Subject: [Tweeters] Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan Counties
Date: Apr 8 13:27:23 2006
From: Terry Little - terry at crossoverchurch.info


On Friday, with my son Joshua being on Spring Break, we decided to take a
trip from Spokane to the Okanogan and back with our target bird being the
Great Gray Owl. As we were traveling through Stevens County we stopped to
look at some flooded fields south of Chewelah. Among the bazillion Pintails,
there were also one EURASIAN WIGEON with numerous American Wigeons and few
Gadwalls, Green winged Teal, Common Goldeneyes, Redheads, Ring necks,
Buffleheads, and one CINAMMON TEAL. There were two TRUMPETER SWANS hanging
out along edge of the TUNDRAS. There were also SORAS and MARSH WRENS calling
from a nearby marsh. A lone GREATER YELLOWLEGS fed among the ducks. A
PILEATED and DOWNY WOODPECKER called from the forest.



Our next stop was the Gifford Ferry Campground where we many Northern
Flickers, three HAIRY WOODPECKERS, 4 BLACK BACKED WOODPECKERS and one WHITE
HEADED WOODPECKER (once again, hanging out with the Hairy). There was large
company of all three Nuthatches and Western Bluebirds in the campground. RED
NECKED GREBES cruised the Columbia River.



Finally reaching the Okanogan, off Cape LaBelle Rd, we found several
WILLIAMSON'S SAPUCKERS. Many of the ponds that were just beginning to thaw
held numerous BARROW'S GOLDENEYES along with a few HOODED MERGANSERS. Three
VIRGINIA RAILS called and appeared from a roadside marsh. A pair of BALD
EAGLES were back nesting on Molson Lake.



At this point, we were feeling we were having a pretty good day and then it
even got better. About 5:00 we heard two LONG EARED OWLS calling just north
of the Sitsmark Ski area (and several Great Horned). Along the road to the
Highland Sno park, there were more woodpeckers (Hairy, Pileated {at least 5}
Flickers, RED NAPED and WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKERS, and one AMERICAN THREE TOED
WOODPECKER). Nine species of woodies for the day! A VARIED THRUSH was heard
as well.



About 6:45 several Great Horned Owls began to call from different places
along the road. Soon, a NORTHERN SAW WHET OWL began to hoot from deep within
the forest. And then at 7:05, a GREAT GRAY OWL began to call and allowed us
to come within 40 yards and watch him for the next half hour. What a
spectacular bird! And we are grateful for a wonderful day.



Terry Little

Mead, Washington

terry at crossoverchurch.info