Greetings Tweeters,
Early in the week I was in the Methow Valley. It was a work trip and I did not really spend time birding, but a few interesting birds were noted in transit (11/17). I was a bit surprised how few raptors I noted in the Methow Valley, though I did see a couple of Northern Shrikes along Highway 20 near Winthrop and between Winthrop and Twisp. The most interesting birds were a couple of PACIFIC LOONS, 1 in alternate or near alternate plumage, on the Columbia at the mouth of the Methow River. There was also a Tundra Swan and a Cackling Goose with the many waterfowl in the pool at the mouth of the Methow. At the boat ramp north of Wells Dam there was a Townsends Solitaire and a Glaucous Winged Gull (1yr). In Chelan County there was a Greater White-fronted Goose with Canada Geese near MP 209 on Highway 97Alt. There were also a couple of Red-necked Grebes on the Columbia at the mouth of the Entiat River. In Kittatas County there were 3 Rough-legged Hawks (2 Imm. light, 1 dark) and 2 Northern Shrike along Highway 97 in the Swauk Prairie to Teanaway Valley area.
Cheers and Good Birding,

Bill Shelmerdine
Olympia
Mailto: georn1 at hotmail.com