Snow Goose at Bennington Lake

We were very happy to see a snow goose fly in with about 150 canada geese this morning on our walk.  The seasons have definitely taken a turn toward fall as was evidenced by the low number of species today.  The only remaining summer birds were 7 barn swallows.  Most of the shorebirds were gone. Only 10 long-billed dowitchers, 14 killdeer, 1 great blue heron and 1 black-bellied plover were on the mud.  Two belted kingfishers chased each other around the east side of the lake and there was a double-crested cormorant, 2 green-winged teal, 3 mallards, 3 American wigeon and a ring-necked duck on the water.  One American pipit was on the mud and a Cassin's vireo was in the willows.  White-crowned sparrows, song sparrows, juncos, black-capped chickadees and both ruby-crowned and golden-crowned kinglets dotted the trees.  The usual flickers, downy woodpeckers, yellow-rumped warblers, Bewick's wrens and house finches were present.  It was a crisp morning and a pleasant walk.  Ginger

Ruff at Two Rivers HMU

Mike and MerryLynn found another rare migrant.  It is only the 4th record of a RUFF in Walla Walla County, and the last one was over 12 years ago.  MerryLynn called me and I drove right out to the parking area at the end of the road, and then bush wacked with her through tall grass to the muddy shoreline.  The bird was gone when I arrived, but returned about a half hour later.  How nice to have a chance to see this rare visitor to our county.  Thank you again Mike and MerryLynn for making it possible.  Ginger

Mountain Birding

 

MerryLynn and I took advantage of the beautiful fall weather today to visit the mountains before hunting season is in full swing.  We drove up Lewis Peak Road and circled around down Jasper Mountain Road.  Highlights on Jasper Mountain included a northern goshawk,a hairy woodpecker, mountain and chestnut-backed chickadees, red-breasted nuthatches, golden crowned and ruby crowned kinglets, juncos, flickers and yellow-rumped warblers.  On Jasper Mountain we found western bluebirds, pygmy nuthatches, a golden-crowned sparrow, and a golden eagle,  along with spotted towhees,  chipping and white-crowned sparrows, robins and  more kinglets, yellow-rumped warblers and chickadees.  It was nice to enjoy the beauty of the mountains one more time.  Ginger

 

Slow Day at Bennington Lake

Bird activity was way down today, probably because of the warm, sunny weather.  Migrants have no reason to stop when the weather is so nice.  There were 14 long-billed dowitchers, 36 killdeer, and 1 Wilson's snipe in the mud.  Waterfowl included 1 wood duck, 6 American wigeon and 5 green-winged teal.  The most interesting sighting of the morning occurred as we were sitting on the concrete slabs at the north end of the canal.  Five raptors  (3 American kestrels, 2 northern harriers, and a sharp-shinned hawk) seemed to be having some sort of territorial dispute over our heads. White-crowned sparrow and junco numbers were up.  The only warbler species was yellow-rumped.  There were 2 American pipits in the mud.  Hopefully next week will find birds on the move again.   Ginger

Bennington Lake Today

 

We enjoyed a "very birdy" walk on September 21.   The most abundant species were white-crowned sparrow (100+), killdeer (42), canada geese (84) and yellow-rumped warbler (80+).  Migrants included long-billed dowitcher (11), pectoral sandpiper (3), common nighthawk (2), red-naped sapsucker (3), orange-crowned warbler (6), MacGillivray's warbler (1), Hammond's flycatcher (3), western tanager (1), and Lincoln's sparrow (2).  Late sightings were house wren (2), gray catbird (1) and western wood peewee (2). 

The water level is very low so the chance of finding more shorebirds is good in the coming days.  The birds were actively feeding in the trees, especially on the side by the parking lot.  The colors are beginning to turn on the trees and shrubs which added to the enjoyment of the walk.  It's a great time to take a walk around the lake and enjoy the birds and the scenery.   Ginger

 

Swainson's Hawks on the Move

I had a report today (September 16) from Nancy Mitchell about 37 Swainson's hawks circling over Langdon Road.  It's time for them to begin their long flight to Argentina and we have many nesting pairs in our valley that will be leaving soon. I hope you can get out to see this phenomenon - it truly is spectacular.  I would suggest driving the roads southwest of town - Langdon, Stateline, Frog Hollow, McDonald, Byrnes etc.   Ginger

 

Bennington Lake Migrants and Fall Birds

Our Tuesday walk got delayed until Thursday, but we were rewarded with lots of migrants.  We counted 12 Wilson's warblers, 7 Townsend's warblers, 3 orange-crowned warblers, 1 Nashville warbler, 1 olive-sided flycatcher, 1 western flycatcher, 1 dusky flycatcher, 1 Cassin's vireo, 1 warbling vireo, 4 least sandpipers, 2 western sandpipers and 1 greater yellowlegs.  Vaux's swifts, barn swallows, violet green swallows, bank swallows and rough-winged swallows were catching bugs over the lake.  Summer nesters still around were 1 yellow-breasted chat, 1 gray catbird, 5 house wrens, 3 yellow warblers, 12 cedar waxwings, 4 spotted sandpipers and 10 western wood peewees. 

 

We were surprised to see 2 white-crowned sparrows, a dark-eyed junco and a ruby-crowned kinglet.  These are all fall birds.  If you haven't noticed, the goldfinches are all molting into their winter plumage. It won't be long before the leave turn red and yellow - fall is on the way and winter won't be far behind.  Where did summer go?  The temperatures are perfect for a nice stroll around Bennington Lake.  I hope you will get out and enjoy the birds.  Ginger