-RBA

* northern Idaho / eastern Washington / northeastern Oregon
* April 4, 1997
* IDWA9704.4

-birds mentioned

Brant
Ross' Goose
Sandhill Crane
Northern Pygmy-Owl
Double-crested Cormorant
Greater Yellowlegs
Western Sandpiper
Blue Jays
Siberian Accentor
Harris' Sparrow


-transcript

HOTLINE: northern Idaho / eastern Washington /
northeastern Oregon
Date: April 4, 1997
Phone: (208) 882-6195
Compiler: Kas Dumroese
Transcriber: Dale Goble
gobled at uidaho.edu


This is Kas Dumroese with the northern Idaho / eastern Washington /
northeastern Oregon bird hotline.

Randy Hill reports a single BRANT on Royal Lake northwest of Othello,
WA on Mar 20, and a ROSS' GOOSE at the same locale on Mar 26.
Royal Lake straddles the Grant Co./Adams Co. line about 3 miles north
of WA 26, about 10 miles west of Othello. WA DeLorme 53, B6.

Up to 1000 SANDHILL CRANES were still being seen on the
Scootenay Reservoir southeast of Othello, WA this past week. Take
WA 17 south from WA 26 just east of Othello 13 miles to the reservoir
entrance. John Roberson called these birds in three weeks ago, and
suggests two good viewing spots. From the visitors center drive north
as far as you can then hike to the bluff and look down on the birds, or
climb the hill near the dam for another good vantage. WA DeLorme
53, C8.

To the Seattle birders heading this way for Sandhills, you may wish to
drive the road that follows Lower Crab Creek from near Othello
through Smyrna to Beverly. One mile east of the Grant Co. line, take
Gillis Road west off WA 26 and follow it west about 30 miles. WA
DeLorme 52 & 53, B.
.
Winnie Hepburn reports several HARRIS' SPARROWS in Lewiston, ID.
One bird is at the wildlife demo area at Idaho Dept. Fish and Game
headquarters at 1540 Warner Avenue in the Lewiston Orchards. This
bird was seen on Mar. 22 by Winnie and is best seen in late afternoon,
i.e. 4 pm. Winnie also reports there may be 2-4 Harris' at Sunset Park
near downtown Lewiston. Take 21st Street to 11th Avenue. Follow
11th Avenue and turn right into the park just before 29th Street.
Check the thicket in late afternoon.

A NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL put on a show for John and Amy
Roberson at Bowl and Pitcher just northwest of Spokane last Sat, Mar
29. It was just beyond the burn along the Spokane River. WA
DeLorme 89, C on the crease. Jeff Wisman saw an adult DOUBLE-
CRESTED CORMORANT in the Spokane Valley this past week, with
sightings on Mar 31 and Apr 4. The bird was in the gravel pit of
ACME Building Materials and Construction, just off I-90 at the
Broadway exit, about a mile west of Argonne. The pit has a small lake
in the bottom and the bird has been seen standing in an Osprey nest
easily seen from the east side of I-90.

John Hirth saw a GREATER YELLOWLEGS on Apr 2 and a WESTERN
SANDPIPER on Apr 4 along ODonnell Road, about 2 miles east of the
Pullman-Moscow Airport in eastern Whitman Co. WA. The birds were
in a muddy field near the bridge over Missouri Flat Creek. WA DeLorme
57, BC8.

Dale Goble saw 3 BLUE JAYS in his yard along Homestead in the
northern portion of Moscow, ID. Look for the birds mid to late
mornings north of Homestead, east of Polk, west of Orchard.

If you've procrastinated going for the SIBERIAN ACCENTOR, the report
is the bird is becoming less predictable at the Hailey, ID feeders. The
unbelievable run from Dec 27 through the entire month of March may
finally be coming to an end.

Good birding!