Tweeters,

Three of us (Tom Luhman, Mark Johnston, and I) did some relaxed birding in
the Umtanum area on a gorgeous Monday (think "sun"), ending up with 62
species for the day. Highlights included the following:



A TURKEY VULTURE was harassed continuously for several minutes by a COOPER'S
HAWK. The Coop kept diving on the vulture, which flipped, dove, changed
direction, etc., in failed attempts to get away from the accipiter. Finally,
the Coop flew off, and the vulture continued on its original path along the
canyon wall.



We had "lifetime" views of a LAZULI BUNTING. I say "lifetime" because the
sun angle seemed to make the refraction from the head "glow" blue to such a
degree that it eclipsed any other view that the three of us had ever had of
this bird.



A BUSHTIT we saw at Umtanum Creek was the first seen east of the Cascade
crest for at least one of us (me!).



A COMMON NIGHTHAWK flew above us at the creek, calling and diving repeatedly
(display flight) making a booming sound as the wind went through its tail
feathers.



We started birding along the Yakima Canyon road, picking up WILSON'S SNIPE
and WILD TURKEY on the way to the BLM parking lot. Quickly setting up in the
lot, we spotted a BULLOCK'S ORIOLE preening itself perched at the top of a
Ponderosa pine with a HOUSE FINCH just below it. Three PRAIRIE FALCON
eyasses perched on the nesting ledge above the river. COOPER'S HAWK, WESTERN
WOOD-PEWEE (ubiquitous throughout our travels this day), CLIFF SWALLOW, and
ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW were seen in addition from the parking lot. Going over
the bouncing bridge, we heard a SPOTTED SANDPIPER along the creek.



When we hit the shrubs on the other side of the bridge, a YELLOW-BREASTED
CHAT was there, with a WARBLING VIREO in the trees above. In addition, as we
walked the trail, we spotted SONG SPARROW, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (heard),
the glorious LAZULI BUNTING (described above), RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, WESTERN
TANAGER, CEDAR WAXWING, SPOTTED TOWHEE, AMERICAN KESTREL, AMERICAN
GOLDFINCH, HOUSE WREN, COMMON RAVEN, and BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD. Back at the
parking lot we saw the interaction of the TURKEY VULTURE and the COOPER'S
HAWK.



The journey back toward Ellensburg produced ROCK PIGEON, BELTED KINGFISHER,
RED-TAILED HAWK, NORTHERN FLICKER, OSPREY, BREWER'S BLACKBIRD, and EUROPEAN
STARLING.



Along Umtanum Road on the way to Umtanum Creek, we saw CALIFORNIA QUAIL,
AMERICAN ROBIN, TREE and BARN SWALLOWS, WESTERN and MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS,
WESTERN MEADOWLARK, BREWER'S and VESPER SPARROWS, SAGE THRASHER, MOURNING
DOVE, SAY'S PHOEBE, and another highlight: an immature GOLDEN EAGLE.



The trail along Umtanum Creek was birdy as usual, with well-seen views of
MACGILLIVRAY'S and NASHVILLE WARBLERS, several YELLOW WARBLERS, COMMON
NIGHTHAWK, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, and the aforementioned BUSHTIT.



Traveling further along the Umtanum Road, we stopped for lunch at the head
of the observatory road, where we saw LEWIS'S WOODPECKER, MOUNTAIN
CHICKADEE, and CASSIN'S VIREO. We heard, but didn't see, PYGMY NUTHATCH.
Walking the observatory road, we spent several minutes looking at a very
cooperative GRAY'S FLYCATCHER, and also added CHIPPING SPARROW.



On a side trail (Discovery Pass required) back along Umtanum Road back
toward Ellensburg, we saw DARK-EYED JUNCO, RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER (seeming to
be out-of-place in a very dry area), and our only duck of the day, a female
MALLARD back along the road.



Heading back to I-90, along Cove Road, we added the last two species of the
day, a NORTHERN HARRIER being harassed by AMERICAN CROWS.



It was really good to be east of the Cascades, to get out in the sun and
have clear skies above we three "wet" siders.



May all your birds be identified,



Denis DeSilvis

Roy, WA

Mailto: avnacrs4birds at q.com