Hi Tweeters

Left Grand Coulee around 8:00am headed west to Leahy junction, then
south to Sims corner, west to Mansfield and beyond---then back to
Heritage RD. (Woods Road on the DeLorme) and headed south to Atkins
lake. From there we went east on hwy 2, then north on 155 back home.

On the way to Leahy junction at a small roadside pond we saw a lone
PIED-BILLED GREBE in breeding plumage, and then a beautiful Mature
GOLDEN EAGLE sitting on a LARGE bolder.
Near Mansfield and beyond---we saw our first VESPER SPARROW. At Atkins
Lake--lots of ducks and a few TUNDRA SWANS, but no shorebirds, not even
a KILLDEER. In a small wet area about 1/2 mile east of Atkins Lake there
were six GREATER YELLOWLEGS, four were in breeding plumage. Almost home
and saw a lone HORNED GREBE in breeding plumage.

Watch out for TICKS! Just on this trip we found five ticks on our
clothing. In our 20 yrs. in eastern Wa. this has been the worst year for
them, besides that, I have all ready got stung by a yellow-jacket this
year. Must be El-Nino. ;-(

Total species count was 39. Not counting the ticks!

Jerry and Sandy Converse
Grand Coulee, WA