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April 2 - 3, 2005

Doug Schonewald led a weekend trip to the Upper Grand Coulee and

Dodson Road/Potholes area of Grant County

Five of us braved the wind and colder temperatures to bird the Grand Coulee (4/2) and the Dodson Road/North Potholes Reserve/Potholes State Park (4/3).

April 2: Saturday began slowly and birds were fewer than we would have liked. Our first bird of the day was a Burrowing Owl attending a nest near Moses Lake. We then went to Soap Lake where we were able to view 5 or 6 Long-billed Curlew as they fed in an alfalfa field. East Beach at Soap Lake had a pair of Dunlin to spike our interest, and the lake offered the usual Ruddy Ducks, Lesser Scaup, and Eared Grebes. Several Osprey were noted on the way to Sun Lakes State Park for lunch. Lunch at Sun Lakes State Park began quietly until a gull was noticed that appeared unusual. When the bird took flight it was obvious that it was unusual. The wings were very dark and exceptionally long, the rump was very white, and the mantle was very dark. When the bird eventually landed we all managed great looks at a second-year LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. What a great bird! I believe this is the same bird that was located at the same place last October. Other birds of note on the trip to Grand Coulee: Loggerhead Shrike, Great Egret, Barrow's Goldeneye, Long-eared Owl, Great Horned Owl, Golden Eagle, and Bald Eagle.

April 3: Our day began looking for Clark's Grebes on Moses Lake, which we managed to dip on. Our second stop was at the North Potholes Reserve where we were able to observe the heron rookery which contained many Double-crested Cormorants, Great Blue Herons, Great Egret, and Black-crowned Night-Heron. We were also able to locate the elusive BUSHTITS of the interior race and had very good looks at these hard to find local residents. Cinnamon Teal and several other common waterfowl were present. Birder's Corner produced Canvasbacks, nice looks at Redheads, and two Black-necked Stilts. Potholes State Park produced many birds including 9 Mountain Chickadees, 1 Chestnut-backed Chickadee, and plenty of Golden-crowned & Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Red-breasted Nuthatches as well as several breeding plumage Yellow-rumped Warblers.

We managed to locate 91 species on a cold and blustery weekend. It was a great weekend.