FIVE FALCON DAY IN NORTH-CENTRAL WASHINGTON

22-23 DECEMBER 2012



With Eric Heisey and his mom, Diane Liebe, we began a search for Gyrfalcon
northeast of Soap Lake on what locals call "High Hill." Unlike a couple
weeks ago, there was snow covering the ground and the big flocks of ducks
feeding on the harvested fields were nowhere to be seen. The Gyr reported
there for several weeks may have moved on, as we could not find it. We did
get our raptor list off to a good start, though, seeing a Prairie Falcon,
Northern Harriers, Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks (one very striking dark
phase bird), and American Kestrels.


We next searched for the Ephrata Blue Jays that have been coming to a feeder
on D Street. Both Ellen and Eric heard one call off in the distance but we
failed to catch up with these birds. We did observe a Sharp-shinned Hawk and
Merlin, adding to our raptor list.


Heading southwest along SR-28 to the area where the Northern Hawk Owl had
been reported, Ellen noted clouds of ducks off to the north. Knowing
Gyrfalcons just love a hearty meal of duck, we detoured north a mile or so
to Martin Road. It was our lucky day as shortly, we spotted a largish raptor
on a pole along this road. By a large corn stubble field, with thousands of
Mallards, we scoped a regal GYRFALCON! Eric was able to get a good shot of
this handsome immature bird, on the pole and as it rocketed by heading to
the ducks, flushing the ducks once again. The falcon was unsuccessful on
this hunt, perched on the ground for a few minutes then took off high in the
sky flying southeast. We lost it from view but it seemed to know where it
was going. Nearby we spotted another Merlin.



Harris's Sparrow was next on Eric's wish list so we headed to Confluence
State Park/Horan Wildlife Area in Wenatchee. After a trudge through wet
snow, we set up vigil by the A-frame feeder, tucked in a riparian grove.
After a period, we split up with me maintaining watch at the feeder. I was
in luck when the HARRIS'S SPARROW paid a short visit along with a roving
bunch of Golden-crowned and White-crowned Sparrows The others were not so
lucky. We were fortunate to find Purple Finches gulping down ash seeds and
their wings in the introduced ash trees at the parking lot. A Ruby-crowned
Kinglet, uncommon this far north in winter, was another good find. Cooper's
Hawk was new on our raptor list.



We next climbed up to the Waterville Plateau, where we targeted Snow Bunting
and other "arctic" species such as Lapland Longspur. I feared the plateau
would be shrouded in dense fog but conditions were actually super on the
lower elevation eastern side of this wonderful winter birding route. The
higher west part was indeed encased in fog. We missed the arctic specialties
but were rewarded, instead, with lots of Gray Partridges, three coveys in
all, totaling 32 birds. Some were mostly buried in snow, their heads popping
up out of the snow just like a periscope. Talk about a cool wildlife moment!
Raptors included Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks, and American Kestrels.
Northern Shrikes were easy to come by, too.



Heading north to Brewster, we noted an adult Peregrine Falcon flying swiftly
north of Bridgeport not far from the Columbia River, thus a "Five Falcon
Day," my first ever for eastern Washington.

That evening, Diane and Eric joined the rest of their family while we drove
east to target Okanogan Highland sites.



On 23 December Ellen and began birding in Tonasket. We focused on the
residential district east of US-97. Here we found a flock of Bohemian
Waxwings and several of Common Redpolls. Other interesting birds were
Merlin, lots of Eurasian Collared-Doves, calling Townsend's Solitaires, and
several flocks of Common Redpolls frequenting birch trees. If you're looking
for a birdy neighborhood in north-central Washington, we'd like to recommend
this older section of Tonasket. We saw a couple Bald Eagles and both Merlin
and American Kestrels.


Heading east out of Tonasket, we stopped on the grade just east of the
"Bobolink" Fields, where an immature GYRFALCON posed nicely atop a power
pole for photos. A 2-Gyr weekend!


Upwards we found the Okanogan Highlands very quiet and found only 17
species. We focused on searching for Snow Bunting and Sharp-tailed Grouse
but dipped on these. On Mary Ann Creek Road, we did find Pine Grosbeaks.
Otherwise the riparian groves there seemed nearly birdless. The feeders on
Nealy Road were where the action was, with both Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers,
and both Black-capped and Mountain Chickadees. Finches were scarce. We
failed to hear any crossbills but did manage one flock of Common Redpolls
busily feeding in a weedy field. We also heard three Pine Grosbeaks on Mary
Ann Road. The cone crop on the Engelmann spruce seemed sparse, possibly
explaining the scarcity of finches. Raptors included Cooper's Hawk,
Rough-legged Hawk (7), and a Northern Pygmy-Owl. Chickens were more
obliging: we tallied California Quail, Gray Partridge, and Wild Turkey.


Heading home, we drove along the west side Okanogan River between Oroville
and Brewster, where raptors, especially Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, and
American Kestrels, were conspicuous. I was hoping for a goshawk which has
eluded me this year but none appeared.


We ended our quick tour to Washington's north country with 11 species of
diurnal raptors and one owl.



Andy and Ellen Stepniewski

Wapato WA

steppie at nwinfo.net