Tweeters,

In July this year, a 144-acre fire on White's Ridge (an east shoulder of
Darland Mountain) completely blackened the north-facing subalpine forest
composed mainly of Subalpine Fir, Whitebark, and Lodgepole Pine. Today,
Ellen. Peggy Braile, Denny Granstrand, and myself found the following
woodpeckers there in 30-minute search in a very small part (two to three
acres at most) of this burn:

Hairy Woodpecker - 2
Black-backed Woodpecker - 3
Black-backed Woodpecker - 2

One was an adult male Black-back; he drummed very loudly several times on a
snag; all the birds seemed to be calling continuously and flying about.

To reach this site: from Yakima head west on Ahtanum Road to Tampico, then
right up the North Fork to the end of the pavement. There, continue up the
Middle Fork to Road 2700 (DNR). Go up that VERY ROUGH track 3 miles, keeping
left at each of two forks, to the burn, which is on the crest of White's
Ridge at about 6,000.' Hiking would be a better option for those without a
rugged 4 WD. We flushed several Blue Grouse while driving up this track.

Andy Stepniewski
Wapato WA
steppie at nwinfo.net