I was out some this morning around and outside Othello. Thinking of
migration dates, I checked Kiwanis Park for sapsuckers, none found there but
had an expected mixed flock of Red-breasted Nuthatches and both kinglets.
For some reason I checked across the street at the Presbyterian church, and
a Red-naped Sapsucker was flying from one tree to the next. The Para ponds
had three Tundra Swans, plenty of Cliff Swallows and a Tricolored Blackbird.
Since they aren't feeding cattle nearby the blackbird flocks are
unpredictable. A curlew was just south of the water tower at 14th Avenue,
and have been reported just north of Othello along 7th Ave. I just noticed
a Pine Siskin at the feeder that joined about 50 goldfinches, and Varied
Thrushes have been using the duff along the backyard fence.



I'll mention a "sacrificial" Burrowing Owl for viewing and photographers
since I've had so many inquiries privately. I say sacrificial because in
the past some intent on a closer look or photo have pushed birds that
stressed or caused abandonment north of this spot. The easiest location to
see owls still is north of Sutton Road halfway between Reynolds Road and
Highway 17, where as many as 5 pair are using the west-facing drainage ditch
bank, north of the paved runway. A closer look is along Lemaster Road about
150 yards south of Cunningham where a ditch road burrow is again occupied
after several years of no use. The burrow is on top of the berm. Please
stay in your vehicle and use the east side of the road for viewing west
rather than pulling up right next to it on the southbound side of the road.
I heard cranes this morning but didn't go looking.



Yesterday on my way back to Othello there was a Turkey Vulture along Highway
24 near MP 52 on the Wahluke Slope, and Sage Sparrow and Loggerhead Shrike
just north of the Wahluke Branch Canal crossing on the road that goes to the
top of Saddle Mountain near MP 60.



Catching up from the last week, the Point Wilson (Port Townsend)
Yellow-billed Loon was still present on 4/3 around 3 pm, starting to get a
dark face and spotted back. Earlier in the week there were at least 19
Black Oystercatchers at Cape Flattery and Tatoosh Island, where the murres
had returned and a pair of Bald Eagles is standing guard. The Common Teal
was still at the River S Unit of Ridgefield NWR earlier this week, visible
at the usual spot beyond Stop 6.



Randy Hill

Othello/Ridgefield