Subject: [Tweeters] Birding the Vagrant traps along the Snake River
Date: May 27 21:37:35 2011
From: Mike & MerryLynn - m.denny at charter.net


Hello All,

We ventured out this cool, windy day to search through the vagrant traps along the Snake River. Upon arriving at Lyons Ferry Park we discovered a very official sign telling us that it is" closed indefinitely "and that anyone entering will be prosecuted. This park is under lease to KOA camp grounds, but is owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers who just cannot seem to find the right mix of folks to open and run this park. So this great birding site is off limits this season. Next we proceeded to Washtucna-Windy with Hammonds Flycatchers, a Wilsons Warbler, Western Tanagers, Hermit and Swainsons Thrushes. then on to Windust Park- located 3 Lesser Goldfinches-first for us in Franklin Co., Also observed my first Eurasian-collard Dove at Windust Park.Very windy and cool, however I did also locate two reptiles up a nearby canyon. one Gopher Snake about 22 inches long, one Western Rattlesnake about 18 inches long and glued to the tarmac soaking up all the heat it could. Photographed this beauty and removed both serpents from the road alive and well. There were better than 25 Am. White Pelicans below LOMO dam.
Thats it for now.
Later Mike
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Mike & MerryLynn Denny
Birding the beautiful Walla Walla Valley

"If you haven't birded, you haven't lived"