Bennington Lake Highlights

We found some unexpected birds on our walk around Bennington Lake this morning.  Three black-necked stilts were standing on the edge of the water just below the parking lot; a red-eyed vireo was singing in a cottonwood on the south end of the lake, and a turkey vulture soared over as we were walking along the west side of the trail. yellow-breasted chats and gray catbirds were along the west side of the trail, and Bullocks orioles, black-headed grosbeaks, peewees and yellow warblers were abundant all around the lake. Today we saw and/or heard 44 species.

Anyone is welcome to join us on our weekly survey of the birds at the lake.  This summer our normal schedule will be Tuesdays at 7:00 a.m.  It usually takes us 3-4 hours to complete the walk. If the time or day changes I will post the change on the website.

Ginger

Mountain Birding Field Trip

Twenty eager birders joined Mike and MerryLynn Denny for a full day of birding in the Blue Mountains on Saturday, June 14. The areas covered were Lewis Peak Road, North Fork Coppei Creek Road and Jasper Mountain Road.  The weather was warm and sunny after a long winter and a late snow fall last week. Highlights of the trip were:

 

Green-tailed towhee            Northern goshawk

Indigo bunting                    Swainson's thrush

Least flycatcher                 Red-naped sapsucker

Lark sparrow                     Lewis' woodpecker

Ruffed grouse                   Pygmy nuthatch

Townsend's warbler           Chestnut-backed chickadee

McGillivray's warbler          Western bluebird

 

We found a large patch of lady slippers, a calypso orchid and many more beautiful wildflowers along the roadside. White-tailed deer, a herd of 37 elk and spectacular scenery all added to the enjoyment of another wonderful visit to our beloved Blue Mountains. 

 

This was the last field trip of the year.  I will be posting fall trips sometime in August so be sure to check the website. A big thank you goes out to all of you who led trips this year. You made it possible for all of us to enjoy another fun year of birding.

 

Ginger

Brown Thrasher

I found a Brown Thrasher in the Fort Walla Walla Natural Area this morning - around the barn. It was seen again at 5 pm - may be on territory. This is a very rare bird and a first county record!MerryLynn

Willet

A Willet has been on the Walla Walla River delta off and on for a month - there were 2 sighted one day in May. This was our first June record and it may still be out there - you need a scope... MerryLynn

Least Flycatcher

For the third June in a row a Least Flycatcher has set up territory at the bridge on McCowan road off hyw 12 east past Dixie. A possible second bird was sighted this past weekend - we will watch to see if they nest here....MerryLynn

Great Gray Owl

An adult Great Gray Owl was seen up Biscuit Ridge this last weekend by folks on a field trip for the Washington Ornithological Society conference based in Walla Walla. This bird was in the first forested area where a family was first found in the county several years ago....MerryLynn

Green-tailed Towhee

Green-tailed Towhees were found up Biscuit Ridge and Lewis Peak this last weekend during the Washington Ornithological Society conference based here in Walla Walla. We hope to show folks a few on our field trip this coming Saturday. Brad Waggoner from Bainbridge Island found a new spot for them up Lewis Peak that is easy to get to.....MerryLynn

Indigo Bunting

A male Indigo Bunting was found Thursday the 5th of June by Jim Danzenbaker up North Fork Coppei Creek - 5 miles from the end of the pavement. This is a new species for Walla Walla County! The Washington Ornithological Society conference was held in Walla Walla June 6 - 9 and many birders got to see br>this amazing little jewel of a bird....MerryLynn

Eurasian Collared-Doves

This morning I had a Eurasian Collared-Dove fly over Scenic View just north of Walmart - and last week I had 2 of them fly over Electric Ave. north of College Place. They have been in Touchet for over a year and also up at Prescott. So far there are no sightings from Walla Walla - so if you see one please give Ginger or I a call. These birds are going to be common before long and will be hunted just like Mourning Doves. MerryLynn

BMAS Field Trip

Nine birders enjoyed a morning of birding on Foster Road and S. Fork Russell Creek Road the morning of June 1.  It rained all night so the birds were very active and visible when we got to our first stop on Foster Road.  One yellow breasted chat put on quite a show for all of us.  Our total species list was 48 and almost all of the birds were seen by everyone.  The biggest surprise of the day was the olive sided flycatchers on both roads.  They are migrating through our area on their way to the mountains, so we timed it just right. We also saw a very large swarm of honey bees in a locust tree.  They were fascinating to watch.

Here are the highlights of the trip:

 

Veery - several calling                Yellow-breasted chat - several

Olive sided flycatcher - 4             Lazuli bunting - several

Willow flycatcher - several           Black-headed grosbeak - several

Western wood peewee - many     Bullock's oriole - several

Western tanager - several            House wren - several

Great horned owl - 1                    Yellow warbler - many

Western kingbird - 2                    Wild turkey - many

Rufous hummingbird - - many       Gray catbird - several 

Calliope hummingbird - several      Chipping sparrow - several

Black-chinned hummingbird - 1     Fox sparrow - 2 heard

Warbling vireo - several                Swainson's hawk

Hairy woodpecker

 

Several of the group had cameras and scopes along so we have a good record of the trip.

Ginger