See 'vacationing' shorebirds at Potholes mud flats

Lind Coulee Overview, Site 10 from "Coulee Corridor" route of Audubon Washington's Great Washington State Birding Trail.

Location: Potholes Reservoir, south of Moses Lake, Grant County.

Habitat: 100+ acres of Bureau of Reclamation/Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) land; Potholes Reservoir with shallow water and mud flats bordered by willow thickets. Water level in reservoir is lowered July-October, creating extensive mud flats that draw flocks of shorebirds more commonly found on the coast.

Best seasons for birding: Summer and fall.

Birds commonly seen: Look for six species of sandpiper including Baird's and pectoral; as well as greater and lesser yellowlegs, long-billed dowitchers, and American avocets. Along with shorebirds come raptors: peregrine falcons, merlins, and northern harriers. During migration, check willows for yellow-rumped and Wilson's warblers, and ruby-crowned and golden-crowned kinglets.

Viewing tip: Good view of both arms of Lind Coulee at road pullout 0.2 mile before parking lot. Use scope to identify shorebirds.

Getting there: From Highway 17 south of Moses Lake, turn west onto Highway 262 toward Potholes State Park. Drive 4 miles. At Milepost 20, turn north onto Road M Southeast. Drive 0.3 mile. At end of guard rail, turn right (east) onto unnamed gravel road. Drive 0.3 mile to WDFW parking area on right.

Source: Audubon Washington, Great Washington State Birding Trail maps. See maps online (or order hard copies, $4.95 apiece), at wa.audubon.org.