>Tweeters-
>Saturday and Sunday, while hiking in the Cascades northeast of Salmon le Sac,
>I encountered both Wilson's and Orange-crowned Warblers in high mountain
>shrub habitats (around 5500'). These were in mixed flocks with MacGillivray's
>and/or Nashville Warblers. In two instances the shrubs were Sitka Alder and
>in one, Willows. Given the uncertain status of these two species as breeders
>east of the Cascade crest, it is possible that they may either have been
>breeding in these locales or are already on the move south from other
>breeding areas. Aug. 9 seems a very early date for this. Any thoughts?
>Brenda Senturia

Their behavior, in mixed flocks, indicates that they are probably non-breeding
birds and are probably southbound migrants. Breeding birds will associate
for short periods of time with mixed flocks as they move around, but from
your brief description I get the feeling these were flocks of migrants.

When birding in the central valley of California many years ago, we would
get returning Orange-crowned Warblers at the end of July (also see Andy's
recent postings from the Yakima firing range).

However, the story on breeding warblers east of the Cascades is only partly
known, so don't dismiss any observations with too many assumptions.




Jerry Tangren <tangren at wsu.edu>