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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Centennial Trail flush with nesting birds

A  robin leaps into the air while taking a bath in a parking lot puddle at River Forks Park near Roseburg, Ore. (Associated Press)
A robin leaps into the air while taking a bath in a parking lot puddle at River Forks Park near Roseburg, Ore. (Associated Press)
WILDLIFE WATCHING -- Serious birdwatchers are finding plenty to see and hear along the Spokane River Centennial Trail this week.   Here's part of a report posted today by Tina Blewett on Inland Northwest Birders.
 
Went on a walk on the Centennial Trail yesterday and saw a lovely number of species, but what was great was the number of birds on nests we also found.  We parked at the access point near the YMCA off the Pines Street Exit off I-90 and walked downstream.  
 
Active nests we found: Black-headed grosbeak, cedar waxwing, American Robin, cliff swallow, eastern kingbird, and European starling (boo!).  We also saw a lot of birds provisioning chicks or saw chicks: American robin, cedar waxwing, and several times pygmy nuthatches.  
 
The place was so crowded with cedar waxwings, seemed like we saw a different pair, or an adult with a chick every couple hundred feet; they were fun.  
 
We also saw an interesting behavior.  Near the Eastern kingbird nest, a male bullock's oriole came right up to the nest with the adult kingbird right there, and it appeared as if the oriole tried to stick its head in the nest.  The kingbird chased it away.  And we had a fun time watching a Bewick's wren bask in the sun, and sing it's cheerful song.  
 
Great little place for a lunchbreak!


Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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