We wanted to check out the Crab creek area between Wilson Creek and
Marlin, (DeLorme P 68, A7 & P 69, A1)

We went from Grand Coulee to Hartline--Wilson Creek--Marlin--Almira and
back to Grand Coulee.

We were told (by a local farmer there) that this section of Crab creek
was a huge farmable bog area, and a few years ago during a couple of
drought years the bog sunk from 4 to 6 feet. the result is that this
section of Crab creek is now a wetland 1/4 to 1/2 mile in width, and
(I'm guessing) at least 3 miles long. Most if it is viewable from the
road with a spotting scope.

We went there thinking there might be some shorebirds. We saw several
AMERICAN AVOCETS, but no other shorebirds. There were many species of
ducks, several GREAT BLUE HERONS, and YELLOWHEADED BLACKBIRDS all over
the place.

At Marlin there is a little bridge that crosses Crab creek. We stopped
there to make a sandwich and saw a pair of WOOD DUCKS, CINNAMON TEAL and
NORTHERN ORIOLE. We also saw a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, GOLDEN EAGLE, WESTERN
WOOD PEEWEE and a LARK SPARROW in that area.

Other highlights for the trip were--6 RED-TAILED, 6 HARRIER, 2
SWAINSON'S HAWKS, two SHORT-EARED OWLS, two ROCK WRENS and a pair of
BLUE-WINGED TEAL.

Total species seen--52
Total miles--105
On the road from 7:30 AM to 3:56 PM

Jerry and Sandy Converse
Grand Coulee, WA