On Sunday (July 3, 2005), Garrett MacDonald and I took
advantage of a picture perfect summer day and birded
southern Washington hot spots and the Blue Mts. After
driving some five hundred miles on our day trip, we
were well satisfied with the results.

Our first early morning stop was Washtucna. After
cruising slowly down Main Street, I spotted the flashy
tail pattern of the EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE flying into
an alley behind the Pioneer General Store. The Euro
Dove cooed from various light poles along the alley
(Clear Water Lane) and then landed in a large
cottonwood tree in Bassett Park. A couple of times,
the Euro Dove was harassed a bit by a House Sparrow
and then a Brewer's Blackbird.

In Bassett Park, we saw a family of kestrels chase
away a BARN OWL. Meanwhile, a female kestrel was
dining on a the remains of a large rat.
Several COMMON NIGHTHAWKs swooped over the park.

In Franklin County, we saw a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE,
SWAINSON'S HAWK, and two different PRAIRIE FALCONs en
route to Connell. In Horn Rapids County Park, we
observed the pair of NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDs, and a
family of BULLOCK'S ORIOLES. WHITE PELICANS and
CASPIAN TERNS seemed to be enjoying the river rapids.

The Iowa-Beef Ponds (Tyson) didn't produce much beyond
what has already been posted. Through the screen of
heat refraction, we could see plenty of Western
Sandpipers, Wilson's Phalarope, LB Dowitcher,
Black-necked Stilt, Ame. Avocets, and various eclipsed
plumaged ducks. A large contingent of Bank Swallows
helped alleviate the over supply of mosquitoes that
swarmed over the area.

After a patient stay at Tom Lamb's hummingbird heaven
spot, we were satisfied with with at least a couple
excellent views of the female BROAD-TAILED
HUMMINGBIRD. There were plenty of Calliopes,
Black-chins, and a few Rufous Hummers present as well.
On the way out, we heard a VEERY calling from a
streamside thicket.

On the crest of Biscuit Ridge, we had some good views
of a pair of GREEN-TAILED TOWHEEs that were in the
downslope chaparral. A LAZULI BUNTING and a WESTERN
TANAGER added additional color to the mountain
landscape.

In downtown Waitsburg, we stopped to view a flock of
VAUX's SWIFTs doing their aerial show. In the seldom
birded county of Columbia, we winded our way back up
into the Blue Mts. At Edmisto Springs, we saw a pair
of WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKERs, RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER, HAIRY
WOODPECKER, a pair of MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLERs,
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, RED CROSSBILLs, PINE SISKIN,
and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. Swainson's Thrush, Hermit
Thrush, Cassin's Vireo, Western Tanager, and
Olive-sided Flycatcher, were some the songsters that
we heard in the vicinity.

As the sun lowered and the temperature dropped, we
stopped at Godman Springs and saw a female
WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER fly over. Northern Flickers and
Mountain Chickadees were some of the more easily seen
denizens. In the distance, we heard Red-breasted
Nuthatches and Gray Jays. On our descent from the
Blues, we saw a RUFFED GROUSE with a family of four
youngsters and a Snowshoe Hare.

At dusk (east of Dayton) we found a family of five
GREAT HORNED OWLs along the road. Between Dayton and
Starbuck, we saw at least five BARN OWLs hunting along
the coulees. We saw a Great Basin Pocket Mouse cross
this predator patrolled road.

On our return journey, I was enjoying the night
driving experience on highway 161. Since there was
very little traffic, I was able to turn around a check
out a Northern Grasshopper Mouse. In Franklin County,
there were a couple of more BARN OWLs and a fairly
large No. Pacific Rattlesnake that was warming itself
up on the pavement. In Adams County, there were
Western Harvest Mouse, Great Basin Pocket Mice,
Merriam's Shrew, and plenty of Deer Mice crossing the
road. Coyote, Mountain Cottontail, and Mule Deer were
some of the larger animals seen.

While Garrett netted five state lifers, I ended up
with two state lifers for the day. We enjoyed really
good views of our target birds and visited some sites
that we had never birded before.

Here's wishing you all a grand and glorious Fourth,

Gina Sheridan
Spokane, WA

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