I picked the wrong day to head east in Adams County. Yesterday was a washout of sorts, not much rain but way too much wind. There were RED-NECKED PHALAROPES at Hatton Coulee rest area and Sprague settling ponds, a SWAINSON'S THRUSH at Washtucna, a single TURKEY VULTURE just south of Ritzville, whitecaps at Cow Lake, Sprague Lake and Crab Lake (above Wilson Creek) which is full of water this spring. If there were Sabine's Gulls on Sprague Lake they were hiding between swells and white-caps. Bassett Park in Washtucna had 3 WILD TURKEYS gobbling, and a hen with at least 4 very young, stumbling chicks in the willows just east of the water tank.

This morning had much more promise weather-wise with a WARBLING VIREO and a YELLOW, WILSON'S and two TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS at home, but I got a late start heading through Columbia NWR. BULLOCK'S ORIOLES, YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS and BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS are singing on territory, CASSIN'S and WARBLING VIREOS moving through. RED-NECKED PHALAROPES were in three locations. The two WILLETS continue foraging together at the County Line Ponds; we'll see how long they remain. When I got home Ron Friesz had left a message that he had seen a WHITE-FACED IBIS there as well before 8:30 a.m.

Randy Hill
Othello