The oak grove at Ft. Simsoe is most impressive and has harbored this
concentration of Lewis's Woodpeckers since at least the first time I ever
went there, in 1973. I suspect the oaks may have been planted or at least
husbanded by the Yakima Indians. If I recall correctly they called it
mulmul, a reference to the tepid springs there that would never freeze. The
hills adjacent support large populations of edible tuberous lomatiums etc.
Nearby is a tiny population of Lomatium tuberosum, one of Washington State's
rarest plants. Bear in mind that Ft. Simcoe is Yakama Nation property only
on lease to the state as a park [I believe I've got that right]. By the way,
the Lewis's Woodpecker is called "siwsiw" in the Yakima language, which is
onomatopoetic.

Gene Hunn.

At 12:44 PM 1/7/99 EST, you 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)
>
>