Khanh, I love the joy, energy, and enthusiasm you bring to finding,
photographing, and sharing the birds we all want to see. No doubt, you are
a gifted birder but you are a successful guide because of the long, hard
hours you invest. Thank you!

On Thu, Mar 17, 2016 at 8:09 PM, Tom Mansfield <birds at t-mansfield.com>
wrote:

> Bravo, Khanh - you are an inspiration for me and many. I am lucky to know
> first hand your special karma with special birds but what most people don't
> realize is your devoted commitment to find the birds you know are "in the
> neighborhood." Many birders just pass through, expecting (or hoping) their
> target will pop up just where you or someone else had it. We all know
> that's unrealistic, usually. Sometimes the bird is where it is "supposed"
> to be and that's a fortunate outcome. But many times, it takes an
> investment in time and effort to realize the goal. Your posts are always
> so positive and inspiring and offered with goodwill. That anyone would
> have "accused me of being greedy and not willing to share information" is
> unfortunate and uninformed. Keep your karma cooking and share your great
> fortune - it is inspirational for the rest of us.
>
> Tom Mansfield in Seattle (wishing I was chasing something great
> elsewhere...)
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu [mailto:
> tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Khanh Tran
> Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2016 3:26 PM
> To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
> Cc: Khanh Tran
> Subject: [Tweeters] Okanogan/Douglas County Bird Report with Updated
> PHOTOS (Longish)
>
> Hi Tweeters:
>
> Mid-March can be an interesting and fun time to bird in the Okanogan
> Highlands and Waterville Plateau. I am always curious what the wintering
> species do during this period. It can be an ideal time to see large flocks
> of certain species, and some, in their breeding plumages. The weather was
> not great this past weekend with mixed rain, snow and wind. After the
> storms, there was a brief period of calmness and the birds were out in full
> force.
>
> I normally don't use the word 'epic' and have seen great birds and had
> some amazing encounters over the years up there! However, this weekend was
> very special. I got to show, two up-and-coming, young birders (Walker Noe
> and his brother Dalton), my favorite birding haunts. I got choked up
> watching their reactions when they saw their lifer GREAT GRAY OWL. The
> regal bird was in perfect light and down low.
>
> It was also Judy's 70th Birthday. This is the gracious lady and host who
> maintains the Nealey Feeders near Chesaw for the last 10 years. Since I
> have known her, she is more engaged and interested in birds. Her place has
> hosted Gray Crowned Rosy-finches, Pine Grosbeaks, Common Redpolls, White
> winged Crossbills, Northern Pygmy Owl, Northern Goshawk, Dusky and Ruffed
> Grouse. She is very appreciative of all the visiting birders and those who
> have donated bird seed! I am thankful for her friendship and generosity,
> and she makes me feel like family. We are all lucky to have such an
> accommodating host! at
>
> It is all started with me knocking at her door and asking for permission
> to get close to the birds in her yard. Years ago, Judy bailed me out when
> my jeep broke down along Mary Ann Creek Rd. En route, we encountered a
> Great Gray Owl and she was blown away! Every year, she looks forward to the
> returning Bohemian Waxwings and Rosy-finches.
>
> I don't mean to gloat or create possible jealous or envy from what I see
> and photograph. What I hope is, my bird reports (and from others) and
> photos will inspire and motivate birders to explore the area. Directly or
> indirectly, there are more birders in the Okanogan in the last few years.
> It has been all positive. Birders boosting the economy, learning about the
> terrain and special birds, and developing a good, interpersonal
> relationship with the locals (Judy Howlett, Gary Eagle, and Meredith
> Spencer). On holiday weekends, some of the hotels rent out 20-25 rooms
> average during a time when it's slow. The Breadline owner in Omak, Paula
> appreciates the patronage and is often chatty and interested in what we see!
>
> Over the last 10 years, I have spent many countless, hours driving and
> hiking up there to look and learn about these special and challenging
> birds. My persistence and efforts has finally paid off. Much of my success
> also has to do with luck and karma! My hobby has now become a successful
> business (not entirely comfortable with it at times), so I don't post as
> much (limited time, I work a 40 hour job during the week) or reveal
> locations for sensitive birds. My bird reports have been detailed and
> revealing, if you go back several years and search the Tweeters archives.
> Recently, some birders have accused me of being greedy and not willing to
> share information.
>
> There are lots of good habitat up there to explore. I always keep an open
> mind and look in new places for target species besides stakeouts. I try to
> do a few, new roads when I am up there. And if I don't' see birds, it can
> reward me with beautiful scenery or other interesting wildlife such as a
> bobcat or wolves!
>
> With the recent big fires, it will be interesting what it will bring in
> the future. Already, I found two new, winter feeding locations for Sharp
> tailed Grouse. Each hosted 8-15 birds besides the stakeout areas in
> Conconully and Bridgeport! It was on roads less traveled and I was
> pleasantly rewarded. Be great to see more woodpeckers and breeding
> hawkowls! I can't wait to see what we all discover with more interest and
> birders' coverage!
>
>
> Many thanks to Stefan Schlick for encouraging me to become a bird guide.
> He is one of the best birders around, well-traveled, knowledgeable, and
> sharp. An can't forget Andy Stepniewski's influence and knowledge of the
> vast area which has helped many birders, including me.
>
> There were several highlights from this past weekend. Seeing FOUR Great
> Gray Owls hunting over an hour time, was SURREAL. One successfully
> grabbed a pocket gopher and ate it right in front of me! I also had a
> close encounter with a male, American 3-Toed Woodpecker. It was at eye
> level for 15 minute and--- wow, what a gorgeous bird upclose!
>
> Link to updated PHOTOS:
>
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/23662496 at N02/
>
> Species Highlight for Trip:
>
> Prairie Falcon -two birds near Mansfield Peregrine Falcon-gorgeous bird on
> glacial erractic near Mansfield Great Horned Owl-several at dusk on
> Havillah Rd, pairs on Bridgeport Hill Rd, and Conconully Rd Northern Pygmy
> Owl -one bird near Chesaw Great Gray Owl-FIVE birds total, with seeing 4
> birds in an hour. on Hungry Hollow, Nealey, Sno-Park, Swainson Mill Rd, and
> Pontiac Ridge Rd Great Sage Grouse-3 birds along Division near Mansfield.
> Gray Partridge-small convey of 10 birds on Nealey Rd Ruffed Grouse-single
> birds along Nealey and Bolster Rd White headed Woodpecker-one male near
> Visser Ranch and 2 pairs on Cameron Lake Rd American Three Toed
> Woodpecker-a stunning male up close at eye level in Sno-Park Williamson's
> Sapsuckers-6-8 pairs drumming and calling away in near Sno-Park and
> OkanoganHighlands Bohemian Waxwings-flock of 600 along Century Ferry Canyon
> Rd Snow Buntings-a mesmerizing flock of a 1000 plus birds on F Rd near
> LaMoine Lapland Longspurs-at least 5 birds in a flock of 1000 plus Snow
> Buntings on F Rd near LaMoine Common Redpolls-several flocks of 200-300
> birds on Mary Ann Creek Rd and Hungry Hollow Rd Pine Grosbeaks-flock of 12
> birds on Bolster Rd Gray crowned Rosy-finches-a flock of 300 plus birds on
> Mary Ann Creek Rd swirling by us several times White winged
> Crossbills-small flock of 5 birds on Mary Ann Creek Rd
>
>
> Peace, love and good birding!
>
>
> Khanh Tran
>
>
> www.ktbirding.com
>
>
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