What a Time at the Wenas Weekend!

July 2026

By Stella Barringer, Jen DeSelle, Deb Nickerson

How often do you begin a morning hearing, “Where are my binoculars? Wait, where are my pants?”

The Black-backed Woodpecker appeared in our SSBA camp before everyone was up and out of their tents or vehicles. None of us would have cared or even noticed what someone was wearing or not wearing, as we eyed the beautiful bird flying from tree to tree before us.

Ten of us from SSBA had ventured across the mountains to the Wenas Natural Area to enjoy birding with about 200 other enthusiastic nature lovers.

On Deb’s walk along Wenas Creek Saturday morning, the highlights were White-headed Woodpeckers feeding young in a cavity and a Hammond’s Flycatcher pair showing us their own nest high in a tree. Passerines were plentiful. Many in the group were new to birding and so seeing Western Tanagers, Red-naped Sapsuckers, Gray and Hammond’s Flycatchers, Western Wood-Pewees and hearing a Veery was a wonderful beginning of the day.

Jen took a group up Hardy Canyon where the winds were keeping the songbirds down. The usual species of the marsh area at the bottom of the trail— chats, orioles, kingbirds, catbirds, etc., were all lying low. As we continued up the canyon a hill blocked the wind, and we were rewarded with a variety of active songbirds, including Lazuli Bunting, Western Meadowlarks, both Eastern and Western Kingbirds locked into a territorial battle, and a group of 4 Bullock’s Orioles. The highlight of the walk included a pair of Great Horned owlets at the top of the canyon, one perched in a snag and another just below the cliffs on the opposite side of the canyon. On the way down we encountered a rattlesnake coiled up in the middle of the trail and finally found the Yellow-Breasted Chat!

Stella joined 12 other brave souls exploring Black Canyon shortly after daybreak. The road was treacherous, but we still made it to the mouth of the canyon. Bullock’s Oriole, Western Kingbirds, Northern Flicker, and Lewis’s Woodpecker were all very active, popping in and out of nests and cavities with constant songs and calls. As we made our way uphill through the canyon, we were being watched from the ridgelines by elk and mule deer. The damage from the most recent fire was still clearly visible, but recovery along the creek was abundant. Flowers were in full bloom, attracting a variety of butterflies. Mountain Bluebirds and American Kestrels were a common sight, flapping in place while searching for prey, and assorted sparrows and their kin called from the brush. Passing ravens were constantly harassed by large flocks of Brewer’s Blackbirds. After a long hike to the top, we were treated to a sprawling view of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, and Ellensburg. On our way out, under a much warmer sun, we stumbled across snakes and lizards, as well as a great many Chukar clucking at us from the rocks.

There were many offerings throughout the weekend, a botany walk and a butterfly walk among them. Suzanne had the brilliant idea of leading a “Bird Sit” on Sunday morning where one sits quietly and observes birds as they come near. It was a peaceful period sitting among the trees along the creek.

It was very nice to have time to converse with other chapter members and get to know others from around the state. There was entertainment or a talk each evening followed by owling or a moth “trap” which attracted a variety of moth species.

The company was stupendous and the bird list extensive. Our SSBA group saw a total of 55 species. We hope more of us from our chapter can attend next year. The Hills are Alive!

Here is Stella’s list of the species our members saw during the weekend:

Highlighted were seen in Black Canyon