Subject: Birding North Potholes
Date: Aug 13 09:24:14 1999
From: Randy_Hill at fws.gov - Randy_Hill at fws.gov





--------------- cc:Mail Forwarded ---------------
From: Ron Friesz <FRIESRCF at dfw.wa.gov> AT FWS
Date: 08/06/99 10:05 AM
To: Randy Hill AT 1PO-COLUM
Subject: Birding North Potholes

I'm a little slow but passing this on.

Randy


______________________________ Forward Header __________________________________
Subject: Birding North Potholes
Author: Ron Friesz <FRIESRCF at dfw.wa.gov> at FWS
Date: 08/06/1999 10:05 AM






Randy, Please post with "Tweeters".

Anyone birding in the Moses Lake area may want to try the North Potholes
Wildlife Area. The lowering water level in Potholes Reservoir has exposed
large areas of sand bars that are attracting shorebirds, waders and waterfowl.
On Wednesday evening, Aug. 4, over 40 black-necked stilts were along the
Crab Creek channel near the powerline boat launch. Other shorebirds were
lesser and greater yellowlegs, solitary sandpipers, spotted sandpipers and
groups of smaller peeps.

Most obvious among the abundant bird life were several great egrets with an
estimated 50-60 between the Crab Creek channel and the Job Corp dike.
Over 250 double-crested cormorants were at the Job Corp Dike area. Other
species included Caspian and Forester's terns, great blue herons, Swainson's
hawk, eastern kingbirds and several species of waterfowl.

The North Potholes is accessed off the South Frontage Rd. about 3
miles west of Moses Lake. Turn south at the Public Hunting/Fishing signs
(expect rather rough gravel roads). To find the Crab Creek boat launch area,
follow the powerline; stay to the right or to the west to find the Job Corp
dike.

Ron Friesz
Ephrata, WA
rfriesz at 2fast.net