I joined forces with another birder, Marv Hoekstra to look for Prairie Falcons and Golden Eagles in the Umtanum Creek and Yakima River Canyons. We found both, as well as the following extra highlights:

enroute to Umtanum Rec. Site (Barb): Common Raven, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Black-billed Magpie, Osprey, Red-winged Blackbird, Mourning Dove

along Umtanum Creek (Barb & Marv): American Kestrel, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Black-billed Magpie, Black-headed Grosbeak, Western Tanager, Lazuli Bunting, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Townsend's Warbler, Prairie Falcon, Red-tailed Hawk

along Canyon Rd., between Milepost 15 & 16 - active Bald Eagle nest in ponderosa pine

along Canyon Rd., near county line - Golden Eagle, Prairie Falcon, Rock Wren, Chukar (heard), Canyon Wren (heard)

along Umptanum Rd - Red-tailed Hawk at nest


It was a very sunny, mildly breezy afternoon and evening of enjoyable birding, with surprises, special sightings and some tasty Asian chicken salad, a cheese stick and a fresh green pepper. I also enjoyed some less healthful treats from a Starbucks on my way to Ellensburg and word has it that Marv sneaked an energy bar while driving down Canyon Rd. Wild times !

I am getting to know the Ellensburg state troopers - this time, just after getting on I-90 heading west to go home, the flashing lights again had me off on the shoulder - a pleasant conversation with a nice trooper about falcons, vultures, eagles, calving season and afterbirth, and a bit of concern on his part about my high beams. :-)

After an uneventful and quick (but not too...) drive back to Seattle, I stopped by one of the city parks and was almost lulled to sleep by the soft snore-hisses of some young Barn Owls. A nice, gentle birdy way to end the day...


Flickr links to 2 sets of photos from the day:

Barb's : http://flic.kr/s/aHsjF6oc6B

Marv Hoekstra's: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21019806 at N05/sets/72157633491160833/

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Barb Deihl

North Matthews Beach - NE Seattle

barbdeihl at comcast.net


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