Hollebeke HMU Field Trip with Mike and MerryLynn Denny

Today was another successful Blue Mountain Audubon field trip.  Twenty-six people joined Mike and MerryLynn on a hike through one of the lesser known habitat units along the Snake River in Walla Walla County.  On the way, we drove through the Skyrocket Hills north of Prescott birding along the route.  We came back through the orchards to Fishhook Park.  Highlights of the trip included Say's phoebes, northern saw-whet owls, a Harris's sparrow, purple finches, rough-legged hawks and hermit thrushes. 

Swallows

Violet green swallows have been seen along Mill Creek near K-Mart.  Here comes spring!

Water at Bennington Lake!

The lake is being filled and so the canal was roaring and we had to wade through about 4 inches of water to get across.  Okay, spring really is coming now!  We split up during our walk, but several nice species were seen including 45 TUNDRA SWANS, a MEADOWLARK, a FOX SPARROW, a SAY'S PHOEBE, a WESTERN BLUEBIRD and a VARIED THRUSH.  JUNCOS and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS are still around and the SONG SPARROWS and BEWICK'S WRENS were singing - so it was a mix of winter and spring birds today.  Ginger

Western Bluebirds at Bennington Lake

We watched seven WESTERN BLUEBIRDS in the trees on the east side of the trail this morning.  Although bluebirds are a sign of spring, it sure didn't feel like spring on our walk.  The BEWICK'S WRENS also think it's spring – they were singing away like it was 50 degrees and sunny (which is was not).  A few CANADA GEESE, a MALLARD and a lone COOT were on the water and four noisy KILLDEER flew around the shoreline.  GREAT HORNED OWLS are nesting in the parking lot and on the far east side.  All the usual winter birds are still around, but not in the numbers we have seen before.  Spring is sure to come sooner or later, and in the meantime we'll continue to enjoy whatever birds we can find on our weekly walk.  Ginger