Tweeters,

Eleven of us braved the rain and wind yesterday (Nov. 12) to bird east of the Cascades. From Vantage east the weather was balmy and moisture-free.

We found a mixed flock of waxwings near the corner of 2nd and Montgomery in Cle Elum, just east of the bakery. There were at least 4-5 Bohemians and perhaps a dozen Cedars. Other nice finds during the day included Northern Shrike (along Naneum Rd. east of E'burg) and numbers of Rough-legged Hawks along Look, Brick Mill, and Naneum Rds. north or east of E'burg. One Rough-legged was what Wheeler's Raptors of Western North America labels adult male dark morph "black type" (plate 474), a plumage I've rarely seen. In the same area was a light morph "Harlan's" Red-tailed Hawk with a pale gray tail with a broad reddish tip.

Along lower Crab Ck. in Crab Ck. NWR we saw a Loggerhead Shrike (a few over-winter here) and a covey of 55-60 Chukar, and 35-40 Tundra Swans, among other things.

Good birding, Bob

Bob Sundstrom
Tenino, Washington
ixoreus at scattercreek.com