I ventured east to join Ruth Sullivan at Washtucna, where the photo display
at Bassett Park has been updated. On the way I stopped at the Sand Hills
area from SR 21 and heard Sandhill Cranes that must have roosted nearby to
the north. In Washtucna two birds that no longer need mentioning, Eurasian
Collared-Dove and Wild Turkey, were calling and displaying in full force.
Lincoln's and Fox Sparrows were mixed in with White-crowned and Song
Sparrows. One House Wren was singing at its usual location at the poplars
walking toward the Russian-olive grove. Both kinglets were in the park, and
a single Yellow-rumped Warbler and the frosty morning were indicative of a
late migration. Before I arrived Ruth saw what she believed to be a
Hutton's Vireo, but we were not able to relocate it. We headed over to
Hooper and found drumming Downy Woodpeckers and many Violet-green Swallows.



North toward (about 2 miles west of) Benge we found a Ferruginous Hawk being
chased out by a pair of Red-tailed Hawks. It became just a speck in the
distance, but soon a dark morph individual assumed to be its mate circled
close enough for good looks. From Benge to Lamont there were few species
encountered, but going north toward Sprague the wetlands had a good variety
of waterfowl, including at the sewage ponds. Sprague Lake was loaded with
anglers in boats. A single Bonaparte's Gull was mixed in with hoards of
Ring-billed and California Gulls on the Lincoln County side. Also a few
Eared Grebes and a single Pacific Loon that disappeared before the scopes
were set up. Crossing into Adams County the Osprey was on its nest, and 6
Snow Geese were sharing a pasture with about 70 Canada Geese. The southwest
end of the lake was loaded with ducks but only a few Eared and Pied-billed
Grebes (no Western Grebes yet.) Throughout the day we encountered American
Kestrels, Swainson's Hawks, and Say's Phoebes.



When I got home there were single Pine Siskin and Townsend's Solitaire in
the back yard. It was a pleasant sunny day with mild temperatures, and
promise of more migrants coming in tonight.



Randy Hill

Othello