Last week (October 8) I went out to Foster Creek near Bridgeport in
Douglas County. My hope was to see what gamebirds were present before
they were all shot this week (yesterday was opening day of hunting
season). To my surprise I found something rather different - namely
nothing. The upper part of the creek was entirely burnt. Furthermore, a
tractor or some sort of large machinery had gone over every inch of
ground very systematically as evidenced by the tracks. Large sections
were almost entirely lacking in any sign of vegetation, past or present.
In fact I wondered whether the area had been burnt deliberately for
clearing. Does anyone know? The lower part of the creek was unaffected
as was a very narrow strip (50 feet?) directly along the creek. It will
be interesting to see whether this continues to be a productive birding
site. Incidentally, in case you are wondering, there was one hen
pheasant in the narrow strip of vegetation near the head of the creek and
a large (30-40) covey of California Quail a couple miles down the creek
in the unaffected area.

Jim Elder, Seattle, WA