Subject: [Tweeters] WOS Spokane County Big Day field trip report, Nov. 1
Date: Nov 1 18:51:40 2009
From: Tim O'Brien - kertim7179 at yahoo.com


Today, seven west-side birders joined me in a Big Day quest in Spokane county. The weather was great with sunny skies and light wind. The morning was cold with frost in many places. We started the day in the Four Lakes area and then circled our way around the county ending the day at the top of Indian Canyon. Notable stops included Turnbull NWR, Philleo Lake, Spangle, Fairfield, Mount Spokane and its foothills, Wandemere Pond, Spokane Fish Hatchery, Little Spokane River Natural area, and Nine Mile dam.

Total species seen today for the group was 72. We drove 171 miles and spent 10 hours birding. Here are the highlights:

Hallet Road pond (east of the Petro Truck Stop): 3 Greater White-fronted Geese and 7 Cackling Geese.

Granite Lake - 1 male Redhead (only one of the day)

Meadow Lake - 8 Lesser Scaup

Turnbull NWR - the family of 6 Trumpeter Swans, one female Wood Duck, Northern Shrike, both Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, singing Marsh Wrens, White-breasted Nuthatch, 2 Red-winged Blackbirds, and a very vocal flock of Red Crossbills

Philleo Lake - a very well hidden Great Horned Owl on the road to the lake (nice spot Mr. Hobbs!), about 50 Tundra Swans, Hooded Mergansers, Killdeer, Long-billed Dowitchers, and Cedar Waxwing

Fairfield - no Collared Doves, but we did find a soaring Rough-legged Hawk

Along Hwy 27 heading north - big flock of Wild Turkeys

Mount Spokane - one Northern Harrier (possible juvie heading south), Steller's Jay, and Chestnut-backed Chickadees

Madison Road - one Northern Pygmy-Owl who came in to my tooting allowing great looks and listens!

Wandemere Pond (at the Wandemere Golf Course) - Ring-necked Duck and an AMERICAN DIPPER (odd spot but there is a good looking human built rocky stream here with bridges so this may be the new county hot spot for this species)

Spokane Fish Hatchery - Common Merganser, Bald Eagle, Belted Kingfisher, Winter Wren, and another Dipper

Little Spokane NA at Painted Rocks - Pileated Woodpecker

Nine Mile Dam - 30 Double-crested Comorants, Horned Grebe

Indian Canyon - Ring-necked Pheasant (making weird sounds), Bewick's Wren

As were ending the trip back at the Petro truck stop, a Great Horned Owl flew up and lit on an utility pole to bid us good-bye for the day. Thanks to everyone who joined the trip today. It was a great day with great company!

Tim O'Brien
Cheney, WA
mailto: kertim7179 at yahoo dot com