Hi tweets,

My better half and I finally got a chance to get away from the yard, family,
and other worldly obligations and take a day to bird. Our favorite route in
the fall is along SR-17 through the Grand Coulee. Since a Black-bellied
Plover was recently reported at Soap Lake and a male Surf Scoter reported at
Potholes Reservoir we decided to try our luck for both.

The day started out very wet (though not nearly as wet as the west side has
been) with steady rain. It appeared that the west and southwest skies were
brightening so we left Moses Lake at 8:00 AM.

Waterfowl numbers have increased dramatically and good numbers were noted at
all locations for the time of year. However, no scoters were observed during
the day.

The following highlights were noted for the day.

Soap Lake (East Beach):

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER - 1 - This bird was reported last week and may or may
not be the same bird. Very cooperative and decent pictures were taken.

STILT SANDPIPERS - 4 - A good number and seems to be a good year for this
species. There have been at least two present at this location for several
weeks.

Eared Grebe - 300+ - These were observed along the entire length of the lake
and were very plentiful.

Soap Lake (West Beach):

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER - 1 - Most likely the same bird seen earlier, though it
is possible this is another individual.

STILT SANDPIPER - 1 - Associating with the dowitchers.

Lake Lenore:

Canyon Wren/Rock Wren/ Chukar - Present and calling form the hillsides.

Barrow's Goldeneye - 7 - Lake Lenore specialty and almost always present
here.

Alkali Lake:

Canvasback - 16 - A nice number this early

Blue Lake:

Common Loon - 48 - A nice number for the location and a good study in molt
patterns

PACIFIC LOON - 1 - A nice adult bird observed at close range from the rest
area. Unfortunately a boat arrived and pushed the birds off before photos
could be taken.

Golden Eagle - 1 - A single bird perched on the bluffs above the lake.

Sun Lakes State Park:

Black-capped Chickadee - 2 - Only the fourth time I have seen this species
south of Banks Lake in the county.

Potholes State Park:

Bonaparte's Gull - 26 - Good numbers at the mouth of Frenchman's Wasteway.

Least Sandpiper - 5 - The only peeps seen during the entire day.

Doug Schonewald
Moses Lake, WA
dschone8 at donobi.net