I spent about 3 hours in the Okanogan highlands two days ago. As others have reported this week, there was not much moving apart from the usual spot on Nealy Rd. While there, I saw a large flock of Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches that left soon after. They were just in the Crab Apple tree with only 2 of them dropping in to use the feeders while I was there.

I had a fly over of a single Bohemian Waxwing. The owner of the house said that the flocks of Waxwings had deserted her a day or two before because the Crab Apples were cleaned out.

There was a small flock of Pine Grosbeaks on Bolster Rd.

Otherwise the highlands were very quiet.

On the way back, I stopped and verified the spot of the road kill dump. It is between the northernmost two tall poles about half way between Omak and Tonasket. There is a locked gate there and the actual dumping area cannot be seen from the gate. However, when I got out and stood at the gate, there was an immature Bald Eagle clearly visible on the ground. An adult soon popped up to look around. When I pulled up, there was an adult and two juveniles on separate poles. So, a total of 5 birds there. I did not see any other raptors, but there were numerous Ravens and Magpies as well. The dump is on the east side of Hwy 97.

Good birding all,
Ron McCluskey
Cheney, WA
rmcclsky at mindspring dot com
http://birdsoftheworldonline.com/