On January 5, 2005, Joyce Alonso and I Lincoln &
Spokane Counties. Early morning temps hovered just
above zero and only rose into the low twenties. Skies
were clear in the morning, but become overcast in the
afternoon.

On the Sunset Hwy. west of Reardan, we observed a
Northern Shrike singing in the cold sunshine. We saw
several Rough-legged Hawks and No. Harriers around
Davenport and Creston. An active feeder in the river
community of Lincoln was attracting many of the
resident goldfinches, juncos, Pine Siskin, RB & Pygmy
Nuthatches, and Mt. & Black-capped Chickadees.

After running into Jim Acton on the West Plains, we
decided to follow up on his Snowy Owl sighting. From
the intersection of Wagner Farm & Carstens Roads (DL:
Pg. 88, C2), we saw an immature SNOWY OWL was roosting
on the most distant ridgeline to the north (at least
half a mile from the road). Evidently, this is the
same bird that has been reported from this general
area for the last couple of weeks.

Since we were following up on a report of a possible
Eurasian Collared Dove in Fairfield (southeastern
Spokane Co.), we didn't have the time to cruise the
streets of Davenport or Cheney for Bohemian Waxwings
or Blue Jays. After chatting with the Fairfield couple
who were bringing in a nice selection of resident
birds with their feeders, they informed us that this
dove has been around since of April of 2004.

Apparently, this dove associates with a covey of
California Quail, and comes in with quail to the
feeders. After watching the feeders for half an hour,
the dove in question flew in and afforded us excellent
views.

The dove was had a uniform buffy-gray colored back and
wings without much contrast with the primaries, white
undertail coverts, and the distinct black collar on
the nape. This bird was not a Eurasian Collared Dove,
but was in fact a RINGED TURTLE DOVE. Regardless of
it's official status, we thoroughly enjoyed seeing
this bird.

Happy New Year to all,

Gina Sheridan
Spokane, WA

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