Field Trip Reports 2000

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2000/12/02 Andy Stepniewski's Yakima Training Center trip

2000/05/27 Ken Knittle's Eastern Washington trip starting  in Washtucna, Adams County

2000/04/23 Gene Revelas' trip to Grays Harbor targeting spring shorebirds and seabirds

2000/04/01 Andy Stepniewski's Sage Brush Specialties trip

2000/01/22 Kraig Kemper's trip to the Skagit WMA and the Samish Flats

Dennis Paulson's memorable line "there are few terrestrial habitats in Washington as birdless as the shrub-steppe habitat in winter" didn't deter me from organizing a WOS trip to share the wonderland of landscapes on the Yakima Training Center. To be sure, we saw relatively few species of birds, but we had some great walks, saw beautiful vistas, and, even saw some exciting birds.

Freezing rain was in the forecast, but didn't materialize. Fog, however, did. The drive east along the Cold Creek Rd. yielded difficult views of one each of Rough-legged Hawk, American Kestrel, and Northern Shrike, and 10-15 of the expected Black-billed Magpies. Sage Grouse, the main target species for some on the trip, were not flushed from the roadside until east of Taylor Pond along the road, which is unusual. We then had brief views of this endangered grouse blasting away from us into the fog, like torpedos on a straight-line trajectory.

Next we birded the riparian groves around Greely Pond, again in the fog. We picked up two more Rough-legged Hawks, two Great Horned Owls, one Marsh Wren and several Song Sparrows here.

We had a brief respite from the fog by ascending the south flanks of Hog Ranch Buttes (Umtanum Ridge). The bare, stony landscape atop a knoll here has proven to be a place for Lapland Longspur and Snow Bunting, but none showed themselves or called, not even a Horned Lark! However, a Golden Eagle soaring over the ridge top in the distance - seen through a scope, seemed to prove there might be something living in this desolate and forbidding place. A walk down into the nearby sage-filled ravines yielded significant negative data and further confirmation of Dennis' hypothesis: there were virtually no birds here! We noted one more Northern Shrike, a bird hovering over the snowy ravine, and one Song Sparrow in the dense tussocks of Giant Wild Rye.

Steadily clearing conditions were encountered as we headed east over 3,000' Cold Creek Divide, but an new challenge arose: wind, though not too bad. The small cattail marsh here had some more Marsh Wrens and Song Sparrows, and one lone male Brewer's Blackbird, seemingly lost. I was so surprised by this bird here that I initially refused to call it a Brewer's, feeling it might be a male Rusty that had worn off its rufous-edged plumage prematurely, thus appearing similar to a Brewer's. As it took flight, however, it called a perfect Brewer's call. A pretty flock of American Goldfinch were also new for the day here.

We then again ascended Umtanum Ridge, flushing three more Sage Grouse just south of the ridge and lunched on the ridge. The fog parted at times, allowing a hazy view down to Priest Rapids Lake; shortly we were once again enveloped in the cold, swirling mists. Some stayed in the car, others braved the cold and even noted a few Horned Larks passing over, a surprisingly scarce species on the YTC this fall.

Farther down and east along Cold Creek, we walked alongside an ancient apple orchard and riparian which had more birds, including a Yellow-shafted Flicker, the third I've noted along Cold Creek (the others in fall - 28 September 1996 and 6 October 1996). Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco White-crowned Sparrow, and House Finch, were new additions to the trip list here.

Another Golden Eagle was studied overhead here, this time a well-marked immature; I never tire of admiring this regal bird!

I swung back into the riparian of Upper Cold Creek, where, as we were admiring a distant perched Rough-legged Hawk, another raptor, about Red-tailed Hawk in size suddenly emerged from the cottonwoods making its way swiftly past us, affording beautiful, close views: flap...flap...flap glide, flap...flap...flap glide. Heavily streaked below, somewhat tapered wings, brownish above. An immature Northern Goshawk! Now this got my adrenaline going! Moments later, we spied on a Porcupine just above us in a cottonwood, noting how cute a facial expression these guys really have.

It was getting to be mid-afternoon as we headed west over the divide again; the entire Selah Creek Valley was now clear. The fog gone, we could now appreciate the landscape; we were in a wide valley between Yakima and Umtanum Ridge, two prominent anticlines of the "Yakima Fold Belt," with Mt. Rainier looming far off on the western horizon. Various shrub-steppe communities revealed themselves because of the snowcover. Deep-soiled basins especially, were mantled in Big Sagebrush/Bluebunch Wheatgrass, upper north-facing slopes in Threetip Sagebrush/Idaho Fescue. South-facing shallow-soiled communities such as Thyme-leaved Buckwheat/Sandberg's Bluegrass appear as depauperate alpine habitats. How beautiful and inspiring a scene!

May 27 found us at 5am in the park at Washtucna, Adams Co. for the beginning of the WOS field trip. Most had stayed in motels in Othello or Washtucna and some sleeping in cheat grass along Hwy. 26. Our first impression while checking out the park proper was no birds to speak of, but when we continued to push into the Russian Olives birds began to show themselves. Wilson's Warblers, Lazuli Buntings, Rock Wrens and a Warbling Vireo were feeding in the brush and singing. This is when Dave Beaudette found an Eastern Phoebe which ended up flying up the steep hill which we were unable to refind. After coming back down the hill we checked the swampy area and found a Golden-crowned Sparrow with a White-crowned Sparrow. We checked the sewer pond on the way out of town with not much in it.

Next was Palouse Falls with White-troated Swifts checking us out at eye level. Here again we were looking for migrants and unusual birds when Bob Morse and Dave found two Hermit Thrushes and two Olive-sided Flycatchers. In trying to get a good look at the flycatchers we stumbled onto a calling Least Flycatcher.

We headed off for Lyons Ferry which was quite dead with just the expected birds there. Caspian Terns, and an Osprey on its nest on the bridge. Not far into Columbia County we checked the Tucannon Wildlife Management Area and heard Bewick's Wren, Lazuli Buntings, a Yellow-breasted Chat way off, and a Grosbeak singing that would not show himself as we all would have liked to see a Rose-breasted.

I must admit taking the wrong turn on Hwy 12 and ended up going the long way to where we ate lunch at the Wooten Wildlife Area, Hartsock Unit. It was midday and very little singing. We continued up Blind Grade to Scoggin Ridge where both Western and Mountain Bluebirds were seen. Farther up we found a male Williamson's Sapsucker and ran into rain and snow drifts which forced us to alter our plans and head down Lickfork Creek and Asotin Creek into the town of Asotin. A nice looking Calliope Hummingbird and a vocal Chat were along the way. We stopped once and got soaked trying for our second Cordilleran Flycatcher. Our first was along the Tucannon River right before we ate.

When we were checking out Swallows Park in Clarkston we were excited when a Franklin's Gull came flying down the Snake River and closely followed by a Great Egret both very good birds for this part of Washington. The rain had chased us off the mountain and was threatening so we decided to head north where it would have a greater chance of drier weather. At sundown we pulled into Kamiak Butte County Park with Swainson's Thrushes singing and as always American Robins. That night a lone Great-horned Owl called from above the campground. Most of the campers had left because of the rain and left us with many choices of wet sleeping campsites.

Sunday morning we couldn't resist the pine forest and followed signs of the Sunset Trail where we found nesting Pygmy Nuthatches and heard the other two nuthatches. MacGillivray's Warblers were singing and a Dusky Flycatcher gave us a chase to make sure it wasn't something better. A young Bald Eagle was being mobbed by Robins at the edge of the pines and the beginning of wheat fields. It seemed odd so far away from water.

Our second stop Sunday morning was on windy Steptoe Butte. A large female Copper's Hawk flew by while checking out the bottom of the Butte. When we were heading up we noticed a large Sparrow in the top of a large rose bush on the west side of the butte. Being so windy we checked it out at 15 feet at eye level and wondered what a Sage Sparrow was doing out of its normal habitat. This is Whitman County's first record. We continued up to the top with Rock Wrens at close view and acres of wheat in all directions. A great view!

Dave and I left Rose Dubois and we continued to Othello and saw the 3 White-faced Ibis. Long-billed Curlews were scattered in and on the rocks south of Soap Lake. The migrate shorebirds were absent, but farther up Crab Creek were lots of Tricolored Blackbirds in the normal spot where Dave had found them a few years back. The Ferruginous Hawk was nesting on an old windmill. We then back tracked to check out Soap Lake and north and buy some much needed gas. Lots of vacationers and a Red-necked Grebe on her nest just north of Lake Lenore. We headed for Swanson Lakes where lots of Stilts and Avocets and Wilson's Phalarope were feeding as dusk approached. Black-crowned Night-Herons became commoner as the darker it got. An American Bittern pumped most of the night along with Coyotes and a Great Horned Owl. We checked for Burrowing Owls and Long-billed Curlews, but no luck. On the way home we went over Badger Mt. to Indian Ford and heard Brewer's Sparrows and Veeries.

It is hoped that those who birded with us had a great weekend also. A plus would have been a radio in each car so we could have informed each other of birds. The total trip list consisted of 149 species. Next year possibly others may want to join us on the 5am adventure.

Ken Knittle xenops@msn.com

Nine of us (Franny Drobny, Henry Harbert, Betsy Jones, Bobbie Lambert, Faye McAdams, Amy Schumann, Terri Small, Martha Taylor and me) met at the base of the Westport Jetty for a day of birding along the coast from Westport to Tokeland. High winds blew, while hail, heavy rains, showers, and sun breaks came and went. Nevertheless, the enthusiastic group remained undeterred all day. We started the day with breeding-plumaged Surfbirds and Black Turnstones on the groins at the north end of Westport, where a single Brown Pelican and Caspian Terns were also seen. We then headed south towards Tokeland, stopping at the newly constructed jetty along Rt. 105 south of Grayland. Three species of loon, Western Grebe, and Common Murre were noted here and this spot may warrant regular checking by birders in the area from fall through spring. At the Tokeland marina, a large flock of Marbled Godwits (200+) was attended by about a dozen Whimbrel, two Willets, and good numbers of Short-billed Dowitchers and Dunlin. A hunting Merlin put all these birds in flight for a great show and breeding-plumaged Horned Grebes were also crowd-pleasers. We returned north to Westport, where a flock of about 2500 Western Sandpipers was nearly undetectable as it hunkered-down scapular-to-scapular on the gravel beach in the lee of the Half Moon Bay jetty. We ended the day at Bottle Beach watching the flooding tide move a nice assortment of shorebirds around the mudflats. To complete the day's list, a Peregrine Falcon buzzed the parking lot as we got back into our cars to head home. Through rain, shine, and persistent wind, the group had worked hard to tally about 60 species.

I went on the WOS field trip to eastern Washington this past Saturday, lead by Andy Stepniewski. We covered a bit of Kittitas and a large part of Grant county; from Ellensburg over to Vantage, down to Sentinel Gap, up through Ephrata and Soap Lake to Lake Lenore and Dry Falls, a little loop into Douglas County on Rte. 17, then back to Dry Falls Dam, and finished up at Wilson Creek. Best Bird of the Day: Ferruginous Hawk by Wilson Creek. I have seen them before in Arizona, but not the killer scope views we had on this trip. Best Bird Observation of the Day: At Dry Falls we could look down from the Interpretive Center and watch a Common Goldeneye foraging under water. It would swim tilted downward, paddle with its feet and cut a path through the sediment on the bottom with its bill. Very cool. ID challenge of the Day (for me anyway): A mixture of Horned and Eared Grebes in both winter and breeding plumage at distant scope range. They put the hurt to me as I tried to sort them out, their frequent disappearances underwater didn't help any, either. There aren't too many places in the US where you can see both species in both plumages, it was quite a treat. Best Experience of the Day: The realization of what a great group of people were on the trip. There were some old acquaintances and new faces, and experience level varied somewhat, but everyone was upbeat, positive, and glad to be out enjoying the world. Andy did a great job of leading, like most of the top birders I know he is a very unassuming person.

The trip list for the group was around 75 species, I must have missed a few.

SPECIES SEEN 66: Pied-billed Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Horned Grebe, Eared Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, American White Pelican, Ruddy Duck, Canada Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Gadwall Green-winged Teal, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, Canvasback, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Great Blue Heron, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, Golden Eagle, American Kestrel, Prairie Falcon, Ring-necked Pheasant, California Quail, American Coot, Long-billed Curlew, Black-necked Stilt, Killdeer, Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, Burrowing Owl, White-throated Swift, Northern Flicker, Black-billed Magpie, American Crow, Common Raven, Mountain Bluebird, American Robin, Sage Thrasher, European Starling, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Marsh Wren, Violet-green Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Song Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Vesper Sparrow, Sage Sparrow, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark - Jack Stephens, jsteph02@sprynet.com.

Of the 75 species observed, the highlight was clearly a five FALCON day for all the participants.  The GYRFALCON was located both in the morning and in the afternoon on a telephone pole on Sunset between Farm to Market Road and Thomas.  One PEREGRINE FALCON was observed on Chuckanut north of the town of Bow, the PRAIRIE FALCON was located southeast of the East 90 on a fence post in a field.  Both a female and male AMERICAN KESTREL were located at the west end of D'Arcy Road near the intersection with Bayview-Edison Road, and a MERLIN was seen on the south side of Field Road between Farm to Market Road and Church Road.  Other highlights included six adult BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON at the traditional Fir Island roost, and a flock of 35 AMERICAN PIPIT also in a field on Fir Island.  One NORTHERN SHRIKE at the East 90, an EURASIAN WIGEON south of Sunset in a mixed flock, and 7 SHORT-EARED OWL at the West 90.