The Lacey clearcut (AKA "Cheese Factory Clearcut") is in Thurston County,
WA, near the southern end of Puget Sound. It's a man-made opening that
abuts what's left of Hawk's Prairie, a natural (or at least
historical)prairie area somewhat to the north of the more extensive prairies
on Fort Lewis. To get to it, take Exit 111 from I-5, head north on Marvin
Rd., turn immediately east on Hogum Bay Rd. and wind north past the Olympia
Cheese factory to the clearcut entrance.

Chipping Sparrows are common and conspicuous at the clearcut. They are also
common at the other prairie areas, at least in Thurston County, and can also
be found in more developed open areas, such as the St. Martins College
campus in Lacey. We have no shortage of cowbirds down here, but maybe the
amount of available habitat allows the sparrows to keep a toehold?

>
> BTW, where is the Lacey clearcut? West side?
>
> Reto Riesen
> Vancouver, BC
> riesenr at chem.ubc.ca
>