Subject: [Tweeters] Okanogan Highlands: WW X-bills, Redpolls,
Date: Mar 3 15:51:24 2008
From: khanh tran - khanhbatran at hotmail.com




Hi all,

Yes, I hesitantly admit my outrageous obssesion with the Okanogan. I had another fun trip this weekend and did not expect a resurgence of wintering finches this late. It was more birdy than normal given the fact that I only focused a day a half in the Okanogan Highlands. It is a really a magical place as I always learn something new and there are always some unexpected surprises. It was great fun to bird with Ron McCluskey and getting him a couple of lifers. Thanks Ron for the great posting for the afternoon birding of Day ONE.

This trip was mainly for photo opportunities but I was fortunate to see a few good birds as well. Highlights included good photo opportunities and seeing such birds as white winged crossbills, common redpolls, rosyfinches and spruce grouse. I had thought the birds have moved on from two weeks before when several birders were out combing the highlands. It just shows you how much these birds move around!

Overall, the place was hopping with redpolls, white-winged and red crossbills, siskins, evening grosbeaks, and other finches. A hint of spring is in the air, with the presence of a few Say's Phoebe and Mountain bluebirds.

I added about 17 images including crossbills, finches, grouse and owls. Here is the link to my website:

http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/recent_photos&page=all

Day TWO was great as I started out quite early so prime birding time was optimized. My first bird in early morning was a GREAT GRAY OWL near the Sno-Park on Havillah Rd. It was only my second time that I heard a GG owl vocalize. So it was a treat to hear and see one in two days. This stretch of the road also produced 20 plus AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS (some birds were singing), several Bald Eagles and one GOLDEN EAGLE.

On West Fork Rd, I spotted another NORTHERN PYGMY OWL. Also, a small flock of SNOW BUNTINGS were in the distance. I was curious and decided to take the ski lift at Sitzmark, and was rewarded with a distance look of two PINE GROSBEAKS. It was quite a trek downhill with snowshoes.

On Hungry Hollow Rd, I got to watch a cooperative flock of RED CROSSBILLS actively feeding on the dirt mounts. Like a flock of miniature alpine parrots, they were quite a treat to watch with all the splashes of iridescent colors. Some of the immature males were stunning (see photos)

Along Grange Rd, there were two handsome almost in full breeding plumage, LAPLAND LONGSPURS. In the same area, a convey of GRAY PATRIDGES scurried across the road.

It was quite birdy on Nealy Rd. Like clockwork, the flock of 120 plus GRAY-CROWNED ROSYFINCHES came spiraling down from the skies and did their brief five minute feeding frenzy. The spumoni styled snowbirds were quite spectacular perched in the tree tops against the blue skies. A group of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, CASSIN'S FINCHES, EVENING GROSBEAKS also put on a show. Further north, more red Crossbills, Clark's Nutcrackers, and Gray Jays were noted.

It was rather quiet on Mary Ann Creek Rd, but I got to see a pair of WHITE WINGED CROSSBILLS feeding and collecting nesting material. I was lucky to see the female gather some mossy, fiberous material with her beak. The male did not do much but follow her around. They were mixed in with several Pine Siskins. It will be interesting to see if these crossbills will linger year round!

The most productive birding and surprise was along Bolster Rd. I saw the large flock of COMMON REDPOLLS consisting of more than 200 birds plus. Early in December, Ron and I saw even larger flocks feeding on ornamental birch and alder trees on this road. Now, the birds are feeding on top of conifer trees.

Mixed in with the redpolls were a flock at least a dozen WHITE WINGED CROSSBILLS (3 adult males). There were also more Cassin's Finches, Pine Siskins, and Evening Grosbeaks in the same area. It was a very birdy spot!

Furtherdown the road as the forest gets more dense, I spotted a skittish male SPRUCE GROUSE! Giddy with my success, I headed out and found a pair of very tame RUFFED GROUSE along the road, allowing excellent photos. I also managed to find my third NORTHERN PYGMY OWL along this excellent stretch of habitat.

I ended my last winter trip by visiting Bridgeport State Park. Most of the snow has melted so I decided to get photos of the HARRIS SPARROW. The bird that was originally spotted by Libby S. and Victor G. still persists. It was easy to spot as it was singing it's weak and melancholy song. Quite a gorgeous bird as it is close to breeding plumage. However, it was very wary with the large flock of Zonos. The shrubbery patch near Hole 10 of the golf course was extremely birdy but I lost time and energy to throughly comb the place.

Thanks to Gary Fredericks, who I failed to acknowledge in my previous posts. His postings have been quite instrumental to my success in the Okanogan Highlands.

The drive home was long but allowed time to reflect on many special moments. It has been an amazing winter journey and I can't wait for next winter!

Good birding to you,

Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon)