Subject: [Tweeters] Mostly Benton Co
Date: Apr 6 21:51:50 2014
From: Stefan Schlick - greenfant at hotmail.com


I started bright and early before sunset at Bateman Island in Kennewick this morning. 15 American Avocets in the Yakima River delta were the only birds of note. I didn't stay long.
Next I pulled into the Rattlesnake Wildlife Area parking lot of 225. A Long-billed Curlew was calling from the irrigated field to the northeast. On the river side, a well-camouflaged Great Horned Owl sat on a nest in the cliffs on the other side of the river.
The south slope of Rattlesnake Mountain sure was a lot of fun! I drove up Rotha and down Rothrock. Sagebrush Sparrows were singing at pretty much every stop. Brewer's Sparrows have arrived as well (heard about 4), a Vesper Sparrow (close to Crooks), 2 Savannah Sparrows and a Sage Thrasher, all singing.
A Western Scrub Jay flew over the road at Highland & Brock in Prosser.
Finally, the drake Red-breasted Merganser continued at Crow Butte Park off 14 at around 2pm.
Yesterday, a Great Egret was at the boat launch of Chiawana Park in Pasco, 80 Greater White-fronted Geese near the Carr Airport along Pasco-Kahlotus Rd and a few hundred lingering Sandhill Cranes along Coyan Rd at Scooteney Reservoir in Franklin Co.
Stefan SchlickHillsboro, OR