Scott:

Spruce Grouse-a rambles around Roger Lake might be a good bet. It can be
hard work, though. If your in a group, spread out, maximizing your chances
of tripping over one of these little teasers. If it flies its a Blue, if
you can walk up to it, it's a Spruce.

Ptarmigan-a stiff hike up Chopaka Mtn is the best site in the area. It's
about a 3-hour hike. The top usually has ptarmigan, though I've never been
therein September; they might have dispersed.

Pygmy Owl- some years not difficult in the Long Swamp area. I believe their
cyclic, however. Sometimes around, sometimes not.

Boreal Owl- try a playback tape at the Long Swamp Campground once it's
dark. The owls, if they are around, might respond with the piercing
"skieuw" call. You'll need good eyes to get a look at one
(bring Ike Eisenhart, he'll get one in view with a poachers lamp), If not
there, try any spruce/fir draw south along Rd 39 and 37. Forget it if it is
windy or precipitating.

Also forget trying for one in lodgepole pine (there is a lot of those
sticks up there). But dense lodgepoles are good for lynx-you might get
lucky cause this area is the place for these impressive puddies.

Williamson's Sapsucker-might be south of the region by that time in Sept.
Lower down in the larch forests only. I've never noted one in the highlands
in this region, though a wanderer would not be too much of a surprise,

Good luck!
Andy Stepniewski
Wapato WA
----------
> From: S. Downes <sdownes at u.washington.edu>
> To: Andy Stepniewski <steppie at wolfenet.com>
> Subject: Okanogan trip
> Date: Tuesday, August 12, 1997 10:45 PM
>
> Andy,
> I am planning a trip to the Long Swamp area for September 14-21. I am
> after Boreal Owl, Spruce Gouse, Williamson Sapsucker and interested in
> other species such as Pygmy Owl, Ptarmigan and general spots to
> concentrate on birding in this FS Rd. 39 area. Any information would be
> appreciated as I have really never birded this area before.
> Thanks,
>
> Scott Downes
> sdownes at u.washington.edu
> Seattle WA
>
>