>On the way home from Moses Lake (where we failed to spot the Snowy Owls),
>we spotted a bunch (6-10) of sharp-tailed grouse. They were right along
>the road (Highway 23) just south (east?) of St. John. This is the first
>time we've ever seen the little rascals so clearly and in such numbers.
>
>Also, we saw snow buntings along Highway 90 between Moses Lake and Sprague.
>
>-Pat
>scott931 at uidaho.edu
>
>
>
Patrick, The "WA State Mgmt. Plan for Sharp-tailed Grouse, released in
October 1995 maps the presently known distribution of this rapidly declining
bird. Your observations east of St. John in Whitman County are significantly
south and east of the known populations in Lincoln County (see map on pg.
6). Perhaps a Tweeter reading this that has the inside skinny on the Fish &
Wildlife Dept. and this grouse can contact Patrick for more info on this
very noteworthy sighting.

I will stick my neck out on this one, but I predict the Sharp-tail may be
essentially gone from WA by the year 2000, given it present rate of
disappearance. Once gone, the extraordinary reintroduction efforts from OR
shows its best not to lose 'em.

Andy Stepniewski

By the way, I led the Yakima Valley Audubon out to "L" NE yesterday on the
outskirts of Moses Lake. We spent 2 hours at midday in brilliant sunshine
and could not find a Snowy Owl. By group consensus, we zoomed north to the
Waterville Plateau to observe a good-sized flock of Snow Buntings and then
sped south again to Moses Lake for the dusk owl show. Everyone had great
views of one Snowy very close and more distant views of two others. On a
cloudy day, they seem easier at any hour during the day here.