Hello all (from MerryLynn),
This morning Ginger Shoemake chauffeured five of us up Jasper Mountain just
east of Walla Walla where we found some surprising birds. Most of the
following were in the first half-mile south of the T on Jasper. This area
was part of the Columbia Complex burn and all the big trees were logged out
this spring and summer.

PYGMY NUTHATCH - at least 12 birds - this species is rare in Walla Walla
county and previous records were one or two birds - I also had one at Mt.
Hope Cemetery in College Place on Monday morning with both kinglet species.

White-breasted Nuthatch - 5 birds - another unusual bird for our county
although we did have a mini-invasion several years ago. Our first for the
year was on the 2nd in the Fort Walla Walla Natural Area. Did not see any
last year.

Red-breasted Nuthatch - 30+ birds - up top and a dozen more on the way up.
They are also common in town this fall.

CLARK'S NUTCRACKER - 3 birds - another rare bird in this county - Shoemakes
had one up Russel Creek last week. Have not had one in the county in
many years.

Red Crossbill - 40+ birds - several flocks with many streaked young.
Pine Siskin - 200+ - these birds were everywhere and very noisy.
Cassin's Finch - 10 - still low on this species - for several years now.
Steller's Jay - 2
Dark-eyed Junco - 50+
White-crowned Sparrow - abundant all the way up with 75+ on top - mostly
young.
Chipping Sparrow - 50+ with many young.
Brewer's Sparrow - 3
Lincoln's Sparrow - 1
Vesper Sparrow - 2 - on the way up.
Spotted Towhee - 2
Mountain Chickadee - 12+
Orange-crowned Warbler - 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 40+
Pileated Woodpecker - 2 - gave us nice views
Downy Woodpecker - 1 female - And no other woodpeckers!
Savannah Sparrows - common on the way up
Hammond's Flycatcher - 2 on the way up
kinglets - just a couple of both species on the way up - very low numbers
last few years in our county.

No bluebirds or raptors which was surprising.

Still have one rufous hummer at our feeder.

Bennington Lake yesterday had many sparrows migrating -
White-crowned, Vesper, Chipping, Brewer's, Clay-colored, Lincoln's. Also
many swifts and swallows.

>From HOT Walla Walla county, MerryLynn





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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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