Hey Tweets,
Taking advantage of the long weekend, I decided to chase winter birds on the east side of the state, chasing reports from the last couple of weeks.? Dropped Cara off in Richland with her grandparents and covered some miles.? Here are some highlights ....
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Started at dawn in the West Plains north of Reardon.? First bird of the day was a PRAIRIE FALCON, quickly followed by the NORTHERN HAWK-OWL.? Off to a good start.? Which quickly faded as that was about it for the day.? I chased around the plains, then over to Mount Spokane, then up to Cusick.? Missed on reported buntings and crossbills and redpolls.? Was also looking for two 39'ers for me (species seen in all 39 counties of WA).? I dipped on both a Spokane county WC Sparrow and Pend Oreille Rock Pigeon.?? Again ....? Grrrr ....
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Dawn the next morning I was at Clarkston, Swallows Park.? The SANDHILL CRANE was present, seen thru the falling snow.? Also on the ice next to it were the LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, THAYERS GULL, HERRING GULL, and the more common CA and RG Gulls.? Wandered up the Snake river, and up Weissenfields road.? The GYRFALCON had moved since Gina reported it.? It was now 3 power poles over, instead of 2.? Great looks at it thru the scope.? Half mile further up was a GOLDEN EAGLE on a pole.? Down at the Anatone flats, I found a SNOWY OWL, but dipped on buntings and waxwings and redpolls.? The Evans marsh had WILSON's SNIPE, VIRGINIA RAIL, and MARSH WREN.
Then headed over the Garfield county, hoping for a 39'er American Crow.? Another dip ...? But found about 200 COMMON GOLDENEYE at Central Ferry grain Terminal.? Standing on the Franklin county end of the bridge, I found AMERICAN WIGEON and a fly-by BELTED KINGFISHER, both of which I was looking for in Garfield county, 300 yards away from where they were !!??? GRRRRRR ....
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Dawn monday found me in Chelan, chasing a report of a Great Gray owl at Saw Mill road.?? No Great Gray, but I did find the NORTHERN HAWK-OWL at the top, being chased by 12 CLARK'S NUTCRACKERS.? Also found a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL on Saw Mill?ravine.? Then down to Wenatchee to chase the loon.? Pulled into Walla Walla Point Park, EURASIAN WIGEON eaily seen in the lagoon.? Wandered over to the bridge, set up the scope, and started gazing over the wide river, wondering where the loon might be.? Then the YELLOW-BILLED LOON popped up between the ice flows, about 50 feet offshore directly on front of me.? I am embarrassed to even call that a chase ...? Great looks ...?? Then a KILLDEER flew by me, from the lagoon.? A 39'er !!!?? One I was not expecting !!? (How often do any of us get excited to see a Killdeer?? Well I was that day!? ;)
Then I was off to meet the parents and pick up Cara at Vantage at 2:00, to head home over the pass before it got nasty.? Quick scan at Recreation road did not have much, but RUDDY DUCK may be a new one for me at that spot.
Made it over the pass before the worst of the storm, only to get snowed in this morning ...
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Good weekend, lots of miles, saw some good birds.
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Guy McWethy
Renton, WA
mailto: lguy_mcw at yahoo.com