Hi Tweets



A late report on the trip that Seattle Audubon took to Kittitas County last
Wednesday. We met early in Issaquah so we could get over to the sage areas
in good time. We had KILLDEER and AMERICAN CROW in the parking lot. The
morning started out with decent weather, some overcast and no wind. A quick
stop at Snoqualmie Pass with still no wind - we picked up AMERICAN CROW,
PINI SISKIN and AMERICAN ROBIN.



At the Easton area we saw CANADA GOOSE, COMMON RAVEN, AMERICAN CROW. As we
passed the Roslyn exit there was a RED-TAILED HAWK. The ponds alongside I-90
in Cle Elum had a single BUFFLEHEAD. The clouds had dissipated by now. At
the Indian John Rest Area we saw AMERICAN CROW, and AMERICAN ROBIN. As we
cruised past the borrow ponds along I-90 outside of Ellensburg we saw
MORNING DOVE, EUROPEAN STARLING, RED-TAILED HAWK, AMERICAN CROW, COMMON
RAVEN, GREAT BLUE HERON, COMMON MERGANSER, swans (probably Tundra but
couldn't tell for sure), MALLARD, and BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE.



In Kittitas we saw AMERICAN CROW, RED-TAILED HAWK, EUROPEAN STARLING,
EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, HOUSE SPARROW, COMMON RAVEN,
HOUSE FINCH. Along Caribou Rd. we had AMERICAN ROBIN, CALIFORNIA QUAIL,
RED-TAILED HAWK, HOUSE SPARROW, SAY'S PHOEBE and KILLDEER. We were hopeful
as we still had no wind.



Along Vantage Hwy we saw BALD EAGLE, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, EUROPEAN
STARLING, WILSON'S SNIPE and RING-NECKED PHEASANT. As we turned onto Parke
Creek Rd. we saw CALIFORNIA QUAIL (many), and at the pond we saw RED-WINGED
BLACKBIRD, YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (more than we had the preceding
Saturday), WILSON'S SNIPE, KILLDEER and MOURNING DOVE. The pond had thawed
considerably, but did not have any ducks on it.



A the entrance to the Wildhorse Wind Farm, we had sun and NO WIND! We had
nice looks at SAGEBRUSH SPARROW, a pair of MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDs, and killer
views of a singing SAGE THRASHER (at first distant, and then flew in about
30 feet away). Down the canyon at the Lower Quilomene area we had even
better looks at a SAGEBRUSH SPARROW (perched right up and sang for us for
quite a while). Still no wind!



At Rocky Coulee Recreation area we saw AMERICAN ROBIN, SAY'S PHOEBE, HOUSE
FINCH, TURKEY VULTURE, VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW, a flyover PEREGRINE FALCON, and
at the base of the road SPOTTED TOWHEE, SONG SPARROW, RUDDY DUCK, HORNED
GREBE, CALIFORNIA GULL, AMERICAN COOT (lots), WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW,
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, NORTHERN FLICKER, COMMON RAVEN and LINCOLN'S SPARROW
(skulking). Up at the Gingko S.P overlook we saw SAY'S PHOEBE (possibly
looked like they may have started nest-building), HOUSE FINCH, AMERICAN
KESTREL, and NORTHERN FLICKER.



At Wanapum State Park there were AMERICAN CROW, AMERICAN ROBIN, TREE SWALLOW
(a ways off perched on wires), DOWNY WOODPECKER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, BALD
EAGLE and COMMON RAVEN. At the Cove there were RING-NECKED DUCK, DARK-EYED
JUNCO, AMERICAN COOT, HORNED GREBE, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER,, WESTERN
MEADOWLARK, and BUFFLEHEAD. On Wanapum Lake were COMMON LOON, MALLARD and
COMMON GOLDENEYE.



At the Huntsinger Rd. boat launch (below Wanapum Dam) we saw COMMON LOON
(one in breeding plumage), BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, COMMON GOLDENEYE, GREATER
SCAUP, LESSER SCAUP and HORNED GREBE. Large numbers of both Goldeneye.



Heading for home at the Ryegrass Rest Area there were many HOUSE SPARROWs.
On I-90 there was a BALD EAGLE and a RED-TAILED HAWK. Along Hwy 97 there was
a NORTHERN HARRIER, and along SR10 a RED-TAILED HAWK. At the Teanaway River
crossing of SR10 we picked up STELLER'S JAY, AMERICAN DIPPER (going into the
nest), BUFFLEHEAD, NORTHERN FLICKER, CANADA GOOSE, MALLARD, and overhead a
TURKEY VULTURE and a RED-TAILED HAWK.



It was an excellent day with good companions and excellent weather - the
lack of wind made a big difference in the number of birds that we saw - 58
species today!



Good Birding

Brian H. Bell

Woodinville Wa

mail to bell asoc a t iso me dia dot com