Subject: [Tweeters] Swainsons Hawk and Barn Swallow
Date: Jan 31 17:18:19 2005
From: J & B Adamowski LaComa - jennandbryan at msn.com


Hey Tweeters!
Yesterday I was fortunate enough to get out and enjoy the great warm sunshine that the Kittitas Valley occasionally offers up in the Winter. Hiked Umtanum Canyon and jumped up on the Skyline Trail as well. It is still a bit early in the higher hills there for more than a few passerby's but did manage to scare (they really scared me) Calif. Quail. Lower Valley had its usual Raptor population with Red-Tails, Rough-Legged, Kestrel, and Prairie Falcon. A few notable exceptions to the day though were 2 that I have seen earlier and earlier the last 3 years....Swainsons Hawk and Barn Swallow. Last year and this year I saw 1 Swainsons in the Ellensburgh area almost exactly to the day. This year there were 2 perched in a tree together! Great looks at close range. I have read a bit on these guys and everybody says that they migrate South and do not return until May and beyond but there is no doubt in my mind what I saw. Also of note was a lone Barn Swallow flying near Ringer Road also in Ellensburgh. Has anybody else seen a Swainsons in Eastern Wa. and has it ever been this early?

Bryan