Hi tweeters

Yesterday we birded Turnbull NWR. The sun was out, but a stiff breeze
made it really cold. We walked some of the trails, but had to get back
to the van to thaw out. The only Woodpeckers we saw or heard were
Red-shafted NORTHERN FLICKERS. There were several WESTERN BLUEBIRDS at
nest-boxes. We saw our first LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, (better view desired).
Lots of PYGMY NUTHATCHES were busy going in and out of those teeny tiny
holes (nests) in the trunks of trees. They are really fearless--chasing
any other birds that came near. We saw one owl of undetermined species.
It flew very low, thru the conifers. VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS were at
several locations. Total species count for Turnbull was 23 plus some
small birds we were unable to ID.

On our way home we stopped at the Reardon ponds and saw five GREATER
YELLOWLEGS, three LESSER YELLOWLEGS, several KILLDEER, three
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS, one GREEN-WINGED TEAL and several other
waterfowl species.

NOTE! THE TICKS ARE OUT! Sandy found one crawling on her neck!!! Nasty
little beggers.

Jerry and Sandy Converse
Grand Coulee, WA