Hotline: Lower Columbia Basin
Date: August 8, 2005
Phone: 509-627-BIRD
Compiler and Transcriber: Bill and Nancy LaFramboise, wlafra at owt.com

BIRDS REPORTED

Eurasian Collared-Dove
Northern Mockingbird
Red-breasted Nuthatch fledgling, Long-billed Curlew, Vaux's Swift
Western Tanager
shorebirds at the Yakima Delta: Solitary Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper,
Wilson's and Red-necked Phalaropes, and more

TRANSCRIPT

This is the Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society Bird Alert for August 8,
2005. 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.

The alert is back after a summer break. Summer was quiet but there were a
few highlights. One was the appearance of a bird that is expanding its
range across the country and could possibly become routine here. Dennis
Rockwell found the EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE at Horn Rapids County Park on
July 4 where he had a brief but adequate look at this county first. It was
briefly seen by a few other birders, but it never did sit as still as it
did for Dennis.

A pair of NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS also continues at Horn Rapids County
Park. The adults were discovered on May 22 and raised a brood in the
park. People observed the adults carrying food and on July 9, Bill and
Nancy LaFramboise saw 3 fledglings. They were last reported August 1.

On July 28, Mike Lilga found 4 LONG-BILLED CURLEWS on the lawn near the WSU
library. On July 29th, Mary Lilga saw 3 VAUX'S SWIFTS in Prosser and on
the 30th they had a recently fledged RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH in their
Richland yard. While Red-breasted Nuthatches are typically seen in small
numbers year round in parts of the TriCities, it is great to have
supporting evidence of breeding here.

On August 6, Scott Dietert reported a female WESTERN TANAGER in his
Richland yard. It's time to watch for other migrants.

The Yakima Delta has had mud since just after the boat races. Recent
sandpipers have included the expected regulars such as Greater and Lesser
Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitchers, Killdeer, Western, Least and Spotted
Sandpipers. Some of the more unusual species so far have been a few
SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, up to 4 SOLITARY SANDPIPERS, and several WILSON'S
PHALAROPES. Today August 8, Bob Woodley and Nancy LaFramboise found a lone
BAIRD'S SANDPIPER and Bob noted a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE. If you have
patience, this is a good time to scan the edges for VIRGINIA RAIL and SORA.

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