I spent a good deal of the day prepping the house for winter before the rain comes. That also means I spent a lot of time resting between outdoor jobs and watching birds pass through. Between 10AM and 3PM 120+ Turkey Vultures passed overhead including one kettle of nearly 90 birds - they were going low and slow fighting the southerly winds but progressed over the Columbia into Oregon over an hour or so. I also had a flock of just 9 Sandhill Cranes move through overhead - but they were flying west, not south - maybe toward Vancouver Lake or Sauvie? At least 20 skeins of geese including Snow, Cacklers, Greater White Fronted and Canadas went over during the morning period - the atmosphere was just right to hear their distinct calls overhead. The biggest surprise of the day was a group of 6 Orange-crowned, a single Yellow, and an unidentified Warbler(s) working the trees just below my deck before moving on. I also saw my first Kinglets in a very long time and a big flock of Bushtits at the suet feeder. Winter birds including Juncos, Fox and Song Sparrows, Spotted Towhee and lots of BC and CB Chickadees, and big flocks of Stellers Jays are showing up. Yesterday I also had 2 Northern Pygmy Owls and 6 Band Tailed Pigeons in the big snags at the edge of the yard. I loved today, but I must admit I'm ready for the rain.
Rob

Rob Conway
Camas, WA
45.58?N 122.44?W - elevation 310 ft.
robin_birder at hotmail.com