Hello all,

Went out searching for year birds today and were not disappointed -
birding today started at 2:30 am with a Western Screech-Owl calling in
our garden - for 5 minutes. A Great Horned Owl was calling in the front
at 11:30 pm last night - our abundance of birdseed leftover from the
snow attracts rodents.

On Byrnes Rd the CLIFF SWALLOWS were back at their nesting underpass - 8
of them. Western Bluebirds and Say's Phoebe were nice to see here as well.

Out in Wallula Gap the WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS were zipping around with
the swallows. At McNary NWR 3 OSPREY were back on their nesting
platforms. Many swallows were over the east slough area - mostly Tree
and Violet-green but one ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW perched for great views.
There are still at least 5000 Snow Geese in the area - they put on quite
a show. At Charbonneau Park a pair of Western Grebes put on a courtship
display - always fun to see.

After it warmed up we walked the Millet Pond and found our target
species - a pair of CINNAMON TEAL. Ponds are full and many waterfowl are
utilizing the area. The pair of Bald Eagles are back on their nest
there. A SWAMP SPARROW has been east of the ponds for a couple days.

On the way home 4 TURKEY VULTURES were roosting in a tree in Touchet.

Missed any new shorebirds for the year - but high water doesn't help.
Avocets and Stilts should be in any time.

Happy spring birding, M&ML


--
Mike & MerryLynn Denny
Birding the Beautiful Walla Walla Valley
"If you haven't gone birding, you haven't lived"

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