Hello Everyone,



On Friday, I drug my friend Bob Purdy out to explore some of my favorite
birding sights in Lincoln County. The weather proved to be much more
cooperative than we had originally thought.



We arrived in Davenport about 8:00 AM and headed north on Highway 25, where
we soon found a MERLIN sitting on a pole close to the road eating a House
Finch. It then flew and I was surprised as to how well it flew carrying a
bird have its size.



Our first stop of the day was at Ft Spokane State Park. The shoreline of the
Spokane River produced a few waterfowl and an imm Bald Eagle. However, a
service road near the closed Visitors Center was alive with avian activity.
The highlight was a flock of about 100 PINE GROSBEAKS (Lincoln County Lifer)
with many Red Crossbills and a few CASSIN'S FINCHES among them. Also were
three species of nuthatches, two species of chickadees, and WINTER WREN.



Next, we made our way to the Seven Bays Community and Marina where we
located another imm Bald Eagle, a couple of Herring Gulls, three Horned
Grebes, a beautiful Cooper's Hawk, and a nice pair of BARROW'S GOLDENEYES
among the more common waterfowl.



Continuing west on the Miles-Creston Road, we turned north into Hawk Creek
campground and falls. Here, we enjoyed good looks at a pair of DIPPERS, two
more pairs of BARROW'S GOLDENEYES, and two EVENING GROSBEAKS in the
campground itself. I love this spot.



After exploring the campground, we backtracked south up Hawk Creek Rd (even
turning west for a short trip up Hawk Creek Ranch Rd). Highlights along this
road included and IMM NORTHERN GOSHAWK and an IMM GOLDEN EAGLE.



Back out on highway 2, we headed west toward Creston and discovered another
IMM GOLDEN EAGLE. Out of Creston, we went south on the Swanson Lake Rd.
Along this road, we saw 2 SNOW BUNTINGS among the many large flocks of
Horned Larks. There were many Rough Legged Hawks. But we also found another
NORTHERN GOSHAWK (but this on,a gorgeous adult), an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW,
and three Northern Shrikes. Fun Rd.



Our only disappointment of the day was to fail to find a Snowy Owl in the
traditional Reardan-Davenport. I had seen one just last week. Oh well, they
do have wings. However, we were pleased to have great looks at some 10 SHORT
EARED OWLS along Mayberry and Old Kuchs Rd.



After dark, we descended back down into Hawk Creek Canyon where we had
contact with FOUR NORTHERN SAW WHET OWLS (saw one), another Lincoln County
Lifer and a couple of Great Horned Owls.



Total: 58 species and a lot of fun.



Blessings,



Terry Little

Mead, Washington