On Friday (6/9/06), Cindy McCormack and I birded
Stevens County. Overall, the weather was mostly sunny
and mild. Listed below are some of the highlights.

Along the Colville River wetlands south of Chewelah,
we saw several BLACK TERNs, Yellow-headed Blackbirds,
and heard a Sora. East of Arden, we saw LAZULI
BUNTING, Cedar Waxwing, Red Crossbill, and heard a
ROCK WREN.

Near the entrance to Little Pend Oreille NWR, we found
a "chebeking" LEAST FLYCATCHER. This bird was located
in an aspen grove just south of the junction of Bear
Creek Road and Narcisse Creek Road.

In the refuge, we found a good variety of birds
including both kingbirds, Say's Phoebe, Bullock's
Oriole, House Wren, Western & Mountain Bluebirds,
Rufous Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird,
Red-necked Grebe, AMERICAN REDSTART, MacGillivray's
Warbler, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, BEWICK'S WREN
(heard only), Swainson's Thrush, VEERY, Cassin's
Vireo, Hammond's Flycatcher, Red-naped Sapsucker,
Hairy Woodpecker nest, Common Nighthawk, and Pygmy
Nuthatch.

At midday, Amazon Creek was overflowing with NORTHERN
WATERTHRUSHES. They were everywhere and several were
singing from conspicuous perches. Other nice birds
present were Common Yellowthroat, AMERICAN REDSTART,
Western Tanager, Gray Catbird, Willow Flycatcher,
Warbling Vireo, and Yellow Warbler. Nearby, we had a
close view of a BROWN CREEPER at Crystal Falls had a
Belted Kingfisher on Flodelle Creek.

On Oakshot Road west of Colville, we found a male
BOBOLINK perched on a bale of hay. Most of the field
had been mowed, but there was still another uncut
field nearby.

The brushy steep slopes south of Rice held
Black-headed Grosbeak, several Calliope Hummingbirds,
and Lazuli Buntings. In the grassy meadows far below,
we scoped a singing VESPER SPARROW.

At the first river view pull-out south of Daisy, we
found a colony of BANK SWALLOWs. The town of Fruitland
had strutting California Quail, and Turkeys.

East of Fruitland, Newbill Lake was quite productive.
BLUE-WINGED TEAL, CINNAMON TEAL, Redhead, Ruddy Duck,
Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Gadwall, Mallard, and
coots were enjoying the quiet waters.

Later in the afternoon, we visited Gifford Campground.
After three previous successful visits, I'm afraid
that I must report that we didn't find the usual swarm
of woodpeckers. In fact, we only saw flickers and
Hairy Woodpeckers. Although the rare woodpeckers
(Black-backed & White-headed) might still be present,
they are no longer sure bets.
Despite not much in the way of woodpeckers in Gifford,
we did see Western Bluebirds, CASSIN'S FINCHes, and
Lazuli Buntings.

Gina Sheridan
Spokane, WA

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com