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