Prior to the storms hitting today I ventured towards Vantage to see what I
could find. Good water bird numbers were to be found. Several Bald Eagles
were hunting along the Columbia river and a small flock (~8) of
GRAY-CROWNED ROSY FINCHES were in the grassy area along the road at sentinel
gap. An adult Golden Eagle was soaring with 3 red-tails near the entrance to
the YTC.

Among the waterbird highlights included:

A large congregation of birds just north of the I-90 bridge consisting
mainly of coot, both scaup and wigeon but also included both goldeneye,
redhead, 1 EARED GREBE, 8 pied-billed grebes, numerous horned grebe and
farther out 2 PACIFIC LOON.

Another large scaup flock was to be found at Wanapum St. Park and here a
single male Canvasback was also found. Both scaup flocks were carefully
searched for tufted duck, but none was to be found. Just above Wanapum Dam
another EARED GREBE was found and many common loon and Barrow's goldeneye
were below the dam in the spillway area.

Cruised through the Ellensburg farmlands on the way home hoping to get lucky
with a Snowy Owl, which have been mostly absent in this area, despite being
found over much of the rest of the state. To date only 3 sightings of
snowies have occurred in Yakima and Kittitas Co. this winter with all
sightings being found on the ridges between Yakima and Ellensburg, none have
been in the valleys. No Snowy Owl to be found, but great numbers of raptors
with a PRAIRIE FALCON on Christensen Rd, ~85-90 Red-tailed Hawk, 15-20
Rough-legged Hawk and 36 Bald Eagle, including 6 together on one stretch of
Wilson Creek Rd. Finally by early afternoon the snowy drove me home to
Yakima, glancing along the highway as I cruised over the ridges hoping to
see a white raptor.... no such luck.

Scott Downes
downess at charter.net
Yakima WA