Hello Everybody,



In a marathon day and in less than fun weather, my son, Joshua and I
ventured out at 3:00 am this morning from Spokane. Our first stop - in near
blizzard like conditions and icy roads - was along Conconully and Happy Hill
Road. After searching diligently from within the comfort of our car, at
8:25, we were rewarded with eight SHARP TAILED GROUSE feeding in the Birch
Trees. Also seen along Conconully were Bohemian Waxwings, Gray Partridge,
Chuckars, and Northern Shrike.



With the snow intensifying, we made our way slowly back to the N Hawk Owl
spot - dodging cars spinning out of control into our lane. Now the snow had
turned to a driving, so once again from the comfort of the inside of the
car, we enjoyed watching the NORTHERN HAWK OWL, fly from perch to perch just
north of the electrical facility.



Our final target bird proved to be not much of a problem either. The BLACK
HEADED GULL posed nicely on the log booms behind the Coulee Play Area. This
was an ABA lifer that we both enjoyed. Of course, we never got out of the
car. What would be the point? There was an adult Thayer's Gull and a pair of
Barrow's Goldeneyes nearby.



Further south along Banks Lake near Steamboat Rock, (still raining), we
found a nice mixed flock of all three mergansers. We found a Prairie Falcon
near the intersection of Highway 155 and Highway 2. Soap lake yielded a LONG
TAILED DUCK among the numerous Ruddies, N Shovelers, and Eared Grebes.



Along Highway 28, east of Odessa, we watched an adult Golden Eagle having
fun in the strong winds.



Finally, just before dusk, we found a couple of SNOW BUNTINGS in with some
Horned Larks along Detour road in Lincoln County.



A total of 5 species including a lifer - all seen from inside the car. My
kind of birding!



Blessings

Terry Little

Mead, Wa