I'm about ready to launch on the eagerly anticipated SE Washington birding
expedition. Thanks(!!) to everyone (via 'Tweeters* & personal) for your
comments, advice, and input. As of noon yesterday (6/09), the extremely
helpful, friendly, and accommodating USFS at Pomeroy (509-843-1891) reports
that except for the highest and most remote areas of the Blue Mountains, most
all roads and targeted areas for visitation are now accessible although
rocky, rough, and flood damaged in places. Those that aren't quite clear of
snow should be shortly. The last half mile to Wenatchee Guard Station from
Cloverland and the last 1.5 miles to Godman may have to be walked due to
patchy snow cover.

Re: Mountain Quail: No one seems to have either much optimism or knowledge
for this species. Have there been *any* recent sightings or records, or is
it believed extirpated from SE Washington? At least from bird survey work
conducted in central-SW Oregon (upper Umpqua east of Roseburg) in recent
years, Mountain Quail and Green-tailed Towhee often were found together
occupying the same shrubby old clear-cut and edge habitat at the 3500 - 4200
foot elevation level (along with a Great Gray Owl at one site).

Also: How about areas along and upslope on the Klickitat River north of Lyle
(Klickitat Co.)? I am aware of recent Ash-throated Flycatcher survey work in
this area, and I think for Mountain Quail as well, but from what I best could
determine, there were no recent positive records of occurrence. I think
conventional wisdom suggests Mountain Quail has been extirpated from this
area. However, I am fairly certain that I heard a calling bird in June 1996
from an old (former) known location, but couldn't verify it by sight. The
Klickitat Co. area (minus Green-tailed Towhee of course) is more reminiscent
of central coastal California sites where Mountain Quail are locally common.

Richard Rowlett
Bellevue, WA