Yesterday three Westside and four Eastside (Cascades, not Lake Washington)
birders joined me on a trip across Adams County. Titled a "Big Day", there
was more emphasis on filling gaps among the county lists that participants
brought than ticking total species. Rainy conditions, fog, lack of snow
cover but no lack of ice cover on lakes (they're still ice fishing at
Sprague Lake), and soft gravel roads altered the original plan. The route
covered about 180 miles from Othello to Washtucna, Benge, and Ritzville and
returned through Lind to Othello and Columbia NWR, with a last check south
of Othello for owls and roosting eagles. During 9.5 hours we tallied 65
species in Adams County and added Trumpeter Swan less than 200 yards into
Grant County, missing 3 species (including Brewer's Blackbird!) seen the day
before while scouting. We added 9 species to the county year list.
Notable sightings for the county due to the location, season or limited
distribution follow.

Othello east of Highway 17: Five raptors including Prairie Falcon, Savannah
Sparrow.

Othello cemetery: Pair of Great Horned Owls, Golden-crowned Kinglet.

Washtucna: Hermit Thrush, Varied Thrush, Wild Turkey, Downy Woodpecker.

Washtucna to Benge Road: Cooper's Hawk, Golden Eagle, Northern Shrike,
Marsh Wren, American Tree Sparrow, Tricolored Blackbird.

Ritzville: Cackling Goose, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-breasted Nuthatch.

Othello at Sutton Road: Tundra Swan

Columbia NWR at Royal Lake: 15 species of waterfowl (plus Trumpeter Swan
and Golden Eagle in Grant County).

Kielien's driveway (private) and Gillis Road: Barn Owl, Long-eared Owl,
Virginia Rail.

Kinder Gardens Nursery (south of Othello along Highway 17): Bald Eagle

Today's sunny skies might have allowed another 5-10 species.



Randy Hill

Othello