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May 26-27, 2006

Six birders braved the unseasonably cool and showery day in Grant County. While no rarities were located we had a very good day of birding with 104 species tallied for the first day. Highlights included:

Three species of hummingbirds, Black-throated, Rufous, and Calliope. All hummingbirds were located at either Northrup Canyon (Calliope) or Northrup Point (Black-chinned and Rufous). The Calliopes seemed to prefer the wild rose found at the mouth of Northrup Canyon, while the Rufous and Black-chinned were feeding heavily on the blooming Black Locust at the picnic area of Northrup Point.

Both species of bluebird seen on the new bluebird trail along SR-155. The Western Bluebird was a female, while both male and female Mountain Bluebird were observed.

Osprey was seen at Sun Lakes State Park; also at Sun Lakes State Park was a nice Peregrine Falcon. A second Peregrine was seen at Northrup Canyon; Red-necked Grebes were observed at Alkali Lake as is becoming customary for this new breeder to the area; Seven species of flycatcher were observed including Olive-sided Flycatcher at Northrup Canyon, Dusky Flycatchers (6-7 total at several locations), and Willow Flycatcher at Hartline; Swainson's Thrush were seen at several locations and the six normally seen swallows were present in good numbers; Red-necked Phalaropes were numerous at the Coulee City STP with at least a dozen, along with a couple of Wilson's Phalarope.

The second day consisted of birding migrant traps of Adams, Franklin, and Whitman Counties, with some time spent in Lincoln County in the Sprague Lake area. An underestimation of time/distance left us with little time to bird some areas of Whitman County other than driving time through this difficult and large county. Birding was generally slow with the best birding in Washtucna at Bassett Park, and again late in the day at Sprague Lake. In spite of the relatively slow birding we managed to find 97 species during our 275 mile odyssey. 21 species were added to the list from Friday for a weekend total of 125 species. Notable birds included:

Clark's Grebe - 1 Sprague Lake (Lincoln County); Wild Turkey - 3 Bassett Park; Dunlin - 1 at a small wetland along SR-23 (Lincoln County); Eurasian Collard-Dove - 3 Bassett Park (a local resident told us there were 4 and a nest was located in their spruce tree); Townsend's Warbler hybrid - 1 Bassett Park (an unusual bird that appeared to be a hybrid though with what is uncertain)

Common birds offering great views:

Common Nighthawk - 1 Palouse Falls State Park (perched on a limb in plain view and preened and offered obliging photo opportunities); Grasshopper Sparrow - many along SR-261 perched on fences; Barn Owl - several at Hooper offering nice flight views and scope views; Burrowing Owl - Brief but nice view near LaCrosse; Black Tern - many hawking over Sprague Lake; Hammond's Flycatcher - 2 Bassett Park very cooperative individuals at close range allowing opportunity for descriptive ID characteristics.