Hello all,
We left home yesterday (21 April) headed north to Pateros. On our way we
crossed O'Sullivan Dam and MerryLynn spotted the adult male Snowy Owl
already reported by Bob Flores. Just north of Morgan Lake on Columbia NWR we
located a Western Kingbird. Worked our way north through high winds to
Mansfield in Douglas Co. where Mike spotted a GRAY FLYCATCHER. This is our
earliest date ever for this species in eastern WA.
Today ( 22 April ) we had the privilege of birding with Dr.Steve Herman
starting on Central Ferry Canyon Road in Douglas Co.. At first light we
came upon six Blue Grouse on a lek in the middle of the road!! Four males in
all their splendor displaying & courting two hens. Along Dyer Hill Road we
located another adult male Snowy Owl perched on a basalt monolith.
Continuing on east along 28 NW we located TWO MORE ADULT MALE SNOWY OWLS
also perched on basalt monoliths for a total of 3 adult males!! WOW! isn't
this spring! This is the latest date we have ever found this owl species in
eastern WA.
Back in Mansfield at the grain elevators were four Yellow-headed Blackbirds,
eight Brown-headed Cowbirds and 100+ White-crowned Sparrows.
Additional highlights:
Orange-crowned Warbler - 3 birds Douglas Co. corner of Bank's lake
Nashville Warbler - 1 bird same place.
Red-breasted Mergansers - 2 males, 1 female same corner.
White-throated Swifts - 35+ heading north.
Common Loon - 20 birds on Blue Lake
Eurasian Collared Dove - MP 12.5 on Hwy 17 in Franklin Co. just north of
Merion Rd.
Western Kingbird - just north of Mesa along Hwy 17
Turkey Vulture- 2 adults over Dry Falls Lake in Grant Co.
Arctic Horned Lark - 25+ in shallow pool along K NE on the Waterville
Plateau.
Red Crossbill - 5 birds- 3 very recently fledged young with two adults in
the Wells Wildlife area near Bridgeport.

This was a great trip with very good company and unexpected sightings.
Later Mike
********************************************************************
Mike & MerryLynn Denny
1354 S. E. Central Ave.
College Place, WA 99324
509.529.0080 (h)

IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN BIRDING, YOU HAVEN'T LIVED!
*******************************************************************