Subject: [Tweeters] Yakima birding addendum, horse question,
Date: May 18 17:36:03 2008
From: wheelermombi at comcast.net - wheelermombi at comcast.net


Hi Tweeters,

Well, to continue my post from this morning concerning Yakima birding on Saturday, we were lucky enough to see a few PRAIRIE FALCONS as well, including a couple along Pump House Rd. One of them kept scaring some Townsend's Ground Squirrels that Gary Wiles had spotted. Also along Pump House Rd. to the north, we saw 6 BLACK-NECKED STILTS in a fairly small wetland area. One bird that we saw that I really did not think much about at the time was a W. SCRUB JAY near the Oak Creek Wildlife Area. Jim Pruske mentioned to me this morning that this was a very uncommon bird for Yakima County.

Now the non-birdy horse question. Gary mentioned to us yesterday that he believed that their were still feral horses in Yakima County. While we we at Fort Simcoe State Park, we spotted a herd of free roaming horses, including a few foals, in the distance. They did not appear to be fenced in in any manner. Does any one know if feral horses occur in that region?

So this morning, I found myself co-leading another Audubon trip (which was why the rushed e-mail before I left) with Jim Pruske to Capital Forest. Nine other birders came along. We were also conducting a Bird-athon for Black Hills Audubon Society. We found roughly 50 species (Jim can give the exact number to those of you who have pledged). We did not see anything particularly uncommon, but it was a beautiful day, and once one is away from the heavily used lowlands, it is extremely peaceful and a great get away for the South Puget Sound area without having to drive very far. A few of the highlights included 3 or 4 PYGMY OWLS that we managed to call in. They were very vocal but all but one remained hidden. The one that came out into the open perched atop a tall Douglas Fir, and mostly mooned us, although he occasionally glanced at us over his shoulder. We also found a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER perched on a metal powerline tower. Every now and then it would bang away on t!
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l and the sound really carried. Some first of the year birds for me included PACIFIC SLOPE and OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHERS and a probable HERMIT WARBLER (based on its song; we all got warbler neck trying to actually see it). We also located a couple of A. DIPPERS in Cedar Creek.

It was a fun weekend,

Lonnie Somer
Olympia, WA
wheelermombi at comcast.net