Subject: [Tweeters] WOS Fieldtrip to Okanogan and Waterville Plataou
Date: Feb 19 19:55:05 2008
From: Ruth Sullivan - godwit513 at msn.com



Hello Tweeters
This is the first trip I did not had Patrick my son by my side birding the
usual Winter trip to the Okanogan Highlands and the Waterville Plateau,but
Stefan Schlick from Portland Oregon was so kind to help me out.With all the
bad weather we had lately ,we lucked out, we had three glorious days of the
best condition.There was no problem driving since the roads where clear of
snow and ice.We had 14 birders on this trip with 4 cars and kept good
communication by radio,
Since my computer was not working earlier,I like to make some comments about
our highlights,starting day One.
Our trip was to Conconully for the Sharp-tailed Grouse where we had 41 of
this most wanted species,all in good lighting,some of this birds on the
ground where you can see them walking on the snow.In Town came our other
highlight a Goshawk swept to the trees and landed perched looking
around.This was my and other birders the first time to see this species
sitting still.It was a full Adult bird.We also had two Crows what are quite
unusual to see at this location,1Townsend's Solitaire,1 Varied Trush ,only
two was sighted on this trip.3 Shrikes,and a large group of Bohemian
Waxwings two Prairie Falcon and 12+ Clark's Nutcrackers.
We continue to Upper Plateau we had another Prairie Falcon,the 4th Shrike of
the day,Great Partridge on two areas,Great Horned Owl and some Red
Crossbills scattered ,not to many birds,after 3.00 PM.Driving back to Omak
it was almost dark we encounter a Big flock of Snow Bunting ,and two more
Great Horned Owls Horned Larks are many.
Second day 2-17 we went back to the Highlands,starting earlier to finding
Common Redpolls and White winged Crossbills.
Our first and only Merlin was at the hotel in the town of Omak,it was
7.00AM and we was ready to leave the Merlin flew close by us and probable
getting a House Sparrow.We had lot's of Red Crossbills on different areas
there show every where,We also had a flock of Pin Siskin,but NO Redpolls.We
made sure that we went early for the Gray Crowned Rosy finches on a feeder
on Hungry Hollow road.The place was full of birds and we had two species of
this birds.The Hepburn's and I believe the Interior.I took some photos what
I will post the next few days of the two different subspecies.We had good
and long looks at the first Pygmy Owl,more Nutcrackers,a Golden Eagle in the
town of Tonasket.On the way to
Cameron Lake Rd..we had 4 more Northern Shrikes.On Cameron Lake Road,we had
another Pygmy Owl.spotted by Tom Mansfield,this bird flew higher but in
good lighting.White breasted Nuthatches and quite few Pygmy Nuthatches.
We drove to the open snowcovert fields,Where I believe it was the third car
where the call came of a snow Bunting is sitting on the telephone Wire.For
some reason to seeing one Snow Bunting seems odd I was thinking about the
McKay's Bunting in Ocean Shores.It was Robert Smith what original spotted
this little bird while looking out when there was driving along.What a good
eye to spot such small white bird on white snow covered
fields.Congratulation Robert Schmidt.We looked all at this bird and he posed
for quite time.We all noticed the bright yellow Bill.But than some birders
saw this bird from the back what was described all white.I did not had my
eye on the scope,and it seems that right than he flew down.With all the
effort putting up the snow shoes and walking down where the bird dropped,he
was not sighted again.The snow was knee high and when you sink in you needed
some one to help you out.This was the BIG HIGHLIGHT OF THE TRIP.As we was
driving further to the other end of highway 97 near Monse,we had a
Gyrfalcon going down the canyon,Not every one saw this bird.We all met for
Dinner again,but this time we celebrating the finding of this RARE Bird.Tom
Mansfield was so generous to buying every one Dinner and drinks.This was
certainly a special trip for all.
Next and last day 02-18-08 We birdied Ferry Canyon 2 Adult Coopers
Hawks,Cedar Waxwing, huge flock of Bohemian Waxwing circle ,but did not
landed do to the 2 Coppers Hawks,our second Varied Thrush,Buffleheads
Cananda Geese,we added quite few species here to our list included
White-crowned Sparrow California Quail ,Spotted Towhee,Lesser Scaup,
Common Merganser,Common Golden Eye, Common Loon,.Pie-billed
Grebe,Golden-crowned Sparrow,Northern Pintail,
Sharp -shinned Hawk,Am.Wigeon,Killdeer, DC.Cormorants,
On the way to Wells Wildlife Hundreds of Bohemian Waxwings.Ruddy Ducks,
Canvasback,Swan Species Greater Scaup,Northern Harrier,Cackling geese 1,
Bridgeport Park Saw-whet Owl, Gadwall.Below Dam,WHITE PELICAN ( I never saw
one of this birds in winter)This bird was so white and beautiful looking
standing on the dam on large rocks.Herring Gull,Say's Phoebe on Rd.,
Mansfield Golden Eagle,.
3 miles out of Mansfield 1 Snowy Owl (our last bird)
This Owl me and Kathy Andrich had on Friday,but we did not saw this Owl,only
as we waited the Owl appeared on the ridge followed by a Raven what steady
picked on the Owl,this went on for some time the Raven did not let the Owl
alone.
We figured that the Owl had prey and the Raven trying to steal it.The Snowy
Owl than landed and the ground ,now two of the Raven picked on the Owl and
surrender the Owl.At one point we can see that the Raven took a little
something from the feet of the Owl and there walked away,but after a while
one Raven came back,this was going on for the longest time intertaining
us.The count for the trip where 79 species, with many Bald Eagles and many
many Raven,.What I found there where not large numbers of California
Quails.The Goverment used to provided the grain to feed this birds.We all
parted and saying good by.It was one of the memorable trips we all not
forgetting
Thanks to Stefan to set up the time to being on this spot for the Snowy
Owl on time and the good participation by every one.And Thank you Tina for
saving me,fast action on this critical moment.It was worth writing this long
report.

Cheers Ruth Sullivan