Spokane River C. Mergansers, 7/17/05

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Charles Swift <chaetura@gmail.com>
Date: Jul 23, 2005 8:19 AM
Subject: Spokane River C. Mergansers, 7/17/05
To: inland-nw-birders@uidaho.edu

Hi All -

I kayaked a stretch of the Spokane River in the Spokane Valley area
last Sunday (7/17). We put in at Harvard Park and floated down to
Sullivan Park. While I was primarily concentrating on kayaking, I did
note a number of the expected breeding species for this area including
WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, EASTERN KINGBIRD, and YELLOW WARBLER (still
singing). Of note were several broods of COMMON MERGANSERS which I
thought was interesting considering this is a fairly urban stretch of
river. I wonder if they nested along this stretch or had moved down
from some more remote stretch of river or a tributary? They were fun
to watch exploring the shallows and ably skittering along the water
with just their legs and feet. Other waterbirds along the river
included CANADA GEESE, SPOTTED SANDPIPERS, and a patrolling OSPREY.

thanks, Charles.

--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com

--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com