Hello Tweets,

My mother and I attended the 2002 WOS Convention in Okanogan Co. June
14th-16th with great results on our part within the two owl trips and two
day trips we led during the entire convention. The main highlight of our
attendance at the convention was an adult ALDER FLYCATCHER singing on
territory along Kipling Rd.(2.3 miles north of the Hungry Hollow Rd. and
Kipling Rd. intersection and .3 miles south of Teas Rd.). The exact area is
NNW of the Sitzmark Ski area and Muskrat Lake. The bird was first located
upon our arrival at 11:45am on the 14th singing the "ree-BEER" song,which
was accented on the second syllable. The bird also gave on occasions a
sharp "pik" or "wick"call note(noticeably similiar to a Hammond's
Flycatcher),which was also given in a rapid series,which can be heard on
tape recordings we made of the bird along with the primary song on the 14th.
On the 14th we both watched,recorded,and photographed the bird at close
range from 11:45am-1pm in relatively appropriate habitat for this species
consisting mainly of alder and willow trees and other water associating
vegetation and during ALL observations the bird was in NO association with
nearby Willow Flycatchers that also actively sang and called. During our
visit on the 14th the bird responded well to our playback of the recording
as well as tape recordings we already had on site of the species. The bird
was again noted,actively heard singing and calling, and documented on the
morning of the 15th by several other observers,including ALL the observers
on a field trip that my mother and I led to the Molson-Havillah area. The
bird during ALL observations gave the consistant "ree-BEER" song and NO
other variation other than occasional "pik" or "wick" calls,BUT the bird
never changed the variation in anyway to seem like an odd Willow Flycatcher
to our personal observations.

The bird during ALL observations was in crisp plumage showing ALL the major
distinguishing field marks compared to nearby Willow Flycatchers including
the noticeable white eyering,short,thicker bi-colored bill,and cleaner
underparts. The bird obviously appeared much more olive-green in coloration
on the back,head,and an olive wash along the breast compared to several more
darker,and drabber Willow Flycatchers in the immediate area. We briefly
observed the bird today(June the 17th)at 9am,although the bird was far less
cooperative and only sang on one occasion during our visit at the location.
On the 13th of June my mother and I observed and tape recorded the Crab
Creek/Lincoln Co. bird(before heading north of Okanogan Co.)along with the
presence of Bob Flores and Bart Welton from 9am-1pm,as the this bird gave
the consistant two syllabled "wit-whit" call with occasional "brit" calls
too during our entire visit. This bird like the the Okanogan Co. bird were
on territory and both actively chased other songbirds out of their
territory.

The WOS Convention in general appeared to be very successful in many aspects
with good weather and most of all the target species observed,including 8
species of owls and on the field trips with great views of most of our
species(including great views of a single Flammulated Owl near the Loup Loup
Campground on our owling trip on the evening of the 14th). 3 out of our 4
field trips were most successful due to a relatively good list of
species/and or good views of the species observed from ALL in attendance
including 2 target owls species. Other highlights on our field trips during
the three day convention included:

2 pairs of nesting Red-necked Grebes on Muskrat Lake on the 15th and
16th,and pair observed on Sidley Lake(Molson)on the 16th
relatively good numbers of Eared Grebes at several lakes along Cameron Lake
Rd. on the 14th,and 8 Eared Grebes at Muskrat Lake on the 15th and 16th
1 Am.White Pelican at Cassimer Bar(mouth of Okanogan River)on the 14th
4 female Canvasbacks on Sidley Lake(Molson)on the 16th
1 male Greater Scaup along Cameron Lake Rd. on the 14th,and 6(3 pair)of
Greater Scaup on Sidley Lake(Molson)on the 16th
1 male SURF SCOTER on Duley Lake(Cameron Lake Rd.)on the 14th
4 female Common Goldeneye(with 1 female with 7 young)on Muskrat Lake on the
15th, with 3 females at Muskrat Lake on the 16th(with 1 female photographed
and observed in an abandoned chimney of a building near the lake),and 1
female at Molson on the 16th.
5 Bufflehead(2 males and 3 females)on Muskrat Lake on the 15th,with 1 pair
at the same location on the 16th
1 young SHARP-TAILED GROUSE observed and photographed along Cameron Lake Rd.
on the 14th. This bird was found by a few observers along the side of the
road, then observed and photographed at very close range,then left hoping
the mother would find the bird.
1 Am.Avocet along Cameron Lake Rd. on the 14th
1 breeding plumaged FRANKLIN'S GULL at Duley Lake(Cameron Lake Rd.)on the
14th
1 Black-backed Woodpecker along Cameron Lake Rd. on the 14th,and 1 heard
drumming near Havillah on the evening of the 16th(after the WOS
Convention),with the presumed same individual heard drumming at this
location on the 17th.
1 Least Flycatcher along Cameron Lake Rd. on the 14th
2 Northern Waterthrush along Kipling Rd. on the 15th,with 1 at the same
location on the 16th,and 2 there on the 17th(with one observed in our
spotting scope)


Good birding,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
GODWIT at worldnet.att.net