RBA

* northern Idaho / eastern Washington / northeastern Oregon
* as above
* April 25, 2005
* IDWA05.04.25

- birds mentioned

Ross's Goose
Dunlin
American Avoccet
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Western Gull
Caspian Tern
Hermit Thrush
Great-tailed Grackle
Purple Finch
Harris's Sparrow

- transcript

hotline: northern Idaho / eastern Washington / northeastern Oregon
Date: 25 April 2005
Internet only.
Compiler: Kas.... dumroese at moscow dot com

This is the northern Idaho / eastern Washington / northeastern Oregon bird
hotline. Transcripts of this RBA and Palouse Audubon membership info are
available on-line at http://www.palouseaudubon.org

The Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Spokane Co WA GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE has
returned for the third straight year. Ron Dexter reports seeing the bird
again on 18 Apr. The bird is frequenting the Meadowwood Golf Course near the
intersection of Valleyway and Molter. It has been seen as far east as a half
mile from the intersection. WA DeLorme 88, C-8.

A first year HARRIS'S SPARROW is being seen intermittently in Spokane since
February 6th. It was still being seen through 13 Apr according to Gina
Sheridan. Birders wishing to see the bird Should contact Sherry or Owen
Burgess (509.466.0848) between 8 am and noon.

Mike and MerryLynn Denny had a big day at the Walla Walla River delta in
western Walla Walla Co WA on 13 Apr. They saw more than 600 DUNLIN, a HERMIT
THRUSH, more than 90 CASPIAN TERNS, 2 adult and 3 sub-adult GLAUCOUS-WINGED
GULLS, and an adult WESTERN GULL. The delta can be accessed 0.1 mile north
of Madame Dorian Park. There's a pull-out along US 12 at milepost 306.9 and
a path to the delta. WA DeLorme 40, D-1. North of the delta along US 12 at
milepost 300 were 9 ROSS'S GEESE.

On Apr 17 Doug Schonewald reports the LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was relocated
in Grant Co WA. It was at the far south end of Lake Lenore (take the small
dirt track to the south of the large basalt monolith on the west side of the
road). Lake Lenore is WA along WA 17 between Soap Lake and Coulee City. WA
DeLorme 68, A-4 on the crease and 84 and 85, D-4 and 5.

A WILLET was found on the Yakima River delta in Benton Co WA on 24 Apr by
Bob Woodley. Benton Co WA. To get there heading west on Interstate 182 from
the Pasco side to the Richland side, take WA 240 south across the Columbia
toward Kennewick. At the south end of the bridge take the exit for Columbia
Drive. At the stop sign, turn left onto Columbia Drive. In less than 100
yards, there is a left turn which will put you back onto WA 240 but going
north. Take that left turn but then immediately turn right onto a gravel
road that goes on the west side of the city bus parking area. Follow the
gravel road a short distance north, over a big hump and down onto a gravel
road. You can turn left and park. View the mud at the west end of the delta,
then follow the gravel road east, stopping at open areas to scan the
mudflats. WA DeLorme 39, BC-6.

Unusual was the flock of 73 AMERICAN AVOCETS at Swallow's Park south of
Clarkston, Asotin Co, WA on 22 Apr, according to Louise LaVoie.

On Apr 23 Al Winter reports a single, female PURPLE FINCH is visiting his
feeder in Clarkston, Asotin Co, WA. Two more PURPLE FINCHES were observed in
Othello, Adams Co WA on 24 Apr by Bob Flores.

Good birding.
Kas