Hi Tweeters,

Yesterday (7/25) Barb and I took a short drive to Soap Lake and Lake Lenore
to survey shorebird numbers. The numbers were down dramatically in these
areas, so we extended our trip to the Potholes Reservoir area. Shorebirds in
the Potholes area have increased substantially. The water level in the
reservoir is falling very quickly and as a result the birds are increasing.
the following highlights were noted on our trip.

Soap Lake:
American Avocet - 8

Lake Lenore (mostly on the southern end):
Black-necked Stint - 12
American Avocet - 2
Lesser Yellowlegs - 1
Least Sandpiper - 2
Long-billed Dowitcher - 4
Wilson's Phalarope - 3
Prairie Falcon - 1

Lind Coulee/Medicare Beach areas (Potholes Reservoir):
Grebe Family (M,F, & 1 juvenile) - Notable in that the female was a Clark's
Grebe & the male a Western Grebe. Very interesting to see hybridization in a
view like this.
Semipalmated Plover - 5
Bonaparte's Gull - 18
Greater Yellowlegs - 2
Lesser Yellowlegs - 1
Semipalmated Sandpiper - 1
Baird's Sandpiper - 2
Western Sandpiper - 35
Least Sandpiper - 5

Good Birding

Doug & Barb Schonewald
Moses Lake, WA