Hello Tweeters,



I made another attempt to get up to Mt Salmo on Friday. Got to the 5800'
mark and the snow was over 8 inches so I had to turn around, but the trip
was still worth it.



At daybreak, I was at Calispell Lake, where I found 2 White Pelicans,
Western Grebes, a EURASIAN WIGEON, California Quail (first at this location
- not a common bird in Pend Oreille County), Ruffed Grouse, Pygmy
Nuthatches, and 32 Long Billed Dowitchers along Calispell Creek (McKenzie
Rd), and a nice migrating flock of Mountain Bluebirds.



A brief stop at the Cusick Wetland Park yielded White Crowned Sparrows, Ruby
Crowned Kinglets,Yellow Rumped Warblers (abundant) and a BEWICK'S WREN.
Birds were low in number along the east side of the Pend Oreille River
except a stop or two where I saw a number of Pileated, Hairy, and Downy
Woodpeckers and a Hermit Thrush.



Sullivan Lake hosted three Common Loons (in various plumages). On the way up
to Salmo, there were more Ruffed Grouse, an American Dippers, 4 Northern
Pygmy Owls, and 3 SPRUCE GROUSE right in the Gypsy Meadows Campground. One
young male decided to display for me as I approached. His attitude seemed to
indicate he wanted to fight. I wasn't sure I could take him, so I just let
him calm down. Oh the arrogance of adolescence! (I had a male Ruffed Grouse
do the same thing a little later.) The campground also provided good looks
at Chestnut Backed Chickadees, Gray and Steller's Jays, and Red Crossbills.



Further up the mountain, just before I had to turn around, I got out of my
car and noticed 4 very vocal and agitated PINE GROSBEAKS (1 brilliant male).
Come to find out they were fussing at one of the Northern Pygmy Owls I had
mentioned. They made the owl look so small, but the owl seemed to be holding
his on just fine.



It was cold up on the mountain for this time of year, but there was no wind,
making a nice day.



Blessings,

Terry Little

Mead