Birders' top spots: Potholes State Park

	GLEN SMART / U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE, 2002 Lesser scaups are among birds commonly seen at Potholes State Park in Eastern Washington.
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Location: Grant County, Eastern Washington.

Habitat: A 640-acre, family-friendly park with sagebrush, shrubs and tall trees, and shoreline on Potholes Reservoir.

Best seasons for birding: Winter, spring, autumn.

Birds commonly seen: In winter, tundra swans fly overhead, while plentiful prey draws bald eagles, northern harriers and red-tailed hawks. Watch lake for buffleheads, American coots, greater and lesser scaups, and common goldeneyes. Spring migration brings Lewis's woodpeckers in May, plus black-headed grosbeaks, nesting Bullock's orioles and abundant California quail. Watch for ospreys in May and September.

Viewing tips: Take quarter-mile interpretive trail that starts at day-use area, or walk park perimeter. Walk east along beach a half-mile to Washington Fish and Wildlife Department's Blythe Access boat launch to see shorebirds in spring and early fall, and sparrows in winter. (Boat launch accessible by car from Highway 262 at Milepost 13.1).

Getting there: From Highway 262/O'Sullivan Dam Road at Milepost 12.7, turn north into Potholes State Park. State Parks parking fee, $5 per day or $50 per year, required.

More information: www.parks.wa.gov

Source: Audubon Washington. For free maps of Washington birding sites, call 866-922-4737 and ask for Great Washington State Birding Trail maps ("Cascade Loop" or "Coulee Corridor") or request online at www.wa.audubon.org.

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