Klickitat County Birding

Here we go again, yeah? I suppose that, given the long-term goal of seeing 150 bird species in every county of Washington State, there's no need to explain, "Why Klickitat County?" But I don't mind. This page will sit here to remind me later in the year of why this seemed so special.

One of the most beautiful sights from Trout Lake

And let me say, every county in the state really is special. It's part of why I do what I do, hitting a county for a year in something resembling (for lack of any better term) serial monogamy. Douglas County last year was simply amazing. I can close my eyes and imagine the enormous skies, the taste of the fresh peaches and apples, and the sound of Western Screech Owls tooting alongside my campground at Douglas Creek. 

But it's time to hit a new county. I have to say, that December has been busy enough (and 2021 was busy enough in general) that I haven't exactly done the same in-depth planning as I did in Douglas! Good lord, I've already finished my January trip, and am just now getting around to my opening post!

Underbirded?

This tends to be one of my criteria when I choose a county. I could spend a whole year writing about the places that people are already going, but what would it add? I like to get in and explore in places where there aren't already a lot of boot prints. 

That said, Klickitat County does have some dedicated local birders! On eBird, the highest total last year was 237. Interestingly, Washington Birder has the county year list record sitting in the low 180's. These are two platforms that don't work with each other quite enough! I dream of a world where all of the people on eBird pass their sightings along to Washington Birder. In this imaginary world, the old-school birders who have kept their own records for decades simply hire me to put all of those observations into eBird. Transparency, sharing of information, citizen science, community, hugs... A boy can dream.

I am using both. If nothing else, this blog could cross-pollinate from one platform to the other. I don't think I'll be setting any records. Unfortunately, I may end up with a larger total than has been reported at Washington Birder for a year list. I hope this is a temporary inaccuracy, if it does happen. 

But...200 should be doable! That much is clear. 

The county

Klickitat County sits just over the Pacific Crest. In Washington Birder, it is considered an Eastern Washington County. But. . . there are still little idiosyncrasies with that classification. It's a small thing, but sapsuckers provide an interesting example: The typical Western Washington species, Red-breasted Sapsucker, is a Code 2 bird in the county, while the typical Eastern Washington species, Red-naped Sapsucker, is a Code 3 - barely seen annually. 

Klickitat is also, obviously, a county in Washington State. That said, it has been an entry point of sorts for a few species that are more commonly seen south of the border in Oregon. Ash-throated Flycatcher and Acorn Woodpecker are two obvious standouts. They're easy to find here, and challenging in most counties in the state. Lesser Goldfinch, still expanding through the state, has been fairly well established here for decades. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is just another one that might be on my target list this year!

Will I find a little bit of a mix of Eastern and Western Washington... politically? We shall see! It's not a political blog, but it is a blog about more than just the birds, so some observations will find their way in eventually. 

No, these aren't blueberries, and. . . that wasn't a 
Blue Jay in your back yard.
Image Courtesy of AAA travel

That aside, there are so many things from this county that have brought me joy over the years. Huckleberries, chess sets, observatories, and Trout Lake... oh Trout Lake, folks. 

More practically, it's not too too far from home. Trips away are very important. They clear my mind when I've had a lot of deadlines pressing in on me. But I need to be able to get back without spending too much time on the road. Even more importantly, I can get to Klickitat via Ellensburg, where my son is attending college, and Yakima, where my folks are still fighting All Things Medical. I didn't see them much in the last year, admittedly, so it's the right time to build some visits into my plans. 

I really am excited to explore this place. As I said, I have actually taken care of my first birding day, and have found new things to love about the county already. And birds! Despite some snow, some birds. May 2022 find you well, and may you find some birds in your life despite the snow, yeah? 

Cheers,

Tim Brennan

(Currently watching the snow fall in White Salmon, and thinking it's time to hit the road.)

January 5th, 2022