Hi Tweets

EAS took a trip today out to Vantage and areas in-between. We started out the day at the Tibbets P&R in Issaquah with two OSPREYs engaged in X-rated activity on the nest platform. A BALD EAGLE flew thru as did an AMERICAN CROW and SONG and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWs and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDs sang around the parking lot.

Our first stop was at Traveler's Rest at Snoqualmie Pass with more AMERICAN CROWs and a couple of HOUSE SPARROWs. We then shot off east toward Vantage. As we passed the ponds alongside I-90 in Cle Elum we saw CANADA GOOSE, RING-NECKED DUCK and MALLARDs. Around Ellensburg we picked up more OSPREYs, crows and RED-TAILED HAWKs.

We turned off at the Kittitas exit and quickly had 4 EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVEs on telephone wires, with EUROPEAN STARLINGs on the ground. East of town we had MOURNING DOVEs. On Caribou Road we saw CALIFORNIA QUAIL, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDs, a nest with RED-TAILED HAWKs. Out Vantage Hwy to Parke Creek Road and the pond with a nice display of YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDs, more Red-winged Blackbirds, and an AMERICAN COOT. Along the road there was a KILLDEER.

Along the Vantage Hwy, just before the Operating Engineers facility we had a pair of MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDs. A ways beyond the facility in a field we had two BURROWING OWLS!! by a burrow - the first I have seen in Kittitas County. We stopped outside the Wild Horse wind farm and managed to pull in several BREWER'S SPARROWs and a distant singing SAGE THRASHER. Two Thrashsers came in fairly close and gave nice looks. Down at the lower entrance to the Quilomene Wildlife Area we had more Brewer's Sparrows and Sage Thrashers. We then got a couple of SAGE SPARROWs to give us really outstanding close looks. It was chilly in the area but with no wind. A number of WESTERN MEADOWLARKs sang along the way.

A ways down Schnebly Coulee we stopped at the first set of cliffs and managed to pull out a nesting GREAT HORNED OWL in a tiny hole. Just behind us, across the road, was a nice LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. We had a couple of AMERICAN KESTRELs along the way. On Recreation Road down by the boat ramp we had both GREATER and LESSER SCAUP and BUFFLEHEAD on the river. Several RUBY-CROWNED KINGLEs were feeding in the bushes, and a flock of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERs was also. A SAY'S PHOEBE worked the cliffs over and a couple of American Kestrels flew by. Up at the Gingko Interpretive Center the usual SAY'S PHOEBE was on the nest under the eaves of the building. A CASPIAN TERN flew by over the river, As did a CALIFORNIA GULL and a GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL. Bunches of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERs worked the trees over and a couple of AMERICAN GOLDFINCH were there also. Some AMERICAN ROBINs were present as were a NORTHERN FLICKER (red-shafted) and a DOWNY WOODPECKER. VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWs flew by the cliffs and a single WHITE-THROATED SWIFT flew by.

Down Huntzinger Road we stopped at Wanapum State Park and located the LONG-EARED OWL on the nest (a corner of an ear tuft showed) and nearby the probably male LONG-EARED OWL was perched out in plain sight. Three owls! Down by Wanapum Dam we pulled out a ROCK WREN on the rock pile, had COMMON GOLDENEYEs and COMMON LOON on the river. A bit further down the road we tried for Canyon Wren with no results, but did have two ROCK PIGEONs up on the cliffs. Way down the river there were several AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS (Grant County).

Coming back along I-90 we in the pond just beyond Kittitas we had MALLARDs, RING-NECKED DUCKs, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, CANADA GOOSE, NORTHERN SHOVELER, AMERICAN WIGEON, scaup. We pulled off at Canyon Road and looked at the pond behind the Bar 14 restaurant. RUDDY DUCKs, a single AMERICAN COOT and a whole tree full of YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDs (looked like a christmas tree full of ornaments). As we watched a BALD EAGLE came in a began making passes at the Coot. The coot kept diving and gradually working its way toward a bush on the shore. After about 5 minutes the eagle almost had it when it reached shallow water - the coot scrambled under the bush and the eagle dove right in after it. Coot dinner!

We drove the fields north of Ellensburg searching for Long-billed Curlews without finding any. We did find a male NORTHERN HARRIER. A distant SHORT-EARED OWL flew away (four species of owls!!). We then went up to Bettas Road and saw some more American Kestrels, more Red-winged Blackbirds, BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS, DARK-EYED JUNCOs and HOUSE FINCH. On a hillside were a herd of Mule Deer. Further along we pulled out a couple of VESPER SPARROWs who sang for us. Up Swauk Prairie Road we had a WESTERN BLUEBIRD. Down along Red Bridge Road we missed on the American Dipper at the Teanaway River, but did find AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW, and BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE.

At various places along the way we saw: COMMON MERGANSER, RING-NECKED PHEASANT, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, GREAT BLUE HERON, TURKEY VULTURE, WILSON'S SNIPE, STELLER'S JAY, BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE, COMMON RAVEN, BARN SWALLOW, SAVANNAH SPARROW, CASSIN'S FINCH.

It was a great day with lots of great birds (73 species)!.

Brian H. Bell
mail to bell asoc at iso media dot com