Hi Tweets,



On a weekend trip to Goldendale Observatory, I "persuaded" my husband to do
a little birding as well as star-gazing. In the picnic area of Fort Simcoe,
several LEWIS'S WOODPECKERS were easily observable and a pair of AMERICAN
KESTRELS appear to have a nest in one of the large trees; BULLOCK'S ORIOLES
and BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS were also easily seen. On the trail marked
"primitive trail" on the kiosk map, we saw a pair of ASH-THROATED
FLYCATCHERS among the oak trees in the most heavily wooded area and believe
we heard others; HOUSE WRENS and LAZULI BUNTINGS were numerous along the
trail; we also saw a LARK SPARROW near the blockhouse. Just past the town of
White Swan, on the way to Fort Simcoe, I saw what I think was a EURASIAN
COLLARED DOVE on a wire; by the time we turned the car around for another
look, the bird was gone (I forgot to tell my husband that "uh" means "stop
car immediately.")



At Toppenish Wildlife Refuge, we had a cooperative GRAY CATBIRD singing and
popping out in the open at the viewing platform; we walked the mowed trail
to the refuge headquarters and had a GREAT HORNED OWL.



We also hiked Cowiche Canyon, which was full of swallows (CLIFF, NORTHERN
ROUGH-WINGED and VIOLET-GREEN). Even though we were there at the hottest
time of the day, the YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS were particularly vocal and two
were singing from exposed perches. We also saw ROCK and CANYON WRENS, SAY'S
PHOEBES, more LAZULI BUNTINGS, more orioles and grosbeaks, a COYOTE and a
YELLOW-BELLIED MARMOT.



Word of warning..ticks were plentiful, especially at Toppenish. Both my
husband and I picked up over a dozen on the short walk from the viewing
platform to headquarters and we found over two dozen on our dog. We picked
up a few more at Cowiche Canyon and are still finding them on us upon
arriving home (ugh).



Megan Lyden

Bellevue, Washington