Hello Tweeters,
We had a great weekend at the 47th Audubon campout at Wenas Creek south of Ellensburg. The road into the campground was rough and wet but then again, it seems like it always is. There were many small cars which were able to make it in to the campground. The species list at last night's campfire was at 120, which is a little lower than average. The field trips to the high country were not able to get as high as normal because of the snow level. But we still had many good birds. The early morning air was filled with the sound of the Veery calling from the riparian areas. We were woken up each morning by the sound of a Red-naped Sapsucker pounding on a bird box which did not please the resident House Wren. The White-headed Woodpeckers were out and about, flying in right next to our campsite. We had both Rufous and Calliope Hummingbirds coming to our feeders. Many people had looks at a N Pygmy Owl during our owl prowl. We did not go for Flammulated Owls this year because of high water level on not-so- Dry Creek. Also a Great Horned Owl with a chick was seen in the same area we usually look and we did not want to risk bringing in the Flam. The group that went up Black Canyon found some Long-eared Owl nestlings. The species are too long to list but it is a good reminder what a fantastic birding spot this area is. It is always fun to meet Audubon people and birders from all over the state.
To cap off the weekend, as we drove home this morning, we saw a Short-eared Owl sitting on a telephone pole on the Umtanum Road just before it drops back down into the flatlands.

Neil Zimmerman
Brier, WA