Happy Easter Inlanders!

Despite a turn toward winter weather that included snow showers and breezy conditions, Jon Isacoff and I trekked southward into Asotin County on Saturday (4/03/10). We enjoyed sunny breaks in the clouds and plenty of good early spring birding.

After noting the expected two species of gulls (i.e. Ring-billed & California), Belted Kingfisher, and unimpressive variety of waterfowl in Swallows Park, Clarkston, we continued on to the town of Asotin. Upon arrival at Chief Looking Glass Park, we were thrilled to behold a bright array of grazing waterfowl on the spring green lawn. Among the mix of CANADA GEESE and AMERICAN WIGEON, there were the previously reported SNOW GOOSE, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE -4, and a minuma CACKLING GOOSE. Since these uncommon geese were the driving motivation for us to undertake the long drive to Asotin County, we felt like we had just found all the prizes in an Easter Egg Hunt.

Meanwhile, pair of OSPREY and a large flock of VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWs coursed over the Snake River. Upriver, we picked up WOOD DUCK, COMMON MERGANSER and Mule Deer.

Opting to bird next along Asotin Creek, we were quickly rewarded with four LESSER GOLDFINCHES. While one adult Lesser Goldfinch provided us with some crippling views, we added DE JUNCO, BC CHICKADEE, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, and DOWNY WOODPECKER. Farther up the canyon, we encountered PRAIRIE FALCON above the rim, SAY'S PHOEBE, WESTERN BLUEBIRD, and WILD TURKEY.

Even though we didn't hold out much hope for finding any elusive Mt. Quail at midday, we birded a bit of the Asotin WMA. Some of the more charming denizens here included an unusually sedate CANYON WREN (Jon took some great pics of this photogenic bird), a fence post hopping TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE, and a vociferous BEWICK'S WREN.

Heading up the Asotin-Anatone grade, we experienced the usual dips on our desired Asotin County Chukar or Gray Partridge. On the windswept plateau, we did find HORNED LARK, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, RED-TAILED HAWK, NO. HARRIER, NO. RAVEN, and best of all - ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK -2.

At the 4000' elevation in Fields Spring State Park, we entered the snowbound (but very beautiful) montane habitat. As we birded the northern park entrance road, we were ecstatic to find a vocal pair of WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKERs. As several furtive VARIED THRUSHes were hopping around the forest floor, small flocks of RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, MT. CHICKADEEs, CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEEs, and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS appeared as animated ornaments on the the branches of tall Western Larches and Grand Firs. Later, a scolding STELLER'S JAY came flying over our heads.

Although we tried working the spot where White-headed Woodpecker has been seen in the past, we had no joy with that species. At that point, we were being pelted with a heavy snow shower. As the cold slowly infiltrated our feet, we were both wishing that we had been wearing insulated snow boots.

After wrapping up our Asotin County day list with 62 species, crossed the Red Wolf Bridge into Whitman County. Arriving at sunset at Nisqually John Canyon, we weren't able to coax up much more than a couple of WHITE-CROWNED & SONG SPARROWs. Wawawai Park was quiet too. As darkness set in on the Wawawai-Pullman Plateau, we found our last good bird. A SHORT-EARED OWL flew over us, and Jon was quite happy to finally score his nemesis ABA lifer.

Wishing all of you the best of birding,

Gina Sheridan

Spokane, WA