While I am not trying to have a "Big Year" per se,
I have a target number in mind - a way to truly
re-engage with birding in WA that was a big part
of my life in the '70's and '80's and is just
returning to that as I am working less and less
(i.e. getting older). With that in mind I planned
an intensive and focused trip to Eastern, WA
yesterday for some target species and before the
trip to Spokane for the WOS Conference which I am
greatly looking forward to.

The main target birds were Bobolink and Acorn
Woodpecker, but others were hoped for or
anticipated as well. I spent the night before in
Yakima for an early start with the first stop to
be Toppenish NWR trying for the Bobolink. The day
started at 5:15 a.m. when I was greeted by a
distinct but unknown to me call (which sadly is
too often the case) as I opened the door at my
budget motel. I tracked it down to a nearby
building and the light was just good enough and my
IBird Pro confirmed the call - two Say's Phoebes.
Nice Start.

I made a wrong turn going to Toppenish NWR (went
East not West) which cost me 30 minutes but
turned up several Bank Swallows, my first FOY
bird. Corrected and made it to the Refuge and
started at the Overlook. Not a lot of water
visible or water birds but did have two Spotted
Sandpipers (FOY) , and tons of mosquitoes and I
had forgotten my DEET. Picked up some riparian
birds including Brown Headed Cowbird, Western
Kingbird, Black Headed Grosbeak (many later),
Yellow and Nashville Warblers, Common Yellowthroat
and a real surprise - (FOY) Yellow Breasted Chat -
heard clearly and seen briefly. My next stop was
the Visitor Center off Pumphouse Road which was
very birdy. Nobody was there (at all during the
day) but the sprinklers were on and there were two
tailless juvenile Black Billed Magpies bathing and
being protected by a vociferous parent. Other
birds immediately around the Center included
Western Tanager (going to nest), Bullock's Oriole,
many California Quail (more on that later), Wood
Pewee, Olive Sided Flycatcher and two Red Tailed
Hawks (nesting?) and my FOY Black Chinned
Hummingbird among others. I next walked the trail
out to the wetland area and had Yellow, Nashville,
and MacGillivray's warblers MANY Willow
Flycatchers (FOY and clearly heard and seen),
flyby Blue Winged and Cinnamon Teal, Ringed neck
Pheasants, DC Cormorants, Yellow Headed
Blackbirds, White Pelicans flying in the distance
and the big treat a pair, of Black Crowned Night
Herons (not expected and FOY) which I startled and
they flew from hiding directly in front of me and
then away. There were many Eastern Kingbirds
(FOY) and a number of Wilson's Snipe calling and
winnowing overhead. Returning to my car parked at
the headquarters I flushed (and scared myself as
much as them) a covey of at least 8 and possibly
as many as 10 small gallinaceous birds. Although
I am sure they must have been juvenile quail, my
first thought was Bobwhite as they seemed small
and I have had that experience with them in the
East before. Never got a good look, but certainly
did not see any topknots.

The next stop was to be the focal point, working
Lateral C for the Bobolinks. I took a circuitous
route first going a bit West on Pumphouse Road
where I picked up a single Lark Sparrow (FOY)
before going north to hit Marion Drain Road. In
the fields and wet areas along the way were the
aforementioned teal, Black Necked Stilts (no
Avocets seen), Mallards, Gadwalls, Coots and a
Ringed Neck Duck but disappointing for water birds
in general. I was pleased to see many (at least
8) American Kestrels on the posts and wires and/or
hovering over the fields. There were many Quail
and Killdeer on the roads. I finally arrived at
Lateral C (it is farther than you think) and spent
the next almost two hours driving it, walking it
and scanning it hoping for the Bobolinks. I
thought I had heard one towards the North part of
the road (not the traditional fields) but could
not find the bird and assume it was a weird
variation of a Red Winged call. I did not find
the Bobolink (stay tuned) but had good birding
particularly enjoying the MANY Kestrels, Killdeer,
at least 5 Great Egrets (roosting, flying and then
hunting in a pond), a Gray Catbird (FOY), Yellow
Headed Blackbirds, 6 species of Swallows (VG,
Tree, Northern Rough Winged, mostly Barn and
Cliff, and two or more Bank), and again the
numerous Snipe. Snipe seemed to be perched and
posing for photos on every post and were in every
quadrant of the sky winnowing, quite the
experience when you are directly below them.

I finally gave up and headed towards the next stop
which was to be Conboy Lake NWR. Along the way I
made brief stops at Brooks Memorial State Park:
(highlighted by many singing/calling Pewee's,
Black Headed Grosbeaks, and the first Warbling
Vireo's I have had that actually responded to
calls and stayed visible long enough to
photograph). I was hoping for woodpeckers there
and saw none; and Stinson Flats on the Klickitat
River. I have had Wild Turkey there before but
this trip had none. More Warbling Vireos (no
Cassin's though), Pewees, Rufous Hummingbird, more
Grosbeaks, many Chipping Sparrows and a beautiful
male Western Tanager.

I made it to Conboy and found it beautiful but
somewhat confusing i terms of how to bird it.
There was a trail right from the headquarters
(closed) along the spring but it almost seemed an
afterthought. Nonetheless, there were nice birds
with the two best for me being Sandhill Cranes
(FOY) - heard and then seen in the DISTANCE - and
a single Ash Throated Flycatcher (FOY) seen near
one of the buildings but gone by the time I could
get close enough for a picture. Also at least a
half dozen Yellow Warblers, Nashville and
MacGillivrays, Chipping Sparrows, a Western
Bluebird and more Catbirds and both Eastern and
Western Kingbirds. A single Lewis's Woodpecker on
the way in but no others (had hopes for Red Naped
Sapsucker and White Headed).

I went on a very circuitous and trying route
trying to get to Lyle. Backroads, dirt roads,
twisty roads, confusing roads and essentially
birdless roads (ok I did not stop and try) but
finally made it there after 4:00 with fingers
crossed to find Acorn Woodpecker. I first went to
Balch Lake area and it was pretty quiet until I
got to the Balch Lyle Cemetery which of course was
also quiet, except for the birds. Just before
getting there I had a surprise showing of two Lark
Sparrows walking on the road in front of me (I was
looking for birds in the Oaks nearby). Got some
acceptable photos. At the cemetery I met a fairly
young guy who was visiting the graves of a lost
wife and son - which would have been a real
downer, except for his spirit of remembrance which
was actually a boost (there were other human
interest intersections on this trip, another
reason I enjoy birding). Birds were plentiful.
At least 8 Lesser Goldfinches and one American
Goldfinch, two Ash Throated Flycatchers, Cedar
Waxwings, Empidonax (??) Pewee, another Black
Chinned Hummingbird, and more Nashville and Yellow
Warblers among others.

Then it was off to try for the Acorn Woodpeckers.
There were many Western Scrub Jays on old Highway
8 on the way to the "Granary Site". Also had an
Osprey and a Red Tail and an American Kestrel (and
later in Lyle saw a Merlin with prey in its talons
being mobbed by crows). I followed the Opperman
directions but do not think I even found the right
tree and certainly did not find the Acorn
Woodpeckers. So although I had had a good day and
added lots of birds, it looked like I failed
miserably on the two key targets. Time to start
home (it was now getting towards 6). I had to
decide whether to retrace the route east on Hwy 14
then home via Hwy 97, I-82 and I-90 or go west on
14 and head up I-5. I decided to retrace and
possibly hit Toppenish again. I did and
immediately went to Lateral C where this time I
did locate a single Bobolink - first heard and
then seen at distance on the west side of the road
in a field not too far from the bridge. I had
been getting tired and thought about spending the
night but this finding invigorated me and I headed
home.

The day had one more surprise and one more
reward. Going up I-82 just as the sun was
retreating behind the hills at the Selah area, I
saw a large hawk sitting on a post. Even at the
freeway speed, it jumped out as very pale chested
and bellied with no bib or collar and with a light
head. The white was complete up through the
throat. I stopped the car as soon as I could and
started to run with binoculars in hand back
towards the bird - perhaps 200 yards behind me.
It had a clearly visible rusty brown back and the
white front contrasted with dark feathered legs.
It took off as I got to within maybe 100-150 yards
and raced away over the rolling grassy hills.
Long relatively narrow wings convinced me it was a
Ferruginous Hawk - at least 95% sure as I never
saw the bill or its underneath wings in flight. I
have only seen one in Washington (Washtuchna many
years ago) but have seen it in Montana. Great way
to end the day.

SO I ended up with 85 species (happy with that
considering only 2 woodpeckers, 5 ducks and 4
shorebirds) 50/50 on specialty target birds and
some new places that I will return to in a less
harried moment. And oh yeah...the views of Mt.
Adams, Mt. Hood, and the Gorge were spectacular in
great sunshine. Life is good.
Blair Bernson
Seattle, WA