Hello Tweets,NW Inlanders and other birders,

The Cape May Warbler near Spokane made a nice showing this morning at the Sherrodd's residence with the added help from Cindy McCormick that graciously allowed birders to view the bird,while the owners are away on vacation. A great bird to see,watch and photograph! My mother and I arrived this crisp,cold morning at the location in the Spokane Valley shortly before 9am,then by 9:20am were observing the bird from the road in a fairly large maple tree,as we stood waiting to gain access to the backyard. Within 10 minutes Cindy arrived and allowed several of us birders in the backyard,where the bird reappeared for us within 20 minutes. The bird was first detected flying in the bush that held 2 suet feeders close to the patio,where it hopped around until it flew into the maple tree near the center of the backyard. The Cape May Warbler remained very active and present during our entire visit within the backyard property,but never relied completely on the suet feeders. The bird seemed to readily be attracted to sap-lined limbs with the maple tree that were visible,as we watched the bird fly from branch to branch,as well as occasionally "flycatching" too. It was an active bird to watch,but was highly cooperative and seemed to have a regular routine during our visit. The bird at times would also chase around a few Mountain Chickadees that we noted,as well as a few House Sparrow that came into the bush next to the patio. The bird spent much of the time reliably and predictably in the maple tree,but also was noted in a spruce tree along the north side of the property,as well as a few other deciduous trees including at least one of the apple trees. On at least one occasion the bird also visited a wooden seed feeder hanging from that apple tree,so it appears to have a wide variety of food sources. We also watched the bird resting calmly for a few seconds along the edge of the rooftop above the patio before flying back to the maple tree along with one instance where the bird dropped very briefly onto the ground near a group of apple trees. By the time we left the location at 10:45am at least 12 birders made an appearance to view the bird primarily local birders from within the Spokane area and conditions couldn't be better.Thanks again to Cindy for allowing us permission by the home owners to see the bird at least for this weekend!

A few additional notable species observed from the Sherrodd's residence included the following:

1 Merlin(of which made at least 3 flyby passes over and through the property during our visit,but not seeing to hinder the bird activity)
25 California Quail
15+ Mourning Doves
2 Downy Woodpeckers
5 Mountain Chickadees(with at least 2 Black-capped Chickadees also present)
3 Red-breasted Nuthatches
6 Pygmy Nuthatches(of which were a nice highlight for most everyone away from the Cape May Warbler with at least 2 of the birds came into the suet feeders)
1 Song Sparrow


After getting superb views of the Cape May Warbler and visiting with other birders we slowly worked our way to Vantage by making a few additional birding stops. Our first stop was made along Hwy.23 at Sheep Lake in NW Whitman Co.,where a good assortment of waterfowl were noted within the ice-fee waters of the lake. Highlights at this location included the following:

1 Greater White-fronted Goose(with 48+ Cackling Geese)
1 pair of Eurasian Wigeon
1 pair of Canvasback
8 Redheads
8 Ring-necked Ducks
29 Lesser Scaup
2 Greater Scaup
1 Barrow's Goldeneye(with 78 Common Goldeneyes and numerous Buffleheads)

Next,a short,brief stop made at the Sprague Rest Area(westbound)produced a single male Varied Thrush,as the only species noted at this location. A pair of Rough-legged Hawks were noted hunting north of I-90 between Tokio and Ritzville. Continuing westward we made a visit to the town of Ritzville in Adams Co.,which was quite slow with the only noteworthy species encountered consisted of a male Varied Thrush and 15 Cedar Waxwings. 9 Tundra Swans were tallied along north side of I-90 at Moses Lake. We arrived at Vantage at 2:30pm,where our first stop was made at the boat launch just north of I-90,where a pair of Long-tailed Ducks and a single Eared Grebe were among the main highlights. Another Eared Grebe was noted amongst a large raft of Am.Coots further north along the Columbia River from another boat launch below the Gingko Park. As conditions remained very calm and almost balmy we worked our way south along Huntzinger Rd.,where we ended the day south of Wanapum Dam between 3:30pm-5pm. We were soon joined by 18 other birders, of which all enjoyed great views of 25+ active Gray-crowned Rosy Finches,as the birds flew along the rugged cliff sides just above the roadside. At times a few of the birds were noted resting inside old Cliff Swallow nests,as well as residing to rock crevices at different elevations along the cliff while we all stood watching the birds. We initially learned previously from 2 birders at the location that a flock of 100+ Gray-crowned Rosy Finches were noted 30 minutes prior to our arrival,so it appears the birds wanders and move about the general area and numbers vary widely. Anyhow, it is nice to see these birds again,as they linger for more birders to see.

Other species of note from this location south of Wanapum Dam included the following:

15 Common Loons
4 Barrow's Goldeneyes
2 Rock Wrens


Our last highlight of the day was a single 1st winter plumaged Glaucous Gull observed along Huntzinger Rd. immediately south of Wanapum State Park at 5:10pm. The bird was noted loafing on the Columbia River with a flock of 15 Herring Gulls within 50 yards offshore of the park(on the Kittitas Co. side of the Columbia River).



Good birding,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
Fircrest,WA
godwit at worldnet.att.net