Marilyn;

Dave Fraser/Leah Ramsay and I went to the same spots at the end of March
last year. If you are camping I suggest bringing a hummingbird feeder and
setting it up in your campground. We stayed at the Bog Springs Campground
at Madera and got 3 spp of hummingbirds in a matter of minutes. We were
unloading our van and an Acorn and Strickland's Woodpecker were working the
tree next to our campsite. The Lane Guide kind of poopoos the campground
because it is too dry but we really enjoyed the site. The Elf Owl was very
cooperative and the lodge has a regular bird. The one described in the Lane
Guide was not there so go to the lodge for updated info. We also heard the
Whiskered Screech Owls all over the place at night. The Portage Road
Interpretive trail near the entrance is really good for stuff in the
morning. It follows a stream through the Sycamore Trees. There was an
Eared Trogon there somewhere (we missed it). Madera was my favorite stop.
I can also recommend Carr Canyon one canyon south of Ramsey. We camped
there and I think a few weeks later and it would have been wonderful. It
was a bit on the cold side because its close to 7000 ft but we did see a
Buff-breasted Flycatcher on one of the trails and we heard a Trogon. The
road up there is dirt and not for the weak of heart but its plenty wide
enough and has great views. Ramsey Canyon was a disappointment but I'm sure
we were too early for alot of the hummingbirds. It is over developed on the
way up to it and has no where to camp. We did try to get into the B&B but
they laughed at us (reservations months in advance). The Desert Museum was
incredible with lots of native stuff inside the exhibits and flying around
outside (tickable). The hummingbird exhibit had nesting birds that were
very cool to see up close. Have fun and give us a report!

Tracee Geernaert
tracee at iphc.washington.edu