Saturday afternoon I was pleased to find 51 TUNDRA SWAN at the lake in Reardon, WA - Lincoln Co. Other species seen included over 65 Canada Geese, Mallards, Ring-Necked Duck, American Wigeon, Redhead, Canvasback, Pintail and a single Green-Winged Teal. 3 playful Muskrats were also seen.

As I watched the birds a huge bird came over a rise. As it came closer I could see a person sitting below the bird. It had all the markings of an ultralight. Sorry, no picture.

I also passed the ponds in Douglass Co. Hwy 174 btwn MP 8 and 12. The eastern most and western most ponds were free of ice, but no water fowl were seen.

Today on the way back to Cheney, I was pleasantly surprised by 26 TUNDRA SWAN in the westernmost pond at that location - at the corner of Strauhl Canyon Rd. and Hwy 174. Also present were 2 male American Wigeon, Mallard pair and a Killdeer.

In Lincoln Co. Wilbur 2 Robin were seen.

Back in Reardon, 42 TUNDRA SWAN, American Coot, Ring Necked Duck, 42 Canada Geese and a Northern Harrier were present at the lake.

I took Waukon Rd. south and saw 4 Red-Tailed Hawk's - one a light form. At the pond at the junction with Cloverdale Rd. There were 2 more TUNDRA SWAN, 18 Canada Geese - about 4 of these looked to have very small bills and 2 of those were mating. Also seen there were Mallards, Common Goldeneye, Killdeer and Canvasback.

Stopping by the Drumheller Rd. - Moos Rd. location in Spokane Co. there were no Sandhill Cranes yet, but there were a large flock of Red-winged and Brewer's Blackbirds, Mallards and Black-Billed Magpie.

70 swan in 3 locations in one day. Not too bad for March 1.

Good birding,
Ron McCluskey
Cheney, WA