Hello!

I made a weekend trip to Klickitat County, and enjoyed some beautiful weather, along with some nice birds. Notable birds were all continuing birds - Eared Grebe and Swamp Sparrow at Bingen pond, the latter calling from the marshy area just south of the pumphouse. At Swale Creek, I had Long-eared Owl pre-dawn, but missed the American Tree Sparrow that has been seen there. On Sunday, Catherine Creek was the highlight, with dozens of Lewis's Woodpeckers, and a pair of Acorn Woodpeckers diligently stuffing acorns into a granary tree. I seem to recall there used to be a pretty specific, and not easily viewed tree on Balch Road where they were traditionally seen, but they have started to expand their territory a little bit. I passed two other trees that looked like granary trees before sitting and waiting at the third. When the pair came in, the views were easy and fun.

Catherine Creek also had some early wildflowers, a Hermit Thrush giving a brief song, and a half-dozen or more Western Bluebirds. 70 species for the trip, and 90 for the year. Updates will go up at klickitatcountybirding.blogspot.com within the week.

Cheers,

Tim Brennan
Renton, WA