I just got back from the south east corner of WA. I didn't get to bird
all the places I was planning on because they were on fire.
Highlights were a LESSER GOLDFINCH in the grounds around the Maryville
Museum as advertised by Opperman. Some birders from Minnesota (maybe
Montana) had a Common Nighthawk in their scope which was resting in
one of the trees around the
Museum.

Anyone know if the Dodd-Iowa Beef Ponds have dried up? I have never
been there before so I am not positive I was at the correct place. I
paralleled some train tracks for a while and discovered a very large
pond that was full of ducks and long legged shorebirds (Avocet,
Phalorope, Black-Necked Stilt). I carefully scanned the edges and
couldn't see any shore suitable for peeps. There were however two
other dried up mud flats that could have one time had the smaller
species. I took pictures of the suspect ponds so if anyone has been
there and wants to confirm that I was in the right place and they have
in fact dried up let me know and I will send the photos.

Bisquit Ridge isn't on fire and I was able to see many brief glimpses
of GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE. Kudos to whomever discovered these sites. I
had to walk downslope quite a ways before they were seen. A Gray
Flycatcher was seen on Bisquit Ridge RD along with Vesper Sparrows.
Flycatcher in general were abundant most places...many with families
making them hard to miss.

Fields Springs SP was a bust with birds and with views...all the
vistas were clouded in smoke.

Aaron Martin
Seattle, WA