Birded the Umptanum Creek trail from the Yakima River upstream several miles
on Saturday 4/30. Special thanks (and donations) are due to the Washington
Trails Association for the week long work party that improved this trail
immensely.
Highlights included: 3 pairs of Lewis' Woodpeckers; a pair of Prairie
Falcons, a pair of Cooper's Hawks, numerous House, Rock and Canyon Wrens,
Nashville Warblers and one thicket with 3 skulking/singing Lazuli Buntings.
My wonderful new copy of "Birds of Washington" says Lazuli Buntings
are rare before May in WA. These 3 were unusual in that they were all lurking
in the same thicket and not "T'd up" on top of a bush as expected in my past
visits in May.
This is a great trail for the month of May....but do mind the
rattlesnakes.
Ed Deal
Seattle, WA