Field Trip Reports 2004
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WOS
Home2004/12/4 Kraig and Kathy Kemper led a trip to the Waterville Plateau
2004/11/20 Gary Bletsch led a field trip in Skagit County
2004/11/13 Wilson Cady led a trip to the Ridgefield NWR and Vancouver Lake Lowlands
2004/11/06 Marv Breece led a field trip to Ocean Shores
2004/10/16 Patrick and Ruth Sullivan led a trip in Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties
2004/09/11 Doug Schonewald led a trip in Grant County
2004/06/12 Mark Houston led a trip to the Sanpoil River valley in Ferry County
2004/05/01 Ken Knittle led a two-day trip for rare shorebirds and migrant passerines in E. WA
2004/04/10 Michael Hobbs led a trip in Kittitas County
2004/03/20 Doug Schonewald led a trip to Grant and Douglas Counties
2004/02/21 Owls by Day, led by Mike Denny
2004/02/14 Patrick and Ruth Sullivan led a trip to the Waterville Plateau in Douglas County
2004/01/10 Skagit and Samish trip with Brian Bell
2004/12/4 Kraig and Kathy Kemper led a trip to the Waterville Plateau Foggy conditions obscured much of the Waterville Plateau on Friday when Kraig and Kathy were scouting for this trip, and those conditions lingered somewhat on Saturday, but what we mostly had was snow (accumulations of up to 4 inches). We started at the Dry Falls Overlook, where we heard Coyote calling at dawn. From there we headed up to US 2 and east onto the plateau. We then headed north on SR 172, eventually getting as far as Manfield where we stopped at the cemetery and to walk a bit through town. We continued on SR 172 (with a stop at the copse down Heritage Rd.) to SR 17 on which we headed north to Bridgeport. We then backtracked up Bridgeport Hills Rd. to the best locations for Sharp-tailed Grouse. When dusk fell, we drove to Pateros for the night.
Sunday dawned with better-looking weather which later turned to actual sunshine. We headed back to Bridgeport (where we drove extensively through town), then up Bridgeport Hills Rd. once again. After that, it was back to Bridgeport, then continuing on SR 173 to Moe Rd. and thence to Grange Rd. (Bridgeport Bar area), where we poked around several locations. The trip ended around noon Sunday, as people needed to get home.
Saturday's highlights included: 1 "HARLAN'S" Red-tailed Hawk on the grain elevator in Mansfield; many (~20) Rough-legged Hawks, especially along SR 172; 1 Golden Eagle of US 2; 1 Great Horned Owl on SR 172 a bit west of Mansfield, and another at the Heritage Rd. copse; 1 Northern Shrike near the intersection of SR 17 and US 2 in Grant County, and 1 in Mansfield; Many Horned Lark of both usual subspecies, especially in a flock a half-mile south of Withrow (perhaps 1000) and in a flock at the intersection of SR 172 and Heritage (maybe 3000); 1 male VARIED THRUSH in Withrow; a few LAPLAND LONGSPUR south of Withrow with Horned Larks; about 40 SNOW BUNTING, also with larks south of Withrow; and about 4 COMMON REDPOLL in a birch in a yard between the grain elevator and the cemetery in Mansfield.
Sunday's highlights included: 1 drake REDHEAD off Grange Rd.; 1 Bald Eagle off Grange Rd.; a Sharp-shinned Hawk in Bridgeport and a Cooper's Hawk off Grange Rd. (we had several other accipiter sightings which we could not always resolve to species); a juvenile Golden Eagle at the upper Sharp-tailed site off Bridgeport Hills Rd.; a MERLIN chasing the Sharp-shinned around Bridgeport; a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL at the upper Sharp-tailed site (thanks Kathy!); a Northern Shrike also at the upper Sharp-tailed site; 2 Mountain Chickadee off Grange Rd; approximately 80 BOHEMIAN WAXWING in a large cottonwood in Bridgeport, which we got to watch for a long time in sunshine. We also had a smaller flock, perhaps 40, off Grange Rd., where they proved how much they look like starlings or blackbirds in flight; about 5 Yellow-rumped Warblers off Grange Rd.; dozens, maybe hundreds, of White-crowned Sparrows (flocking only with Song Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco) off Moe and Grange Rds.; and six Western Meadowlark off Grange Rd.
Barry Levine had a brief glimpse of a SHARP-TAILED GROUSE at the lower Bridgeport Hills Rd. site. We were otherwise unable to spot any, nor were we able to find any "good" sparrows, despite serious searching.
Temperatures ranged from 31 up to about 36 degrees both days, with 33 being the usual temp. It was a good trip, though the species count wasn't terribly high. (Report by Michael Hobbs)
2004/11/20 Gary Bletsch led a field trip in Skagit County The WOS trip on Saturday was a good one. The eight participants were Jim McCoy, Kathy Andrich, Ollie and Grace Oliver, Roger and Jean Leed, Michael West, and myself. We visited Rosario Head, Pass and Campbell Lakes, Green Point, March's Point, the parking lot of the Farmhouse Inn, and the Fir Island Game Range.
We identified around 70 species. Besides the 68 shown below, there was a probably Cooper's Hawk, and some scaups that we could not agree on.
Common Loon, Red-throated Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Brandt's Cormorant, GREEN HERON (Game Range), Great Blue Heron, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, White-winged Scoter, Surf Scoter, Oldsquaw, Harlequin Duck, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Merlin, California Quail, American Coot, Killdeer, Dunlin, Black Turnstone (8+ @ usual March's Point pier), Spotted Sandpiper (1 at Rosario), Glaucous-winged Gull, Mew Gull, ANCIENT MURRELET (3, Rosario), Marbled Murrelet, Common Murre, Rhinoceros Auklet, Pigeon Guillemot, ANNA's HUMMINGBIRD (1, Green Point), Great Horned Owl, Belted Kingfisher, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Eurasian Starling, Black-capped Chickadee, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Marsh Wren, American Crow, Spotted Towhee, Oregon Junco, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, House Finch, Red Crossbill, Pine Siskin.
We had multiple sightings of many of the seabirds at both Rosario Head and Green Point. March's Point was rather slow, but the Turnstones made up for the lack of large duck flocks. The only Brant we saw were a set of giant-sized decoys surrounding a hunter's boat out on Padilla Bay.
Gary Bletsch, garybletsch@yahoo.com
2004/11/13 Wilson Cady led a trip to the Ridgefield NWR and Vancouver Lake Lowlands Kathy Andrich, Ann Marie Wood, Shawn Schmelzer and her friend Jurgen joined me for a trip to the Ridgefield NWR and Vancouver Lake. We came up with a total of sixty-six species on a pleasant partially cloudy day and had a chance to puzzle through at least four varieties of Canada Geese. We started the morning out at the Ridgefield River "S" Unit where the birds were concentrated in the areas away from the hunters though we heard a fair number of shots fired during our visit. Waterfowl seen included TUNDRA SWAN, CANADA GOOSE, CACKLING GOOSE, CINNAMON TEAL (10), CANVASBACK, and RUDDY DUCK. There was one AMERICAN BITTERN and about two dozen GREAT EGRETS at Rest Lake. As usual there were plenty of RED-TAILED HAWK morphs to keep you on edge including a rufous bird that was perching back in the trees near the Kiwa Trail that at first glance looked like a Red-shouldered Hawk. As we rounded rest Lake we were able to approach within fifty feet of a "HARLAN"S RED-TAILED HAWK for excellent views. At the Carty Unit we walked part of the "Oaks to Wetland Trail" in search of the "SLENDER-BILLED" WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH which we found in a mixed flock with DOWNY WOODPECKER, BLACK-CAPPED and CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES, BROWN CREEPERS, and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS. We were able to elicit a response from a VIRGINIA RAIL to my imitation of its call. We finished our tour at Vancouver Lake where the only birds of interest were HORNED GREBES and WESTERN GREBES at the "Flushing Channel". We did enjoy the sight of another forty GREAT EGRETS as they flew in to a roost in the trees overlooking Campbell Lake. Wilson Cady
2004/11/06 Marv Breece led a field trip to Ocean Shores Our first stop was the Ocean Shores jetty. It was misting and we were wiping down our lenses, but that was no problem, because we were focused on at least 6 ROCK SANDPIPERS, mixed in with larger numbers of BLACK TURNSTONES and SURFBIRDS. These birds were at the base of the jetty and remained there until the last one of us was satiated. It was a rare opportunity to see Rock Sandpiper in quantity for a length of time. Also seen at the jetty was an assortment of gulls but little else.
Next we visited the STP where we saw BUFFLEHEAD, LESSER SCAUP and GUY McWETHY. The most notable sighting at that location was Guy. He was very generous and related to us his find of 3 SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPERS on the game range. Off we went. In about 20 minutes we spooked a lone SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER in the salicornia. If flew a few feet and froze in full few, but a few feet away. Ya dream about this sort of thing. After a few minutes it flew. We found the bird again across the stream and watched it some more. Thank you Guy. Also at the game range: LEAST SANDPIPER, DUNLIN, KILLDEER, GREAT EGRET, AMERICAN PIPIT, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER.
By now it was lunch time. I wanted to gobble on the go, but a persuasive birder convinced me that if we parked at Damon Point parking lot, we would see the PALM WARBLERS that we sought, while we ate. How DID she know this? There they were, 2 of them. They were at the edge of the small parking lot where the bathroom is. As we sat and gobbled, the palms chipped and bobbed.
The group wanted Lapland Longspur so we headed out the Damon Point Rd on foot. We went as far as the pond but neither saw nor heard a longspur. Not much of anything else, either. At the golf course we saw several Mallard-sized CACKLING CANADA GEESE with 3 ALEUTIAN CANADA GEESE.
By this time limited daylight remained so we drove to Brady Loop to see what else we could find. Just before dark, we came upon a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK.
Except for early morning mist, the weather was dry and mild. The birds were cooperative. The company was great. It was a good day.
Marv Breece Seattle, WA, mbreece@earthlink.net
2004/10/16 Patrick and Ruth Sullivan led a trip in Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties Today my mother and I led a WOS field trip to Tokeland and several other coastal locations with a total of 7 participants and 100 species tallied during the day. The weather remained steady light to moderate rain during the entire day, which seemed to have kept many passerines quiet, etc. and hindered nearly all our efforts in seeking such birds. Our route began along the Brady Loop Rd. complex. between 7:45am-9:30am,then continued onto the Johns River WRA with both locations hosting plenty of duck and upland game bird hunters. We continued onto Bottle Beach for a brief check for shorebirds during fast incoming tide before heading to North Cove. After scoping North Cove between 1pm-1:45pm,we traveled back north to Midway Beach walking the partially flooded open beach and dune areas primarily north of the roads end. We then made a short drive to Tokeland at 3:30pm and checked primarily the vicinity around the Tokland Marina, as well as at the south end of Graveyard Spit. Our last stop of the day before driving home was made at the Raymond Airport along S.R.105 to Raymond.
Our main highlights of the trip consisted mainly of the following species: 1 American Bittern along Foster Rd. (Brady Loop Rd. complex); 2 Great Egrets at the Johns River WRA with an additional bird noted along S.R.105 south of the Elk River bridge; 3 Greater White-fronted Geese along Foster Rd. with 3 additional birds for the day noted off North Cove; 4 adult Snow Geese along the eastern portion of Brady Loop Rd. complex (east of Foster Rd. amongst small numbers of "Cackling" Canada Geese); 2 Long-tailed Ducks off North Cove; 1 Pacific Golden Plover at Bottle Beach amongst a rather large flock of Black-bellied Plovers; 35+ Snowy Plovers at Midway Beach Rd.; 18 Willets (with 2 Whimbrel) at the Tokeland Marina; 58 Long-billed Curlews at the south end of Graveyard Spit; The lingering juvenile Bar-tailed Godwit at the Tokeland Marina amongst a flock of 750+ Marbled Godwits; 1 Parasitic Jaeger at North Cove; 4 Bonaparte's Gulls at North Cove; 28 Caspian Terns at Tokeland; 2 Marbled Murrelets off North Cove; 27 "Streaked"Horned Larks at Midway Beach Rd.; 1 Lapland Longspur at Midway Beach Rd.; 45+ Western Meadowlarks along Foster Rd. with 10 additional birds noted to end the day at the Raymond Airport.
Throughout the day we ran into several birders in the field at a few locations, where we exchanged sightings etc., which is always enjoyable. As mentioned previously many of the areas we checked were quite slow for songbirds, but a few areas were productive for such bird such as during our morning visit along the Brady Loop Rd. complex, then a fairly good assortment of various sparrows at the Johns River WRA. Shorebird numbers were most abundantly noted at Midway Beach Rd. followed by a few species noted at Bottle Beach earlier in the day. Good numbers of waterfowl were encountered at most locations with fairly consistent numbers of Canada Geese and "Cackling" Canada Geese noted flying or as grounded birds along with large numbers of Northern Pintail noted from a few scattered costal locations including at Bottle Beach and along S.R.105 east of Tokeland (Willapa Bay). Green-winged Teals were also noted in good numbers specifically flying over the Johns River WRA. Large numbers migrating Surf Scoters and Red-breasted Mergansers were also encountered from several costal locations from Bottle Beach to Tokeland with smaller numbers of White-winged Scoters also noted. Raptor numbers were somewhat few with our best diversity noted along the Brady Loop Rd. complex.
A list of additional species for the day of note included the following: Red-throated Loon 1 off North Cove (with 4 Western Grebes); Red-necked Grebe 1 off North Cove; Brown Pelican 12 off Bottle Beach 5+ off North Cove; Wood Duck 1 pair at the Johns River WRA; Northern Harrier 4 along the Brady Loop Rd. complex 1 at the Johns River WRA 1 at Midway Beach Rd.; Am. Kestrel 3 along the Brady Loop Rd. complex; Merlin 1 along Foster Rd. 1 along S.R.105 northwest of the North River; Ring-necked Pheasant 3 along the Brady Loop Rd. complex; Black-bellied Plover 10 at the Johns River WRA 184 at Bottle Beach; Semipalmated Plover 42 at Midway Beach Rd.; Greater Yellowlegs 17 at the Johns River WRA; Sanderling 113+ at Bottle Beach 25 off North Cove 75+ at Midway Beach Rd.; Western Sandpiper 3 at Bottle Beach 36 at Midway Beach Rd.; Least Sandpiper 108+ at Midway Beach Rd. 30 at the Raymond Airport; Dunlin 23 at Bottle Beach 235+ at Midway Beach Rd.; Long-billed Dowitcher 44 at the Johns River WRA 8 over Bottle Beach; Wilson's Snipe 3 at the Johns River WRA 9 at Midway Beach Rd. 5 at the Raymond Airport; Heermann's Gull 260+ at North Cove 65+ at Tokeland; Herring Gull 12 at North Cove; Western Scrub Jay 2 along Foster Rd.; Am.Pipit 14 along Foster Rd. 55 at Midway Beach Rd.; Yellow-rumped Warbler 2 along Foster Rd. 1 at the Johns River WRA; Savannah Sparrow 3 at the Johns River WRA 2 at Midway Beach Rd. 3 at Tokeland; Lincoln's Sparrow 1 at the Johns River WRA; Purple Finch 4 at the Johns River WRA.
Mammal species for the day consisted of the following: 28 Roosevelt Elk at the Johns River WRA; 5 Black-tailed Deer at Tokeland Harbor; Seals (noted from various locations including 1 observed slightly upstream along the Johns River); 2 Raccoons along S.R.105 at North Cove; 1 darner species at the Johns River WRA; Pacific Tree Frogs heard from a few locations.
Good birding, Ruth and Patrick Sullivan, Fircrest,WA, godwit@worldnet.att.net
2004/09/11 Doug Schonewald led a trip in Grant County I was fortunate enough to have a WOS Field Trip scheduled for Grant County the day after the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was located in Moses Lake. As expected, the group elected to immediately try for the flycatcher. Everyone was elated when we located the bird immediately after arriving at the last posted location. A great thanks to Steve Frazier for locating such a great bird, to Teri Pieper for reporting it, and to Randy Hill for excellent directions. The field trip was initially schedule for shorebirds so we continued our trip to Soap Lake where several good birds were also located in addition to the usual shorebird suspects. Two SANDERLING were located at East Beach, also on East Beach was a Solitary Sandpiper, at a pull-out along SR-17 at mid-lake we had a very nice flyover by a Peregrine Falcon, also at this location a SABINE'S GULL was observed flying up the lake. The juvenile Sabine's was located roosting with a large number of Ring-bills at the north end of the lake. At Potholes State Park a good number of Common Terns were observed fishing over the lake. Migraine Lake on the Columbia NWR provided good views of approximately a dozen Bonaparte's Gulls. Good numbers of shorebirds were not located. Though we managed to find 12 species, the numbers were not there. Only a dozen Long-billed Dowitcher were located. Perch Point held almost no peeps, Lind Coulee was worse with only a few, and the shoreline of Potholes Reservoir in the vicinity of the State Park was devoid of shorebirds except a small flock on a fly-by.
Cheers, Doug Schonewald, Moses Lake, WA, dschone8@donobi.net
2004/06/12 Mark Houston led a trip to the Sanpoil River valley in Ferry County On Saturday the 12th eight birders headed out from Republic at 5:30 for an outing 35 miles down the San Poil and back. After returning to Republic we birded Mud Lake and the south end of Curlew Lake just north of town, and some of us continued by going up into the Mt. Leona burn at the north end of the Kettle Crest.
At our first stop a couple miles south of town the fog cleared enough to see a small group of Bobolinks cavorting out in the meadow. Two Virginia Rails called by the road without any prompt from us. The most prominent vocalizers down the valley were some of the more recent arrivals: Willow Flycatcher, Catbird, and Veery. We made numerous stops as we moved down the beautiful upper valley, and at most every stop we heard Veery and usually saw a Catbird in addition to listening to its complicated tale. One highlight for the day was a Veery that sat at the very top of a bush and sang. We also found a Pacific-slope Flycatcher coming to a mossy nest on the north side of a large boulder, and heard Canyon Wren farther north than has been noted before.
South of the Ten Mile Campground we began concentrating on finding Red-eyed Vireo and Northern Waterthrush. We heard several vireo's but couldn't find one for a good look among the large cottonwood leaves. At Devil's Elbow a waterthrush was calling very close to the road, but the best view we had was of the bird flying back and forth over the road. MacGillivray's Warbler was also noted as one of the most common birds in the area. Despite a little disappointment at not getting the views we would have liked of some species, everyone appreciated being in such a beautiful place on such a nice day weather-wise.
Back in Republic some of us lunched in a Main Street restaurant while the Prospector's Day parade passed by the picture window. Who says you can't have it all? At the most pleasant Mud Lake close comparisons of Greater with Lesser Scaup were obtained, as well as a good assortment of other ducks. One Red-necked Grebe was taking its midday nap during our visit, much as some of us had done, or wished we had.
At Curlew Lake Betty Buckley invited us to her place, from where we had great views of a Bald Eagle nest with three large eaglets. Naturally the parents were about, and active. We watched one of the parents strip a fish for the kids and their outsized beaks. Also nearby were four Black Terns, resting on a snag over the water, and occasionally wheeling around. Calliope hummers provided more entertainment.
Four of us went up the Aeneas Creek Road to the Mt. Leona burn, where there has obviously been a lot of woodpecker activity. We saw five species of woodpecker, including two great views of one or maybe two male Black-backed Woodpecker. The grubs extracted from shallow chiseling were large. There were also a large number of Pine Siskin in this area, as well as Cassin's Finch, and Hermit Thrush. A more notable identification was the continuing call of a White-crowned Sparrow from the brushy mountainside. This was close to 5,000' in elevation.
Back at Curlew Lake near sunset there were between fifty and a hundred Nighthawks over the lake and adjacent land. Very hard to count. A few Vaux's Swifts came in, but no Black's. Alan Richards and I drove back to a spot on the Rattlesnake Loop road where I heard Flammulated Owl the night before. This is near Swan Lake. He had driven 400 miles Friday afternoon from Naselle, arriving in Republic about 2:30 a.m. We briefly tried to elicit a response from the owl, before turning in at about 11:30. Alan was going to change into sweats, but after getting one shoe off fell dead asleep upright in the driver's seat. Birding at its best, some of us say.
Mark Houston, Spokane
2004/05/01 Ken Knittle led a two-day trip for rare shorebirds and migrant passerines in E. WA This WOS Field Trip to eastern Washington produced 162 Species of birds over the weekend and Monday morning (this is counting the 2 species seen Friday on the way to Creston; Western Scrub-Jay north of Satus Pass in Yakima Co. 0.8 mile south of milepost 44 and Mike and MerryLynn Denny's Tricolored Blackbirds). Targeted species not seen - 1 (White-rumped Sandpiper) Figured since they are early migrants in their normal migration routes, that this would have been the most likely weekend to nail one down. Having the high pressure move into eastern Washington mid week didn't help either.
This field trip was set up with two targets. The first day was to target migrants such as unusual shorebirds while the second day was to scout over Garfield County trying to figure out where there might be shorebirds and/or migrant traps for passerines.
Saturday at 4:30 am as we climbed out of our sleeping bags we were listening to Common Poorwills and a Great Horned Owl from the ravine below. Roosevelt Lake lay far below and out of sight. We all knew we had a long day ahead of us and lots of miles and lots of birds to see before again crawling into the sleeping bags around 10 pm. Other participants arrived at our starting point at sunrise at Swanson Lakes south of Creston, Lincoln County. Saturdays field trip would lead us from Swanson Lakes to Rocky Ford, where the alleged Alder Flycatcher was seen. From there we would meet up with Tom and Diane Weber in Sprague (we were already behind schedule) to bird the sewer ponds and Sprague Lake itself and on to Cow Lake and Hallin Lake (both these lakes are in Adams County). From there we back tracked to Sprague and headed south to bird Sheep Lake, and back roads to Texas Lake which has produced American Black Duck and Hudsonian Godwit in years past. We continued south in western Whitman County to LaCrosse with the day almost over. Most of the group headed south to grab a bite in Pomeroy and south up to the Blue Mountains where a nice clean campground was waiting for us (Boundary Campground).
Sunday we birded our way down off Scoggin Ridge to W. T. Wooten Wildlife Area and ran up to Rainbow Lakes. We had planned to meet up with Mike and MerryLynn Denny at 10 am at Central Ferry, but birds forced us to again be late. We headed straight for Rice Bar and caught up with the Dennys. MerryLynn had just found the first record of Common Yellowthroat for Garfield County, but we could not refind it. On the ridge above Rice Bar we found 2 Turkey Vultures sitting in a wheat field. This is only the second record for Garfield County. After Rice Bar and warm temperatures we headed straight for the Walla Walla River Delta.
Sunday night we camped at Wind Dust along the Snake River in Franklin County with trains, barges, wind, Long-eared Owls, and bright moon light working us over all night. Monday at Wind Dust and on to Kahlotus, Washtucna, and ending up at the Yakima River Delta before parting ways.
Below is the highlights in order of places visited.
SWANSON LAKES: 1 Snow Goose flying with two large Canada Geese, 2 Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 Sanderling, Franny Drobny found 1 Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpipers were common here and many other places, Baird's Sandpipers, Dunlin, 1 Long-billed Dowitcher seen the evening before, winnowing Wilson's Snipe, Wilson's Phalarope, Short-eared Owl seen night before, Rough-legged Hawk seen by Kraig Kemper, Sage Thrashers, American Pipits flying over not far away, Mark Houston showed us Brewer's Sparrows and the back roads of Lincoln County; ROCKY FORD CROSSING: Golden Eagle, Swainson's Hawk; SPRAGUE SEWER PONDS; Wood Duck pair, 1 Greater Scaup; SPRAGUE LAKE (Lincoln Co): lots of Bonaparte's Gulls, a Common Goldeneye was late, Black Terns; SPRAGUE LAKE (Adams Co): last small flock of Tundra Swans heading north, 2 Snow Geese, 4 Ross's Geese; COW LAKE: water was too high, but was a beautiful place (there is an old record of Ruddy Turnstone here); SHEEP LAKE: Horned Grebes, 1 Baird's Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs; TEXAS LAKE: 4 Red-necked Grebes (water super low) south of Texas Lake, Mike Denny found a white stripe form White-throated Sparrow; LACROSSE: Burrowing Owls, Long-billed Curlews, 2 pairs of Ferruginous Hawk, Tom & Diane Weber had much of Whitman County route and birds staked out for us; BOUNDARY CAMPGROUND: spent night here. A participant woke me up thinking he might have something good like a Blue Grouse or Great Gray Owl. Just then another participant snored again and we both knew instantly. It's tough to snore like a rare bird! In the morning we had: 1 female Williamson's Sapsucker, 1 male Western Bluebird screwing with us sounding a bit like a Pine Grosbeak's single note, 1 Clark's Nutcracker, Townsend's Solitaires, heading down we had a beautiful adult Northern Goshawk fly right over us. Later to see another one dive from super high up on some Mourning Doves; TUCANNON: 2 Lewis's Woodpeckers, Lazuli Buntings, Dusky Flycatchers; RICE BAR: Common Yellowthroat, MerryLynn Denny found 2 Turkey Vultures, 5 Wild Turkeys; WALLA WALLA RIVER MOUTH: Semipalmated Plovers, Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 Willet, Scott Ray found 4 Whimbrel, Kraig Kemper found 1 Marbled Godwit; WIND DUST: 1 late Common Goldeneye, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 1 Greater Yellowlegs, several Long-eared Owls calling at dusk and early morning, Great Horned Owls calling along the rim rock, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1 Hermit Thrush, Wilson's Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 4 Golden-crowned Sparrows, Western Tanagers; KAHLOTUS: Wilson's Warbler, Lark Sparrow; YAKIMA RIVER MOUTH: 2 Clark's Grebes, Marv Breece found 1 Sanderling, Howard Armstrong found 7+ Semipalmated Plovers, Dunlin.
Even though we failed to find a spring migrating White-rumped Sandpiper it's still out there for some one else to find. Reardan Ponds water level was too high so skipped this hot spot. Probably where the White-rumped was hideing. Sheeeeesh!
2004/04/10 Michael Hobbs led a trip in Kittitas County Eight of us birded from Hyak to Vantage. In Hyak we had Band-tailed Pigeons and Evening Grosbeaks in the trees across from Traveler's Rest. A Varied Thrush called from near the Chevron station. The former Trend West properties near Roslyn yielded Williamson's Sapsucker, Mountain Chickadee, and Red Crossbill. Elk Heights featured Mountain and Western Bluebirds, Townsend's Solitaire, and Cassin's Finch. Durr Rd. had more more bluebirds plus great looks and listens at Brewer's Sparrow and Vesper's Sparrow. We found a Great Horned Owl in a crevice at milepost 22 on the Old Vantage Hwy east of Ellensburg. Also there were Say's Phoebe and Rock Wren. Tower Rd. (off Old Vantage Hwy) had both Sage Thrasher and Sage Sparrow. We finished up at Huntzinger Rd. near the Wanapum Dam, where our best birds were Common Loon, Common Goldeneye, Horned Grebe, Eared Grebe, and 2 American White Pelican.
2004/03/20 Doug Schonewald led a trip to Grant and Douglas Counties Nine participants enjoyed the best that the Columbia Basin has to offer in weather and birds for late March. The following highlights were enjoyed by the entire group: Burrowing Owls - a pair on a nest burrow along SR-17 between the junction of SR-282 and SR-28; Long-billed Curlew - Up to six individuals along SR-17 just south of Soap Lake; Say's Phoebe - Plentiful and observed in many locations; Sage Thrasher - An early arriving single bird located on the Waterville Plateau near the sage grouse lek; Greater Sage-Grouse - At least 6 birds observed on and near the Leahy Junction lek; Prairie Falcon - At least 4 different birds scattered across the Waterville Plateau; Short-eared Owl - A nice specimen observed at the traditional Long-eared Owl spot along Heritage Road; Northern Shrike - A very nice adult bird along Heritage Road; Steller's Jay - A lost bird located in downtown Mansfield; Great Horned Owl - Mansfield Cemetery; Redhead (m), Canvasback (m & f), and Tundra Swan - small pond along SR-174 in Douglas County; Tree Swallow - A pair researching old bluebird boxes for nesting possibilities at the same pond; Turkey Vulture - A nice study in flight as the bird soared over us along SR-155 at close range; Bald Eagle - Observed in several locations; Golden Eagle - Single bird soaring over the cliffs above Blue Lake; Chukar - West of Lake Lenore along SR-17 offering far but good views.
The following birds were located by some of the group: White-throated Swift - Early arrivals at the Dry Falls Overview and North Dam Rest Area at Grand Coulee; 'Slate-colored' Junco - A single bird located in downtown Mansfield; Snow Bunting - Flushed from the side of the road along SR-172 just east of Mansfield; Cliff Swallow - Several birds soaring above the North Dam Rest Area at Grand Coulee.
A great trip with many nice birds and really great company to share them with. Doug Schonewald, Moses Lake, WA, dschone8@donobi.net
2004/02/21 Owls by Day, led by Mike Denny. The 21st of February 2004 dawned cool and damp with patches of low fog as we met at Hood Park in northwestern Walla Walla County. Fifteen well-bundled birders started this WOS field trip by meeting each other and getting some information on where we would be going on this unique outing. This was the “Owls by Day” WOS field trip along the lower Snake River. We started in Hood Park and our first great bird of the day was a lone northern saw-whet owl tucked up under the boughs of a thick blue spruce. Everyone had reasonable views of this small owl and this species proved to be a lifer for several participants. The second great find was the yellow-bellied sapsucker that MerryLynn and I had discovered on 19 February. This first-year bird was seen by all and again was both a state and life bird for several participants.
From Hood Park we drove east on S.R.124 to Fish Hook Park along the Snake River. Here we quietly began our search for roosting owls as we walked down into the park. Sixty-plus American robins flew over and about us as we headed for the nearest roost sites. Northern flickers and several juncos along with some California quail made their presence known. Near the west end of the park we again located a single roosting northern saw-whet owl in a thick blue spruce and everyone had great views of this beautiful little owl. Not more than ten minutes later a second saw-whet was located in another dense blue spruce about 170 feet from the first owl. By now the cry was “do we have to look at another saw-whet?”. As we headed back to the cars a single great horned owl was discovered roosting in a poplar; nearby was the adult female sitting on eggs atop an old magpie nest structure.
We next headed on east to C.M. Rice Road and our northward journey into the Skyrocket Hills and the Hollenbeck HMU. We slowly worked our way into this area’s outstanding habitat. Birding here is fun as it in no way resembles the rest of the Palouse region. Vines drape over numerous Russian olives, western junipers, and cottonwoods giving the area a near sub-tropical look. Here we discovered three barn owls, one northern saw-whet owl on roost in a juniper and a second saw-whet calling at mid-day. We also located four long-eared owls in dense Russian olive thickets along one of the many paths. Two white-throated sparrows were found as well as a northern shrike. MerryLynn also found a northern goshawk.
Soon, the clouds and wind stop and the sun warms the day making the temperature perfect. Packing up, we head on east along Sheffler Road and then connect with Lyons Ferry Road, across the Snake River headed north on S.R.261 to S.R. 260, then west to Kahlotus, and finally south on Devils Canyon Road to Windust Park below Lower Monumental Dam in Franklin County.
Windust Park is an island of trees along the shoreline of the Snake River surrounded by thin soils and dry conditions with about ten inches of precipitation a year. Our first discovery was a pair of long-eared owls in a pine near the restrooms. Everyone had outstanding views of these spectacular-looking owls. A lone brown creeper now popped up as did a calling Say’s phoebe. We then located eight more long-eared owls on a winter communal roost in a Russian olive thicket near the park. Not seven minutes later another northern saw-whet owl was located in the lower bough of a pine. This bird was in plain sight and an outstanding view was had by all.
It was now mid-afternoon and we had a ways to drive to our next and final stop. So out across the undulating Palouse hills we headed, west towards Pasco and the Columbia River. Our next stop was Big Flat HMU along the shoreline of the Snake River and directly north of Fish Hook Park. This is a large habitat management unit with miles of trails and patches of great habitat. Our first good discovery in this area was a sub-adult Harris’ sparrow in with 200+ white-crowned sparrows.
The final tally of owls was as follows: six northern saw-whet, fourteen long-eared, two great horned, and three barn owls for a total of 24 owls!
2004/02/14 Patrick and Ruth Sullivan led a trip to the Waterville Plateau in Douglas County. My mother and I led a rewarding two day winter field trip to the Waterville Plateau area of Douglas Co. (with additional areas covered in Okanogan Cos.) with a total of 78 species encountered during the 2 day field trip with additional species encountered to and from destinations. The weather during our 3 day visit to the Waterville Plateau was quite good overall with just a few scattered light snow flurries on the 14th and 15th with cooler conditions on the Waterville Plateau itself and milder conditions along the Columbia River with some clearing at times. We had a total of 10 participants of which all helped locate many highlights we encountered with the added help of two way radios that came in very handy. We began our field trip at 6:30am on the 14th in Bridgeport then proceeded onto Bridgeport Hill Rd., where we searched for Sharp-tailed Grouse with NO luck, despite 4 attempts during a 3 day period along Foster Creek. We traveled onto the Waterville Plateau covering areas such as the Leahy Junction area, where up to 9 Sage Grouse were observed, which was a treat for everyone. Continuing onto the Waterville Plateau we checked along S.R.172 from Hwy.17 to Bridgeport Hill Rd., including checking several areas within the town of Mansfield. Very large numbers of Snow Buntings, Horned Larks were encountered along S.R.172 between Wood Rd. and Hwy.17,of which produced 5+ Lapland Longspurs, as the flocks roamed and swirled close to the highway and in nearby snow covered fields. We traveled back towards Bridgeport along Bridgeport Hill Rd., then a visit made to Bridgeport State Park in Okanogan Co. near Chief Joseph Dam. We ended the day checking several areas at Bridgeport Bar along Grange Rd., then a drive made along Central Ferry Canyon Rd. We encountered our largest flock of Bohemian Waxwings along the lower portion of Central Ferry Canyon Rd. that actively foraged within nearby fruit orchards to several stands of Lombardy Popular tree stands, which allowed good scoping views on our return trip down from the upper portion of road. We estimated an impression flock of 1500+ Bohemian Waxwings that were counted, as they swirled and scattered due to a nearby Sharp-shinned Hawk. This was our second large flock of Bohemian Waxwings for the day with another flock that contained 300+ birds along S.R173 south of Bridgeport Bar were observed and heard calling as they flew over. Very large numbers of waterfowl and Am. Coots were observed from several locations both days along the Columbia River, primarily at Bridgeport Bar and from the Fort Okanogan area, which consisted of Redhead, Ring-necked Ducks, Ruddy Ducks and Am. Wigeon among other species in lesser numbers. Later in the evening several of us that stayed overnight in Pateros owled along the upper portion of Central Ferry Canyon Rd., where we were entertained with good looks with the help of flashlights at one fairly cooperative Northern Saw-whet Owl, which was one of three heard that evening. My mother and I observed 2 Northern Saw-whet Owls on the evening of the 13th at the same location with 2 additional birds heard nearby.
On the 15th 6 of us checked several area in the Bridgeport areas, including additional checks made at Bridgeport Bar, the Fort Okanogan State Park area in Okanogan Co. and our last check of the trip made along Bridgeport Hill Rd., which produced up to 15 Common Redpolls, which were highly searched for at other areas and made the trip back to this location very worthwhile. We were standing along the roadside searching for Sharp-tailed Grouse scanning the Water Birch trees along Foster Creek until Ginger Rebstock spotted a flock of birds (that turned out to be Common Redpolls) foraging in a lone stand of Water Birch. We quickly watched the flock flying along the creek until landing briefly in trees then continued further along the creek until we finally were able to get good scoping views of a portion of the entire flock, as the foraged within the Water Birch trees. These birds were observed well by all of us and to most was a exceptional species and made up for not seeing any Sharp-tailed Grouse. The birds remained foraging in the trees until an immature Northern Shrike landed in the same tree and flushed the birds, where they were observed flying overhead to the west side of the road. At that point 2 participants continued with my mother and I towards the Fort Okanogan area then a stop made on our way home at Chelan in Chelan Co., where a Yellow-billed Loon was observed by Hugh Jennings and others during a field trip on the 14th. We were told about this sighting by Hugh Jennings during the morning at Pateros and we decided to follow up on his sighting on our way home, specifically for photographs of the bird. Ginger Rebstock and Susan Fallat joined my mother and me to Chelan on their way home in search of the Yellow-billed Loon, which we almost immediately located at 12:45pm along the south shore of Lake Chelan (Spaders Bay) from the Riverfront Park in Chelan. The bird eventually foraged alone west along the south shore of Lake Chelan, where my mother and I watched and photographed the bird at very close range at several vantage points near the marina area, where we left the bird. A very good bird for Chelan Co. and for anywhere in eastern WA, so hopefully the bird will remain and be seen by others. A big thank you to Hugh Jennings for telling us about this sighting, which we all enjoyed seeing. A list of our main highlights encountered during our field trip consist of the following at selected locations:
Am. White Pelican 1 overwintering bird observed from Washburn Island at Fort Okanogan, Okanogan Co. (OK) on the 15th; Double-crested Cormorant 1 observed at Cassimer Bar (Fort Okanogan area), OK on the 15th; Tundra Swan 1 along the Columbia River at Pateros, OK (with 4 birds observed at Pateros on the 13th); Eurasian Wigeon 1 male at the mouth of the Methow River at Pateros, OK on the 14th; Long-tailed Duck 1 at Bridgeport Bar, Douglas Co. (DO) on the 14th; Bald Eagle fairly good numbers encountered from several areas, primarily along the Columbia River; Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 along Central Ferry Canyon Rd., DO on the 14th 1 at Bridgeport Bar on the 15th; Cooper's Hawk 1 along Cranes Rd. near Bridgeport, DO on the 14th 1 along S.R.173 neat Bridgeport, DO on the 14th 1 at Bridgeport Bar, DO on the 15th; Rough-legged Hawk 2 along Hwy.17, DO (north of the junction of S.R.172) on the 14th 8 along S.R.172 west of Mansfield, DO on the 14th; Golden Eagle 2 soaring above the hills near Pateros, OK (observed from the lower portion of Central Ferry Canyon) on the 14th; Merlin 2 at Bridgeport Bar, DO on he 15th 1 at Bridgeport, DO on the 15th; Sage Grouse 9 near Leahy Junction, DO on the 14th; Great Horned Owl 2 at the Mansfield Cemetery, DO on the 14th 1 along Central Ferry Canyon Rd. on the evening of the 14th; Short-eared Owl 1 flying along the Columbia River south of Pateros, OK (being harassed by 3 Black-billed Magpies); Northern Saw-whet Owl 4 (2 birds seen, 2 birds heard only) along the upper portion of Central Ferry Canyon Rd. on the evening of the 13th with 3 (1 bird seen, 2 birds heard there on the 14th); Horned Lark We observed good numbers of Horned Larks at several locations within the Waterville Plateau on the 13th between Moses Coulee and Atkins Lake along Hwy.2, then larger numbers observed on our field trip on the 14th observed primarily along S.R.172 east of Mansfield of the "Arctic" and the local resident breeding subspecies, which allowed good comparisons. We also observed small flocks near the Leahy Junction on the 14th and small flock along Bridgeport Hill Rd. west of Hwy.17 on the 15th.; Steller's Jay 3 at Bridgeport, DO on the 14th (with 5 there on the 15th) 1 at Bridgeport Bar, DO on the 14th; Mountain Chickadee 1 at Bridgeport S.P., OK on the 14th 3 along S.R.173 near Bridgeport, DO on the 15th; Pygmy Nuthatch 30+ along the upper portion of Central Ferry Canyon Rd., DO on the 14th; Winter Wren 1 at Bridgeport Bar, DO on the 14th; Townsend's Solitaire 1 at Bridgeport Bar, DO on the 14th 1 at Bridgeport, DO on the 15th; Varied Thrush 2 along Central Ferry Canyon Rd., DO on the 14th 3 at Bridgeport Bar, DO on the 15th; Bohemian Waxwing 300+ along S.R.173, DO (south of Bridgeport Bar) on the 14th 35 at Bridgeport Bar, DO on the 14th (with 10 there on the 15th) 1500+ along the lower portion of Central Ferry Canyon Rd., DO on the 14th 20 along Bridgeport Hill Rd., DO on the 15th; Cedar Waxwing 12 along the lower portion of Central Ferry Canyon Rd., DO on the 14th 6 at Bridgeport Bar, DO on the 14th(with 50 there on the 15th); Northern Shrike 1 adult near Leahy, DO on the 14th 1 adult along Hwy.17, DO (south of S.R.172) on the 14th 1 adult along S.R.172 east of Mansfield, DO on the 14th 1 adult near Bridgeport S.P., OK on the 14th 1 adult along Hwy. 97 north of Pateros, OK on the 14th and 15th 1 immature along Bridgeport Hill Rd., DO on the 15th 1 adult along Hwy.97 near Fort Okanogan, OK on the 15th; Yellow-rumped Warbler 10 at Bridgeport Bar, DO on the 15th; Am.Tree Sparrow 25 at Bridgeport Bar, DO on the 14th (with the same number encountered there at the same location on the 13th); Harris' Sparrow 1 at Washburn Island, OK on the 15th; Lapland Longspur 5+ amongst large numbers of Snow Buntings and Horned Larks along S.R.172 east of Mansfield, DO on the 14th; Snow Bunting 2 near Leahy, DO on the 14th 800+ along S.R.172 east of Mansfield, DO on the 14th; Western Meadowlark 30+ at Bridgeport Bar, DO on the 14th(with 15 there on the 13th); Red Crossbill 10 along the upper portion of Central Ferry Canyon, DO on the 14th; Common Redpoll 15 along Bridgeport Hill Rd., DO on the 15th
Additional species of note encountered to and from destinations on our way to Pateros on the 13th and on our way home on the 15th included the following: Red-necked Grebe 1 along Hwy. 97 south of Daroga S.P., DO on the 15th; Eared Grebe 10 along Hwy. 97 south of Daroga S.P., DO; Western Grebe 2 along the Columbia River (Lake Pateros), OK on the 13th; Cooper's Hawk 1 along Hwy. 17 at Bridgeport, DO on the 13th; Rough-legged Hawk 8 birds observed along S.R. 970 at Swauk Prairie, Kittitas Co. (Teanaway area) on the13th; Merlin 1 at Waterville, DO on the 13th; Prairie Falcon 1 along Hwy. 97 north of Daroga S.P., DO; Steller's Jay 12 along Hwy. 2 east of Orondo, DO on the 13th; Hermit Thrush 6 (with 3 Varied Thrush) along Longmire Rd. (accessed along Hwy.97/2 south of Orondo, DO) on the 13th; Bohemian Waxwing 1 at Bridgeport S.P., OK on the 13th; Cedar Waxwing 30 along Longmire Rd., DO on the 13th; Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 along Longmire Rd., DO on the 13th; Spotted Towhee 1 along Longmire Rd., DO on the 13th; Golden-crowned Sparrow 3 along Longmire Rd., DO (with 2 additional birds noted along Hwy.97/2 immediately south of that location) on the 13th
Good birding, Ruth and Patrick Sullivan Tacoma,WA godwit@worldnet.att.net
2004/01/10 Skagit and Samish trip with Brian Bell -Eleven people went on the January 10 WOS field trip to the Skagit and Samish areas. We started out along the back road into the Skagit Game Range, and had several Red-tailed Hawks, a couple of Bald Eagles, a field full of Trumpeter Swans (some calling), and a number of Western Meadowlarks. At the main parking lot at the Skagit Game Range we ran into Marv Breece and we all walked down the west dike trail (listening to all the "mallards" giving interesting calls from the edges of the field - most of these "birds" had on hunter camo). We had Northern Harriers (male and female), absolutely wonderful looks at an immature Northern Shrike (at a distance of about 25 feet) - this after more distant looks at an earlier one. Through the spotting scopes the fine details of the shrike were truly beautiful. There were two Greater Yellowlegs in the same field as the "mallards", but they didn't seem to be bothered by these "ducks".
We left the game range and went to the north side of Fir Island where we had a field of about 7000 Snow Geese, and a number of Trumpeter Swans. In with the swans was at least one Tundra Swan. A number of Bald Eagles were in the trees along the dike, and a probable Cooper's Hawk came zipping by. On the way up to the Samish we took a brief detour along Farm-to-Market Rd (because of a train with no engines across the tracks at Bayview-Edison Rd). As we made our way back west along Josh Wilson Rd toward Bayview, we got views of a female American Kestrel. Down along Padilla Bay we had views of Common Loon, Pacific Loon, scoters, and a rather unusual Long-tailed Duck that kept its head pulled down against its body and with short, vertically erected tail feathers (at a distance when first seen it appeared remarkably like a Ruddy Duck).
After lunch at the Brazeale Interpretive Center, we found both Downy & Hairy Woodpeckers in a tree out by the highway. Our next stop was the West 90, with several Red-tailed Hawks along the way, and a Rough-legged Hawk. We had just gotten out of our cars at the 90 when the immature Gyrfalcon flew by very closely, allowing great views, and proceeded to perch on an insulator on top of a power pole along Samish Island Rd. Great looks under very acceptable light. Everyone was able to study the head pattern, the coarse streaking along the breast and belly, and the primaries much shorter than the tail. Many Northern Harriers over the fields, several Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks (including an almost black dark morph), and a couple of Short-eared Owls. The gulls flock in the puddle contained a Western Gull.
We continued to the WDFW site at the end of Wharf Rd and had Common & Pacific Loons, Surf & White-winged Scoters, Bufflehead, both goldeneyes, Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Horned & Red-necked Grebes, Brant, and Pelagic and Double-crested Cormorants on Samish Bay. On the way back off the island we had large flocks of American Wigeon with several Eurasian Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, and Green-winged Teal. At the sparrow spot near the T-Loop Tavern, we had Song and Fox Sparrows, Brown Creeper, and Red-breasted Sapsucker. It was a most enjoyable and rewarding day with many excellent views of nice birds.
76 species – Snow Goose, Brant, Trumpeter Swan, Tundra Swan, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, American Kestrel, Gyrfalcon, American Coot, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Dunlin, Wilson's Snipe, Mew Gull, Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Western Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Northern Shrike, Steller's Jay, American Crow, Common Raven, Black-capped Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Western, Meadowlark, Brewer's Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Purple Finch, House Finch, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow.