Hello Tweeters,



I spent Sunday birding the Wenas area and surrounds. It was my first time
birding this area, and though I?d heard quite a bit about it, I was amazed
by the diversity of habitats and resident birds. The highlight was 2 Least
Flycatchers calling actively in Hardy Canyon. They were in an aspen grove
about 100 yards up the trail. I saw 6 of Washington?s regular Empidonax
flycatchers (and 11 total flycatcher species), with Gray, Dusky, and
Pacific-slope around the Wenas Campground, Willow and Least in Hardy Canyon,
and Hammond?s off Highway 12 near White Pass. I also saw a number of
Lewis?s Woodpeckers at Fort Simcoe, but no Acorn Woodpecker. Gray Catbirds
and Yellow-breasted Chats were in a number of riparian areas around Wenas
and Toppenish.



In the Toppenish area, there were several Bobolinks in their traditional
location (as noted in Opperman?s Birder?s Guide to Washington). Also in
that field were 2 Red-necked Phalaropes and a winnowing Snipe. Along Pump
House Road, I found Loggerhead Shrike and Sage Sparrow (the only sparrow
still singing at 2:00 in 80 degree heat). I made my way up over White Pass,
and saw a White-headed Woodpecker on Bethel Ridge Road, off Highway 12. I
was hoping to find a few high-elevation birds near White Pass, but the rain
started coming down heavy and put an end to my day of birding. I?m looking
forward to getting better acquainted with some of these east-side species at
the WOS Conference this weekend.



Good birding,

Matt Dufort

Seattle, WA


--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.8.4/363 - Release Date: 6/13/2006