In addition to the Hawk Owl, Blue Jay and Bohemian Waxwings in Cheney, Bev
Clark, Chris and Genevieve McInverny explored the snowy plateau country
south and west from Reardan. There were many raptors (Bald Eagle, Red-tailed
and Rough-legged Hawks on Thorpe Road west of Espanola Rd. (DeLorme p. 88
D-2). There was a beautiful adult Snowy Owl near a knoll where Thorpe Road
jogs north on the Lincoln/Spokane County line. We saw two more Snowy Owls
southeast of Davenport on Mecklenberg Road (DeLorme p. 87 D-8). Chris
spotted another Snowy Owl on Hwy 2 east of Wilbur.

Most outstanding were 2-3,000 Snow Buntings by the roadside and in wheat
stubble on Boyk Road a few miles north of the owls. Spokane expert Jim Acton
had 6 Snowy Owls on Boyk Road this afternoon and three elsewhere south of
Hwy 2. He believes he could find 14-15 Snowy Owls in the general area. He
also believes these may be record numbers during the 20+ years he has been
doing his "Snowy Owl Survey" in this area.

A beautiful day...the roads were great, sky partly clear with a hint of an
arctic wind. Wonderful birds!

Andy Stepniewski
Wapato WA