On Thursday (9/11/08), Jon Isacoff and birded the local hotspot, Bassett Park in Washtucna. It was a lovely, calm, sunny day

Arriving in mid-morning, we bumped into Tom Aversa and Hal Opperman. Initially, bird activity was a little on the slow side. However, we still managed great views of a SWAINSON'S THRUSH, CANYON WREN, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, WILD TURKEY, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER, TOWNSEND'S WARBLER, WILSON'S WARBLER, BEWICK'S WREN, EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE, MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER, HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER, WARBLING VIREO, CASSIN'S VIREO, both RC & GC KINGLETs.

Late in the morning, avian activity increased significantly. In the bramble patches of the southern section, we had LINCOLN'S SPARROW, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, HERMIT THRUSH, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, more empids (including LEAST FLYCATCHER), and more of the expected warblers.

Around creekside, there were a couple of VARIED THRUSHes, and a variety of migrants were coming into the water to drink. Under the shade of a lilac bush, a NORTHERN WATERTHUSH was gulping down moths. However, the best bird of the day was a BLACKPOLL WARBLER that flitting around the canopy of a large elm with various other warblers and kinglets.

Unfortunately, we missed the prize targets of Magnolia Warbler and Broad-winged Hawk, but we certainly enjoyed a most enjoyable day.

Gina Sheridan
Spokane, WA