After the Woodruffs and I successfully found Surf
Scoters and Lapland Longpsurs in three different
counties on Sunday, I decided to try my luck with
these species on Monday (10/08/07) in Pend Oreille
County. Fortunately, I timed my venture so that the
rain showers had just cleared the area, and conditions
were calm and partly cloudy.

My first stop on Davis Lake produced three WESTERN
GREBES, seven COMMON MERGANSERS, and a first year
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (county lifer). The smaller
size of the Red-breasted Merganser made it stand out
like the runt of the litter.

When I first reached Usk-Cusick River Road, the valley
was cloaked in fog and visibility was nil. I decided
to work the STP lagoon at the north end of the Cusick
Wetland Park with the fervent hope of finding a Swamp
Sparrow. However, I had to settle for PYGMY NUTHATCH,
RING-NECKED PHEASANT, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE,
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, SONG
SPARROW, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, GADWALL, and WOOD DUCK.

Upon my return to the parking lot, the fog had lifted
and some birds were singing (i.e. Song Sparrow, House
Finch, American Robin). While large numbers of
AMERICAN ROBINs were feasting on berries in the
shrubbery, I detected DARK-EYED JUNCO, COOPER'S HAWK,
EVENING GROSBEAK, and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWs as well.
Unfortunately, I dipped on the Bewick's Wren that had
been reported over the weekend. The large contingent
of cormorants that we saw a couple of weeks earlier
seemed to have departed.

At the McKenzie Meadows bridge over Calispell Creek,
there was a flock of LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERs. While
scoping the mud flats, I distinctly heard a LAPLAND
LONGSPUR call a few times, but I never saw it.

Since the water level of the Pend Oreille River was so
high, there was no shorebird habitat at Flying Goose
Ranch. On the track through the cattails, I saw a
LINCOLN'S SPARROW, AMERICAN PIPIT, and a lingering
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT. Thinking that the expansive
stubble field between the two sections of cattails
looked awfully promising for Lapland Longspurs, I
decided to have a sandwich and to work the area a bit.


Within five minutes, I heard the telltale rattle of a
Lapland Longspur that was calling from the field. As
I hiked out toward the call, I flushed a mixed flock
of AMERICAN PIPITs, LAPLAND LONGSPURs, and HORNED
LARKs (of the arctic race). This flock of birds flew
into the field south of the road, but returned to the
north side within a few minutes.
Although the birds were impossible to see on the
ground, I continued to work the flock and I had close
views of a couple of buffy-headed first year Lapland
Longpurs in flight. There must have been at least
eight Laps in this flock. Needless to say, this big
target bird was county lifer for me!

Since River Bend Estates didn't have any shorebirds, I
continued northward. Reaching Sullivan Lake, I was
mesmerized by the splendor of the autumn colors that
lined the shoreline. Dazzling in their golden foliage,
the Paper Birches and Western Balsam Poplars (aka
Black Cottonwood) were at their autumnal peak of
color. Higher up on the slopes of the Selkirks, the
low understory of blueberry and huckleberry leaves had
already cycled through their fall finery and were
simply a subdued umber. However, the Western Larches
have not yet reached their prime color, and they show
good promise of achieving it within the next couple of
weeks. Meanwhile, the higher elevations were already
snowbound.

Due to the calm conditions, the surface of Sullivan
Lake was like one big reflecting mirror. Birdwise,
there were three COMMON LOONs, and plenty of CANADA
GEESE and COMMON MERGANSERs. At the north end of the
lake, there was a HORNED GREBE and better yet, there
was an EARED GREBE. The Eared Grebe is quite rare for
the county, and it was a county lifer for me.

Although I made a diligent search, I did not find any
Surf Scoters that day. However, I did spend some time
with a RUFFED GROUSE that was feeding at the edge of a
turn out. The grouse's cryptic plumage and deliberate
manner made it hard to spot initially, but I enjoyed
watching the bird feed at close range. Since I
remained in my rig and used it as blind, I never
forced the grouse to flush.

Finding three county lifers in one day was quite
satisfying, but fully immersing myself into the
splendor of autumn made my trip extra special. I hope
that everyone else can enjoy some fine autumn days
filled with color and good birds!

Gina Sheridan
Spokane, WA


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