For the third straight week I checked out the large starling and Brewer's blackbird flock at the Dairy on Badger Pocket Road just north of Sorenson Road, southeast of Ellensburg. This flock has an estimated 1500 starlings and about 250-300 Brewer's blackbird. They are constantly on the move and are scattered between the powerlines on the road, fields and various buildings. My persistence finally paid off today as I managed a very quick (about 30 seconds), but identifiable look at a female rusty blackbird. It was observed on the ground with starlings and Brewer's. When it flew to nearby buildings I could not relocate it. Also at the spot were about 25 Eurasian collared doves.

The afternoon was spent at Vantage. No sign of any white-winged scoters today (including the Sorenson Pond bird in Ellensburg). Most notable was a continuing Pacific Loon below Wanapum Dam and two lingering American White Pelican below the dam. Though I spent considerable time on the thousand or so scaup that are between the I-90 bridge and Wanapum Dam, I was not successful in finding a tufted duck.

Scott Downes
downess at charter.net
Yakima WA