Hi Tweeters,

I want to take the Sullivans up on the invite to
report on the WOS conference. Here are my highlights.

I needed a ride and went with Mary Hrudkaj (otherwise
known as Mountain Quail Mary). We had a good time and
I made a new birding buddy. Our WOS trips were
different, she got to see moose and I didn't.

On Friday did the Sanpoil trip with Mark Houston.
Life bird was the Northern Waterthrush, scoped by
Ollie Oliver. Best looks for me ever for American
Redstart and Red-eyed Vireo. Also the most
spectacular looks at Cassin's Finch. We looked at
them with the morning sun on them at a gravel pile.
White-headed Woopecker also a feature of this trip.

On Saturday one more new lifer with Gina Sheridan on
the Sherman Pass trip, our group discovered a nesting
Three-toed Woodpecker. Got very close binoc looks at
the male. The next day trip went to the same spot and
Ken Knittle thought they were likely on eggs since
they were holding tight in the nest. Saw Three-toed
on Monday as well on the trip with Bart Whelton at a
nest hole with chicks near Lost Lake.

On Sundays trip to Togo Mt with Ken Knittle my car was
one of the lucky cars that got to see a big black
bear.
We tried for an Ovenbird at Pierre Lake but no luck.
That night owling with Ken got to hear Long-eared Owl
bark for the first time. It was a long trip 120
miles.

On Monday to Havilla was a special trip and I missed
the most exciting part unfortunately. At Lost Lake
we saw the Common Loon pair with the chick and got to
see the little one being fed. When I had a turn at
the scope it was fun to watch the baby watch a
blackbird fly around. At Highland Snowpark in
Havillah we ran into another group who had just seen
the Great Gray Owl. It took quite some time to find
the owl. It was calling to a fledgling. I got to
spend a lot of time watching him and then decided to
head back down to the car to rest after the night time
nap only. While I was gone the owlet was located and
the rest of the group got to witness the drama of the
parent catching and killing a vole for the owlet and
the owlet feeding. I went back up after they returned
and was able to locate the owlet and get a picture. I
missed the Black-backed Woodpecker which would have
been another lifer. This trip also had the best ever
looks at Williamson's Sapsucker at Lost Lake. Did get
a lifer in getting good aural sounds of the Alder
Flycatcher. I'm counting this one, it was very
distinctive. A thunderstorm passed over and we gave
up viewing it.

On the way home Mary and I got to listen the funny
song of the Lark Sparrow twice and we got to see
Buffleheads going into eclipse on Alkali Lake north of
Soap Lake. They looked weird.

I forgot to mention in the Sinlahekin post a fisherman
at Blue Lake said the Common Loons here had a chick.
We did not see the loons.

Kathy
Roosting in S King County




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