Hi Tweeters,
Today we took our second annual trip to the Okanogan Highlands. It was a
cold (20 degrees) but sunny day and the wind was calm.

We started our day with a GREAT HORNED OWL in the tree along side our
house at six am.
Most of our trip to the highlands was in the dark. We saw twenty-two
species, tying last years sightings.

We had the pleasure of spending most the day with Nancy Taylor of
Bellingham. We hooked up with her thanks to tweeters and the convenience
of cell phones.

Some of the highlights of the day were a flock of 200+ SNOW BUNTINGS.
They were beautiful as they flew over with the sun shining on them. We
also came across a flock of 100+ GRAY CROWNED ROSY FINCHES (pribilofs)
close to Havilla.

For a while we though it was gray and black bird day seeing several
NORTHERN SHRIKE, CLARK'S NUTCRACKERS, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES,
BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES,
MOUNTAIN CHICKADEES, and three GRAY JAYS.

On our way home, we saw a MERLIN in Tonasket. Just out of town over
looking the Okanogan River was a male KINGFISHER.

It was a great day. We did notice a absence of Crossbills and Redpolls.
Could this be due to the absense of cone bearing trees? We enjoyed
meeting Nancy. Now we are looking forward to the 3rd Annual Trip!

Sandy and Jerry Converse
Grand Coulee, Wa

GREAT BLUE HERON 1
RED-TAILED HAWK 10
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK 8
AMERICAN KESTREL 3
MERLIN 1
CALIFORNIA QUAIL 1
GREAT HORNED OWL 1
BELTED KINGFISHER 1
GRAY JAY 3
STELLER'S JAY 6
CLARK'S NUTCRACKER 3
BLACK BILLED MAGPIE 6
COMMON RAVEN 4
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE 6
MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE 4
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH 4
NORTHERN SHRIKE 5
EUROPEAN STARLING 13
DARK-EYED JUNCO 1
SNOW BUNTING 200+
GRAY-CROWNED ROSY FINCH 100+
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH 4