One correction to my posting: should read First Dark-eyed Juncos - (not Towhees)
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From: notcalm at comcast.net
To: "Tweeters" <Tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 3:30:41 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
Subject: Sunny Highlands Rosy Rapture- Okanogan Highlands and Columbia River-Mountain Bluebird, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Pine Grosbeaks, Redhead, Canvasback, Merlins



Hello Tweeters Community,


I was on the Highlands Monday for my third, single day trip.
The weather was cold, warm, cold and brilliantly sunny with little wind.


I had hoped for everything and was rewarded with nice finds of conversation and birds. One of the many things I enjoy about birding are the friendly people, often open sharing, beautiful environments and often, having a target species, sometimes not finding it, but finding and experiencing a number of other great things- just letting it unfold and being fully present.


I drove the Tenaway valley the last hour of Sunday eve hoping for owls. I suddenly was surrounded by approx. 60 Wild Turkeys in the late evening light. This was the first time I was aware of the iridescence of turkey feathers. Watched young males display. I stayed with this group and had great views of flights, feeding and the displays. I now understand why old Ben admired these guys.


Looked for Great Gray at Sno-park early and late Monday. No find. Third time is not always a charm. Also did not find Pygmy Owls. My friend and Owl expert , believes that they (PYOW) have likely moved on to higher ground as snow has receded and breeding nears.


However:


Found a Male Mountain Bluebird on the way to Sno-park- I was startled, turned around to photograph, and the bird flew into a roadside nesting box! I later talked to two guys who saw the same bird.


Two J. Golden Eagle flyovers. I look forward to seeing my first adult at close range on the ground.


Four Rough-legged Hawks (Light Phase)


Horned Larks, (many)


When I could not find GRGROW, I decided to try my Northern Saw-whet owl human whistle - (The I-pod pro sounds too much like a digital recording)- I remember the note from the third note of the Masterpiece Theater theme song. Always makes my teenaged daughter's eyes roll in disbelief and embarrassment. At Sno-park meadow- immediately resulted in a long, clear reply- the bird seemed to be attempting to teach me the proper length and interval between notes. Very special and my first reply from a Saw-whet following many attempts this Winter.


Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches, both Coastal(40+) and Interior Rosy Finches(3) were found for an "unusually long time" on Hungry Hollow. Between the elevation, sun, snow and birds, I spent a few hours in a state of S unny Highlands Rosy Rapture . A wonderful experience. Also present were Goldfinches, a Clarke's Nutcracker, first Dark-eyed Juncos (not Towees) reported by locals this Winter, Male Downey, Black-capped and Mountain Chickadees . Then they flew and I realized that I was way behind schedule, but relaxed and decided any additional special experience would unnecessary.


Common Redpolls (four groups of 20, 16, 50, 12) Bolster- very high elevation mid-day-very icy and no turn around- not recommended- then followed to flats(2), Maryanne Creek Road, Upper Maryanne (they joined a small, calling, ground feeding group of Pine Grosbeaks- I ran into Vicki, of Bonney and friend who were photographing them, near where I found the Grosbeaks last week- thanks Vicki- I took them to the Sharp-tail site, looked long and hard and of couse they were no where to be found- when they go undercover they don't seem to exist)


Sharp-tailed Grouse (2) feeding on Water Birch buds (Maryanne Creek Road) First time I was able to watch fly, feed, ground, walk and completely disappear in 20 minutes


Pine Grosbeaks(6)- Maryanne Creek Road in trees and then on ground- beautiful birds, especially on ground- beautiful song or call when on ground.


Great Horned Owls calling - several- I made the same whistling, repeated call note (not i-pod) for Saw-whet at dark and I swear, every owl within a mile had a reaction one sounded very unusual- no one else was present in the park. Same locations the prior two weeks evoked no response.

Kingfisher, present last week when I was at Chesaw was not seen


N. Shrike, above Chesaw


Finally, I had my first ever road fly-over by a Saw-whet in front of my auto high beams near Twisp. I have had occasional BARRED, GRHO & BAOW'S do this, but not SAWH'S.


Tuesday morning:


Robins- my friends in the Methow valley had not yet seen Robins- but I found a few in odd places, acting lethargic- I didn't think they were Robins, by behavior- then saw one flying a long distance- straight up the side of the Columbia and speculated they were moving and tired.


Catbird- Methow valley


Redhead male - I was so taken by the outstanding beauty of this duck, I did not notice if a mate was present (Methow River est.) My first.


Canvasback male- (near Methow River est.) My first. Both of these males visually stood out from the several hundreds of other ducks present on the Columbia- very impressive.


Merlins- I enjoy scanning as I am driving. We all cover a lot of territory just getting to the destinations. I decided to look at tops for Merlins on the way back to Wenatchee. Found one male and one female in close proximity just North of Wenatchee. The female was larger and was the darkest of all Merlins I have seen.




Last week I received questions and perhaps some skepticism, for understandable reasons, on my sighting of a Loggerhead Shrike below Cameron Lake Road (South), near the highway. I got good, long looks. I remain confident about the ID and was happy to see a recent posting regarding a Loggerhead in the same area, after my viewing. Many things appear to be unusually early this year. I believe we will continue to see destabilized migration patterns as a result of many complex factors, including short and long-term climate changes.


The White-headed, reported last week were seen on Blewett Pass on my way over from Seattle. I ran out of time- I type extremely slowly- and ended up not putting in locations.


Also, I spent much time filming and observing Spotted sandpipers and Swainson's Thrushes last year, which, perhaps by coincidence had nesting territories very near each other. I would have a difficult time mistaking their calls for other species. I believe I did hear repeatedly and in the same location both species last week North of Molsen. I believe they were likely to be very early birds in migration. Of course, I have made a few mistakes of ID in the past. I continue to appreciate your kind comments, observations and postings.


Best regards,
Dan Reiff
Mercer Island
"Dan Reiff, PhD" <notcalm at comcast.net>;