Subject: Three Birds--long
Date: Mar 01 11:53:08 1998
From: Jerry Converse - sanjer at televar.com


Hi tweeters

Yesterday Sandy and I decided to try for three birds that have been
evading us for a long time. "What do you mean --a long time --you have
only been birding 4 months". The GRAY CROWNED ROSY FINCH, SNOWY OWL, AND
EURASIAN WIGEON.

Armed with our bins,spotting scope, field guides and munchies we headed
south on highway 155 and then hwy. 17 to the south end of Lake Lenore.
Our first stop was at a known hang-out for those guys with the gray
hoods over their heads. Through stealth and perseverance :-) we were
able to catch them in the act of scarfin up some of the six-two pound
coffee cans of food that the owner of the property puts out in the
evening. Doesn't he know that leaving all that food out in the open is
asking for trouble. Sure enough---thu-out the year he has 39 different
species that come to, (and within scope distance of), his home. There
were 48+ GC Rosy Finches, also House Sparrows, House Finch's, several
Morning Doves and lots of Red-winged Blackbirds.

I suggested that he put a guest book and a EMPTY coffee can under a
bucket by his mailbox.

Headed south to Moses lake--AGAIN--for the Snowy Owl which have been
seen along L road south of the municipal airport. I think they know when
we are coming and hide. :-) At the intersection of hwy. 171 and
Broadway I saw a Gray phase GYRFALCON. At L and Nelson Rd. on the east
side of L we saw what looked like a T connection stickin up on a 8"
white plastic irrigation pipe. It turned out to be a mature SNOWY OWL!!
We drove down a irrigation maintenance road (really rough) and got
within 60' and took some pictures! We saw two more sitting on the wheels
of the irrigation pipes. They appeared to be immature. Beautiful Birds.
Two down and one to go.

Okay, now back up to Atkins lake DeLorme p.85, B-4 . On our way, guess
who we saw at the GC Rosy Finch site--none other then --Ruth Sullivan
and her friend Vicki. They went with us to look for the elusive Eurasian
Wigeon.

We started scoping at the east side of the lake and I thought I saw one,
but couldn't find it again. Hmmmm. We went around to the west side and
started scopin and--there it was--a male EURASIAN WIGEON!! We both got a
good look . It won't be hard to remember that one if we see it again. I
don't think there are that many on the east side of the mountains.

Quoting from the movie--Flight of the Intruder--" I've had enough fun
for today-- let's go home"

We saw a total of 34 species.

Jerry and Sandy Converse
Grand Coulee, WA