Hi all,

Tom Mansfield and I birded together this weekend. Saturday was primarily spent in Stevens County where we went as far north as the Little Pend Oreille Refuge just outside of Colville. Sunday was primarily in Spokane County where we spent most of the day in the north and east part of the county. Both days we drove out through the Long Lake Dam area and then into Spring Creek Canyon in Lincoln County.

Following some great information provided by Terry Little and Tim Durnell, we found most of our target birds in all 3 counties. Thanks guys!

Saturday morning started at Tum Tum, where we quickly found a lone WESTERN GREBE close to shore on the Spokane River. A few miles west on Highway 291 at milepost 28 we found the previously reported WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS.

We then made a quick swing northwest to Wellpinit and then made our way east to Ford. Along the Ford-Wellpinit Road, we stopped for TOWNSEND'S WARBLER and managed to call in a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL.

Heading north towards Valley, we cut-off onto Betteridge Road and found a BLACK TERN working the first pond. Waitts Lake had several RED-NECKED GREBES scattered about. Working out way west of the lake on Red Marble Road, we gained some elevation and found another Pygmy Owl, plus CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE and SWAINSON'S THRUSH. A Moose was an added plus in a wetland along the road.

At the Little Pend Oreille NWR, we visited several of the lakes in hopes of finding Marsh Wren, but we were not successful. VIRGINIA RAIL and SORA were present in many of the wetlands plus COMMON YELLOWTHROAT. We did find a RUFFED GROUSE in the middle of one road.

Heading back south, we stopped in Spring Creek Canyon and found the previously reported RED-EYED VIREO singing away near MP 38.

On Saturday evening, Tom visited the COMMON POORWILLs along Old Trails Road northeast of Airway Heights and had a good visual of one that came in very close. On Sunday morning, we also had one respond to tape in broad daylight!

Sunday morning, we hit the West Plains centered around MacFarlane and Stroup Roads. We found the GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS at the intersection of Ladd and MacFarlane. Next, we visited the 90 degree corner on Stroup Road and had one singing CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. LARK SPARROWS were numerous along Inland Road just north of Old Trails Road. At the Deep Creek Overlook, we found PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER and CANYON WREN, not to mention several TURKEY VULTURES.

Our next destination was Mount Spokane and just like Terry's report from yesterday, it did not disappoint! The best bird on the mountain was a NORTHERN GOSHAWK that appeared to be stalking a calling OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER. The Goshawk zoomed by us once and luckily then came back allowing us a much better look. Other birds seen/heard on Mount Spokane included STELLER'S JAY, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, HERMIT THRUSH, and RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD. We were not able to find Fox Sparrow, but the wind was blowing pretty strong near the top. Driving back down into the foothills along the Mount Spokane Highway and Holcomb Road, we added VEERY, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE, and a COOPER'S HAWK.

We then headed north for Allen Road in search of the mythical Spokane County Bobolinks, but had no success. One of the fields near the spot had been recently cut. We then headed back to Stevens County to find some missed targets.

Back at MP 28 west of Tum Tum, we scored on CANYON WREN that flew in quite close and was silent for awhile, but then it burst into full song. Also on the rocks here were a couple ROCK WRENS. Luckily, above the rocks three large raptors were playing in the wind. Training the spotting scope onto the large brownish looking birds revealed three adult GOLDEN EAGLES.

Being satisfied with our work in Stevens, we than headed for one last stop by Long Lake Dam and could not coax a Pileated to show up. However, back in Spring Creek Canyon, we did finally get SWAINSON'S THRUSH, PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER, and WILLOW FLYCATCHER.

We both added to our respective county lists in each of the counties visited. It was a great time exploring parts of all 3 counties! It was a great weekend!

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