Subject: [Tweeters] Toppenish NWR International Migratory Bird Day-12 May
Date: May 10 18:36:35 2012
From: Andy Stepniewski - steppie at nwinfo.net


TOPPENISH NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL MIGRATORY BIRD
DAY

Make plans to visit Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, May 12,
from 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Activities will include bird banding (7:00 a.m),
followed by a birding walk at 8:00 a.m. The Raptor House Rehabilitation
Center will present a program with live hawks and owls at 10:00 a.m.
Several hay rides on the refuge featuring marshes, ponds, and riparian
groves will also be featured.. Refuge headquarters will be open with
children's games and learning materials. This event is co-sponsored by the
refuge and the Yakima Valley Audubon Society and is free to the public.

Ellen and I did a 2-hour walk here last weekend and observed 70 species
including scads of Black-necked Stilts, good numbers of other showy
shorebirds such as American Avocets, Wilson's Phalaropes, and Long-billed
Curlews. There are lots waterfowl in their bright spring plumage including
Cinnamon and Blue-winged Teals, and Northern Shovelers. We saw a couple
Black Terns, too. Last year on this event, Franklin's Gulls soared overhead,
will these return this year? White-faced Ibis is another possibility here
and this is the prime time for this species.

Shrub-steppe species just outside the refuge on Toppenish Ridge are another
birding attraction nearby. Of course, Fort Simcoe with its many Lewis's
Woodpeckers and other "southern" species such as Ash-throated Flycatchers
and Western Scrub-Jays make thi area another reason to visit.Finally,
Lateral C with its small Bobolink colony is a "must-see" stop on the birding
trail. Will you be the first birders to spot these rare birds, just now
returning from their epic migration from South America this year?

To reach Toppenish NWR, take Exit 50 from I-82, go 3 miles into Toppenish on
SR-22. Go through town another 5 miles south, SR-22 becoming US-97.

The weather forecast looks really good for Saturday.

So, see you at Toppenish NWR this Saturday morning!.

Andy Stepniewski
Yakima Valley Audubon Society
steppie at nwinfo.net