Karen Jueneman, Thais Bock, and I left Seattle at sunrise Sunday for
Cheney, arriving early afternoon. With other birders already in place,
we were quickly directed to the Northern Hawk owl. Someone had a Leica
scope on it.........WOW (for both the bird and the optics!)
We were able to study the plumage, behavior and expressions of this
beautiful, personality-plus owl for at least an hour on Sunday just off
Washington on Cedar, and again early-to-midmorning on Monday (Feb 17th)
right in the middle of campus.....this was a life bird for all three of
us, and probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience for this rarely-seen-in-
USA species.

We also saw a flock of the truly stunning Bohemian waxwings (a life bird
for Karen J.) on the edge of campus, but missed the Pine grosbeaks and the
Blue jay. When we parked somewhat illegally to view the waxwings, a
Cheney police car came by, and made a lasting impression on us. After
courteous inquiry and the realization that we were birdwatching visitors
parking only briefly, the police officer wished us well in our viewing and
moved on.

Yes, we stayed overnight in Cheney's one, nice-enough, very reasonably
priced motel and ate our meals locally. And, we will certainly return on
future trips for more Cheney area birding, happy to contribute a little to
the local economy. Cheney is close to Turnbull NWR; not enough time on
this visit, maybe later in spring.

There were flocks of 1000's and 1000's of robins moving through the area
plus dozens of Redtail hawks, several Kestrals, many Ravens, quite a few
Rough-legged hawks, and a very few Meadowlarks. We left Cheney about
mid-day on Monday, and headed for Reardan. On the 'old highway' from
Reardan to Davenport, we found several flocks of Snow buntings amongst the
many Horned larks. Some of the Snow buntings appeared to be acquiring
breeding plumage. The Snow bunting was my 400th life-bird, and also a
life bird for Karen J. We took Highway 28 south from Davenport all
the way to near Moses Lake to join I-90. There were up to 16 swans
(Tundra, we believe) amongst the numerous Canada geese flocks at the many
ponds and small lakes along 28. A few more flocks of Snow buntings and
bunches of Horned larks (some road-killed, too) were spotted along the
roadway where the fields were still snow covered. We did not see any
Snowy owls.

A wonderful trip, great scenery, uncharacteristically sunny 'n mild
weather (frigid wind however), good traveling companions, really
memorable life birds and a special thanks to Thais Bock for sharing
her phenomenal knowledge of North American birds,

Maureen E. Ellis me2 at u.washington.edu Univ of WA Des Moines, WA