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May 30-31, 2009

Blue Mountains, Columbia and Garfield Counties

with Ken Knittle

Terry Sisson, Anne Kahle, and I headed east for the WOS fieldtrip on Thursday.  That afternoon, we stopped by the Walla Walla River delta, where 2 White-faced Ibis were on the mudflats.  We arrived early at our destination, Boundary Campground, so headed up the road to see where the snow was blocking the road.  We stopped by the Snow-Park which was a large open gravel parking lot in the middle of the forest with large rocks individually spaced to prevent vehicles from going off-road.  On the rock closest to the forest was a Rock Wren, a very odd place for it to be.  Further up the road was a American Three-toed Woodpecker.  That night after some of the group had arrived and darkness fell a lone Common Poorwill called over the edge of the forest burn just west of the campground.

Friday May 29

Shortly after dawn part of the group that was enroute to Boundary Campground saw Gray Partridge along the edge of the road as it passes through large wheat fields.  Once all had arrived we headed up Scoggin Ridge to the snow blocked road near Clearwater Lookout.  A Clark’s Nutcracker, Evening Grosbeaks, and the singing Ruby-crownedKinglets were found, of which all three of theses birds were noted at most the high elevation places we visited later.  A few attempts were made before we located an American Three-toed Woodpecker at a location where I had seen them in years past.

Heading back down the snow-blocked road we birded our way east on the Peola Road.  A quick stop along Pataha Creek produced Pacific-slope Flycatcher, MacGillivray’s Warbler and two short call notes of a Veery.  Peola Road soon leaves the forest and Horned Larks, Brewer’s Sparrows, and Rock Wrens become the norm.  As we dropped down into the Snake River Chukar and Grasshopper Sparrows were seen.  Alpowa Creek mouth produced a far off Yellow-breasted Chat, Willow Flycatcher,Gadwall, and Spotted Sandpiper.  Chief Timothy wildlife management area had GrayCatbirds, but could not re-locate the Great Egret that had been seen 2 days before.

Swallows Park in Clarkston is always a must stop.  This day produced a small flock of Avocets and Bank Swallows.  Some of the group found Wood Ducks and 2 EurasianCollared-Doves.  Asotin Creek by now was hot in the mid-90’s, but our group did see a Cordilleran Flycatcher and a very visible Red-eyed Vireo.

Traveling south up out of the Snake River Canyon we stopped by the Savage Ponds where Tree Swallow, Eastern Kingbird, and Yellow-headed Blackbird were seen.  Field’s Spring Sate Park, just under 4,000 feet, produced many singing birds and much cooler than where we had just been.  A cooperative MacGillivray’s Warbler sat in full view for all to see.  Chestnut-backed Chickadees were calling near the campground.  Down near the entrance to the park was a Winter Wren, which just about became lunch for a male Sharp-shinned Hawk and at the same place was a Pileated Woodpecker.  The road to Wenatchee Guard Station was open except for the last mile.  No Green-tailed Towhees were heard or seen.  We did find Gray Jays, more Nutcrackers, and EveningGrosbeaks near Anatone Butte.  A large Thunder Storm was approaching the high county, which changed some of the groups camping activities to more sheltered locations. 

Saturday May 30

We all met at Rice Bar, which is gotten to by driving down a dead-end road into the Snake River Gorge with fantastic views all the way down.  3 AmericanWhite Pelicans were floating the Snake River, while Yellow-breasted Chats, Catbirds were hiding in the brush, and across the river a beautiful singing Canyon Wren was heard.  Heading out of the gorge we heard and saw Grasshopper Sparrows.  At Central Ferry 3 Am. White Pelicans were waiting for us, presumed to be the three seen earlier up river.  Ducks are tough in Garfield County and Central Ferry is the place most likely to see them, except usually not in summer.  This time there were Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal, and several Bufflehead along with a Western Grebe and Double-crested Cormorant.  A Bewick’s Wren called from a brushy willow thicket.

Heading up the Tucannon River we found a Cordilleran Flycatcher at one of the creek crossings.  A quick stop at Last Chance Store we viewed Calliope, Black-chinned and Rufous Hummingbirds.  At Rainbow Lakes Fish Hatchery produced a Warbling Vireo and a Pacific-slope Flycatcher thought to be breeding under the bridge.  Just beyond the hatchery a Lewis’s Woodpecker hung onto a black charcoal snag top.  With the temperature again getting close to the 90’s we headed up towards Godman Springs where it was pleasant and snow still blocking the best of the high county.  So places like Tepee Trailhead was way out of the question.  Another American Three-toed Woodpecker showed itself along with the usual high mountain species. Vaux’s Swifts were plentiful.

That night was spent at Lewis and Clark Trail State Park with a family of many vocal youngsters of Western Screech-Owls.  Some mentioned that this was a highlight of the trip because of such great views in the spotlight only feet away.  Day light the owls were well hidden and could not be located. 

Sunday morning we drove up Payne Hollow to Jasper Mt. Road.  Above the wheat fields we found a singing (Slate-colored) Fox Sparrow which seem very low elevation wise and two RedCrossbills.  The group separated at this spot.  We continued on to Lewis Peak area where a lone Townsend’s Solitaire was seen.  Tom Lamb’s place was a-buzz with lots of hummingbirds. 

It was a great trip, even with the leader under the weather with a bad cold and cough.  The group was mainly comprised of county listers and Washington State birders only know too well how difficult Garfield and Columbia Counties are.  This area is very seldom birded and it was with this in mind why I have been leading trips into this beautiful county and help others find the area as rewarding as I have.

May there be many more enjoyable trips to the Blue Mountains.

Ken Knittle

Vancouver WA

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