatcher in the previously described location. We watched it until about
9:45 when it flew out of sight to the SE of the intersection.
Headed for Washtucna first and Bassett park. The park was quite good today,
many Red-breasted Nuthatches (15-20), Ruby-crowned Kinglets (20-25) and
Yellow-rumped Warbler (60-70) present. In the tree on the north end of the
park near the stream I found: 1 LEAST FLYCATCHER, 2 Townsend's warbler and 1
immature BLACKPOLL WARBLER. Interesting as just got back from Newfoundland
where I was seeing this bird most of the week and now to finally get rid of
my state jinx on this species.
Also at the park in the low shrubs in the middle was a GRAY FLYCATCHER
dutifully pumping its tail.

Stopped at Palouse Falls St.Park next, fairly quite, only things present was
an immature Chipping Sparrow in a flock of Dark-eyed Juncos, a Dusky
Flycatcher and a Western Tanager.

Finally on to Lyons Ferry Park, very quite especially on the island, and
what bird were present were very quite in the underbrush, the reason?
Apparently this was a good day for raptors on the island. Present was 1 imm.
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 imm. GOSHAWK and 1 BARRED OWL. Passerine wise nothing
really of note. There was also a second imm. Sharp-shinned hunting the
ornamental plantings near the restrooms. In the trees here was 1 Warbling
Vireo and 2 Townsend's Warbler.

An interesting end note was I stopped at the 2 Locust grove on the north
side of the Highway on the Wahluke Slope, only to find them basically dead.
Between the 2 groves I managed to find a grand total of 3 Yellow-rumped
Warblers....

Still a great day and 5 species of Flycatcher for the day (2 Western
Kingbirds near Othello).

Best birding.

Scott Downes
downess at charter.net
Yakima WA