Hello all from MerryLynn,
The Walla Walla CBC was held Sunday the 14th in very cold, snowy
conditions - an amazing 28 folks participated which brought us a total of 79
species - the third highest ever for this count. Six species were Count Week
birds - MacGillivray's Warbler! (new to count of course), Bohemian Waxwing,
Marsh Wren, W. Screech-Owl, Long-eared Owl and Northern Goshawk. 2 Cackling
Geese were also new to the count.
Total number of birds - 16,481 of which 8,000 were starlings - every
vineyard (of which there are many!) was covered with them! Juncos came in
second and robins third. 82 Varied Thrush were nice. 74 Hooded Mergansers
were amazing!
Only 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 11 GC Kinglets and 2 Cassin's Finch, NO
crossbills and NO Mountain Chickadees or Winter Wrens - we are still lacking
mountain birds in the foothills of the Blues. There were 8 Sharp-shinned and
6 Cooper's Hawks - all over town. One flyover pipit at Bennington Lake, 80
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches and a Pileated Woodpecker up Mill Creek.
Blue Jay was seen just before and after count week!!
Now it is snowing so hard I spend all my time sweeping snow for the hundreds
of juncos and sparrows in the yard - the siskins land right on my head and
shoulders as I fill the feeders. I know I am fortunate to be home watching
birds in this snow!!
Stay warm and enjoy the birds, ML
..................................................................................
Mike and MerryLynn Denny
Birding the beautiful Walla Walla Valley

If you have not birded, you have not lived