Hello all from MerryLynn,
The Tuesday walkers were out today despite the low clouds and light drizzle at times. Birds were singing - especially the Townsend's Solitaires, White-crowned and Song Sparrows, Bewick's Wrens.
Linda and I heard a bird on the east side of the canal before the second bench - after much patience we were finally able to see and photograph a beautiful SWAMP SPARROW - a FIRST for Bennington Lake although one was seen years ago just up at the diversion dam by Rook's Park. One of my photos is at:http://www.flickr.com/photos/m-ml_wallawalla/
This bird stayed low in the thick bent-over grasses and fallen trees among the cottonwoods. Eventually it came into the thick roses and hopped out unto a branch for good looks.

One ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD is still at the feeder - I didn't see any last week and was planning to take the feeder down but this little hummer let me know that it wasn't time yet!

On the lake were Common Mergansers, Lesser Scaup, American Wigeon and lots of Green-winged Teal. The PECTORAL SANDPIPER is still there along with 1 Long-billed Dowitcher and a few Killdeer.

Later, ML

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Mike & MerryLynn Denny
Birding the beautiful Walla Walla Valley

"If you haven't birded, you haven't lived"