Hey Tweets,

I took my Dad on a 700+ mile 48 hour whirlwind tour of North Central WA this weekend. Overall, birding was quite slow, despite the gorgeous weather, but we managed to scrounge up most of our targets including 6 lifers for my Dad and a huge flock of PINE GROSBEAKS, a bird I haven't seen since I was about 10.

Thanks to all who have left detailed posts about this wonderful area over the last couple of years, and thanks to Khan Tran and the Kempers who we ran into repeatedly Saturday and shared notes with.

I managed a few pics which you can see here -
http://www.pbase.com/hoodedcrow/newstuff

And here is our species list -

Common Loon

YELLOW-BILLED LOON - Above Chief Joseph Dam from Murphy Road, this bird was very active, and ranged widely above the dam. I clocked several of its dives in excess of one minute.

Horned Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Trumpeter Swan
Canada Goose
Mallard
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Canvasback
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Common Goldeneye
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
American Kestrel

RUFFED GROUSE - Mary Ann Creek Road

SHARP-TAILED GROUSE - Conconully Road, 2 just west, 1 just east of Happy Hill Road intersection

California Quail
American Coot
Killdeer
Rock Pigeon

EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE - 3 birds in Waterville

Northern Saw-whet Owl - thanks Kahn

NORTHERN HAWK OWL - first set of power-polls north of 172 on B Street

Downy Woodpecker
Hairly Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Horned Lark
Steller's Jay
Clark's Nutcracker
Black-billed Magpie
American Crow - one bird on Bolster Road, seemed unusual...?
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Mountain Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Pygmy Nuthatch - Havillah Road south of Dry Gultch Road
American Robin

NORTHERN SHRIKE - Happy Hill Road just south of Conconully Road

European Starling
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird

GRAY-CROWNED ROSY FINCH - Neally Road, Hepburn's and Interior (maybe 2-3 individuals among 30 birds)

PINE GROSBEAK - about 75 birds foraging widely along Mary Ann Creek Road west of Poland China Road

House Finch
Red Crossbill - Havillah Road

WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL - 15 birds at Highland Snow Park, east of intersection of forest roads 3230 and 260

COMMON REDPOLL - about 50 birds on Bolster Road

American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Good Birding,
Matt Pike
Lacey WA
hoodedcrow3b at yahoo.com