Tweeters,

Yesterday (6 July), Ellen and I observed a pair of Horned Grebes at their
nest on Mud Lake in Okanogan County. The nest appeared to contain 1 egg; we
noted this when the adult grebe briefly left the nest. The lake is several
miles west of Oroville on the Ellemehan Mountain Road. It appears alkaline
(whitish edged margins was my evidence for asserting this), and thus more
suitable for Eared Grebe, though none were noted on this small waterbody.

Horned Grebes are rare nesters in Washington, prior records coming from Rock
Lake in Whitman County and Turnbull NWR, according to the "Breeding Birds of
Washington."

Also nesting here were American Wigeon (at least 2 broods), Gadwall, Hooded
Merganser, and Ruddy Duck.

Andy Stepniewski
Wapato Wa
steppie at nwinfo.net