Yesterday afternoon (7/8/04), I birded around the
Medical Lake area. On the south end of Heron Pond, a
SOLITARY SANDPIPER was feeding in the small muddy
inlet on the south end of the lake. While I scanned
the lake, a muskrat gnawed on some aquatic vegetation
near shore.

On Medical Lake, there were plenty of DC Cormorants
and California Gulls roosting on the rocks. Black
Terns and an Eared Grebe graced W. Medical Lake.
Unfortunately, I didn't find my Spokane Co. Western
Grebe, but I found 2 out of three of my targets.

This afternoon (7/9/04), I checked out Philleo Lake
west of Spangle (DL Pg. 73, . There were 30+ WHITE
PELICANs, DC Cormorants, numerous eclipse-plumaged
ducks, Black Terns, and a Osprey nest. On the
playa-like south end, there was a sizable flock of
shorebirds. Although the afternoon heat distortion
prevented effective use of my Questar's 60 power
setting, I could discern LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER,
WESTERN SANDPIPER, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, and various
other peeps. I will certainly have to revisit this
superb shorebird habitat in good morning light.

In the last two days, I added four species to my
Spokane County list. I would urge Spokane Co. listers
to give Philleo Lake a try.

Gina Sheridan
Spokane, WA



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