Just in from a lengthy trip to eastern WA and wanted to report 9
adult SABINE'S GULLS at the south end of Soap Lake, Grant County,
today (5/27/08). This was a tight flock with two immature Bonaparte's
Gulls associated, feeding on invertebrates on the lake surface. Good
looks by scope from the trailer park north of the town. Interesting
to see that there were still very large numbers of Ruddy Ducks on the
lakes, and I wonder how long they will stay there. I don't think they
can breed there, as there is no vegetation in which to place their
nests. Also still good numbers of Eared Grebes and Lesser Scaups, a
few Buffleheads, and three Am. Avocets at the south end of the lake.
Also saw two more immature Bonaparte's Gulls at Quincy Lakes;
obviously, they lag behind the adults. One Eurasian Collared-Dove at
2 NW and Q NW , 2 mi N of George, Grant County, was a new locality
for me. All this today.

Just one other thing to mention. The area between Oroville and
Curlew, including the lakes just west of Molson and the chain of
lakes that includes Beth, Beaver, and Little Beaver, was just
wonderful for birds this weekend, with lots and lots of waterfowl
pairs, Eared & Red-necked Grebes at Molson, pair of Common Loons on
Little Beaver Lake, etc. All the little roads in that part of
northern Okanogan and Ferry counties are rewarding, especially the
ones that have wetlands along them. It's really heartening to see so
much wild (or thinly settled) country and so many birds and other
wildlife. We saw two young MOOSE (mooses, meese) in a pond south of
Republic, probably the high point of the trip. The Sabine's Gulls
would have been the high point, but they were hardly a surprise after
all the recent reports.
-----
Dennis Paulson
1724 NE 98 St.
Seattle, WA 98115
206-528-1382
dennispaulson at comcast.net



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