Subject: [Tweeters] E. Washington Birding 11/5-6
Date: Nov 6 22:14:51 2011
From: Tim Brennan - tsbrennan at hotmail.com



Hey Tweets,

I had plans to see the cross country state championships this weekend, so I used both ends of the meet to get a little closer to my goal of seeing 39 species in all 39 counties in the state.
Highlights:

In Benton County on Saturday morning, I started the day with a Great Horned Owl at WE Johnson Park near Richland, as well as some loud Killdeer.

Across the river in Pasco, the highlight was the TriCities Animal Shelter Pond, which was full of ducks, as well as a Great Egret, and a Black-crowned Night-Heron, a lifer for me! With a small trip to Sacagawea State Park (American White Pelican!) as well, I was able to get well over 39 for the year in Franklin, leaving only Skamania County! (a covey of Gray Partridge after sunset at Palouse Falls actually made it 50.)

After a great meet - I drove through northern Walla Walla County, at one point scaring a Northern Shrike from a wire in Walla Walla County into the field behind it in Columbia County. Might have preferred if it stayed in place for a picture, but ah well! Columbia County was pretty duckless, but I was able to find Buffleheads, Mallards, and Pied-billed and Western Grebes before heading to Othello for the night (via Palouse Falls).

Sunday morning, I birded a little in Adams County on the way out of town, finding a Prairie Falcon and Northern Shrike along McManamon Road. In Grant County, the highlights were a juvenile Peregrine Falcon on Frenchman Hills Road (much better picture of this one!), and a Snow Goose with a flock of Canada and Cackling Geese near HWY 26. I stopped at the Vantage boat ramp, and found some ducks, including two Surf Scoters. On the drive along 90, south of the highway near MP 103, I saw a half-dozen swans on a lake - driving too fast to ID 'em, but maybe someone will get out and see them!

Wiped out for now, but will get the blog up soon - got some nice pics of a couple birds, and one of my favorite shots of the year - Palouse Falls, the moon, and Jupiter all visible in twilight!

-Tim Brennan
www.39counties.blogspot.com