I took advantage of a mid-week day off and drove to the Chelan Ridge Hawkwatch site. The Hawkwatch biologists were very nice company and, while we didn't see a lot of hawks now late in October, we had some nice raptor sightings. I spent a few hours, ate lunch, and drove home. A juvenile Merlin flew close, possibly to evaluate the plastic owl they mounted on a pole. There were quite a few Sharp-shinned Hawks, some Cooper's Hawks, lots of Red-tailed Hawks and a couple Golden Eagles (one immature). Non-raptors included some Turkey Vultures, dozens of Mountain Bluebirds, and perhaps a thousand Sandhill Cranes in groups of 30-50 birds.
There was still some smoke in the air, so distant raptors were tougher to identify than usual. Some small fires are still burning on Blewett Pass, but travel was easy.
I believe the Hawkwatch biologists will be there through the 27th of the month. There is a map and directions on their website: http://www.hawkwatch.org/conservation-science/migration-research-sites/74-chelan-ridge-raptor-migration-project

While the driving to birding time ratio was a bit high, I always get a lift watching the hawks fly out of the north on their annual migration, which definitely makes the trip worthwhile for me.

Gary Kelsberg
Seattle