Again this past weekend I was reminded of what wonderful little oases these
rest stop settling ponds are. At the Hatton Coulee Rest Area on Hwy. 395
south of Ritzville, Washington I observed 13 species in a desert area you'd
be hard pressed to find any on such a hot day. This pond has an access road
that takes you right to the edge.

This time I saw: Am Robin, Western Kingbird, Mallard, Killdeer, Com Raven,
Rock Dove, Wilson's Phalarope, Horned Lark, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow,
Mourning Dove, House Sparrow, and W Meadowlark during a 5 min. stop. A few
weeks earlier there was also a Spotted Sandpiper, and in the spring there
had been lots of different ducks.

Stephen Lindsay
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
slindsay at dmi.net