Subject: [Tweeters] WOS NE WA Fieldtrip July 2009
Date: Jul 9 09:46:23 2009
From: washingtonbirder.Knittle - washingtonbirder at hotmail.com



The WOS field trip to the northeastern part of Washington was a five (5) day event. Participants were varied, some being photographers, many county listers, and some just life birds as their target. Thanks to Tim O?Brien for co-leading the first day in Spokane Co.

On the way to Liberty Lake some of us stopped at Cow Lake where Grasshopper Sparrows, Black-crowned Night-Heron, and assorted ducks were seen. Then we stopped at the Sprague sewer ponds and noted 1 Franklin?s Gull, 3 Caspian Terns, 3 Bonaparte?s Gulls, a few Western Sandpipers, Wilson?s Phalaropes, and 1 each of Black-necked Stilt and American Avocet.

The trip began at Liberty Lake east of Spokane and birded our way north without having to drive through downtown Spokane to head north. Highlights were 1 American Redstart, a pair of Red-necked Grebes, and 2 Northern Pygmy-Owls. Also Nashville Warbler and Chestnut-backed Chickadees were seen.

In Pend Oreille Co. we birded our way up the east side of the Pend Oreille River stopping at several ponds and wetlands. Calispell Lake had American White Pelicans, Black Tern and the usual water birds. A few Bobolinks were on Meadow Road just west of Cusick. At the southern end of Sullivan Lake we encountered 2 Vaux?s Swifts displaying.

Day 2 the group birded the road up to Salmo Lookout as the road had recently been cleared of a large rock and landslide. 1 Boreal Chickadee responded to the tape, but was otherwise pretty quiet. Other birds seen were 1 imm. Golden Eagle flying super high, a flock of Gray Jays, 1 Mountain Bluebird, Townsend?s Solitaires, Hermit Thrushes, 1 Fox Sparrow. And a distant woodpecker which would not come closer to check us out. One car had a Northern Goshawk fly overhead as we were descending the dusty road. A quick stop to view the super large Bank Swallow colony near Metaline Falls. The afternoon was warm so we headed up to higher country around Big Meadow Lake with 2 Common Loons, and a Northern Waterthrush at the normal places. We spent the evening at Twin Lakes with several Red-necked Grebes and a cow Moose who was very nervous and took off for cover. Back in the campground was a Northern Three-toed Woodpecker.

Day 3 started at Amazon Creek west of Colville. A Northern Waterthrush and a Lincoln?s Sparrow were noted. At White Mud Lake an adult Virginia Rail with black chicks were out in the open for easy viewing. Some of the group had a Lesser Yellowlegs just south of White Mud Lake. At Meyer?s Falls a Veery was calling and seen and a very early Solitary Sandpiper was on the mud. It took some time finding the Vesper Sparrows which breed at the west end of Clugston ? Onion Creek Road. Hummingbirds and a Cooper?s Hawk were seen at the retired miner?s home north of Northport. Boundary Road was unproductive due mainly to the hot time of the day and many boaters were on Deep Lake. Normally this is a very birdy place to bird. Since the temperature was very hot we headed to Curlew where many Lewis?s Woodpeckers were just north of the bridge and the Least Flycatcher responded ? mile west of Curlew at the west end of an Aspen grove along the Kettle River. Lee Johnson?s home is always a welcomed place. As we drove up a Prairie Falcon circled and flew over Lee?s house. This is very rare for where it was. The target birds were well seen and Black Terns were seen in the marsh. On the way back towards Republic a large black Black Bear crossed the highway and ran up the hill. We camped at 10-mile camp south of Republic which is noted for the many Veeries.

Day 4 the group began at Mud Lake north of Republic and then to the Republic sewer ponds south of town where we found a nest hole of a Pygmy Nuthatch. Don & Ione McKnight?s home was a quick stop as the day was warming already and we still had the hot Swawilla Basin to contend with. The McKnights have lots of birds we appreciated their efforts they have to show us their birds. Sorry we had to move on so quickly. Just a short way south we stopped for Bobolinks which were flying in the eastern part of the grassy field. Another stop for those that weren?t along for the previous day?s stop for White-throated Swifts. This is just north of 10-mile Camp. Just starting up the grade towards Swawilla Basin we had a Gray Flycatcher and another Black Bear. Yellow-breasted Chats were vocal and showed themselves in a nice thicket along the way. Horned Larks were handling the heat better then most of us. And in the large Sage Brush area a Brewer?s Sparrow revealed itself. This is a much south after species in this county and not often seen. The road was super dusty making it hard to drive in. Several cars had problems overheating, but we all managed to get through it. Due to the heat (101 F) we headed straight for Hart?s Pass where it was 30 degrees cooler at 7100 ft. American Pipits chased around on the rocks below Slate Peak. A fleeting glimpse of a female Pine Grosbeak was seen. Camping in cool temperatures and hearing Hermit and Varied Thrushes sing as we watched a very colorful sunset from Hart?s Pass.

Day 5 we birded Slate Creek Rd. for Spruce Grouse, but no such luck. This is normally a good place to find them. We did find a nest hole of a Northern Three-toed Woodpecker and further up the road a Lincoln?s, Chipping, and Fox Sparrows in a small meadow. These are good birds for Whatcom Co. At Meadows Campground were singing Savannah Sparrows, Evening Grosbeaks, and White-crowned Sparrows.

It was a great 5 days and new people for all of us to bird with. Thanks to those who joined me and helped find the birds.


Ken Knittle
Vancouver WA 98665
mailto:washingtonbirder at hotmail.com
Washington Birder online
http://www.wabirder.com/