Hi Tweeters,

This morning Richard Repp and I journeyed to Spokane to see the very
obliging Cape May Warbler that has been visiting the feeders of Al and Anne
Sherrodd in Spokane Valley. When we arrived in the backyard, Brad Waggoner
was sitting beside Al in one of the plastic chairs Al had put out for the
visiting birders. They were looking at the warbler when we arrived and
quickly pointed it out to us. This incredible rarity for Washington
certainly chose the right yard to take up residence in. Al was very nice
to us in his greeting and conversation. It was a life bird for both
Richard and me and we really enjoyed our visit. The warbler was also very
obliging when it perched perfectly still several times posing for photos.

From Spokane we drove west on Highway 2 to Wilbur, then taking Highway 174
northwest onto the Grand Coulee Plateau. Shortly after turning onto
Douglas Road we found an immature Golden Eagle perched atop a power
pole. Photos were taken, then the eagle swooped down off the pole and
landed on the ground a short distance away. Two ravens soon arrived and
did their best to harass the eagle, which soon flew off with the ravens
following close behind.

Richard and I worked our way north and west on the plateau and soon passed
an abandoned farmstead with several trees that had five Rough-legged Hawks
either perched in them or soaring over. We watched the five hawks all take
wing and soar overhead for quite a long time. The object of their
attentions might have been three Ring-necked Pheasants that flushed from
under the trees.

We dropped off the plateau to Electric City and checked the waters at the
north end of Banks Lake for gulls. In amongst 30 or so Herring Gulls was
one Thayer's Gull. Driving down the east side of Banks Lake we saw quite a
few Bald Eagles, including nine perched in one tree.

Most of the lakes were frozen over, in spite of the daytime temperatures
being in the mid-40s. On Lake Lenore we found a small flock of Common
Goldeneyes, two Barrow's Goldeneyes and about 10 Lesser Scaup.

We headed home and decided to try for Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches on
Huntzinger Road south of Wanapum Dam. We struck gold immediately. I
spotted one rosy-finch roosting in a Cliff Swallow nest high on the
cliff. I ran, rather hobbled - due to an aching knee, back to the car to
get my scope and camera, and when I returned Richard was thick in the
middle of rosy-finches. There were at least 15 working the cliff-face,
searching for roosting places in the rock crevices and swallow
nests. Several of them came well down the cliff to be almost at eye
level. We heard their call notes repeatedly as they perched on the rocks
right in front of us. It was one of the most stirring birding experiences
I have had.

Photos of the Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches, Cape May Warbler, Golden Eagle,
one Rough-legged Hawk and the Bald Eagles are in the "new photos" folder on
my website.

Denny Granstrand

* Denny Granstrand *
* Yakima, WA *
* dgranstrand at charter.net *
* Denny's bird photos can be seen online at: *
http://granstrand.net/gallery/