My husband and I spent the day in the Ellensburg area yesterday, 4/18.
There didn't seem to be many newly-arrived migrants around, but I did
see my first-of-the-year DUSKY FLYCATCHER at Umtanum Recreation Area, on
Canyon Road. There also were a couple of BUSHTITS along the trail. We
observed a pair of AMERICAN KESTRELS copulating, and it was lovely to
hear the CANYON WRENS singing up on the cliffs. We also saw a group of
three ewe BIGHORN SHEEP up there.

At the traditional spot on the Teanaway River under the SR-10 bridge
near Cle Elum, the pair of AMERICAN DIPPERS was feeding two fledglings.
There was a big mayfly hatch going on, and that's what the adults seemed
to be feeding the young ones. There were lots of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS
sallying out to feed on the mayflies along the river at a few of places
we stopped.

We found one HERMIT THRUSH on the rocks on the edge of the Yakima River
at the intersection of Thorpe and Dudley Roads. Maybe it was feeding on
the mayflies, too.

Rachel Lawson
Seattle
rachelwl at msn.com