Subject: migrant traps
Date: May 12 16:38:36 1994
From: Rob Thorn - rthorn at ups.edu


I've been periodically checking the outer part of Point Defiance Park in Tacoma
for two Springs now, waiting for a migrant bonanza that has never fully
appeared. This morning, after an overcast, dreary night in mid-May, should
have
been perfect for a big fallout. The totals (40 spp. in 2 hours, of which
about half were neotropical migrants) were OK but hardly impressive. It
seems clear that Point Defiance, for all its geographical appropriateness,
is not the
nirvana of Northwest migrant traps. What is? I've spent much of
the last 8 Springs and Falls looking for an elusive coastal migrant trap in
western Washington. Where other people see islands and points, I see
potential
migrant traps. But nothing has proven reliable. What are other peoples'
experiences here: are there good traps hidden out there ( and if so, where
are they), or are we wasting our time looking? Will we never have a
Northwest version of Pt. Reyes?
Rob Thorn, Tacoma/Seattle (rthorn at ups.edu)