On Saturday (10/28/06), Gary Blevins led the annual
Spokane Audubon field trip from Lincoln County to Dry
Falls (Grant Co.). The weather was gloriously sunny
and the temps ranged from subfreezing to a balmy 60
degrees.

En route to Reardan, Cindy McCormack was awake enough
to spot several Great Horned Owls in the pre-dawn
light. Upon arrival at the newly created Audubon Way
parking area (on the southern end of Reardan's Audubon
Lake), we were greeted by a singing NORTHERN SHRIKE.
Some of the other birds that we identified from this
site were Redhead, Canvasback, Green-winged Teal, No.
Shoveler, Tundra Swan, Long-billed Dowitcher, No.
Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked
Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, and the ubiquitous Canada
Goose.

Our next stop in Davenport was quite productive. At
the corner of Eighth and Main, we observed a MERLIN
having breakfast on a power pole. Meanwhile, there was
a EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE perched on a second pole.

At the famous Davenport Cemetery, our group was
entertained by a lively troop of Golden-crowned
Kinglets, three Brown Creepers, Varied Thrush, Red
Crossbill, Bewick's Wren, and a Sharp-shinned Hawk. In
fact, the Sharpie made a swoop at the wren.

After tracking a calling finch, the entire group was
able to leisurely watch a female PINE GROSBEAK calling
incessantly from the top of a large spruce tree. This
attractive northern finch was a lifer for several trip
participants, and is very difficult bird to come by
in Lincoln County.

On the eastern edge of Odessa, a couple of us viewed
a PRAIRIE FALCON before it zoomed out of sight. In
eastern Grant County, we ran into at least ten
migrating ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKs.

As usual, Brook Lake was loaded with waterfowl. Of
particular interest, were the sixteen SNOW GEESE, four
WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, Western Grebes, Bufflehead, and
CACKLING GEESE. Around Pinto Dam, we saw Rock Wren and
a Cooper's Hawk. Farther west, we enjoyed viewing a
male MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD.

Soap Lake held a typcially large number of Eared
Grebes. At the north end of the lake, we found
Long-billed Dowitchers, Greater Yellowlegs, and Least
Sandpipers.

While most of us were sorting out BARROW'S GOLDENEYEs,
from Common Goldeneyes on the northern end of Lake
Lenore, Karen Cottet spotted some interesting birds
along the ridgeline above Lake Lenore Caves. Even
though the birds were at a considerable distance away,
our scope views confirmed our suspisicion that they
were indeed GRAY-CROWNED ROSY FINCHEs. At least 75
Rosy Finches flew along the cliffs and then
disappeared over the rim.

LATER, Alkali Lake produced a GREAT EGRET and
RED-NECKED GREBES. Blue Lake held plenty of Common
Loons but no rarities. A lone SURF SCOTER was working
the southern end of Sun Lake.

At dusk, we arrived at the base of Dry Falls. In the
waning light, we picked up a Marsh Wren. Our final
bird of the day, was a VIRGINIA RAIL that responded to
my clicking of two rocks together.

Our trip total was 76 species. Everyone enjoyed the
good birds, the great weather, and the fine company.

Gina Sheridan
Spokane, WA



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