I did a little birding today around noon, checking a couple spots for
shorebirds. The ponds along Cheney-Spangle Rd, west of Spangle (and south
of Cheney) were looking good although the water level continues to go down.
It should be a great spot for a while longer though. I found 5 BAIRD'S
SANDPIPERS, 8 WESTERN SANDPIPERS, 23 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 10 KILLDEER, and 3
SORA out on the mud. More than a hundred BARN SWALLOWS and fewer numbers of
BANK SWALLOWS were across the road at the farmhouse.

The huge surprise at Philleo Lake was a resting flock of 38 AMERICAN
AVOCETS! This is barely even an annual species in the county, and then not
more than a few at a time. This is also the first fall record I'm aware of,
though correct me if I'm wrong. My dad was able to come out and add them to
his county list this evening.

Large numbers of NORTHERN PINTAIL (~100) have landed since last week, as
well as a good number of AMERICAN WIGEON (~15). Others included
GREEN-WINGED TEAL, RUDDY DUCK (few now), GADWALL, MALLARD, and WOOD DUCK -1.
The only AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were six soaring out of the east end of
the lake, though my dad saw about 15 loafing on the shore when he went by
this evening.

A couple of other recent sightings to add. The PEREGRINE FALCON was on the
railroad trestle over High Bridge Park yesterday morning about 10am. I also
had several WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS on campus at school today.

Cheers,
Michael Woodruff
Spokane, WA

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