Tweets,
David and I just returned from 2 days in the Col. Basin trying to get some birding in before hunting starts. We were partially thwarted by torrential rains on both afternoons, a persistent Sharpie in the trees at the north end of Basset Park, and a Lind Coulee dad who was skeet shooting with his kids, we guess in advance of the upcoming Youth Hunting Weekend! The Col Wildlife Reguge is pretty quiet with many of the ducks not yet in breeding plumage, but Sandhill Cranes were regular flyovers in groups of 10-20. Wanapum State Park and County Line Ponds were good, as described in Paul and Barbara Webster's post. We did see the Eurasian Collared Doves in Washtucna and noted upon entering them on our 2000 WOS Birds of Washington card, that they weren't even listed at that time--they appear to be regulars now, do they not? Also of interest at Basset Park was a late Common Nighthawk flying over at about 10 a.m. On the way back to the refuge, noting the settling ponds along the highway, we pulled into the Hutton Coulee Rest stop at the junction of 26 and 395 (I think.) There was a good assortment of shorebirds, including side-by-side G and L Yellowlegs. A juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron was standing right in the middle of the pond. And at the Lind Coulee boat launch (in light rain) there were 10 Baird's Sandpipers, the most we have seen in one WA spot. Even though we are Cougars, we hadn't been east of Othello in many years. It is so open, vast, and restful to the soul, sharpies and threat of rain notwithstanding.
Penny Koyama, Bothell
plkoyama at verizon.net