I drove across WA today, and stopped for a little birding along the way (couldn't help myself).
I took the Old Vantage hwy between Ellensburg and Vantage (it's kind of an alternate route to I-90.
I stopped about 1/4 of the way along the hwy ( i was stopping intermittently in spots that looked like good habitat.)and saw a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE perched on a bush right by the road. I got a good look at him and it was very exciting. ( i was stopping intermittently in spots that looked like good habitat.)
I stopped at a little unnamed park and saw a few more good species, including
Mountain Bluebirds
Sage Thrasher
Vesper Sparrow
Brewer's Sparrow (males counter-singing and definitely setting up territories)
White-crowned Sparrow
House Finch
Prairie Falcon (fly over)
And an unidentified ground bird ( a grouse or possibly quail - I only saw them flushing and flying away) anyone know the most common ground birds for this habitat/area?

I drive the back roads west of Moses Lake looking for Burrowing Owls and curlews but NO luck.
I did see Black-necked Stilts at the corner of Frenchman hills road and Dodson rd near the desert habitat management area. It seems like a reliable spot for them.
Hopefully next time I'll get those owls!

Cheers,

Ashley Jensen
Monroe, WA