Hello Tweeters,

If I remember correctly, the first Acorn Woodpecker record for Washington
came from Fort Simcoe. I don't have the details infront of me.

I have been to Fort Simcoe when it was covered in Lewis Woodpeckers. Each
tree had 4-5 of them in it minimum. It was quite a spectacle to see. Well
worth the visit.

Russell Rogers
Olympia WA


On Thu, 7 Jan 1999 Pterodroma at aol.com wrote:

> 99-01-07, steppie at wolfenet.com writes:
>
> << I would like to add that we also went to Fort Simcoe State Park west of
> Toppenish. There were at least 75, possibly more than 100 Lewis's Woodpeckers
> .... These charismatic woodpeckers are not always here in winter, probably due
> to crop failure of acorn mast in some years. The numbers of Lewis's
> Woodpeckers at Fort Simcoe now are less than the 200+ in these oaks in October
> (fide Fred Bird).
>
> As Fort Simcoe is (or was) on the hit list of state parks to be closed due to
> state budget woes, I feel it's important that birders and naturalists
> recognize this important area for Garry oaks (and for its historical values)
> so that it continues as a park. >>
>
> Good heavens! An impressive winter aggregation of Lewis's Woodpeckers indeed!
> I seem to have overlooked Fort Simcoe in Wahl & Paulson nor was I aware of the
> importance of Garry Oaks there. In your opinion, does this area appear to
> have potential to support an as yet undiscovered colony of Acorn Woodpeckers
> which otherwise as is currently known reach their northern marginal limits
> only in south-central Washington near Lyle, Klickitat Co? Lesser Goldfinch?
>
> Richard Rowlett (Pterodroma at aol.com)
> 47.56N, 122.13W
> (Seattle/Bellevue, WA, USA)
>