The WOS fieldtrip began at Eloika Lake in northern Spokane
Co. Terry Little knows this part of the
state very well and I was glad for his help in leading on Friday July 1. We drove north into Pend Oreille County and
birded the southern Pend Oreille County border where we had Say?s Phoebe and Western Kingbird, both tough in Pend Oreille County. Pend Oreille County Park, nearby, was where
many of the group had camped the night before where Common Nighthawks, Townsend?s Warblers, and a Brown Creeper were some of the highlights. A quick pass through Newport did not reveal
any Eurasian Collared-Doves where
they had recently been seen. Calispell
Lake water level was high with few ducks, but we did see Black Terns and all three nuthatches, with White-breasted Nuthatch being tough in most of Pend Oreille County. Bobolinks
were close by in the tall grassy fields and displaying by flying around calling
and dropping out of sight into the tall grass.
A few miles further an American
Redstart came out to investigate our birding party. Super Looks!

After lunch at the Cusick boat launch we headed for Salmo
Lookout checking Sullivan Creek for Harlequin
Ducks, which we could not find. The Barred Owl was also absent at Gypsy
Meadows. We could not make the last
half-mile due to lots of snow. Here we
stopped and found Boreal Chickadee
singing with food in his/her mouth. A
female Pine Grosbeak made a quick
stop long enough for all to see. A quick
stop in Metaline Falls on the bridge watching the cliffs, until we finally
found White-throated Swifts, our
target. One last stop was just south of
Metaline Falls at the Bank Swallow
colony where at first there was no sign of any swallows, but when we stopped
they came pouring out of their holes in the bank high above the highway. Also present were 1,000?s of mosquitoes.

After camping at Big Meadow Lake and hearing the pair of Common Loons call at dusk and dawn we quickly
found the Northern Waterthrush. We birded our way over Smackout Pass,
stopping occasionally. One stop we had Gray Jay, and heard Chestnut-backed Chickadees and the best
bird of the trip, Red-breasted Sapsucker,
showed up briefly before taking off. We
spent time hoping it would come back, but only a nesting pair of Red-naped
Sapsuckers would come in from time to time to feed their noisy youngsters. This Red-breasted
Sapsucker sighting is a first for Stevens County. Our next stop was to recheck the LeConte?s Sparrow spot near Deep
Lake. One never knows when it will
reappear or something better at this spot.
Obviously we didn?t see it, but did find a male Cinnamon Teal and Wilson?s
Snipe. Cedar Lake had a Ruddy Duck and Yellow-headed Blackbirds which is just north of Deep Lake. At Clugston Creek ? Onion Creek Road junction
with Hwy 25 we stopped to see Vesper
Sparrows which breed here.

We crossed over into Ferry County at Kettle Falls after not
finding much and tried for Eurasian
Collared-Doves in the trailer court, but never heard a one. Crossing over Sherman Pass and stopping to
see the young trees taking over the old burn from years ago we found Nashville Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler,
Orange-crowned Warbler, and Clark?s Nutcrackers. Mud Lake had a few ducks on it with Lesser Scaup seeming out of place for
this time of year. A stop at Don and
Ione McKnight?s who showed us both Virginia
Rail, and Sora. A Calliope
Hummingbird male sat on the wire above their feeder while a male Lazuli Bunting sang close by. Don took the majority of the group down to
the Flying Squirrels box, but it
wouldn?t stick his/her head out to let the group view him/her.

July 3 we birded the San Poil River drainage. 10-mile Camp was full of Veeries, making it the Veery capitol of Washington State. Catbirds
called nearby in the brush. We headed
for Toroda Creek Road and west to Beaver Lake and Beth Lake. Common
Goldeneyes had their ducklings with them. Black Terns and Spotted Sandpipers were also present. On to
Molson where Canvasbacks with their
young was a surprise along with a female Bufflehead
and brood. Going west we found 5 Greater Yellowlegs and 1 Pectoral Sandpiper. Further west on Nine Mile Road we saw and
heard Clay-colored and Brewer?s Sparrows.


Hart?s Pass was our last destination. A Northern
Pygmy-Owl called once near dusk with
Hermit and Varied Thrushes singing in the woods. A Common
Loon flew over Hart?s Pass just as the sun was chasing the freezing
temperatures away. A Pine Grosbeak was at the Pass
also. Down the road revealed a salt lick
where 12+ Mountain Goats were seen
and 2 Purple Finches. Washington Pass was pretty quiet as we all
headed towards home. Thanks to those who
followed through all the dusty forest service roads and help spot the 142
species seen on this fieldtrip.






Ken
Knittle

Vancouver WA
98665 mailto:washingtonbirder.com
Washington Birder online



http://www.wabirder.com/