Hey all!

Eleven birders took part today in a "blanket" field trip in Chelan County, with three cars heading in different directions this morning, then returning to Wenatchee at lunch time to share observations after a morning of hunting for rarities on the tail end of migration.

Six of us got a head start yesterday, birding up the Columbia to Lake Chelan, then up to Chelan Ridge. Harlequin Ducks were the stars of the day, with nine of them photographed flying north of Rocky Reach Dam, and another seen on Lake Chelan from Riverfront Park. Chelan Ridge was fairly well socked in with fog, so we found no birds up on the ridge, although we did find plenty of Merlins during the day along the Columbia, as well as a Peregrine Falcon on a power line stand.

Highlights from today:

American White Pelican. 6 birds on the Columbia south of Wells Dam.
Surf Scoter: Will Risk Park (Entiat), and three at Chelan Falls Park
Northern Harrier, Blue Winged Teal, Cassin's Vireo: Horan Natural Area
Cackling Goose: Wenatchee Confluence Park
White-headed Woodpecker and Pygmy Nuthatch: Sleeping Lady Resort
Clark's Nutcracker: Swakane Wildlife Area
Red-necked Grebe: good numbers all along the Columbia

Despite getting shut out on shorebirds everywhere and raptors at Chelan Ridge, we had a great weekend, with 80+ species seen, and a fun collection of birders from Chelan, Dougias, Benton, Clark, King and Island Counties.

Happy birding!

Tim Brennan
Renton