>On Thu, 20 Jun 1996, Dennis Paulson wrote:
>> To me, we've stayed in the Stone Age with regard to our knowledge of the
>> distribution of some Washington breeding birds. Wilson's and
>> Orange-crowned Warblers have often been thought of as being widespread
>> breeders east of the Cascades crest, but in fact, they're not! I think
>> they are both very local, unlike their status west of the crest, and it
>> would be interesting to try to put together a good account of their
>> distribution and habitat preference. I haven't checked the web for range
>> maps for either one; maybe there are answers there.
>
>First a word of warning, the maps on the web-site are dated, I have better
>ones in the printed drafts. Unfortunately, I have not had the time to
>update the web site. But back to the topic.
>
>Wilson's Warbler: I would agree with Dennis regarding Wilson's Warbler
>east of the Crest. There really isn't much good habitat until the
>'Columbian' forests of northeastern Washington. BBA data and other folks
>will back this up. In the Blues, they are apparently limited to
>willow/alder thickets or similar vegetation in damp shady areas.
>
>Orange-crowned Warbler: apparently there is some disagreement among the
>experienced, I have two sides to this story. There are a number of east
>Cascades OC Warbler records, which could either be late migrants or
>breeding birds. Actual breeding records are few. On our trip we found
>three areas with Orange-crowned Warblers: two were very high in shrubby
>vegetation (one dry area and one wet area), the third was way down along
>Union Flat Creek near Pullman. I was worried when I first heard this bird
>(thought I'd have to make extensive map changes), but after reading the
>other posts about late migrants, I will assume that this is one. Anyway,
>I won't name names, but some folks I've discussed this bird with are
>admant that they are rare/local breeders in eastern WA and that most birds
>are late migrants. Other folks believe just as strongly that this species
>is a widespread breeder throughout the eastern Cascades at lower
>elevations. So how about some evidence?
>
>-------------
>Michael R. Smith
>Univ. of Washington, Seattle
>whimbrel at u.washington.edu
>http://salmo.cqs.washington.edu/~wagap/mike.html
>
One of the problems with OCWa's is that they cease active singing rather
early in the breeding season. I contend the brushy habitats are "crawling
with this species"... but they are only occasional singers after say 20-25
May. A breeding bird census of any eastside forest ecosystem in June is
going to miss many Orange-crowned Warblers.
Andy Stepniewski
Wapato WA