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oday (22 October) at 1745, I observed a 1st-winter Black-legged Kittiwake, my
first ever for interior Washington along the Columbia River in southernmost
Grant County. The spot (T 14N R 26E Sec. 2) lies within the closed portion of
Saddle Mtn Nat'l Wildlife Refuge, but the bird was moving upstream with scads
of Ring-bill, California and a few Herring Gulls. Presumably they were heading
to their nightime roost, which may lie west of the Vernita Bridge, as Mike
Denny has seen this movement near dusk also. Thus, it might be possible to see
this bird again (with a bit of luck) from the Vernita Bridge at dawn or dusk.

It was a thrilling sight to watch this bird "shear"along in a flight style
utterly distinctive and different from its interior comrades.

Also...I had my first lowland Gray-crowned Rosy Finch for the fall atop the
Saddle Mountains, which is easily reached from Hwy 24 by taking the road from
near Milepost 60 north to the crest. It actually thought about perching on my
vehicle, but decided on a nearby rabbitbrush. Marvelous spot also for migrating
raptors and Sandhill Cranes plus hordes of rosy finches in late October. On
weekends you can watch paragliders too...looks like lots of fun.


Andy Stepniewski
Wapato WA