Josh Parrott and I birded the Okanagan Highlands on Sun 12/4.? It was a sunny day with periods of time of few birds.? However, there were also several highlights.? On Mary Ann Creek Road there was a Northern Pygmy Owl being scolded by Pine Grosbeaks.? There was a flock of perhaps 200 Common Redpolls that allowed pretty good photo opportunities.? Later in the day we either saw this same flock in another area or it was a different flock.? They even came down onto the road until a border patrol officer drove by and sent them packing?back to Canada.? One of the really fun sightings was a flock of at least 200 Bohemian Waxwings that flew into the shrubs and small trees right at the edge of the road.? They lingered a long while allowing time for many photographs.? We ran into another flock of at least 300 birds later in the day.? We also saw 4 Sharp-tailed Grouse who made themselves scarce after a minute of viewing.? Another interesting sighting
was a gaggle of 9 wild turkeys. If any of you know the status of Turkeys in the Highlands please reply.
On Cameron Lake Road, we were fortunate to see a White-headed Woodpecker and a Red Crossbill.? Along the south stretch of the road out on the flats we saw a Prarie Falcon along with many Rough-legged Hawks and Red-tail Hawks.? At the south end of the road?just before heading?down the hill toward the highway we saw a Loggerhead Shrike that allowed some I.D. photos.? It was great to be able to photograph the bird that was out of place.? There were at least 6 Northern Shrikes that we saw during the day, but a Loggerhead was a real treat.? Once down to the Waterville Plateau, we were able to find the flock of the Gray Partridge by the grain elevators.? There was a Great-horned Owl at the location of the Northern Hawk Owl of a couple years ago on Bridgeport Road.? At dusk on the drive home, we saw a Short-eared Owl doing its acrobatics over the fields.
All-in-all, a great day on the Highlands.
Dick Abbott and Josh Parrott
Mount Vernon
rjabaa at yahoo.com