Hi,

This was the last day of our 4 day trip to the Okanogan, and we did not intend to do much birding on the way home - except to look again for the Snowy Owl near Mansfield.

We drove up Bridgeport Hill towards Mansfield (this road eventually becomes B NE at some point). We found a Northern Hawk Owl on a power pole adjacent to the road. We parked, and while confirming its identity, it flew to the pole immediately by our vehicle - providing a wonderful photo opportunity. The bird successfully caught at least 2 vole type creatures from the snow covered ground and devoured them on another power pole. This is perhaps the same bird that was seen previously on Highway 17 between Bridgeport and Grand Coulee?

We watched the bird for at least an hour. We went in pursuit of other target species, returned at 1:15 pm and the owl was still there, on a power pole at the corner of B NE and 15th NE.

Earlier we had chanced upon Gina Sheridan and party on Hwy 173 (MP 10) just west of the bridge that goes into Brewster. They were watching the Long-tailed Duck & there was at least one Pacific Loon as well. They told us they had seen the Snowy Owl and White-winged Crossbills in the Mansfield area earlier that morning. We saw a mixed flock of Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings nearby (on Grange rd).

After we left the Hawk Owl - we went to Mansfield Cemetery and saw a male and female White-winged Crossbill. The birds were quiet and soon disappeared. We then went to Road H - off Hwy 2 - a few miles east of Mansfield. We eventually found the Snowy Owl - on a small rocky outcrop about 1/2 mile away (looking west towards Mansfield). This was approximately 1 mile north from the junction with Hwy 2. Thanks Gina for the information that helped us to find these good birds!

It was fantastic end to a great trip.

Cheers and Good Birding

Steve Pink

Steve Pink Edmonds, WA mailto: pirangas at hotmail.com
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