Subject: week end birding
Date: Jun 3 07:01:56 2002
From: Marv Breece - mbreece at foxinternet.net


I had planned a trip east of the Cascades last week end. When I saw Gina
Sheridan's message dated 5/31 on Inland NW Birders that a ROSE-BREASTED
GROSBEAK was visiting a feeder in Spokane, my first destination firmed up
quickly. I arrived at the site at 9:00AM Saturday and enjoyed several
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS and other birds. I kept half an eye on the Spokane
River for BLACK TERNS. Didn't see any there, but I had already seen 4 of
them flying over ponds south of I90, a few miles west of Spokane.

At 10:15AM, as I was about to leave, the ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK showed up.
It first appeared low to the ground in a bush. Then it flew to the feeder
for about five minutes. The bird then flew to a Ponderosa Pine north and
west of the feeder. I viewed it in the tree for several minutes, before it
dropped to or near the ground, out of sight. Thanks to Gina and the very
good directions.

The address where the bird is going to the feeder is 2112 Riverside in
Spokane. This is north of Coeur D'Alene Park and south of the river. The
bird has been seen at a feeder on the corner of the apartment bldg at this
address as well as from the parking lot.

I then birded my way to Hardy Canyon. When I arrived, several birders were
watching the BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER. The bird was vocal and easy to see, but
not easy to see well, as it constantly moved about. I saw one male during
the hour I was there. I visited early Sunday morning and again saw one
male.

It was a good week end.

Marv Breece
Seattle, WA