> Maybe it was the weather (sunny & little wind) or reduced concerns about Covid, but certainly the birds. Easter weekend was one of our most enjoyable birding trips to Kittitas County. The bird of the trip was a Nashville Warbler seen in Irene Rhinehart Park (Ellensburg) in the marsh along the gated road just past the tarped hay piles.

>

> https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/52018531032/in/dateposted/

>

> Close to Irene Rhinehart park is Rotary Park where we found 2 Yellow-headed Blackbirds, a Sora (heard) and a Virginia Rail (heard). To get to the Rotary Park wetlands cross the soccer fields from the parking lot towards the large barn. Pass through the woods up onto the trail. The wetlands will be immediately in front of you.

>

> At the Northern Pacific Railroad Ponds (Cle Elum) are 2 pairs of nesting Pygmy Nuthatches. Here is a video of one of them excavating.

>

> https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/52016858394/in/dateposted/

>

> Our first stop was the Hyak sewage treatment ponds. Of interest is a fairly new feeder house just before the right turn onto the road around the ponds. The feeders are in the woods on the left across the road from the house. The homeowners are friendly. One stood on her deck and chatted with us about the birds that she sees.

>

> Here is the eBird trip report

>

> https://ebird.org/tripreport/48447

>

> To see where birds were seen such as the 3 Townsend's Solitaire, tap on the number to the right of the species.

>

> Here is the photo album for the trip.

>

> https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/albums/72177720298197227

>

> Hank & Karen Heiberg

> Issaquah, WA