After the WOS Board meeting on Saturday afternoon
(5/03/08), I managed to do some birding on my own. The
weather was mild, cloudy, and with the occasional
sprinkle.

On the Para Ponds of Adams County, I encountered a
couple of GREAT EGRETs, LEAST SANDPIPER - 2,
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER -2, and a single alternate
plumaged DUNLIN. As a decorative touch on the
shoreline, AMERICAN AVOCETs, and BLACK-NECKED STILTS
provided some colorful animation. Meanwhile, MARSH
WRENs, and YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDs contributed their
vociferous commentary to the wetland soundtrack.

In and around Othello, I saw my first of the season
BARN SWALLOW, BURROWING OWL, and WESTERN KINGBIRDs.
Around Morgan Lake (Adams Co.), there were
ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWs. BANK SWALLOWs and a CASPIAN
TERN skimmed the watery surface of McMannaman Lake.

Crossing over to Grant County, I saw another CASPIAN
TERN and GREAT EGRETS along O'Sullivan Dam. In
Potholes State Park, there were quite a few migrants
concentrated in border thicket on the edge of the
developed campground. Working the trees and shrubbery
which have just barely leafed out, were HOUSE WREN,
NASHVILLE WARBLER (almost numerous!), ORANGE-CROWNED
WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, and
FOX SPARROW (Grant County lifer). After hearing the
intermittent leaf scratching in the thick underbrush
for some five minutes, I finally obtained a visual on
the Fox Sparrow.

Spring birds are here!

Gina Sheridan
Spokane, WA


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