Dan,


Here's some input which might help:

1-I believe the Sage Thrashers which nest in the extensive bitterbrush tract
northeast of the Wenas are occupying a habitat type not heretofore
documented for breeding Sage Thrashers.

2-You most likely know of the Shapiro study on thrashers and Sage Sparrows
on the Yakima Training Center (1996).It contains a wealth of data,
discussion and conclusions on a variety of behavioural, breeding and habitat
selection topics on Sage Thrashers.

3-I thoroughly documented a post-breeding movement of Sage Thrashers on the
YTC to riparian areas where a variety of berries were available. This
occurred from early June (fledging of first brood) through the species
departure in mid-September. There are also several papers in the lit on
"fruit-eating" habits of this species. I believe it is a post-breeding
phenomenon.

Andy Stepniewski

>Tweeters,
>
>I am co-authoring the BNA Sage Thrasher Account. Any help would be greatly
>appreciated. I especially looking for any obscure references,
>personal/unpublished data, interesting behavioral observations, extralimital
>records, and any insights from tweeters on finding information or on Sage
>Thrashers.
>
>Please respond to me personally, or to the list if you think appropriate.
>
>Thanks,
>Dan
>
>Dan Stephens (509) 664-2503
>Dept. of Biology fax: (509) 664-2538
>Wenatchee Valley College e-mail: dstephen at ctc.edu
>1300 Fifth Street
>Wenatchee, WA 98801
>
>