Tuesday, June 10, 2008

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

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

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

Sunday, June 1, 2008

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