Hi Tweets:

On a one-day casual jaunt over Snoqualmie Pass to Ellensburg on a gorgeous day, Saturday, February 23, Mike West and I found some expected as well as unexpected birds.??One Peregrine Falcon was seen from the viewing platform at Snoqualmie Falls.? It landed on the rock face?in an area where the falcons?nested 2 years ago.?The American Dipper was seen and heard at the Tinkham exit off of I-90.? An amazing sight was before us in Easton, Exit 71, where at least 200 Red Crossbills were feeding on the road and dirt piles.? The trees were loaded with the crossbills, a few Evening Grosbeaks, Pine Siskins?and Purple Finches. The bird chatter was just as exciting as seeing the birds.
?
At least 30 Bald Eagles were seen in the Ellensburg area along with Rough-legged Hawk, Northern Harrier, American Kestral (one pair copulating), and Horned Lark.? Our search for nests occupied by a Great Horned Owl turned up just one, with?many nests either unoccupied or already taken over by Red-tailed Hawks.? None of last year's owls' nests appear to be in use this year.

Upon entereing the Ginko Interpretive Center in Vantage, we saw a Say's Phoebe perched on a wire.??A Golden Eagle soared over Huntzinger Rd. where a Canyon Wren was heard but not located.? West of the cliffs along the Old Vantage Hwy (no owl seen there) a Sage Sparrow was perched on sage, singing heartedly.? Spring is definitely on its way.

Joyce Meyer
meyer2j at aol.com

________________________________________________________________________
More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! - http://webmail.aol.com