Hello Tweeters,

?

???? This morning, Monday 2-20-12, my wife and I were driving west of Mansfield on Hi 172. On the road and on the shoulder were 15 Sage Grouse. We came to a stop to look and another car flushed the birds into the field about 100 yards away. We got great looks at them as they walked in the stubble. Three of the birds flew back on to the road behind us so I turned around to try for a photo. They were three hens and what was interesting is that they were laying on the road not standing. Trying to warm up? They didn't seem to?be picking up grit, just laying there.

I edged forward hoping for a shot but they flew into the field again. We watched them for about a half hour as they walked in the fields and?eventually they got up and flew in small groups over a small rise. We got scope looks and good views?as they flew off. It seemed like an unusual?place to see them. They were at the intersection of Hi 172 and Division Road .? It was a great end to the weekend of birding the Okanogan Highlands.



Neil Zimmerman

Brier, WA