Subject: [Tweeters] Spokane County Big Day
Date: May 27 14:47:20 2006
From: Gina Sheridan - gsherida8502 at yahoo.com
On Thursday (5/25/05), four of us (Craig Corder, Roger
& Michael Woodruff, and myself) took the plunge into a
big day effort for Spokane County. The weather was
somewhat on the cool side with temps ranging from the
mid-40's to low 60's with mostly cloudy to partly
sunny skies and a few light sprinkles.
Since we dipped on the Corbin Park owl, I thought that
we should take a chance on finding another one in good
looking habitat northeast of Peone Prairie (along the
base of Mt. Spokane). While the first bird of the day
that we heard was a Gray Catbird, we quickly
identified the sounds of winnowing Wilson's Snipe,
Song Sparrow, Hammond's Flycatcher, Robin, Western
Tanager, and Violet-green Swallow. Suddenly, the call
of our query owl riveted our attention. We were soon
peering up at a WESTERN SCREECH OWL. In the pre-dawn
gloom, this little owl was the first bird seen for the
day.
Half way up on Mt. Spokane, we heard a NORTHERN PYGMY
OWL and had a glimpse of it as it flew overhead.
Although we couldn't elicit a response from the
resident Barred Owl, we were treated to the eerie
songs of Swainson's & Varied Thrushes as they echoed
through the closed canopy of Western Red Cedar and
Grand Firs.
Due to the summit road remaining closed through June,
we didn't have much of an opportunity for finding
Hermit Thrush, Fox Sparrow, or Blue Grouse. We had to
make do with PINE SISKIN, Red Crossbill, WILSON'S
WARBLER, MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER, RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD,
Calliope Hummingbird, Black-headed Grosbeak,
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, EVENING
GROSBEAK, DIPPER, VAUX'S SWIFT, Dusky Flycatcher,
Hammond's Flycatcher, Red-naped Sapsucker, Winter Wren
and juncos.
Although most of the waterfowl and shorebirds have
departed from Peone Prairie, we saw AMERICAN BITTERN,
WILSON'S PHALAROPE, GREAT HORNED OWL -2, COMMON
MERGANSER, Bank Swallow, Savannah Sparrow,
Yellow-headed Blackbird, Spotted Sandpiper, and heard
both Virginia Rail and Sora. Ron Dexter's place
provided our only sightings of White-breasted Nuthatch
and Wood Duck. Apparently, Hooded Mergansers had just
fledged and we never saw any that day.
The Deadman Creek crossing on Holcomb Road gave us
with excellent views of a male AMERICAN REDSTART, as
well as Warbling Vireo, Cassin's Vireo, Cassin's
Finch, Willow Flycatcher, and BLACK-CHINNED
HUMMINGBIRD. LAZULI BUNTINGs were up the road.
Although we dipped on Veery and chat, we did see a
RED-EYED VIREO over the Little Spokane River bridge.
Some friends near Colbert allowed us access to try for
Goshawk. Even though we dipped on the gos, we did see
PILEATED WOODPECKER, Mt. Chickadee, Vesper Sparrow,
and Wild Turkey. Riverside Park helped us to quickly
add Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Lark Sparrow, Mt.
Bluebird, and Gray Flycatcher.
In the early afternoon period we dipped on several
important stake out birds (Peregrine Falcon,
Great-tailed Grackle, and Olive-sided Flycatcher).
Despite this setback, we were still determined to find
Swainson's Hawk in the southwestern corner of the
county.
On the way, we had a productive stop at Philleo Lake
and added Bullock's Oriole, Eared Grebe, BALD EAGLE,
Osprey, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, BLACK TERN, Cinnamon
Teal, Blue-winged Teal, Gray Partridge, and Lesser
Scaup.
As we continued southward, Eastern and Western
Kingbirds became an increasingly common sight, Near
the county line on Rock Lake Road, we saw a pair of
SWAINSON'S HAWKs (one light phased and one dark
phased) soaring above the open prairie. On Mullinix
Road, we found our targeted GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.
At Turnbull NWR, we saw our staked out TRUMPETER SWAN
sitting on a nest. Canvasback and American Wigeon were
welcome trip list additions too. Marsh Wrens and Gray
Catbirds were conspicuous on the trail.
While we picked up Red-necked Grebe and DC Cormorant
on Silver Lake, the W. Medical Lake CLARK'S GREBE was
another critical stake out bird that did not fail us.
At dusk, we spent quite a bit of time searching for
Short-eared Owls on Coulee Hite Road (south of Hwy 2)
and Ladd Road (north of Hwy 2). Since we thought that
they bred in these sites, we were dismayed to have
missed them.
Our final trip bird was Poor-will. Fortunately,
several POOR-WILLs were singing on cue off Old Trails
Road.
Our final group tally was 143 species (with 141 seen
by all). Mammals of the day included Moose (on Mt.
Spokane ski slope), Red Squirrel, Colombian Ground
Squirrel, Yellow-bellied Marmot, White-tailed Deer,
Mule Deer, and Muskrat.
In retrospect (20-20 hindsight), we might have done
better a little later in the season to allow more
summer residents to set up shop. However, we had great
fun in both the planning and execution of our Spokane
County Big Day.
Gina Sheridan
Spokane, WA
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