Hi Tweeters:

Today a group of four from Seattle were over to Cheney in quest of the
Northern Hawk Owl. We arrived about 1000, reconnoitered for a couple of
blocks, turned down by the sile dorms and up the next street, and were
directed by Ruth Sullivan to the bird. It was in the top of a pine tree
by the building just to the north of the two silo dorms (northeast from
Elm and Washington). After about 5 minutes it swooped down onto a dry
grassy bank across the street and caught a small rodent. It flew off to
the south and behind another campus building. We relocated it about 7
minutes later in some bare deciduous trees adjoining the courtyard to
the east of the Union Building. Nice views in the sun of a beautifully
plumaged bird, and then it made a pass on some small squirrels. Over the
next ten minutes it perched and swooped between various trees and a
phone line in the immediate area. When we left in search of other birds
it was still perched near the Union.

Also present was a flock of approx. 100 Bohemian Waxwings feeding in a
tree with old apples and in a tree with red berries. Good close views,
also in sunlight. Wonderful birds. Up the hill the street alongside the
stadium, and in the courtyard between two buildings just to the south of
the stadium were four Pine Grosbeaks feeding on red berries. About three
blocks to the south in a residential neighborhood adjoining the campus
was the Blue Jay. It responded to a brief tape call and gave good medium
distance (approx. 150 feet) views.

All in all a very successful day, and four very happy people.


Brian H. Bell
Woodinville
bellasoc at isomedia.com