After finding out about recent reports of Least
Flycatcher in Whitman County and No. Mockingbird in
Adams County, I dashed out this morning with hopes of
finding these birds. On this bright sunny day, both
birds were waiting for me.

On a brief stop at Rock Lake, I saw a pair of OSPREYs,
NO. ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWs, and CLIFF SWALLOWs, CANADA
GEESE, but nothing too exciting. At the Packer Creek
site on Rock Lake Road (one mile north of Thounder
Road), I found the LEAST FLYCATCHER that was
previously discovered by the Webers.

Within a fenced off section of thick willow trees and
very high grass, the Least Flycatcher called rather
incessantly. It was quite difficult to see in this
location, and I had to wait it out for some fifteen
minutes before I obtained a view of the bird. This
species is an excellent bird for Whitman County and is
always nice to see in our state.

East of Sprague (Lincoln County), I spied my first
SWAINSON'S HAWK of the day. Another Swainson's was
east of Ritzville (Adams Co.). Along S. Mullenix Road
(Spokane Co.), there was a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW and
EASTERN KINGBIRD on a fenceline. Four BONAPARTE'S
GULLs were loafing on the Sprague STP (Lincoln Co.).

Arriving at Judy and Warren Cogswell's home east of
Ritzville (1587 N. Bauman Road), I was met by this
very nice couple who informed me that they had heard
the mockingbird earlier in the morning. As we chatted
and sat in their yard, I had a brief view of a RUFOUS
HUMMINGBIRD that was coming to their feeder. At this
time of the year, it seemed rather unusual to see this
species out on the shrub-steppe. It looked like a
green-backed morph male.

When Judy mentioned that the mocker sang in the yard
well after midnight, I said that it was too bad we
didn't have a recording to see if the bird would
respond. At that point, Judy came out with a tape
recording of the bird in question and began playing
back the lengthy song. Finally, we heard a response
from her next door neighbor's (Marge) yard.

Marge is another nice lady who allowed me to roam
around her yard. Within a few minutes, I saw the
singing NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD. Apparently, the mocker
has been present there for two weeks. Although it is
alone, it is acting territorial. Marge mentioned that
it often chases other birds off, and I witnessed
seeing it chase away a Robin.

For those who would like to see the Mockingbird, you
may arrange a visit with Judy Gogswell at
509-659-0519.

My final good bird of the day, was a CLARK'S GREBE on
the southeastern corner of Sprague Lake (Adams Co.).
The Clark's with associating with a large flotilla of
WESTERN GREBEs.

Nice weather, nice folks, and nice birds made for a
good day!

Gina Sheridan
Spokane, WA



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