Hello Tweets,

My mother and I enjoyed an intense two days of birding in 5 eastern WA
counties on the 24th and 25th of August,mainly in search of migrant
shorebirds and songbirds with several key highlights noted at several
locations. Our main purpose was locating shorebirds at as many areas as
possible with a total of 20 species observed,as we checked many familiar
birding locations(with a few less visited locations too). We had an
enjoyable time over the two day period,despite variable weather conditions
ranging from scattered rain showers, heavy dust storms to very calm and very
hot temperatures,especially in the Adams Co.(Othello). We began our trip
along Dodson Rd. in Grant Co.at 7:40am,then on to the County Line ponds
along Hwy.26 in Grant Co.(west of Othello)at 8:30am. We then headed east and
ran into Marv Breece during our visit between 9am-11:05am at the McCain
Potato"ponds" and Para Ponds along McManamon Rd. near Othello in Adams
Co.(with permission from landowners),as we observed several key shorebirds
species to be listed below and also met him later again at Lind Coulee along
M St.SE near O'Sullivan Dam in Grant Co. with additional good success with
shorebirds at that location with good viewing conditions of the shorebirds
that foarged along the exposed mudflats at two locations. After departing
with Marv on the 24th my mother and I continued on our trip by continuing
east to the Sprague area and areas along Hwy.23 in both Lincoln and Whitman
Cos. where we encountered good numbers of continued shorebirds at ALL of the
4 lakes we visited along that route,then made a stop at Sprague Lake in both
Lincoln and Adams Cos. Our final stop of the day was at the grounds of
Sprague Lake Rest Area(westbound)along I-90,where we encountered a few
migrant songbirds with additional migrants observed the next morning.

On the 25th we started the day by rechecking the Sprague Lake Rest Area that
hosted additional migrant songbirds that we did not encounter the previous
evening,then continued back to Hwy.23 by rechecking several of the areas
from the 24th with some additional shorebirds noted,as well as checking
Texas Lake south of Hwy.23. We worked our way back to Sprague Lake then
continued to Ritzville in Adams Co.that hosted a few songbird migrants. We
continued south along S.R.261 to Wastucna in Adams Co.,where we encountered
several shorebird species at the drying Washtucna sewage pond,then a fairly
extensive walk on the grounds in the vicinity of Bassett Park produced a
small variety of migrant songbirds,despite the hot temperatures. We then
continued to Kahlotus in Franklin Co.,then north to Hwy.26 along S.R.21,
then west to the Hatton Rest Area. At the Hatton Rest Area we encountered
additional numbers of previously encountered shorebird species on the
gravel-lined settling pond just southwest of the actual rest area. At
Othello we briefly rechecked the Para Ponds,then continued west then north
to the Quincy STP in Grant Co. with a check of the main sewage pond that
hosted a few migrant shorebirds,as well as several waterbird species. Our
final stop of the day was made along Silica Rd.(accessed from Exit 143 from
I-90),which hosted our last shorebirds of the trip before we headed on our
way home. The best shorebird locations of the many that we visited still
included along Hwy.23 in both Lincoln and Whitman Cos.,but also at Lind
Coulee in Grant Co.

Shorebirds numbers within the 20 species observed were highest by numbers of
Red-necked Phalarope and Baird's Sandpipers,which were noted in multiple
numbers at many locations followed by Lesser Yellowlegs with lesser BUT
still good numbers of additional species with our main shorebird highlights
of the trip that included:

Semipalmated Plover(relatively good count with 6 observed at 3 locations)
1 at the McCain's Potato"ponds" in Adams Co. on the 24th,with 1 at the Para
Ponds on the 25th
2 at Lind Coulee in Grant Co. on the 24th
3 at Crooked Knee Lake along Hwy.23 in Whitman Co. on both days

Solitary Sandpiper(high count with 23 observed at 6 locations)
1 along Dodson Rd. in Grant Co. on the 24th
2 at the McCain Potato"ponds"in Adamas Co. on the 24th
4 at Lind Coulee in Grant Co. on the 24th
1 along Hwy.23 at MP 40 in Lincoln Co. on the 24th
9 at the Wastucna sewage pond in Adams Co. on the 25th
2 at the Hatton Rest Area settling pond in Adams Co.
4 at the Silica Rd. wetland in Grant Co. on the 25th

Semipalmated Sandpiper
1 at the Para Ponds and 1 at the McCain Potato"ponds" on the 24th,with 1 at
the Para Ponds on the 25th
4 at Lind Coulee on the 24th
6 along Hwy.23 at MP 40.7 in Lincoln Co. on the 24th
1 at Sheep Lake(accessed from Hwy.23)in Whitman Co. on the 24th
1 at Texas Lake in Whitman Co. on the 25th
1 at the Hatton Rest Area settling pond on the 25th

Pectoral Sandpiper
3 at Crooked Knee Lake along Hwy.23 in Whitman Co. on the 24th
1 at Sheep Lake on the 25th

STILT SANDPIPER
2 at the McCain Potato ponds on the 24th near Othello,with 1 at the Para
Ponds on the 25th
2 at Sheep Lake on the 24th

SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER
1 juvenile carefully observed and briefly heard at Crooked Knee Lake along
Hwy.23 in Whitman Co. on the 25th amongst 9 Long-billed Dowitchers

RED PHALAROPE
1 juvenile carefully observed at Crooked Knee Lake amongst high numbers of
nearby Red-necked Phalaropes.

A list of our other notable shorebirds and other highlights of the trip
follow at selected locations:

Eared Grebe
12 at Sheep Lake on both days
4 at Crooked Knee Lake on both days
1 at Texas lake on the 25th
15 at Sprague Lake in Adams Co. on the 25th
8 at the Quincy STP on the 25th

Clark's Grebe
8 at Lind Coulee on the 24th

Western Grebe
16 at lind Coulee on the 24th
50+ at Sprague Lake in both Adams and Lincoln Cos. on the 25th

Am.White Pelican
7 at the Para Ponds on the 24th,with 2 there on the 25th
8 at Lind Coulee on the 24th
20 at Sheep Lake on both days
75 at Sprague Lake in Adams Co. on the 25th

Great Egret
20 along Dodson Rd. on the 24th

Black-crowned Night Heron
1 along Dodson Rd. on the 24th
4 at the Para Ponds on the 24th

Bufflehead
74 at Sheep Lake on both days(high count)
1 at Crooked Knee Lake on the 24th

Osprey
1 at Lind Coulee on the 24th
1 along McManamon Rd. in Adams Co. west of the Para Ponds on the 24th
1 at the Hwy.26/Hwy.17 interchange in Adams Co.

Swainson's Hawk
1 along Hwy.17 north of Warden in Grant. Co. on the 24th
2 along Wagner Rd. south of Hwy.23 and north of Texas Lake in Whitman Co.
1 along S.R.261 at Ralston in Adams Co. on the 25th
1 at MP 42 along S.R.261 south of Ralston on the 25th
1 at Washtucna on the 25th
1 at Kahlotus in Franklin Co. on the 25th
1 along Hwy.26 east of the Hatton Rest Area in Adams Co. on the 25th

Virginia Rail
2 at the Para Ponds on the 24th(heard only)
2 at the Silica Rd. wetland on the 25th

Sora
1 at the McCain Potato ponds on the 24th

Black-necked Stilt
2 along Dodson Rd. on the 24th
12 along Frencman Hills Rd.(west of Dodson Rd.)on the 24th
8 at the Para Ponds on the 24th,with 9 there on the 25th
8 at the McCain's Potato ponds on the 24th
6 along Hwy.23 at MP 41 in Whitman Co. on the 24th

Am.Avocet
4 along Hwy.26 at the County Line ponds on the 24th
6 at the McCain Potato ponds on the 24th

Greater Yellowlegs
2 along Dodson Rd. on the 24th
1 along Frencman Hills Rd. on the 24th
1 along Hwy.26 at the County Line ponds on the 24th
7 at the McCain's Potato ponds on the 24th
6 at Lind Coulee on the 24th
2 along Hwy.23 at MP 40.7 on the 24th
13 at Sheep Lake on the 24th,with 7 there on the 25th
3 at Texas lake on the 25th
7 at Crooked Knee Lake on the 24th,with 4 there on the 25th
8 along Hwy.23 at MP 40 on the 24th
3 at the Hatton Rest Area settling pond on the 25th

Lesser Yellowlegs
5 along Dodson Rd. on the 24th
9 along Frenchman Hills Rd. on the 24th
1 along Hwy.26 at the County Line ponds on the 24th
2 at the McCain Potato ponds on the 24th,with 4 at the Para Ponds on the
25th
20 at Lind Coulee on the 24th
8 along Hwy.23 at MP 40.7 on the 24th
34 at Sheep Lake on the 24th,with 20 there on the 25th
32 at Crooked Knee Lake on the 24th,with 27 there on the 25th
38 along Hwy.23 at MP 40 on the 24th
2 at the Washtucna sewage pond on the 25th
8 at Texas Lake on the 25th
5 at the Hatton Rest Area settling pond on the 25th
2 at the Quincy STP on the 25th
1 at the Silica Rd. wetland on the 25th

Spotted Sandpiper
2 along Hwy.26 at the County Line ponds on the 24th
4 at the McCain Potato ponds on the 24th
8 at Lind Coulee on the 24th
1 along Hwy.23 at MP 40.7 on the 24th
2 at Sheep Lake on the 24th,with 4 there on the 25th
3 at the Hatton Rest Area settling pond on the 25th
4 at the Quincy STP on the 25th

Western Sandpiper
6 along Hwy.26 at the County Line ponds on the 24th
33 at the McCain Potato ponds on the 24th
43+ at Lind Coulee on the 24th
22 along Hwy.23 at MP 40.7 on the 24th
6 at Texas Lake on the 25th
1 at the Washtucna sewage pond on the 25th
4 at the Hatton Rest Area settling pond on the 25th
1 at the Quincy STP on the 25th

Least Sandpiper
8 along Dodson Rd. on the 24th
32 along Hwy.26 at the County Line ponds
5 at the Para Ponds on the 24th
7 at the McCain Potato ponds on the 24th
18 at Lind Coulee on the 24th
8 along Hwy.23 at MP 40.7 on the 24th
2 along Hwy.23 at MP 41 on the 24th
3 at Sheep Lake on the 24th
9 at Crooked Knee Lake on the 24th
6 at the Hatton Rest Area settling pond on the 25th
5 at the Quincy STP on the 25th
2 at the Silica Rd. wetland on the 25th

Baird's Sandpiper
2 along Dodson Rd. on the 24th
14 along Hwy.26 at the County Line ponds on the 24th
27 at Lind Coulee on the 24th
18 along Hwy.23 at MP 40.7 on the 24th
42 at Sheep Lake on the 24th,with 31 there on the 25th
11 at Crooked Knee Lake on the 24th,with 7 there on the 25th
47 at Texas Lake on the 25th
8 at the Washtucna sewage pond on the 25th
9 at the Hatton Rest Area settling pond on the 25th
3 at the Quincy STP on the 25th

Long-billed Dowitcher
12 at the Para Ponds on the 24th,with 22 there on the 25th
28 at the McCain Potato ponds on the 24th
5 at Lind Coulee on the 24th
2 at Crooked Knee Lake on the 24th,with 9 there on the 25th
1 at the Hatton Rest Area settling pond on the 25th
2 at the Silica Rd. wetland on the 25th

Common Snipe
6 along Dodson Rd. on the 24th
27 along Frenchman Hill Rd. on the 24th
3 at Lind Coulee on the 24th
1 at Crooked Knee Lake on the 24th
1 at Sheep Lake on the 25th
3 flying along I-90 west of George in Grant Co. on the 25th
1 at the Silica Rd. wetland on the 25th

Wilson's Phalarope
1 along Frenchman Hills rd. on the 24th
10 along Hwy.26 at the County Line ponds on the 24th
14 at the MCCain Potato ponds on the 24th
1 at Lind Coulee on the 24th
1 along Hwy.23 at MP 41 on the 24th
37 at Crooked Knee Lake on the 24th,with 30 there on the 25th

Red-necked Phalarope
22 along Hwy.26 at the County Line ponds on the 24th
28 at the McCain Potato ponds on the 24th
1 at Lind Coulee on the 24th
168 at Crooked Knee Lake on the 24th,with 172 there on the 25th
17 at Sprague Lake in Adams Co. on the 24th
8 at Sheep Lake on the 25th
28 at Texas Lake on the 25th
3 at the Wastucna sewage pond on the 25th
4 at the Hatton Rest Area settling pond on the 25th
14 at the Quincy STP on the 25th
11 at the Silica Rd. wetland on the 25th

Franklin's Gull
1 at Sprague Lake in both Adams and Lincoln Cos. on the 24th

Common Tern
1 at Sprague Lake in Lincoln Co. on the 24th

Black Tern
8 at Sprague Lake in Adams Co. on the 25th

Barn Owl
1 at Washtucna on the 25th

Common Nighthawk
5 along McManamon Rd. west of the Para Ponds on the 24th
3 at Kahlotus in Franklin Co. on the 25th
3 at the Silica Rd. wetland on the 25th

Western Wood Pewee
2 at the Sprague Lake Rest Area on the 24th, with 1 there on the 25th
2 at Kahlotus on the 25th
2 at Washtucna on the 25th

Hammond's Flycatcher
1 at Ritzville on the 25th
3 at Washtucna on the 25th

Dusky Flycatcher
3 at Washtucna/Bassett Park on the 25th

Gray Flycatcher
1 at Washtucna on the 25th

Bank Swallow(very high count)
1200+ along Danekas Rd. near Sprague Lake on the 25th

Canyon Wren
1 at the Sprague Lake Rest Area on the 25th

Bewick's Wren
1 at the Sprague Lake Rest Area on the 25th

House Wren
3 at Washtucna on the 25th

Warbling Vireo
1 at Washtucna on the 25th

Orange-crowned Warbler
1 at Washtucna on the 25th

Yellow Warbler
1 at the McCain Potato ponds on the 24th
3 at the Sprague Lake Rest Area on the 25th

Yellow-rumped Warbler
2 at the Sprague Lake Rest Area both days

MacGillivray's Warbler
1 at Washtucna on the 25th

Wilson's Warbler
2 at Ritzville on the 25th

Western Tanager
2 at the Sprague Lake Rest Area on the 25th
3 at Washtucna on the 25th

Chipping Sparrow(high count for location)
44 at Ritzville on the 25th

A very good weekend for shorebirds and other migrants!



Good birding,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
GODWIT at worldnet.att.net