We received a phone call from Susan Wierenga this morning and she told us
she had located a Black-throated Sparrow near her home in Prosser.

>From I-82, take Exit 82. Take Highway 22 toward Mabton. Turn left on
Market, go to stop sign. Turn right on Concord Way, go to stop sign, turn
left on Kinney Way. This becomes Lincoln Grade. In approximately 1 mile,
one is at the summit, there is a smaller dirt road that goes left (at a
white gate) toward some radio towers. Approximately ? mile along this road,
there are tracks made by 4 wheelers. This is the area where a bird was seen
and was singing at 9 am this morning.

Though she was sure, Susan asked us to confirm her sighting which we were
happy to do. Her directions were very good and we found the area with no
problems. There were TWO Black-throated Sparrows present. They moved
around a lot so patience will be needed. Since Black-throated Sparrows have
bred in the Tri-Cities area before, please try to locate the birds by ear
instead of playing tapes. Since there were a lot of contact notes, it is
likely that this is a breeding pair. Lincoln Grade is steep but passable
for passenger cars, though one would probably want to park at the white gate
and walk the last ? mile.

After leaving Lincoln Grade, we went a bit farther west on Highway 22 to
Ward Gap Road. We were able to find at least 1 Western Scrub-Jay thanks to
another tip from Susan. Evidently this is the third year they have been
present. Go south on Ward Gap to the Valley Cabinet Company. The birds
were behind the building but perched fairly high in a pine visible from the
parking lot. Please assume that this is private property and respect that.


Also at the cabinet company on the utility poles and wires we observed 3
Eurasian Collared-Doves.


Bill and Nancy LaFramboise
Richland WA