I recall the late 1970's when Black-necked Stilts were a "hotline" species
in Washington. Some older birders might correct me, but I think Stilts were
first found breeding in WA in about 1977 or 1978. Birders made
trans-Cascade treks to see a pair or two that were discovered breeding near
Dodson Road in Grant County.

This morning I counted 32 Stilts along Wilson Creek in northern Grant County
(two groups of 14 and 18). This afternoon there were at least 23 at the
southern Para Pond near Othello. A total of 55 Stilts. Five times as many
Stilts as Avocets today. Many of these birds probably normally breed in
the Great Basin of Nevada and Utah but have been forced north by draught
conditions there.

A few other birds at Wilson Creek in order seen:

Lazuli Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Shoveler
Cinnamon Teal
Mallard
Common Nighthawk
Redhead
Wilson's Phalarope 3
American Coot
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Harrier
Common Snipe
Avocet 9
Gadwall
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe



Scott

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" Scott Ray "
" Yakima, WA "
" scray at wolfenet.com "
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