Subject: Field notes from N/C Washington
Date: Mar 19 22:42:56 1995
From: SCRAY at delphi.com - SCRAY at delphi.com


Birding news from North/Central Washington...

Two gray-phase Gyrfalcons have were found last week, one on the Colville
Plateau (Okanogan Co.) and one on the Waterville Plateau (Douglas Co.). The
first one, a very large (female?) bird was found and photographed on 3/15 along
the east-west section of the Wakefield-Camroon Lake Rd (Delorme pg 100, C-4).
It could not be relocated on 3/17, 3/18, or 3/19.

The second bird was found along Hwy 17 about 5 miles north of Sim's Corner
(Delorme pg 84, A-5) on 3/18 but could not be relocated on 3/19.

Spring is well on its way in Okanogan Co. with most lakes being ice-free.
However, Ferry County appears to still be in the grip of late winter with all
lakes and ponds (except Lake Roosevelt) being frozen with up to several inches
of ice.

Other items of note from Okanogan Co. this weekend (and last) include numerous
Violet-green Swallows in many places and a few Tree Swallows along Palmer Lake.
Calling Saw-whet, Screech, and Long-eared Owls were easily found at Champneys
Slough (Pg. 114 A-3) on 3/11 and 3/18.

Five to 10 Lapland Longspurs were found among hundreds of Horned Larks along
the west end of Timentwa Rd. (Pg. 100 101, C-5, T31N R27E, sec 6 & 7) on 3/17
but only 2 were found here on 3/19. There were also 3 Snow Buntings. During
the last 3 years, this area has produced as many as several dozen Laplands and
one Chestnut-collared Longspur in mid March. This area is dominated by wheat
stuble and rocky outcrops and appears to be a staging area for these winter
visitors. It was near here that 2000+ Snow Buntings were found in early Feb.

On 3/11 a single male of the early-migrating Williamson's Sapsucker was found
at Beaver Lake (Pg 116, B-1). One week later, on 3/19, at least 4 sapsuckers
were present here including 2 males and 2 females. Several single birds were
found at other places in the surrounding pine/larch forests.

A male Goshawk was seen on 3/11 and 3/12, 1.1 miles up Mt. Annie Road (Pg. 115,
C-8). His agitated demeanor suggested possible nesting nearby. This area also
produced 2 Pygmy Owls and 3 Pine Grosbeaks on 3/12.

Many flocks of Mountain Birbirds and a few Western Bluebirds were seen moving
through the Okanogan Co. on both weekends. On 3/11 a flock of 44 mostly male
Mountain Bluebirds was seen in a 1-2 acre area near Goose Lake, east of the
Colville Plateau making each sage bush in this field look like it had a blue
light bulb on top!

Scott Ray
209 So. 40th Ave
Yakima, WA 98908
scray at delphi.com