This June 18 - 21st, Klickitat County WOS field trip was a mixture of birding, wildflower viewing and exploring the many habitat types found in this large county. We did not try to run up the largest list possible and this was more like an outing with a group of friends rather than a led tour, with time for socializing and enjoying the scenery. We ended up with 126 species in Klickitat County and 2 other birds seen only in Skamania County.Barry Woodruff and I met our four WOS participants at Maryhill State Park and then started our three and a half day tour which was a zig-zag route across the county. The first day was spent in strong winds and intermittent rain in the eastern most areas of the county picking up Black-necked Stilt and Sage Sparrow. Along Rock Creek Road we found a Prairie Falcon being bombarded by blackbirds as it carried off one of their flock members. We spent the first night at Brooks Memorial State Park Sunday morning we checked the State Park and Satus Pass for forest species finding a Gray Catbird in the park’s group camping area and a Golden Eagle above the old ski lodge. We then birded over the top of Dalles Mountain and then up the Klickitat River to our camping spot at Stinson Flats Campground. The winds continued blowing throughout the day making birding very difficult. At the pond near the intersection of Highway 142 and the Glenwood-Goldendale Highway we found two male Green-winged Teal, a real surprise for this time of the year. Monday morning we stopped at Outlet Falls for the view and then Outlet Lake where there were both Virginia’s Rail and Soras calling, The Conboy NWR was slow but did produce Great Horned Owls and Eastern Kingbird. We continued on to Trout Lake where a huge flock of noisy Evening Grosbeaks at a feeder behind the cafe vied for our attention with the huckleberry ice cream cones we were enjoying. We spent the night at the Elk Meadows RV Park where there were elk in the meadow and numerous Gray Catbirds along the nature trail. On Tuesday we picked up Veery along Trout Lake Creek and then crossed into Skamania County for Townsend’s Warbler at Trout Lake Creek Campground and a Hermit Warbler about three miles north of there. We then headed to the oak woodlands near Lyle to pick up Acorn Woodpecker and Lesser Goldfinch.I want to thank all of the participants for joining Barry and me for a very fun and relaxing trip and for the great company they provided. And a special congratulations to Anne Kahle for reaching the 150 species mark in Klickitat County. Wilson Cady
Skamania County, WA