Andy,

I recall reading some years ago about the discovery of "hibernating"
poorwills in southern Oregon in mid-winter. That's an interesting possibility.

Gene.

At 06:26 AM 10/7/99 -0700, you wrote:
>Tweeters,
>
>While on my usual Rattlesnake Hills (north of Wapato WA) hike, Monday (4
>October) at 1830, I flushed a Common Poorwill as I walked past a rock on
>the trail. It was on an broad, south-facing slope grown mostly to
>introduced cheatgrass. I've done this hike many, many times and never
>encountered a poorwill in an open situation such as this (usually I hear
>them in the nearby rocky chasm). This led to me think this individual was a
>migrant. Though a little on the late side, my latest fall record from this
>slope is 30 October.
>
>As I watched the poorwill, a dark and thick band of clouds hung to the west
>over the Cascades, signalling the arrival of another Pacific system and
>cooler weather. Will this bird make it to warmer, southern climes for the
>winter?
>
>Andy Stepniewski
>Wapato WA
>
>