Hi All,

Wednesday afternoon I headed over to the Tonasket area to see if I could
take a look-see at the very special colorful bunting. What a treat! The
bird is beautiful, but I also was fortunate to run into, and chat, with
both of the land owners of the riparian strip. One was Roland Coleman
who posted about the Painted Bunting status a few days back. Thanks,
Roland for being so accommodating to us birders wanting to gawk at your
quite unusual visitor. After wonderful views of the Painted Bunting on
Wednesday evening, I headed up to the Havillah Sno-park for the night. I
did not see or hear Great Gray Owl, but I did have a few interesting
highlights over the next few days of birding and wandering about.

SNOWY OWL - Yeah, I know it is July, and I was quite surprised too. Seen
on top of power pole along road at 5AM Thursday about 1.3 miles up from
town of Havilla near W. Wildermuth Road.

TENNESSEE WARBLER - Slightly worn male bird seen a few miles up Mary Ann
Creek Road seen mid morning on Thursday. Specifically it was 1.3 miles
beyond and north of a white and red heart shaped sign of the North
Country Christian School. It responded to pishing in the riparian area
on the left side of the road just at the north edge of a small beaver
pond. The darn thing did not really act territorial and was not
responsive to playback, or otherwise, after my initial noise efforts.

ROSS'S GOOSE - It was at the western edge of the camping area of the
Coulee City Community Park yesterday morning. It looks to have a few
primaries drooping, but it is able to weakly fly. Apparently it has been
present for about a month according to the park host.

MEW GULL - 2nd cycle, I guess. Same spot as Ross's Goose and it liked
the bread as much as the Ring-billed Gulls here.

Well, given my highlight list, minus the warbler, one might think my
bird outing took place in March rather than July. Daytime temperatures
in the upper 90's told me otherwise though. I did enjoy a hike on the
Mount Chopaka trail northwest of Loomis on Thursday afternoon. Great
looks at an adult Northern Goshawk and an American Three-toed Woodpecker
were highlights on the hike along with the spectacular views of the
Pasaytan wilderness.

Cheers and good summer birding,
Brad

Brad Waggoner
Bainbridge Island, Washington
mailto:wagtail at sounddsl.com