Within three hours, we had our three Spokane County
target birds of the day. Harold & Karen Cottet,
Garrett MacDonald, and I enjoyed views of the UPLAND
SANDPIPER on a light pole right on Deno Road this
morning. The Upland preened for about five minutes
before it flew over the prairie to the south.

Next, we followed up on Matthew Mosquik's sighting of
Least Flycatcher on Iller Creek. Although it was
quite warm and around
10:30 in the morning, the creekside trail was loaded
with birds. White-breasted Nuthatch, Warbling Vireo,
Cedar Waxwings, Towhees, Mt. Chickadee, and myriad
flycatchers. Among the suite of flycatchers present
were W. Wood Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, a Cordilleran
type of Western Flycatcher, Olive-sided Flycatcher,
and two che-becking LEAST FLYCATCHERS.

As a point of clarification, take the wide trail that
is on right side of the creek. There is another trail
on the left side of the creek, but you won't reach the
correct spot for the Least Flycatchers. Both Least
Flys were calling and generally stayed high in the
canopy. They particularly like the tall P-Pines,
Larches, and the occasional Cottonwood. This species
was a county bird for me, a state bird the Cottets,
and a lifer for Garrett.

We wrapped up the morning at Highbridge Park. After
scanning through numerous Rock Pigeons, White-throated
Swifts, and Cliff Swallows, we were treated with a
pair of soaring PEREGRINE FALCONS. The falcons were
riding the thermals and rose so high that they became
two specks in the sky.

What great birds for a lovely summer day!

Gina Sheridan
Spokane, WA



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