At 1:21 PM -0700 07/13/99, Brendan McGarry wrote:

> I mentioned earlier that i was going on a trip to spokane area,
>but I have just now returned from a trip planned weeks ago. Most of my
>target birds were missed because of my parents not wanting to spend a great
>time birding. These target birds were, AMERICAN REDSTART, RED-EYED VERIO,
>and, BLACK TERN. We did not get the redstart or the verio, much to my
>dismay, but i will see them some where else.
______________________________________________

Hi Brendan,

If you want to look for a Red-eyed Vireo in King County, there are several
good places in the Snoqualmie River valley from North Bend to Carnation.
One of my favorite bird walks is a section of the Preston-Snoqualmie trail
that follows the old Northern Pacific railroad grade. From I-90, take the
Preston-Fall City Road north to the south edge of Fall City, turn right
(east) on SE 47th Street, then right (south) again on Lake Alice Road SE.
In about a mile you will cross this trail. There is a small parking lot on
the right (west) side of the road. Walk east on the trail from there.
This is a very friendly trail -- paved, gentle grade -- that ends in a mile
or so, well before you reach the town of Snoqualmie, because the old
railroad trestle has not been replaced. There is a viewpoint from which
you can see Snoqualmie Falls in the distance. The trail, on a hillside,
goes through mixed and deciduous forest with a few openings. In my
experience, singing Red-eyed Vireos are easily found toward the east end of
this trail during the nesting season. But don't look for them too early,
as this species generally is one of the last migrants to return -- not
until around the first of June. Red-eyed Vireos are especially prone to
Brown-headed Cowbird nest parasitism, and you may see evidence of this. An
early-morning June or early July hike will produce lots of other woodland
birds. Some memorable sightings include a family of Pileated Woodpeckers
and a Barred Owl. The very best times would be from 6:00 to 9:00 or so on
a weekday morning. The trail is popular with cyclists, walkers, and
runners, and is a bit more cowded, and noisier, on weekends and later in
the morning.

Hal Opperman
Medina, Washington
halop at accessone.com