The area where we have done our most systematic observations of shrub steppe
birds is the south slope of Rattlesnake Mountain and on the Arid Lands
Ecology Reserve (ALE) which occupies the north slope of Rattlesnake
Mountain. On ALE, the big sagebrush community is limited to elevations less
than ~1200 ft. (Sagebrush at higher elevations was apparently destroyed by
fire in 1984.) During the breeding season, Sage Thrashers are uncommon on
ALE. While performing bird surveys, we have birded ALE both this year and
last and have yet to see one there. Tony Greager, who performed surveys
during 1994 and 1995, has only one spring sighting.

However, on the south slope, the big sagebrush community extends to
approximately 2100 feet. Although the range of sagebrush is nowhere near as
expansive as it is on ALE, the sagebrush on the south slope (in the few
places where it is undisturbed) seems to be taller and denser, perhaps due
to more rain. On the south slope, Sage Thrashers are easily found.
However, they don't seem to be restricted to locations where quality
sagebrush exists. It is not clear to us why they prefer the south slope
better (elevation, moister, better sage???).

A similar distribution exists for Brewer's Sparrows. They are rarely seen
on ALE but are common at the higher elevations on the south slope.

After the middle of August, Tony Greager has reported that fledgling Sage
Thrashers are commonly seen in riparian areas on ALE (we have not birded ALE
in August). It would be interesting to know if these birds are from south
slope broods.

Other areas where we have seen Sage Thrasher are: near Potholes Reservoir,
just south of Moses Lake; Telford Road, south of Route 2 between Wilbur and
Davenport; and along the Mabton-Bickleton Road in Yakima county.

>Possibly. I believe that SATH prefer fairly dense, high sagebrush. I get the
>impression that they're fairly local; i.e., not spread out on even centers.
>They're relatively common around Vantage WA and at Sagebrush Flats, near
>Ephrata. Andy and the other eastsiders probably know of other good areas.
>LaFramboises?
>
>------Herb Curl
>>
>
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>NOAA Hazmat 7600 Sand Point Way, NE Seattle, WA 98115 (206)526-6317
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>


Bill and Nancy LaFramboise
Richland, WA
wlafra at oneworld.owt.com