HAPPY NEW YEAR

----------
> From: Ruth Sullivan <GODWIT at worldnet.att.net>
> To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
> Subject: Re: WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS bonanza
> Date: Wednesday, December 31, 1997 9:57 PM
>
> Hi There, i am glad to hear someone tried to see all this good Birds.We
are
> going on the 3rd over to Okanogan Highland's, or you think we should not
> try, because the roads are to bad?We all like to go desperate to see the
> WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL bonanza.
> Ruth Sullivan
> GODWIT at WORLDNET.ATT.NET
>
> ----------
> > From: Streiffert <streif at televar.com>
> > To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
> > Subject: Re: WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS bonanza
> > Date: Wednesday, December 31, 1997 7:37 PM
> >
> > Today we drove up to the Okanogan Highlands area so aptly described by
> > our fellow-tweeter, and found the bonanza just as promised. We saw at
> > least 150 white-winged crossbills.
> >
> > We saw a merlin who flew in just to check us out. Ms. or Mr. Proud
> > perched in the tiptop of a tall spruce overhead and through the scope
> > all I could see was talons and tummy, so I pished. Big, disconcerted
> > eyes immediately looked down, and I was thoroughly looked-over for at
> > least a minute. The best look at a merlin I've had.
> >
> > We also saw the following:
> > red-breasted nuthatches, in abundance
> > mountain chickadees, in abundance
> > red crossbills
> > rough-legged hawks, many
> > hairy woodpecker
> > red-tailed hawk
> > ravens
> > northern shrike
> >
> > We made a neat clockwise loop from the Hungry Hollow Road/Kipling Road
> > intersection (were most of the action occurred) to Grange Road to
Nealey
> > Road and back to Kipling Road. We stopped at each bunch of evergreens
> > and found birds every time. The cold, icy fog --especially at the
> > snowpark -- drove us out by 3. To those making the EXPEDITION, make
> > sure you are well-provisioned before you leave Tonasket.
> >
> > Kristi and Tom Streiffert
> > Coulee Dam, WA