Hi tweets,

A large group of us from Tacoma just returned from a 3 day

trip to N.C wash. Weather ranged from sunny to rain in

the valleys then sunny on Monday. Periodic fog but no rain

or snow in the highlands. Birding was generally slow.

Highlight of the trip was watching a N. Pygmy Owl hunting.

We found the owl on Bolster rd. shifting trees until it became quite intent on an area about 10 feet off the road.

It flew down, dissappeared for 30-40 seconds and returned

to the center of a thick water birch clutching a mouse. The

mouse appeared to be a house mouse (pale gray). Almost

immediately a second Pygmy appeared eyeing the first with

it's prey. With piracy in mind, the newly arrived Pygmy

dispatched the original causing it to drop it's prey and flee

the area. Completing the klepto-parasitism and securing

the prey the second owl flew back into the water birch.

These interractions we occasionally witness almost seem

magical, adding to our knowledge as we see these brief

moments in the lives of our quarry.



Highlights:

all 3 accipiters including 1 N. Goshawk on Cameron Lk. rd.

Golden Eagle, 1 waterville plateau

Merlin, 2

Prairie, 1 tonasket-havillah hwy.

R. Grouse, 2 highlands

Sharp-Tailed Grouse, 8 Foster ck.

Turkey several tonasket

N.Pygmy Owl, 2

N. Saw-Whet Owl, 1 at dark BSP

Pygmy Nuthatch, C. Ferry cyn.

T. Solitaire, 2

Bohemian Waxwing, 75 Brewster

Snow Bunting, 2 in w/Horned Larks, waterville plat.

G.C Rosy Finches, 125 highland meadows

C. Redpoll, ~700, highlands, 500 in the air over bolster rd.

E. Grosbeak, 2 watervill plat.



There were about 70 Mourning Doves at the feeder on

Grange rd. Seemed strange to see that number in the

highlands, feeders do change apparent wintering locales.

Snow levels are low, we actually drove on gravel roads,

snowless on Cameron Lk. loop.

Ken Brown

kennethwbrown at hotmail.com

Port Orchard, wa

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