Subject: Banks Lake - South to North
Date: Dec 7 08:05:23 2003
From: Doug Schonewald - dschone8 at donobi.net


Hi Tweets,

I spent some time on Saturday birding the Banks Lake area from Coulee City
to Grand Coulee. My primary objective was to get some photos of redpolls.
Alas, this was not to be as none were located despite quite a bit of
searching (obviously all in the wrong places). One thing I've noticed over
the years is if I am looking for something specific I am most likely not
going to find it. Can you spell d-i-p-p-e-d, the story of my life :-)
The weather was beautiful though and the other birds were cooperative. The
following highlights were observed during the trip.

Bald Eagle - 1 adult and 1 immature at Coulee City Park. 1 immature and 1
adult at Northrup Canyon Boat Launch.

Gyrfalcon - 1 at Alkeny Access (SW corner of Banks Lake). The bird became
nervous as I tried for a picture and it flew across SR-2 where I could not
relocate it.

Snow Goose - 1 adult and 2 immature at Steamboat Rock State Park with the
Canada Geese.

Western Grebe - 2 at Steamboat Rock State Park. Quite late.

Glaucous Gull - 1 adult and 1 1st year bird at the log booms at Coulee
Playland. These birds are increasing in number each year in the Grant County
area and these were the 2nd and 3rd birds this year already.

Canyon Wren - Very active and everywhere. The best looks were at Northrup
Canyon, South Dam of Banks Lake, and North end of Lake Lenore. Other
locations they were heard only.

Wild Turkey - 19 on SR-174 just out of Grand Coulee. Another bird whose
range is expanding rapidly.

Northern Shrike - 1 at Steamboat Rock State Park, 1 at Northrup Canyon Boat
Launch, 1 at Spring Canyon on SR-174, and 2 at Osborn Bay. Observation note:
Most of the Northern Shrikes that I am seeing are immature birds. The only
mature bird located was one at Osborn Bay. It appears shrikes have had a
good breeding season, but where are the adults? Perhaps the lack of snow has
allowed the adults to stay further north. Any comments on this would be
appreciated.

Cheers and good birding
Doug Schonewald
Moses Lake, WA