Synopsis
Our annual trip to Potholes never disappoints. This year we were a month later than when we usually go, but we still saw the Sandhill Cranes off of Dodson – Frenchhill Roads. Also present were the large (although not as numerous, as many have likely continued migration) raft of Snow Goose in the reservoir.

One slight difference this year was walking a 6-mile loop trail around Pillar, Wigeon and Hampton Lakes on the eastern side of Columbia NWR. For whatever reason, we never hiked the trail. It was a pleasant trail along an old road/dike. It was pleasant looking at the small lakes and sagebrush stretched out below. In the rock walls of the man-made channels, Cliff Swallows were busy building nests and claiming territory. Violet-green Swallows were also building their nests in cavities in the rock wall. White-crowned Sparrows seemed to be in every sagebrush and would flit away on our approach.

On the way home, we stopped at Whiskey Dick Ridge in LT Murray WA to see the wildflowers and to see if the hedgehog cactus were blooming. We weren’t disappointed. However, the wind was howling and birding was somewhat impaired, especially on the ridge. Still it was lovely hike through the blooming Hooker’s Balsamroot, Desert Parsley, and Lupine.

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Pictures (click on thumbnails to enlarge)

Bird List

Snow Goose	C, P
Cackling Goose	C
Canada Goose	C, P
Northern Shoveler	C
Gadwall	C
Mallard	C, P
Green-winged Teal	C
Ring-necked Duck	C
Greater Scaup	P
Lesser Scaup	C
Bufflehead	C, P
Ruddy Duck	C
Great Horned Owl	P
California Quail	C, P
Ring-necked Pheasant	C, P
Mourning Dove	C, P
American Coot	C, P
Killdeer	C, P
Ring-billed Gull	C, P
Caspian Tern	C
Double-crested Cormorant	C
Western Grebe	P
Great Egret	C, P
American White Pelican	C
Osprey	C
Northern Harrier	C, P, W
Bald Eagle	C, P
Red-tailed Hawk	C
Northern Flicker	C, P
Downy Woodpecker	P
American Kestrel	W
Say's Phoebe	C, W
Black-billed Magpie	C
Common Raven	C, W
Horned Lark	C, W
Violet-green Swallow	C, P
Cliff Swallow	C
Rock Wren	C
Canyon Wren	C
Marsh Wren	C
Bewick's Wren	C
European Starling	C, P
Sage Thrasher	W
Mountain Bluebird	W
American Robin	C, P
Cedar Waxwing	P
House Sparrow	P
House Finch	C, P
American Goldfinch	C, P
White-crowned Sparrow	C, P
Sagebrush Sparrow	W
Vesper Sparrow	W
Song Sparrow	C, P
Western Meadowlark	C, P, W
Red-winged Blackbird	C, P
Brown-headed Cowbird	C, P
Brewer's Blackbird	C, P
Orange-crowned Warbler	P
Yellow-rumped Warbler	P, W
Critters
Porcupine
Yellow-bellied Marmot

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