<html><head></head><body><div class="ydp932e875eyahoo-style-wrap" style="font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><div id="ydp932e875eyiv3900782616"><div><div style="font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;" class="ydp932e875eyiv3900782616ydp635aadc8yahoo-style-wrap"><div>Thought I would add some reports following others on Eastern WA lately. All from April 14.</div><div><br></div><div>Cassin's finches are active on Wood Duck Road across from Bullfrog Pond just West of Cle Elum. Can also find both Purple and House Finches among other species there. Can be a good place for Chipping Sparrows, Western Bluebirds and Pygmy Nuthatch. CAUTION: it is a private road. Years ago I asked someone there if I could bird there. "Sure, just don't want anyone camping." I have gone back every year and many locals have seen me and never a question. I guess an old fart with bins and a camera isn't threatening. You can bird from the road.</div><div><br></div><div>Not as plentiful as usual but Pygmy Nuthatches are present and responsive at the usual location (near fenced in area) at the Railroad Ponds in So. Cle Elum. 3 species of Chickadees there as well. House Wren wasn't there "yet".</div><div><br></div><div>On Durr Road just South of Ellensburg off Umptanum Road, Sage Thrasher, Vesper and Brewer's Sparrows and both Mountain and Western Bluebirds are active. Lots of Meadowlarks. No Shrike this visit.</div><div><br></div><div>For anyone who hasn't birded along Old Vantage Highway for a few years it has changed greatly with much sagebrush lost to fires. But birds can still be found. Sage Thrashers and the two sparrows are singing at appropriate remaining sagebrush habitat along Old Vantage Highway...Mountain Bluebirds as well and a Rough Legged Hawk is over staying. (Did not see Prairie Falcon or Say's Phoebe this trip.) Sagebrush Sparrows can be found hiking up trail (half mile at most) at the East Entrance to the Quilomene Wildlife area on Old Vantage Highway. Vesper and Brewer's possible there as well.</div><div><br></div><div>Several Say's Phoebes and Rock Wrens (missed Canyon Wren) along Recreation Road and Gingko Overlook near Vantage.</div><div><br></div><div>White Throated Swifts are back in Yakima Canyon and all swallows (except Bank and Purple Martins) were seen in many areas as were Ospreys - at least a dozen both hunting and on platforms.</div><div><br></div><div>Only focused birding in Yakima County was at Kerry's Pond where my goal was to see a Cackling Goose which would be species #200 for the County. There were more than 200 Cacklers there. At least a dozen Black Necked Stilts (in pond and in adjoining field). Two American Avocets were also in the field. Both male and female Redheads were present. A highlight was intersecting with the Pond's namesake while there. I ran out of time to venture into Grant County. Maybe tomorrow but if not I won't be free to do any Eastern Washington birding for awhile so glad to get yesterday in.</div><div><br></div><div>Migration is happening. Love springtime!</div><div><br></div><div>Blair Bernson </div></div></div></div></div></body></html>