May 27 found us at 5am in the park at Washtucna, Adams Co. for the beginning of the WOS field trip. Most had stayed in motels in
Othello or Washtucna and some sleeping in cheat grass along Hwy. 26. Our first impression while checking out the park proper was no
birds to speak of, but when we continued to push into the Russian Olives birds began to show themselves. Wilson's Warblers, Lazuli
Buntings, Rock Wrens and a Warbling Vireo were feeding in the brush and singing. This is when Dave Beaudette found an Eastern
Phoebe which ended up flying up the steep hill which we were unable to refind. After coming back down the hill we checked the
swampy area and found a Golden-crowned Sparrow with a White-crowned Sparrow. We checked the sewer pond on the way out of town with
not much in it.

Next was Palouse Falls with White-troated Swifts checking us out at eye level. Here again we were looking for migrants and unusual
birds when Bob Morse and Dave found two Hermit Thrushes and two Olive-sided Flycatchers. In trying to get a good look at the
flycatchers we stumbled onto a calling Least Flycatcher.

We headed off for Lyons Ferry which was quite dead with just the expected birds there. Caspian Terns, and an Osprey on its nest on
the bridge. Not far into Columbia County we checked the Tucannon Wildlife Management Area and heard Bewick's Wren, Lazuli Buntings,
a Yellow-breasted Chat way off, and a Grosbeak singing that would not show himself as we all would have liked to see a
Rose-breasted.

I must admit taking the wrong turn on Hwy 12 and ended up going the long way to where we ate lunch at the Wooten Wildlife Area,
Hartsock Unit. It was midday and very little singing. We continued up Blind Grade to Scoggin Ridge where both Western and Mountain
Bluebirds were seen. Farther up we found a male Williamson's Sapsucker and ran into rain and snow drifts which forced us to alter
our plans and head down Lickfork Creek and Asotin Creek into the town of Asotin. A nice looking Calliope Hummingbird and a vocal
Chat were along the way. We stopped once and got soaked trying for our second Cordilleran Flycatcher. Our first was along the
Tucannon River right before we ate.

When we were checking out Swallows Park in Clarkston we were excited when a Franklin's Gull came flying down the Snake River and
closely followed by a Great Egret both very good birds for this part of Washington. The rain had chased us off the mountain and was
threatening so we decided to head north where it would have a greater chance of drier weather. At sundown we pulled into Kamiak
Butte County Park with Swainson's Thrushes singing and as always American Robins. That night a lone Great-horned Owl called from
above the campground. Most of the campers had left because of the rain and left us with many choices of wet sleeping campsites.

Sunday morning we couldn't resist the pine forest and followed signs of the Sunset Trail where we found nesting Pygmy Nuthatches and
heard the other two nuthatches. MacGillivray's Warblers were singing and a Dusky Flycatcher gave us a chase to make sure it wasn't
something better. A young Bald Eagle was being mobbed by Robins at the edge of the pines and the beginning of wheat fields. It
seemed odd so far away from water.

Our second stop Sunday morning was on windy Steptoe Butte. A large female Copper's Hawk flew by while checking out the bottom of
the Butte. When we were heading up we noticed a large Sparrow in the top of a large rose bush on the west side of the butte. Being
so windy we checked it out at 15 feet at eye level and wondered what a Sage Sparrow was doing out of its normal habitat. This is
Whitman County's first record. We continued up to the top with Rock Wrens at close view and acres of wheat in all directions. A
great view!

Dave and I left Rose Dubois and we continued to Othello and saw the 3 White-faced Ibis. Long-billed Curlews were scattered in and
on the rocks south of Soap Lake. The migrate shorebirds were absent, but farther up Crab Creek were lots of Tricolored Blackbirds
in the normal spot where Dave had found them a few years back. The Ferruginous Hawk was nesting on an old windmill. We then back
tracked to check out Soap Lake and north and buy some much needed gas. Lots of vacationers and a Red-necked Grebe on her nest just
north of Lake Lenore. We headed for Swanson Lakes where lots of Stilts and Avocets and Wilson's Phalarope were feeding as dusk
approached. Black-crowned Night-Herons became commoner as the darker it got. An American Bittern pumped most of the night along
with Coyotes and a Great Horned Owl. We checked for Burrowing Owls and Long-billed Curlews, but no luck. On the way home we went
over Badger Mt. to Indian Ford and heard Brewer's Sparrows and Veeries.

It is hoped that those who birded with us had a great weekend also. A plus would have been a radio in each car so we could have
informed each other of birds. The total trip list consisted of 149 species. Next year possibly others may want to join us on the
5am adventure.

Ken Knittle
xenops at msn.com