On Saturday (8/13/05), Garrett MacDonald and I
concentrated on shorebirds in Lincoln and Grant
Counties. After the passage of a cold front on the
previous afternoon, the morning was quite cool with a
northeasterly breeze. In the afternoon, sunny warm
conditions prevailed.

On Reardan Audubon Lake, we were greeted by a calling
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER within a flock of six
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERs. Meanwhile, an adult VIRGINIA
RAIL nonchalantly strolled out into full view for us.

Shorebirds included Least, Western, Baird's, and
Semipalmated Sandpipers, Black-necked Stilts, Spotted,
Lesser & Greater Yellowlegs, Snipe, and Semipalmated
Plovers.

When we arrived at Sun Lakes State Park, we observed a
PEREGRINE FALCON making desultory dives at pigeons and
Barn Swallows. While a family of EASTERN KINGBIRDS
were chattering away, a family of WESTERN WOOD PEWEES
took turns chasing bugs in the dappled shade of the
campground near the marina.

Some of the early passerine migrants that we found in
the park included OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, TOWNSEND'S
WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, and WILSON'S WARBLER.
Since there were more people present than birds, we
continued southward.

On Alkali Lake, we found one loafing RED-NECKED GREBE.
Since Doug Schonewald provided a more updated report
on Perch Point and Soap Lake, I won't recount the
shorebirds again. However, we did see a migrant
TOWNSEND'S WARBLER fly into the sagebrush on the bluff
overlooking Lind Coulee, a pair of Says' Phoebes on
East Beach, and a Turkey Vulture at the south side of
Soap Lake's city limits.

Although we couldn't dig up any Grasshopper Sparrows
on road CNE, we did find VESPER SPARROW, ROCK WREN,
and an immature BURROWING OWL.

As usual, North Potholes Reserve did not turn any
Bushtits for us. However, there were over 40
RED-NECKED GREBES and a few WILSON'S PHALAROPES
present.

Near the dike road, we saw an adult PEREGRINE FALCON
dining on a freshly killed male Mallard. At one point,
the falcon removed the head and set it aside, Mmmm,
mmm, good eating!

Today (8/14/05), I followed up on Jim Acton's report
of some good shorebirds down on Philleo Lake (Spokane
County). As a result, I picked up three Spokane county
lifers (SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, STILT SANDPIPER, and
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE). Of course there many of the
usual suspects there too such as LEAST SANDPIPER,
BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, WESTERN SANDPIPER, both Yellowlegs.
The shorebird flock was concentrated at the far
northern end of the lake.

Gina Sheridan
Spokane, WA

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