Saturday found me looking at the CAPE MAY WARBLER in Spokane. Ran into
Stefan Schlick there. We are both lucky that the bird has remained. Later
in the day I visited the Little Spokane River Natural Area. Although it
rained the entire time I was there, a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL made an appearance
and a BLUE JAY called in the background.

Yesterday I visited Turnbull NWR. It rained all day Sunday, too. Still,
there were birds about. I saw my first OSPREY of the season. Also, both
swans and a nice variety of ducks. A WILSON'S SNIPE showed up near the
headquarters and winnowed to prove that it is really spring.

This morning there was another WILSON'S SNIPE on Frenchman Hill's Rd near
Dodson. On Dodson were 2 BURROWING OWLS and the GREAT HORNED OWL on the
nest. Further west on Frenchman Hill's Road there was a NORTHERN SHRIKE.
I turned north on I Street. This has been a productive road in the past
and today was no exception. Sightings included a pair of LONG-BILLED
CURLEWS, a pair of LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES and about 200 SANDHILL CRANES
overhead.

I spotted a group of GREATER SCAUP from the bridge at Vantage as I crossed
the river. Hoping for a possible Tufted Duck, I stopped to scope. No
TUDU. But there were 2 LONG TAILED DUCKS with the group.

At Quilomene I saw and heard SAGE SPARROW and SAGE THRASHER.

It was a good week end.

Marv Breeece
Seattle, WA


--- Marv Breece
--- mbreece at earthlink.net