Hello Tweeters,
I spend fife days over in Eastern Washington over this long Memorial Weekend
in Wenas and Washtucna.The weather was OK with one exception on Saturday
night for the tally at the campfire at 7.00Pm The weather changed than and
it start raining.There was the Memorial for my Son Patrick where Kathy
Andrich started it off with the ceremony of the three candle lighting.One
candle for Patrick One for me his Mother and one for the Birding
community.After the speech there put out Patrick's candle.Wilson Cady who
been one of the longest time in Wenas give his speech on Patrick,how he met
a young birder ,it as in the late 80this I believe.This was the good times
we spend and birded there every year taken over Eugene Hunn Owl Prowl.A
special THANK YOU Kathy Andrich and Wilson Cady for the recognition you give
to Patrick.I was again to thankful of the kind words some of you give me for
Patrick.
Eugene Hunn give the presentation of the evening, from the book he wrote
and studied Indian History The book call
"NCH's Ana" The Big River" Even so it pored rain,most all birders stayed and
got soaked wet.It was a so special presentation one will not forget .I am
going to trying to find this book.Thank you Gene for enlighten us all about
what INDIAN'S bring to our culture.
I don't ad some of the birds I saw in the three days I spend in Wenas,Only
that I had a constant flow of three species of Hummingbirds coming to my
feeder both male & female Black-chinned ,male & female Rufous, and female
Calliope Hummingbirds.
On Sunday morning I left for Washtucna,where Patrick and I spend the last
three years during Spring and Fall Migration.I wish I had the eye and
hearing for Warblers and you have to have a fast eye,and if it was not for
Patrick I would miss most of this Warblers.But I loved the town,so most of
the time I was sitting with my Lawn chair on this great creek which runs to
the Basset Park in Washtucna.Most all the birds using this creek for bathing
and it was again this time.Species seeing this weekend on the pond
where,Western Kingbirds ,Red -breasted Nuthatch, Willow Flycatcher, Dusky
Flycatcher..Barn Swallows,House Wren,Hermit Thrush,A.Robin ( running all
over ) Wilson Warblers,Yellow Warblers,Western Tanager,
Song Sparrow,Western Meadowlark.A juvenile Yellow-headed
Blackbird1,Red-winged Blackbird1,Brewers Blackbirds (many)A.Goldfinch,
Other birds in the Park where RED EYE VIREO, Warbling Vireo,Black-headed
Grosbeak,Bullock's Oriole( many) Gray Catbird, Killdeer ( a pair breeding)
On Monday morning there where 3 Cinnamon Teals in the Creek at 5.30 AM.2
males& 1 female.The two males was vigorously fighting over the one female
going high in to the air to trying to make the other male drowning in to
the water.At this was all over,the defeaded male was laying down on the lawn
all alone while the other performing there mating.This birds staying for
about two hours,leaving the area.Other birds where observed on the Cliff
where Prairie Falcon male,A.Kestrel1)
Red-tailed Hawk1 light morph, Eurasian Collared Doves (many)
There going to be a bench in the park with a Plaque which honor Patrick.The
Central Audubon paid for the Bench.And the going to be a Display case where
the swimming Pool is,where there some of the photos Patrick took from
Washtucna and the Basset Park.This is a special place in Eastern Washington
where many birders out of the State going to visit.There are also two BIG
Sign's where the town erected to mention the many birders who coming to
Washtucna to finding wanted Birds.It was a special two days for me since
Patrick loved it so much,I learn to like it for that reason alone,thinking
of the times we spend there.My Photos are up now and can be sighted at ,
http://www.pbase.com/godwit/recent photos


Cheers Ruth Sullivan