Inspired by Meredith Spencer's reports the past couple of days and the influx of Ibis sightings on the east side, I headed over to Douglas County today to check some vernal spots on the Waterville Plateau. While the mud at the places I checked is disappearing on the edges, there were still plenty of good birds today. The large wet area at the top of Bridgeport Hill and Road 18 wasn't quite as exciting for me as for Meredith but still there were Avocets, Wilson's Phalaropes, Baird's and Least sandpipers. A vernal patch on the "Highway to Mansfield" at mile post 16 had Greater Yellowlegs, a half dozen Long-billed Dows, both Red-necked and Wilson's phalaropes, and a lone Pectoral Sandpiper. The big "lake" behind the St. Andrews Grange had nothing but Avocets but the ponds and wet area on St. Andrews Road at Road N had 1 White-faced Ibis and at least 3 Whimbrel poking in and out of view. Fairly difficult scope views but identifiable and distant photos taken. There was much of the same (less the Ibis and Whimbrels) at a very large vernal pond just off Highway 2 and L Road NE, southwest of St. Andrew. This is a large pond with great edges that may take some time to dry up and may offer some good birds in the days to come.

Tom Mansfield in Ritzville tonight.