Re: blackbacked woodpeckers off Hwy 410Well, I can report that Ed and Kay got their bird. We headed up FS 1705 on the way home from the WOS conference, and met up with Ed and Kay (on their way for a few day's birding in eastern Washington) when they stopped to look at some Blue Grouse. We continued up together.

The directions were perfect, and within 5 minutes we had found a Black-backed Woodpecker. Shortly after, it was joined by a second. A few minutes later, they were joined by a Hairy Woodpecker.

At one point, a BBWO was on the underside of a 4" branch, while the Hairy was *directly* above it on the other side of the branch. The BB repeatedly pointed its bill at the Hairy, and arched its wings menacingly. The Hairy jabbed back. The Hairy seemed to have the advantage in bill length, but the birds were well matched in size. This behavior continued for several seconds (15-30) as the birds edged around the branch. Finally, that BB flew off, followed by the second BB. The Hairy foraged there for at least a minute or two more.

We relocated the Black-backeds about 15 minutes later on another tree nearby. Very soon, the Hairy arrived and started foraging within one or two feet of the BBs. It was almost as if the Black-backeds were good at finding the best places on the trees and the Hairy was taking advantage of his longer bill to help himself to their discoveries.

== Michael Hobbs
== Kirkland WA
== hummer at isomedia.com

----- Original Message -----
From: granth at halcyon.com
To: Ed Pullen ; Tweeters
Sent: Sunday, August 29, 1999 4:44 PM
Subject: Re: blackbacked woodpeckers off Hwy 410


Quote from earlier post by Denny Granstrand:

Forest Road 1705 Takes off north from Hwy 410 at Whistling Jack Lodge. Take 1705 about 4.6 miles to the first main fork in the road. Take the righthand fork, go fifty yards and park at a gate blocking a small spur road.

I walked south on the spur road about 3/4 of a mile. The road turned west for the last 100 yards and ended on top of a very short ridge. The consisted of little fingers of burned trees with lots of undamaged trees spread thrughout the burned area.

when I got to the end of the road I stopped to take a look around and almost immediately heard a woodpecker tapping. I noticed many trees with the tell-tale sign of Three-toed and/or Black-backed Woodpeckers.

These directions worked perfectly for me on Friday.

Grant Hendrickson
----------
From: "Ed Pullen" <dr.pullen at pop.halcyon.com>
To: "Tweeters" <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Subject: blackbacked woodpeckers off Hwy 410
Date: Sun, Aug 29, 1999, 8:11 PM



Can anyone please direct me to the directions to the burn site off Hwy 410 where blackbacked woodpeckers have been seen? I understand that Andy S. posted excellent directions, but I can't seem to find them. A reference to the date or digest number of the post would be good enough for me if it was posted in the last month or so. I plan a drive in that direction tomorrow, so if anyone could reply direct to me I would appreciate it. Thanks.

Ed Pullen
Puyallup, WA
dr.pullen at pop.halcyon.com <mailto:dr.pullen at pop.halcyon.com>