It wasn't hot enough in western WA this weekend, so we headed over
the Cascades yesterday am. The most interesting thing we encountered
was White Pelicans in two localities. The first was at a spot Andy
Stepniewski mentioned on the bird box, S of the Wanapum Dam on
Huntzinger Rd in Kittitas County (5 or 6 miles S of Vantage). No luck
finding Black-throated Sparrows down by the railroad bridge, though.

In the heat of the day over in Grant Co. we found 43 pelicans in an
alkaline pond that is bisected by Rt 26 (between mile markers 30 and
31, that is, about a mile or less from Adams Co. line). About half
of them had bill plates or dark head markings, supposedly indicating
breeding and post-breeding condition. Nice views of some birds
manipulating their gular pouches. Good photo op, but of course we
left the camera at home (the best way to insure that you will see
something you want to photograph). Also at this spot were two
Black-necked Stilts, three Amer Avocets (one a juv), and a Spotted
Sandpiper. At this spot last year in late June there were many
stilts and avocets, along with several Wilson's Phalaropes.

David Wright
Seattle, WA
dwright at u.washington.edu