HI Tweeters,

Eight of us went on a Black Hills Audubon Society birding trip, co-led by Dave Hayden and myself, on Saturday. Despite the long drive, a temperature that reached 101 degrees, and a few no shows, we succeeded in collectively seeing nearly 80 species of birds.

By far, the birdiest location was Fort Simcoe State Park, at which we arrived in the early afternoon. Species seen included BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD, lots of LEWIS'S WOODPECKERS, LAZULI BUNTING, WESTERN TANAGER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER, WILSON'S WARBLER, BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, SAY'S PHOEBE, CEDAR WAXWINGS, and a very large Gopher Snake, which kept trying to kill me as Dave Hayden, as usual, to photos.

We did not see any Bobolinks along the grassy fields off of Lateral C Rd, although we did spot a couple of SANDHILL CRANES. Also seen were WILSON'S SNIPE, a few of which were sitting on fence posts in plain view, WILSON'S PHALAROPE, YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS, and SORA.

We located a GREAT-HORNED OWL ADULT and a nearly fledged chick in the line of trees as one walks to the visitor center at Toppenish NWR. About a mile further along Pump House Rd, at a trail leading up Toppenish Ridge, we saw CHIPPING SPARROWS and VESPERS SPARROWS as well as one Black-tailed Jackrabbit.

Miscellaneous birds include a SWAINSON'S HAWK, lots of WESTERN FLYCATERS, KESTRELS, a GOLDEN EAGLE soaring near the cliffs near the Oak Creek Wildlife area, and a SPOTTED TOWHEE that was all black and white (no red), also near Oak Creek.

Well, I'm off for the Capital Forest for another Audubon trip. Good birding,

Lonnie Somer
Olympia, WA
wheelermombi at comcast.net