Hi all:

Very few additions to the trip list from January 1st. Birding was a total bust in the Okanogan Highlands on January 2nd, with very few birds seen, except for Sharp tailed Grouse along Mary Ann Creek Rd. Even the stiffest, gin and tonic drink at the Chesaw Tavern did not get rid of my birding blues. However, while scanning for Ruffed Grouse on the ground on that day, I was greeted by a lovely surprise that lifted my spirits. See photos for details.

The Waterville Plateau was more productive than expected with the following birds found:

Gray Partridge (several conveys near Mansfield, Withow, and Waterville)
Sharp tailed Grouse (two birds on Bridgeport Hill Rd)
Snowy Owl (one bird between 24th and 25th near Division--roads are dicey, be careful)
Bohemian Waxwings-(two flocks up to 250 birds along Bridgeport Hill Rd)
American Tree Sparrows-near Lamoine area
Snow Buntings-(several birds mixed in with flocks of Horned Larks)
Lapland Longspur (at least three birds found among the 9-10 flocks of Horned Larks) Many were feeding along the roads in the late afternoon.

Recent photos can be seen here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/23662496 at N02/

Happy New Year with peace, love and good birding!

Khanh Tran

www.ktbirding.com

***********************************************************


January 1st, 2014:

Hi Tweeters:
An odd, but successful, birding day in the Okanogan Highlands. Very slow in terms of passerine birds but the quality was great! Patience and a lot of effort was needed today to find these nomadic, wintering specialities but it was an exciting way to start my FOY list:) Did not see any crossbills, siskins, goldfinches, nuthatches, or many chickadees; a couple of Gray Jays and Clark's Nutcracker, but otherwise devoid of many of the common species. This was what I experienced around Thanksgiving, as well.

1 Northern Goshawk- a skittish adult along Davies Rd
2 Short eared Owl-Chesaw and Havillah Rd
4 Northern Pygmy Owl-several birds near Sno-Park, Mary Ann Creek Rd, and Sitzmark Ski area
1 Long eared Owl-Fletcher Rd
3 Great Horned Owl-several birds at dusk en route down to Tonasket
1 Northern Saw-Whet Owl-Mary Ann Creek Rd
22 Gray Partridge-several conveys along Mary Ann Creek Rd and Havillah Church
3 Ruffed Grouse-Hungry Hollow Rd
1 American Three Toe Woodpecker-Sno Park
300-350 Snow Buntings-two separate flocks along Havillah and Hungry Hollow Rd
30 Bohemian Waxwings-small flock Nealey Rd
8 Pine Grosbeaks-Grange Rd
Common Redpoll-small flock Mary Ann Rd
35 Gray Crowned Rosy-finches-Nealy Rd feeder

Happy New Year and with peace, love, and good birding.

Khanh Tran
www.ktbirding.com