We visited Kahlotus Lake, Franklin County, on Sunday, June 3, and counted 8
White-faced Ibis feeding all around the edge; there may have been more, as
there are tall bulrushes that make plenty of little coves unviewable from
the cliff. A Canyon Wren sang persistently, virtually at our feet. A road
goes down to the east end of the lake, where there is a $3 fee for parking;
I assume it's private land. The shallow marsh there was alive with stilts,
avocets, and phalaropes, as well as all three teal species, a mini-Malheur
to delight those who can't make it to the real thing. The avocets and
stilts were doing frantic distraction displays, although we couldn't find a
nest in a brief search. There was also a Greater Yellowlegs, presumably a
late spring migrant. The willows to the east held Bullock's Orioles, the
smaller, brightly marked Song Sparrows of the Columbia Basin, and a
Yellow-breasted Chat.

The lake itself has as many birds on it as any wetland of its size in
Washington, I think. There's a big colony of Eared Grebes near the west
end, and ducks and coots absolutely galore. A male Bufflehead was the most
surprising duck seen, but I'll admit I didn't check every duck on the lake.
The Yellow-headed Blackbird population was in full "song." Flocks of
Ring-billed Gulls flew down the valley - what are they doing there at this
late date?

Dennis Paulson, Director phone 253-879-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax 253-879-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416
http://www.ups.edu/biology/museum/museum.html