I want to thank those in Ruth and Stefan's Okanogan and Douglas County field trip group for locating the Snowy Owl Monday afternoon, and providing me with views of it. Thanks, also, to Ruth and Stefan for giving me directions to the Northern Saw-whet Owl roost in Bridgeport State Park. I found it later that afternoon, after having to look pretty hard into that tree! I spent 3 plus days, in beautiful weather, birding these two counties. As I note the number of reports from the past weekend, I have nothing to report that would be new. As one who has looked at birds for more than 20 years now, I have only gotten serious since late 2005, upon acquiring a scope, in seeking out and identifying more species. On this trip I saw some good species and missed others, and in hindsight, regret only not getting the location of that feeder that had the Rosy-finches!

But still, it was a great trip with 4 new life species, or perhaps only 3 and a half, considering the partial view I had of the Saw-whet Owl in its roost. But also getting the long-sought-after Sharp-tailed Grouse (22) from the Scotch Creek overlook on Conconully Road , Gray Partridges (13) near the grain elevators in Withrow, and beautiful Snow Buntings (a pair on Wednesday, but then a flock of around 40 on Tuesday, near the junction of Heritage Road with Highway 2), were highlights of my trip. Seeing behaviors was another highlight - a couple of small flocks of Bohemian Waxwings (14-20) near Omak engaged in flycatching activity, and two Mountain Chickadees (among 5 seen) in a brief, rather spirited, chase sequence near Chesaw.

As added bonuses, though not rare, I saw two black-tailed (mule?) deer south of Chesaw, two white-tailed deer just south of Bridgeport, and a coyote west of Withrow. Oh, and Ruth mentioned low numbers of California Quail. I saw a few in a number of places, but early Sunday morning, on a street in the town of Oroville, was a large covey of 60 or more. At least, I hadn't seen that many together before!

Happy birding to all!

Bill Boyington
Shoreline, WA
wrboyington at msn.com<mailto:wrboyington at msn.com>