Hi Tweeters!

Mike Marsh and I had an excellent birding trip to the Okanogan area. We were successful at locating most of our ?target? wintering species.

The trip to Mansfield and Douglas produced three, beautiful SNOWY OWLS (one immediate adult on F NW, one pure white adult male on Hwy 172, and another on H NE east of Mansfield). Several SNOW BUNTINGS were mixed with large flocks of HORNED LARKS along Hwy 172.

Near the town of Monse and on Cameron Lake Rd (south end of Hwy 97) we observed up to 500 SNOW BUNTINGS. Several small groups were on telephone wires and kept swirling in the blue skies with their bright snowy white plumage. It was quite spectacular. There was also a TREE SPARROW, one MERLIN, a GOLDEN EAGLE and a few GRAY CROWNED ROSY FINCHES along this 7 mile stretch road. The roads are starting to get soft and muddy so please use caution.

The town of Conconully had several birdy locations. Along the reservoir, we saw a small flock of PINE GROSBEAKS and COMMON REDPOLLS. Several CLARK'S NUTCRACKERS were seen in this locale as well.

In town near the park, more pine grosbeaks were located along with 2 immature NORTHERN GOSHAWKS. A beautiful adult goshawk was also in the area several weeks ago in pursuit of the many California quail. It swooped about 2 feet in front of me while hunting!!

Our second attempt to locate the elusive SHARP TAILED GROUSE was successful as we found two small groups on Happy Hill Rd and Conconully Rd. The first group allowed excellent views as they were perched in the open on top of a water birch tree. It seem from all the reports the birds are best seen around 8:00-9:30 AM. We first saw the birds around 8:30 AM.

As we headed southwest, we saw four GRAY PATRIDGES in the town of Okanogan.

En route to the town of Twisp and Winthrop, we located one vociferous NORTHERN PYGMY OWL near Loup Loup campground. We also saw a small group of BARROW?S GOLDENEYE along the river in Twisp and one BOHEMIAN WAXWING with everal dozen PINE GROSBEAKS that were quite tame. At times, the grosbeaks were bathing and feeding within a couple feet from us. From all the flocks of pine grosbeak that I have seen the last several weeks, the ratio of males to female is 1:10. There are a few russet forms mixed in.

In Winthrop, we located two more flocks of PINE GROSBEAKS along Twin Lakes Rd and the fish hatchery. While observing some COMMON REDPOLLS on Perry Lane. We had a flyby, GYRFALCON.

It was an outstanding place to see some spectacular birds. It was my third trip in 6 weeks, driving all the way from Portland, Oregon.

I would like to thank the following gracious birders whose assistance and recent postings were extremely helpful: Ruth and Patrick Sullivan, Paul Webster, Ryan Merrill, Meredith Spencer, and Gina Sheridan.

Please feel free to email me if you have any questions. email: khanhbatran at hotmail.com

Good birding to you,

Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon)
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