Hello,

I was hoping to catch some migration going on along the Pend Oreille River and Harvey Creek Rd to Bunchgrass Meadows. Turned out to be a pretty nice day.

The fun started early this morning along the dike road at the Kalispell Indian Reservation. I found a LAPLAND LONGSPUR (county lifer - code 5) that allowed some really nice looks. 10 American Pipits, 2 Evening Grosbeaks, Horned Grebes (2), and a Cooper's Hawk were also seen along the dike. Just a few minutes later, while scoping the river for "whatever" I found a SABINE'S GULL (county lifer - I believe a county record) flying north of the dike road. Though the bird was a long ways off, the wing pattern was recognized as well as a distinctive flight pattern. All white tail suggests a basic plumaged adult.

My next stop was at the mouth of LeClerc Creek. Here I found a number of migrants, especially a nice mixed sparrow flock that included Spotted Towhee, Song, White crowned, Lincoln's (3), Fox (2), WHITE THROATED (tan striped - 2), GOLDEN CROWNED (1 - county lifer). Also in the area was a Red naped Sapsucker, Ruby crowned Kinglet, Pine Siskins, and a Gray Catbird.

Finally, I made it to Harvey Creek Rd (to Bunchgrass Meadows) a little later than I like. The trip up and back was overall not too birdy, but there were a few exceptions: NORTHERN GOSHAWK, Cooper's Hawk, Northern Pygmy Owl (3), BOREAL CHICKADEES (4), PINE GROSBEAK (1).

Not a bad day.

Terry Little
Mead, Wa