My son and I spent this afternoon birding the Coleville Plateau (the high,
lake-dotted area just south of Omak) and were treated with an awesome sight.
While driving west toward Monse in south end of the plateau (Delorme atlas p.
100, C-4) I noticed a huge flock of small birds wheeling around about 1/4 mile
away and behaving like a flock being harassed by a Falcon. I stopped the car
thinking that they were probably Horned Larks (usually the most common winter
passerine on the Coleville), only to find that this was a pure flock of Snow
Buntings conservatively estimated at 2000 individuals. They appeared to be
feeding in a muddy, plowed wheat field. A nearby three wire fence was covered
shoulder to shoulder for more than a hundred yards with birds.

Although this flock was very flighty, the presumed predator was not seen.

Has anyone else observed such a large flock of Snow Buntings in Washington? I
would presume that this would not be an uncommon sight in BC.

Earlier in the day there was a Lapland Longspur and 40 Snow Buntings with larks
along the Timentwa Road 1/2 mile east of its intersection with Wakefield
Cameroon Lake Rd. This area has been very productive and productive for
longspurs and Snow Buntings in late winter and early spring for the last 3 (at
least) winters. The birds feed in wheat stubble on both sides of the road
here.

There are probably many other good areas on the Coleville.

Why is the Coleville Plateau so attractive to these birds? The plateau appears
to be marginal for wheat production, and large weedy areas around the glacial
erratics are left unplowed. Besides it looks arctic with its rocky, treeless,
low relief!

Scott Ray
209 S. 40th Ave
Yakima, WA 98908

(509) 965-5456