Hello all,
Mike and I did our annual search for birds in Walla Walla county today. We were glad for the clouds this morning - stayed much cooler. Headed up Biscuit Ridge by 4:30 am but no luck on grouse or owls.

Did find Lesser Goldfinches in Dixie.
Greater & Lesser Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitchers, Western, Least, Spotted Sandpipers, Wilson's Phalaropes, Black-necked Stilts and American Avocets were at 2Rivers and Dodd Rd.
Lesser Yellowlegs is new for our county yearlist - #231

We were happy to find Loggerhead Shrike and Ferruginous Hawk - and the White-throated Swifts were still in the gap but NO falcons. One Bonaparte's Gull at McNary NWR HQ along with a nice assortment of ducks - Cinnamon and Blue-winged Teal, Ruddy Duck, Redhead and more.

Worst misses - Cassin's Vireo, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hairy Woodpecker - all easily found just last weekend - they weren't singing even at 5 am this morning.
Also Pheasant and Snipe which we have missed in the past.

Last bird was a calling Northern Pygmy-Owl up quiet Lewis Peak - #130 for the day. Then we came down to what sounds like a war zone - our neighbors sure have lots of money to throw away on fireworks!

Hope you all enjoyed the 4th - MerryLynn



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Mike & MerryLynn Denny
Birding the beautiful Walla Walla Valley

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