Subject: C. Grackle at Liberty Lake
Date: Jun 12 20:13:45 2004
From: gina sheridan - gsherida8502 at yahoo.com


As our Spokane Audubon trip drove up Liberty Lake
County Park, I spied a COMMON GRACKLE amongst some
Brewer's Blackbirds on the golf course on the SE
corner of Molter & Valleyview (DL Pg. 88, C-8) . As we
pulled off the road, the grackle flew off. We hopped
into our rigs and gave chase. We relocated the grackle
as it was being pursued by some Brewer's Blackbirds.
The flock of blackbirds and grackle settled into a
large weeping willow a few blocks south of the
intersection. The much larger overall size and bill of
the grackle were clearly evident as the "blackbirds"
perched together in the tree. Evidently, this is the
same bird that we saw in the same area last winter.

In Liberty Lake Co. Park, we successfully found many
of the expected breeders such as Warbling, Cassin's,
and Red-Eyed Vireos (including fledgings), Townsend's,
Nashville, Yellow-Rumped, MacGillivray's, and
Orange-crowned Warblers, Gray Catbirds, Black-headed
Grosbeaks, Sora (heard), Western Tanagers (several
pairs and fledglings), and Red-necked Grebe.

After such an extended period of rain the spring, our
birding party was only too happy to hike around the
park in cool, mostly cloudy conditions. As we peered
through the lush trailside vegetation, we caught
furtive views of Swainson's Thrush, Veery, and
Hammond's Flycatcher. A couple of Common Yellowthroats
obliged our group with crippling views. Bordering the
wetlands, White-tailed Deer and (Eastern?) Cottontails
grazed on the rank grasses.

Half of our group opted to visit the Cedar Grove
another mile up the trail. Under the canopy of W.
Redcedar, W. Hemlock, and Grand Fir, we picked up a
few more species such as Chestnut-backed Chickadee,
Western Flycatcher, Junco, and Winter Wren. Swainson's
Thrushes were quite prevalent along this trail.

Our congenial group tallied a bird list of 56 species.
We enjoyed both good birds and good weather.

Gina Sheridan
Spokane, WA







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