Hi Tweets,

A morning of birding at Potholes State Park was quite good. Migrant
activity was quite high, with large numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers being
the most numerous bird. Most were of the Audubon's race, while I was able to
pick out two MYRTLE race. A single late YELLOW WARBLER was notable. Good
numbers of Orange-crowned Warblers were about as well
Sparrow numbers have increased substantially and the diversity along with
it. Single FOX SPARROW (slate-colored) and a single WHITE-THROATED SPARROW
(tan-striped morph) were notable. Good numbers of Dark-eyed Junco, Spotted
Towhee, Lincoln's Sparrow, and Song Sparrows rounded out the sparrow
contingent.
Both kinglets were present with good numbers of Ruby-crowned Kinglet all
over the park. A single BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE was notable at this location
and 7 Red-breasted Nuthatches makes one wonder if another montane irruption
might be in the offing.
Birds were generally nervous and the eventual observation of an immature
Cooper's Hawk and an adult, male Sharp-shinned Hawk hunting through the park
solved that mystery.
On the way home a single very dark Merlin crossed the road in front of me
chasing starlings (hope he caught one). I can't say for sure as the view was
short, but this bird was darker than any I have seen in the basin.

Cheers

Doug Schonewald
Moses Lake, WA
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