Subject: [Tweeters] Columbia Gorge Birding 15-Oct-06
Date: Oct 15 22:50:08 2006
From: Rick Taylor - taylorrl at mindspring.com


Tweeters,



My wife and I birded through the Columbia Gorge today. The fall colors made
it very nice in spite of the rain. Highlights included:

A very cooperative White-Tailed Kite at Ridgefield NWR near the blind.

Close looks at a Rough-Legged Hawk at Steigerwald NWR.

Lesser Goldfinch flock at the Intersection of Old Highway 8 and Blach Road
near Lyle (our first for Washington and one of targets for the trip)

Lewis' Woodpecker off Old Highway 8

A flock of Black-Throated Grey Warblers, and a flock of Yellow-Rumped
Warblers off Old Highway 8

Very abundant Western Scrub-Jays around Lyle.



We found the Acorn Woodpecker granary tree as described in Birds of
Washington but it did not appear to be in use. We had Western Scrub-Jays
perching on it frequently and could not see any acorns in the many holes.
We saw a woodpecker flying through the trees a hundred yards east of the
tree that looked right for an Acorn Woodpecker; but, did not get a good
enough look to be sure. Is this colony still active?



Thanks,



Rick



Rick Taylor

Everett, WA 98208