I'd like to add that the frost layer that holds water in some of these
temporary or seasonal wetlands disappears, it also affects the roads as
Meredith mentions. They become soft. Road weight restrictions are placed
on paved roads as this occurs to protect the integrity and, hopefully,
reduce maintenance costs. It is worse with gravel roads. Not only a chance
to get stuck, but they become rutted and a major headache for maintenance
crews if driven on. Please consider a route that is safe and doesn't create
a problem for overworked county road crews. Whether or not they are
designated closed, many unpaved roads should be considered off limits during
this period.

Randy Hill
Othello

-----Original Message-----
From: tweeters-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of
merdave at homenetnw.net
Sent: January-21-10 9:38 PM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: [Tweeters] Wet spots; Doug. County


Hi, Tweeters. I know there are many people who come to the
Douglas/Okanogan counties to bird. One hot spot that has been dry for
many years is Atkins Lake, on Hwy. 2, west of the Dry Falls junction.
(See DeLorme, p. 85, 4 1/2 and D.) Right now, Atkins Lake is a lake
again!!! We've seen C. Geese, Pintails and Mallards there. There is
water over the road (Heritage), just north of the lake, so I recommend Rd.
O, which is paved. There are many wet spots, some with birds. Almost all
snow is melted, so dirt roads are very soft. If the water stays,
migration of shorebirds and waterfowl should be very good this spring.
Good birding to you all.


Meredith Spencer, Bridgeport, WA.
merdave at homenetnw.net



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