Six birders in two cars spent the weekend birding in the subject areas. From
Wenatchee we took hwy 97 up the east side of the Columbia R., crossed over at
Chelan Falls, then on to Pateros and up the Methow Valley to Twisp where we
spent the night. It was cloudy and cold, high of 20:.

For the day we saw 46 Bald Eagles, most in Methow Valley, including one
feeding on a dead coyote about 50 yards off the highway. Also, Cooper's Hawk,
Clark's Nutcracker, 12 species of waterfowl and 28 species total. There were
mule deer everywhere, farm yards, orchards, fields, river banks, etc.

The temp got down to 10: by Sun. morning. We went back down the Methow
valley to hwy 97, then up to Brewster and Bridgeport on hwy 17, then hwy 172
thru Mansfield and Withrow down to hwy 2, over to Waterville and back to
Wenatchee. On the way down the valley we saw a flock of 30 Gray-crowned Rosy
Finches. All appeared to be of the gray-cheeked Hepburn's form. Sun. we saw
36 Bald Eagles and one Cooper's and one Sharp-shinned Hawk. East of
Bridgeport on hwy 17 we saw over 300 Horned Larks and over 100 Snow Buntings.
On hwy 172 between hwy 17 and Mansfield we saw 6 Gray Partridge in one covey,
9 more in another covey, then 2 laying down on snow bank only 30 ft from car.
We were able to get good photos out the car window. On this stretch of road
we were also surprised by a gorgeous Snowy Owl sitting on top of a white mound
of snow. Back on hwy 2 heading west to Waterville we were treated to 3
Rough-legged Hawks and one Gyrfalcon to cap off a great day. We had 42
species for the day and combined with Sat. had 46 total.

Hugh Jennings
Bellevue, WA