Hello All,
Yesterday after the CBC we came across a winter communal roost of
Black-billed Magpies near Fort Walla Walla that held >236 birds in one
group. This is the largest winter group we have ever seen in this county. I
will try for a photo of this roost and post it at
www.bluemountainaudubon.org

Then this morning while escaping the dense fog( penalty day for being clear
and sunny yesterday) of the Walla Walla Valley up in the foothills of the
Blue Mountains we observed >200 American Crows flying southeast along
Biscuit Ridge and on up into the Blue Mountains. This is an area where crows
are very rare and seldom seen. Where they were headed is unknown or why they
are up in an area they seldom venture into is interesting.

Also today we encountered a single American Dipper on a "crick" no more that
16" wide up off Seaman Rd. as this bird was loudly calling. This very small
stream moves down hill through thick blackberry clumps and is a tributary of
Upper Dry Creek south out of Dixie. We have never seen a Dipper on Upper Dry
Creek in 20+ years of birding this region. So once again you never know what
species are where or why? Isn't ordered chaos great!
Later Mike

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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!
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