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February 16 - 18, 2008

Waterville Plateau & Okanogan - Ruth Sullivan & Stefan Schlick

This is the first trip I did not had Patrick my son by my side birding the usual Winter trip to the Okanogan Highlands and the Waterville Plateau,but Stefan Schlick from Portland Oregon was so kind to help me out.With all the bad weather we had lately ,we lucked out, we had three glorious days of the best condition.There was no problem driving since the roads where clear of snow and ice.We had 14 birders on this trip with 4 cars and kept good communication by radio,

Since my computer was not working earlier,I like to make some comments about our highlights,starting day One.

Our trip was to Conconully for the Sharp-tailed Grouse where we had 41  of this most wanted species,all in good lighting,some of this birds on the ground where you can see them walking on the snow.In Town came our other highlight a Goshawk swept to the trees and landed perched looking around.This was my and other birders the first time to see this species sitting still.It was a full Adult bird.We also had two Crows what are quite unusual to see at this location,1Townsend's Solitaire,1 Varied Trush ,only two was sighted on this trip.3 Shrikes,and a large group of Bohemian Waxwings two Prairie Falcon and 12+ Clark's Nutcrackers.

We continue to Upper Plateau we had another Prairie Falcon,the 4th Shrike of the day,Great Partridge on two areas,Great Horned Owl and some Red Crossbills scattered ,not to many birds,after 3.00 PM.Driving back to Omak it was almost dark we encounter a Big flock of Snow Bunting ,and two more Great Horned Owls Horned Larks are many.

Second day 2-17 we went back to the Highlands,starting earlier to finding Common Redpolls and White winged Crossbills.

Our first and only  Merlin was at the hotel in the town of Omak,it was 7.00AM and we was ready to leave the Merlin flew close by us and probable getting a House Sparrow.We had lot's of Red Crossbills on different areas there show every where,We also had a flock of Pin Siskin,but NO Redpolls.We made sure that we went early for the  Gray Crowned Rosy finches on a feeder on Hungry Hollow road.The place was full of birds and we had two species of this birds.The Hepburn's and I  believe the Interior.I took some photos what I will post the next few days of the two different subspecies.We had good and long looks at the first Pygmy Owl,more Nutcrackers,a Golden Eagle in the town of Tonasket.On the way to

Cameron Lake Rd..we had 4 more Northern Shrikes.On Cameron Lake Road,we had another Pygmy Owl.spotted by Tom Mansfield,this bird flew higher  but in good lighting.White breasted Nuthatches and quite few Pygmy Nuthatches.

We drove to the open snowcovert  fields,Where I believe it was the third car where the call came of a snow Bunting is sitting on the telephone Wire.For some reason to seeing one Snow Bunting seems odd I was thinking about the McKay's  Bunting in Ocean Shores.It was Robert Smith what original spotted this little bird while looking out when there was driving along.What a good eye to spot such small white bird on white snow covered fields.Congratulation Robert Schmidt.We looked all at this bird and he posed for quite time.We all noticed the bright yellow Bill.But than some birders saw this bird from the back what was described all white.I did not had my eye on the scope,and it seems that right than he flew down.With all the effort putting up the snow shoes and walking down where the bird dropped,he was not sighted again.The snow was knee high and when you sink in you needed some one to help you out.This was the BIG HIGHLIGHT  OF THE TRIP.As we was driving further to the other end of  highway 97 near Monse,we had a Gyrfalcon going down the canyon,Not every one saw this bird.We all met for Dinner again,but this time we celebrating  the finding of this RARE Bird.Tom Mansfield was so generous to buying every one Dinner and drinks.This was certainly a special trip for all.

Next and last day 02-18-08 We birdied  Ferry Canyon 2 Adult Coopers Hawks,Cedar Waxwing, huge flock of Bohemian Waxwing circle ,but did not landed do to the 2 Coppers Hawks,our second Varied Thrush,Buffleheads Cananda Geese,we added  quite few species here to our list included White-crowned Sparrow California Quail ,Spotted Towhee,Lesser Scaup, Common Merganser,Common Golden Eye, Common Loon,.Pie-billed Grebe,Golden-crowned Sparrow,Northern Pintail, Sharp -shinned Hawk,Am.Wigeon,Killdeer, DC.Cormorants,

On the way to Wells Wildlife Hundreds of Bohemian Waxwings.Ruddy Ducks, Canvasback,Swan Species Greater Scaup,Northern Harrier,Cackling geese 1, Bridgeport Park Saw-whet Owl, Gadwall.Below Dam,WHITE PELICAN ( I never saw one of this birds in winter)This bird was  so white and beautiful looking standing on the dam on large rocks.Herring Gull,Say's Phoebe on Rd., Mansfield Golden Eagle,. 3 miles out of Mansfield  1 Snowy Owl (our last bird)

This Owl me and Kathy Andrich had on Friday,but we did not saw this Owl,only as we waited the Owl appeared on the ridge  followed by a Raven what steady picked on the Owl,this went on for some time the Raven did not let the Owl alone.

We figured that the Owl had prey and the Raven trying to steal it.The Snowy Owl than landed and the ground ,now two of the Raven picked on the Owl and surrender the Owl.At one point we can see that the Raven took a little something from the feet of  the Owl and there walked away,but after a while one Raven came back,this was going on for the longest time intertaining us.The count for the trip where 79 species, with many Bald Eagles and many many Raven,.What I found there where not large numbers of California Quails.The Goverment used to provided the grain to feed this birds.We all parted and saying good by.It was one of the memorable trips we all not forgetting

Thanks to Stefan  to set up the time  to being on this spot for the Snowy Owl on time and the good participation by every one.And Thank you Tina  for saving me,fast action on this critical moment.It was worth writing this long report.

Cheers Ruth Sullivan