Subject: [Tweeters]
Date: Sep 29 00:05:04 2012
From: Jonathan B. Isacoff - isacoff at gonzaga.edu


On Friday Terry Little and I had what could only be termed an amazing day today in Stevens County. Near Valley, we quickly observed 2 Accipiters riding thermals, one a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, which proceed to bomb the obviously massively larger NORTHERN GOSHAWK crowding it's thermal. Colville STP was quiet with some Pectorals, a Long-billed Dowitcher and large flock of 200-300 Violet-green Swallows. Colville Flats and Key Point were similarly quiet with expected species and some nice flocks of migrant Western Bluebirds mixed with Yellow-rumped Warblers.

Arrival at Little Pend Oreille NWR brought action. At approx. 4:15PM, we observed a very large mammal bounding down the Blacktail Mountain Road toward our car. It was a COUGAR, which we were able to observe spectacularly until in went off the road about 50 feet in front of the car. It then stopped in the forest and stared back at us from about 15 yards, it's face warmly lit by afternoon sun. I was able to get some nice photos of the fresh tracks made literally 2-3 minutes prior. Truly unbelievable. In the same spot, 5 grouse flushed on both sides of the road but we were unable to get visuals to ID them. At about 5,300 feet, we came across a mixed group of Mountain and 2 BOREAL CHICKADEES. In the same area were CLARK'S NUTCRACKER, GRAY JAY, HERMIT THRUSH, and many Juncos, Kinglets, and Yellow-rumped Warblers. As we proceed along, we soon came upon a male SPRUCE GROUSE, then a male RUFFED GROUSE, and finally a male DUSKY GROUSE, all in the road in a span of 1.3 miles. As if things weren't going well enough, we picked up a SNOWSHOE HARE, a young Bull MOOSE, which ran in front of the car for about a mile, and 3 WESTERN TOADS, one of which posed for photos. We were unable to locate a Boreal Owl after dark, but after a 3-Grouse, 2-Accipiter day complete with Cougar, Moose, and let us not forget our bonus Toads!, there were absolutely no complaints. Some photos are at www.flickr.com/photos/isacoff.

Good birding,
Jon Isacoff, Spokane