Yesterday Steve Pink and I followed the lead of Dave Hayden and birded the east end of Riffe Lake. We were not disappointed. Thank you, Dave!!

Within a few minutes, we were looking at a CLARK'S GREBE. There were several HORNED GREBE'S as well, and we were surprised to see a RED-NECKED GREBE as well as a PACIFIC LOON. There were a few COMMON LOONS. A small group of AMERICAN PIPITS landed in close proximity and entertained us.

A few minutes later a flock of GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE flew overhead. There was one SNOW GOOSE in the flock. Many great birds in short order. Remuneration for previous twitches and dips.

The 2 small ponds that Dave mentioned previously were still there. Eight GREATER YELLOWLEGS and 2 juv LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS remained. Also 4 KILLDEER. No other shorebirds.

We saw very few birds at the west end of the lake. We had a few WESTERN SCRUB-JAYS and a EURASIAN COLLERED-DOVE in Mossyrock.

We drove down to Dike Road in Cowlitz County, but failed to find the previously reported BLACK PHOEBE. However, we enjoyed large numbers of SANDHILL CRANES and MINIMA CACKLING GEESE. Also a GREAT EGRET.

It was a good day.


Marv Breece
Seattle, WA
mbreece at earthlink.net