Subject: [Tweeters] Asotin County Shorebird Bonanza
Date: Jul 9 23:55:46 2010
From: Gina Sheridan - gsherida8502 at yahoo.com


On Thursday (7/08/10), Jon Isacoff, Tim O'Brien, Tim Durnell, and Jeff (from
Longview), and I birded western Whitman County southward into Garfield County.
Under cloudless, summer-blue skies, the temps for the trip ranged from around
60
in the morning to torrid 98 degrees in the mid afternoon.

Since Jon and I needed to return to Spokane that evening, we parted company
from the intrepid trio in Pomeroy. Unquestionably, Tim will report the rest of
his trip results soon.

Near Rock Lake (on Glorfield Road), we encountered some attractive looking
ponds
that held some early summer shorebirds. Notable birds here included both
GREATER
& LESSER YELLOWLEGs, WILSON'S SNIPE, and WILSON'S PHALAROPE. The water level
of
Rock Lake itself was quite high, and virtually all the suitable habitat for
migrating shorebirds and terns was submerged. As a consolation, we did see a
COMMON NIGHTHAWK flying above the public fishing access. On a marsh in the town
of Ewan, we detected three fairly vociferous VIRGINIA RAILs.

En route to LaCrosse, we saw several SWAINSON'SHAWKs, GRASSHOPPER
SPARROW, LEAST
SANDPIPER, and EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE ( in the town of LaCrosse). The most
exciting find of the day in Whitman County was undoubtedly the five BURROWING
OWLs that were along a drainage ditch between Winona & LaCrosse.

Crossing into Garfield County (directly across from Central Ferry State Park),
we were greeted by a couple of CASPIAN TERNs and BANK SWALLOWs. The riparian
area a the mouth of Deadman Creek yielded some anticipated birds such as
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, HOUSE & BEWICK'S & ROCK WRENs, DOWNY
WOODPECKER, WESTERN KINGBIRD, SAY'S PHOEBE, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, and BH COWBIRD.

Along Meadow Creek Road, we found GRASSHOPPER SPARROW, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT,
SWAINSON'S HAWK, and NO. ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW.
Later Jon and I made a brief stop at Stember Creek (Garfield County), and saw
EASTERN KINGBIRD and a COMMON NIGHTHAWK.

Crossing over into Asotin County, we stopped at Alpowa Creek WMU. At the mouth
of Alpowa Creek we enjoyed views of loafing CASPIAN TERNs, CALIFORNIA GULLS,
and
a flock of AMERICAN AVOCETs. Some diligent scanning turned up several GREATER
YELLOWLEGS and a LESSER YELLOWLEGs, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, KILLDEER, NO. SHOVELER,
BLUE-WINGED TEAL, WESTERN GREBE, RING-BILLED GULL, and four BAIRD'S SANDPIPERs
(adult birds in alternate plumage). As we scanned for shorebirds, LAZULI
BUNTINGs and YELLOW-BREASTED CHATs provided the soundtrack music.

In Clarkston's vaunted Swallow's Park, there was some exposed mudflats. Wedged
between swimmers on the mudflats were WESTERN SANDPIPERs, one SEMIPALMATED
SANDPIPER, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, and a LEAST SANDPIPER. After the swimmers
flushed
off the two code 5 raritypeeps, we were left with only left three brave
Westerns.

Since this was the first time that I have ever seen migrant shorebirds in
Asotin
County, I ticked eight county lifers (seven shorebirds and the Caspian Tern)
for
Asotin. In Garfield County, I picked up twenty county lifers.

On our return drive northward through Whitman County, we saw a CHUKAR parent
with four chicks. Although we dipped on the Lesser Goldfinch in Nisqually John
Canyon, we were well satisfied with our successful day.

Gina Sheridan
Spokane, WA