Although temperatures had dropped significantly from the earlier balmy 70's, Michael Woodruff and I headed up to the Waterville Plateau on Thursday (4/23/09). A pre-dawn arrival at the sage grouse lek, necessitated a 3:15 AM departure time.

Upon arrival, the temperature stood at 31 degrees and there was an accompanying stiff northwesterly breeze. Mitigating the cold, was the bright promise of a sunny dawn.

On our drive to the lek, we encountered over a hundred WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWs. Parking our rig about 100 meters west off the usual lek viewing spot, we stopped at the top of the hill with the commanding view. In quick succession, we picked up singing VESPER SPARROW, BREWER'S SPARROW, and SAGE THRASHER.

Scanning the short grass plain to the southwest, we were rather astonished to see thirty-one displaying male GREATER SAGE GROUSE and one Sage Hen. Neither of us have ever seen that many sage grouse at the Leahy Junction lek, and it was much easier to see them on the open plain to the southwest than it was to spot them on the sagebrush covered benches to the north. While we were enjoying the chicken courtship spectacle, five SANDHILL CRANES flew over the road and landed near the grouse lek. Meanwhile, a couple of NORTHERN HARRIERs provided the air cover.

As the sun rose, the grouse began dispersing, and the sparrows were not singing as much. Continuing westward on Hwy. 17, we stopped at a beaver lodge marsh at MP 125. From our excellent vantage point, we observed GADWALL, MALLARD, CINNNAMON TEAL, RING-NECKED DUCK, RUDDY DUCK, PIED-BILLED GREBE, AMERICAN COOT, WILSON'S SNIPE, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD.

While vociferous MARSH WRENs demanded our attention, we called in a VIRGINIA RAIL. The rail ran pell mell toward us, swam a channel, and finally stood at the edge of the marsh and began calling. There were at least two other Virginia Rails present and a calling SORA as well.

After we dipped on the Yellow-billed Loon at Chief Joseph Dam, we headed up the Bridgeport Bar. Among the numerous WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWs crowding the fencelines were a couple of LINCOLN'S SPARROWs and a WESTERN MEADOWLARK. In the budding deciduous trees, we saw ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER. Waterfowl at the bar included GREATER SCAUP, LESSER SCAUP, BUFFLEHEAD, HORNED GREBE, AMERICAN COOT, AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, and GADWALL. Other notables included OSPREY, TREE SWALLOW, BALD EAGLE and KILLDEER.

Back in Grant County, we stopped in at Sunbanks Resort. The scattered birds on the resort grounds included GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW, NO. ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW, CLIFF SWALLOW, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, SONG SPARROW, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, NO. FLICKER, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, and nice male, alternate plumaged MYRTLE race YR Warbler.

Northrup Point contained a similar mix of birds (including more Orange-crowned & Nashville Warblers, Lincoln's Sparrow), TURKEY VULTURE, WESTERN GREBE, and NO. PINTAIL. In Northrup Canyon, we added CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD, HOUSE WREN, HERMIT THRUSH, WHITE-THROATED SWIFT, COOPER'S HAWK, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, SPOTTED TOWHEE, HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER, and DUSKY FLYCATCHER. One other day bird was a VARIED THRUSH in Steamboat Rock State Park.

In Sun Lakes State Park, we enjoyed further birdy conditions. Aside from the same mix of warblers, we found FOX SPARROW (racial intergrade), CALIFORNIA GULL, CASPIAN TERN, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, AMERICAN CROW, BROWN CREEPER, ROCK WREN, BARN SWALLOW, WESTERN TANAGER, BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, HERMIT THRUSH, SAVANNAH SPARROW, and eight more LINCOLN'S SPARROWs.

On our return through western Lincoln County we noted SWAINSON'S HAWK, OSPREY, and? ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. Trip mammals for the day Coyote, Mule Deer, and Porcupine.

Of special note, I've never seen so many Lincoln's Sparrows during spring migration. They appeared to be everywhere. Migrant Nashville Warblers seemed more common than usual too. Without a doubt, it was certainly a great day to enjoy spring migration.

Gina Sheridan
Spokane, WA









Waterfowl at the bar