Subject: [Tweeters] Clarkston/Lewiston Valley Trip Report for 01/22/05
Date: Jan 25 19:26:46 2005
From: gina sheridan - gsherida8502 at yahoo.com


On Saturday (1/22/05), Cindy McCormack led the Spokane
Audubon field trip to the Lewiston/Clarkston Valley.
Mostly sunny, mild weather prevailed (low 30's to low
50's).

In Colfax (Whitman Co.), we found a flock of over 300
waxwings that consisted of 80% BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS and
20% CEDAR WAXWINGS.
The waxwings were observed in a feeding frenzy in a
large Mt. Ash tree. A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK added to the
spectacle by flushing the waxwing flock. En route, we
saw one NORTHERN SHRIKE and a flock of RING-NECKED
PHEASANTS.

In Uniontown (Whitman Co.), a we noted a MERLIN that
was patrolling the center of town. One of the
homeowners came out to visit, and informed us that the
Merlin often dined on Mourning Doves in their
backyard.

In Spalding, ID, we dipped on the Saw-whet Owl, but we
did find a pair of GREAT HORNED OWLs, LESSER
GOLDFINCHES, WESTERN BLUEBIRD, BROWN CREEPER,
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, and BALD EAGLE. Eastern Fox
Squirrels were rather common here too.

While scoping out the river from the vantage point of
Terminal 2 in Lewiston, we saw large numbers of
BARROW'S GOLDENEYES, COMMON GOLDENEYES, DC CORMORANTS,
BUFFLEHEADS, AND COMMON MERGANSERS. In addition, I
finally Questared out four snoozy LONG-TAILED DUCKS
(three females and one male) within the raft of
goldeneyes. The Long-tailed Duck was lifer for at
least three trip participants.

As usual, the West Pond was loaded with waterfowl.
WOOD DUCKS, MALLARDS, and BUFFLEHEADs predominated,
but there were a few REHEADS, both LESSER and GREATER
SCAUP (at least a pair), CANVASBACK, AMERICAN WIDGEON,
and NORTHERN PINTAIL. BEWICK'S WRENS and CEDAR
WAXWINGS foraged in the pond's border thickets.

Since their deciduous roosting trees are now treelees,
the four BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONs afforded our group
great views. Besides the fact that it is always
pleasure to see this species, several members of our
group netted yet another life bird. After viewing the
herons, we admired a few nearby HOODED MERGANSERS.

After crossing back over to the Washington side, we
birded up Asotin Creek. Unfortuantely, there were very
few birds to be seen up there. We did see one
TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE and a flock of WILD TURKEYS (with
one possible albino bird).

We tallied up over 60 species for the trip, and all of
us enjoyed some rare winter sunshine.

Gina Sheridan
Spokane, WA



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