The 3 day WOS trip to southeastern Washington state on January 15, 16, and 17, 2011 was a huge success. Weather was balmy with highs in low 60s and a mix of conditions that included clear skies, heavy rain, strong winds, but no cold weather at all which was unexpected. 16 participants who were all from western Washington enjoyed exploring Asotin, Columbia, Franklin, Garfield, and Whitman counties. 93 total species were seen over the 3 days by most of the group.

Saturday, January 15 - Asotin county highlights

In the early morning at the Evans Road ponds/wetland, we found a few ducks including MALLARD, NORTHERN PINTAIL, HOODED MERGANSER, and BUFFLEHEAD. Our first of many BALD EALGES flew over here as well. With some effort, we had a VIRGINIA RAIL respond to our calls and a skulking WILSON'S SNIPE was seen briefly. Also, here was a calling MARSH WREN that we never were able to see.

Up on the highlands along Peola Road, we found very few HORNED LARKS due to the lack of snow cover. One PRAIRIE FALCON and a NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen along the road as well. NORTHERN HARRIER and RED-TAILED HAWKS were also seen.

At the Asotin County landfill, we entered the landfill and on the commercial side of the dumping area two outstanding gulls were found. A lone adult MEW GULL was present and an immature GLAUCOUS GULL sporting a nicely bi-colored bill. Other gulls present included CALIFORNIA, RING-BILLED, and HERRING. Another nice find as the group was leaving the landfill was a MERLIN that was eyeing the horde of STARLINGS and HOUSE SPARROWS.

In the town of Clarkston and at the Port, we found EURASIAN COLLARED DOVES. The Port area also gave us views of WOOD DUCKS near one of the grain terminals.

At Swallows Park along the Snake, we lucked out and found the continuing PACIFIC LOON very close to the Southway Bridge. Also, here was a lone EARED GREBE and WESTERN GREBE. Our only KILLDEER of the trip was working the beach here as well.

Reaching the town of Asotin, we checked a staked out nest box that is holding a WESTERN SCREECH-OWL and we got very lucky to find the owl sticking its head out of the opening of the box so everyone got amazing looks at this seldom seen owl.

At the southern city limit of Asotin along First Street which becomes Snake River Road, we stopped for a quick moving SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. Good thing we did because as we looked around here, we also found a lone LESSER GOLDFINCH on a feeder on one of the houses on the uphill side of the road. Also, here was a SAY'S PHOEBE which is always nice to see in winter. On the cliffs were calling CANYON WRENS and in the brush we found BEWICK'S WREN, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. Further south on Snake River Road, two more SAY'S PHOEBE were seen and two COOPER'S HAWKS.

We took the cut-off up Couse Creek Road and at the top of the grade, we had great looks at a juvenile GOLDEN EAGLE. Also, along Montgomery Ridge Road, we found our one and only ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK of the trip.

A late afternoon visit to Field Springs State Park, only yielded a good-sized flock of WILD TURKEYS that were flying high up into the trees to roost. Plus a few MOUNTAIN CHICKADEES and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS. On the way out, one car did get to see a PILEATED WOODPECKER.

Sunday, January 16 - Columbia, Franklin, Garfield counties

On Sunday, we started early and drove through the dark to reach the western side of Columbia county. On the way, a couple cars caught glimpses of BARN OWLS and two SHORT-EARED OWLS.

At Lewis and Clark State Park, our target bird was the continuing WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS that have been hanging out in the camping area. We only managed a vocal response and one participant did get a quick visual of the sparrows, but they mainly remained hidden due to the rain and wind. A walk on both sides of the park was fruitful in which we found WOOD DUCK, GREAT BLUE HERON, MERLIN, HAIRY WOODPECKER, BELTED KINGFISHER, BEWICK'S WREN, PACIFIC WREN, BROWN CREEPER, VARIED THRUSH, and PINE SISKIN.

In Dayton, we drove the streets of the town in search of Waxwings. It took lots of work, but we finally tracked down one flock that had approximately 30 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS and one CEDAR WAXWING in it. Also, as the drivers were walking to retrieve the cars, a BARN OWL flew over in broad daylight. A TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE was seen on the west end of town as well. Another MERLIN was seen perched on top of a bare tree near of the city parks also.

We then headed towards Lyons Ferry and made a quick stop for a NORTHERN SHRIKE. While looking at the Shrike, two WESTERN BLUEBIRDS were found along Highway 261 north of Starbuck. Next at the Tucannon River Mouth, after much looking at almost giving up, the female LONG-TAILED DUCK that I spotted on Friday was found.

At the Lyons Ferry Fish Hatchery, we found a BROWN CREEPER and VARIED THRUSH in the trees by the restrooms. Further down the service road by one of the buildings were several YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS and a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE.

Next, we drove out to Little Goose Dam. At the Texas Rapids boat launch, we had a good sized group of CANADA GEESE that included one CACKLING GOOSE. Also, hidden in the trees here were two GREAT HORNED OWLS. Behind the dam on the booms were the typical gulls including HERRING, RING-BILLED, and CALIFORNIA. In a small pond on the way to Little Goose Landing, we found HOODED MERGANSERS. At Little Goose Landing, we found another roosting GREAT HORNED OWL and a lone AMERICAN COOT.

On the drive back from the dam, one car spotted a few finchy-type birds flying into the rock cliffs which prompted a quick turn-around by the rest of the group and we all were very glad we did because several GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCHES were found despite the high winds buffeting the group.

It was getting late, so we raced to Central Ferry and concentrated our effort in the riparian area of Deadman Creek. An unusual concentration of RED-TAILED HAWKS haunted the skies directly above the trees here. Inside the trees, GREAT HORNED OWL, BARN OWL, and WESTERN SCREECH-OWL were seen or heard. In a brushy patch on the opposite of the road, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS were singing loudly as the light faded on the day.

Monday, January 17 - Asotin, Garfield, Whitman counties

The wind was really whipping all day which impacted the birding quite a bit. We started the day scanning the waters from the Chief Timothy Park bridge where we found hundreds of CANADA GEESE and at least two CACKLING GEESE. Also, here were two BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, PIED-BILLED GREBE, and a BELTED KINGFISHER.

Walking around Chief Timothy HMU, we found DOWNY WOODPECKER, PACIFIC WREN, and TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE amidst other birds.

As we drove down Wawawai River Road, we saw many DOUBLE-CRESTED COMORANTS and HERRING GULLS and both sides of the river. BALD EAGLES made appearances in both Garfield and Whitman counties. A walk up Nisqually John Canyon yielded singing CANYON WRENS, COOPER'S HAWK, and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. A quick stop at one of the boat launches produced another TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE, AMERICAN ROBIN, and CHUKAR up on the cliffs. Further down the road, a SAY'S PHOEBE was found as well. As we reached the bottom of Wawawai Canyon, a NORTHERN SHRIKE and PRAIRIE FALCON quickly flew across the road and disappeared.

Finally, we made the trek to Kamiak Butte and were treated with great looks at HAIRY WOODPECKER, RED-BREASTED AND WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE, and RED CROSSBILL.

It was a great trip and I would like thank everyone that joined. Many of you were a great help in finding a lot of the good birds. Thank you!

Tim O'Brien
Cheney, WA
mailto: kertim7179 at yahoo dot com