Tweets,

Below are highlights of a long weekend (12-15 Feb.) tour in eastern
Washington. The weather was lousy on the 12th, but tolerable to good
thereafter. We had to work for many of these birds. With effort, however, a
fair count of "northern" and sought-after birds were tallied. It seems safe
to say a harsh winter helps bring out the goodies. On the other hand,
species like the Rock Wren and Orange-crowned Warbler would be totally
unexpected in a typical winter.

Trumpeter Swan-6 along the Okanogan River 3 miles north of the river mouth
Bald Eagle-especially numerous along the Okanogan River (15+), occasional
elsewhere
Rough-legged Hawk-common on the Waterville Plateau and in the Molson
grasslands (25+ total)
Golden Eagle-pair soaring south and east of Tonasket; immature over Toroda
Creek
Gyrfalcon-1 gray adult south of Baghdad Road east of Grand Coulee
Prairie Falcon-1 near P and 48 NE(east of Banks Lake)
Gray Partridge-7 in hay-covered field (with cattle) 5 miles north of
Wauconda
Chukar-heard easily north of Sun Lakes State Park on cliffs in Lower Grand
Coulee
Snowy Owl-5 immature plumaged birds along L NE east of Moses Lake; 1
stunning adult male south of Baghdad Road east of Grand Coulee
Northern Pygmy-Owl-1 along Toroda Creek Road in area of oldgrowth Douglas
fir se of Chesaw
Barred Owl-,1 Havillah
Great Gray Owl-2, Havillah
Northern Saw-whet Owl-tooting at Havillah
Rock Wren-1 along cliffs at Lake Lenore in the Lower Grand Coulee. Early
but species was reported on many occasions this winter in Columbia Basin,
possibly on account of mild conditions
Canyon Wren, several north of Sun Lakes State Park, another along Lake
Lenore
Hermit Thrush-1, Russian olives west of Bridgeport, with Bohemian Waxwings
Bohemian Waxwing-hundreds west of Bridgeport adjacent to apple orchards,
Russian olives. A few Cedar Waxwings in with this impressive group
Orange-crowned Warbler-1, wildlife area in same Russian olive grove with
Bohemian Waxwings
American Tree Sparrow-15-20 at Leahy Junction about 20 miles se Bridgeport
(fenced area with giant wild rye and trees, DOT yard?)
Harris' Sparrow-1 in Chesaw at feeder a few yards east of Myers Creek at
junction of Toroda Creek Rd and Chesaw/Tonasket Rds.
Lapland Longspur-75+ fields west of P NE and 48N (east of Banks Lake)
Snow Bunting-750+ 5 miles north of Wauconda on Toroda Creek Rd, in pasture
with hay and cattle.
Gray-crowned Rosy Finch-200, fields west of PN E and 48 N (east of Banks
Lake)
White-winged Crossbill-1 only. Amazing considering only a week ago
"hundreds" were reported in Sitzmark Ski Area ne of Chesaw
Common Redpoll-0, same as for White-winged Crossbill

Andy Stepniewski
Wapato WA