Mike Fleming and I lead this last weekend's WOS trip to Douglas & Okanogan Co. We encountered good numbers of Snow Buntings along Chesaw Rd and just above Havillah in the Highlands and along Cameron Lake Rd. Bohemian Waxwings were in Conconully and near Washburn Island. Our 2 hour exploration of Washburn Island on Sunday yielded 3 American Tree Sparrows, several Western Meadowlarks, Cedar Waxwings, a Lincoln's Sparrow and 7 Western Bluebirds though nobody got on all of these birds. 2 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches were at the Nealey Rd feeders in the Highlands, as was a Northern Pygmy Owl. Another up close Pygmy was along Mary Ann Ck Rd. Finally, 2 Pine Siskins lightened up our mood at a Conconully feeder.
Our trip was a real challenge. There simply are only very few quality birds in the area. The Waterville Plateau was birdable, but very foggy. Our best bird up there was probably a leucistic Horned Lark. The Highlands were above the fog/cloud layer which was somewhere between 2500-3000ft. Our output was less than half of the worst trip I've lead in this area. If you can, wait until the conditions change or skip this year.
Thanks to all participants for their good eyes and ears, and for not giving in to despair.
Stefan SchlickMichael Fleming