Dear Tweeters;
I've been out of touch for the last couple of days- I had trouble
getting on-line while in Winthrop. I'm in Anacortes now, happily back in
business. Tomorrow sends me to Port Townsend, where I will attend a friend's
wedding and take a brief respite from birding (well, maybe I'll bird a
little!).
Thanks to everyone who responded to my owl questions- unfortunately, I
had to shelve most of my owling plans- I've been pushing myself hard in the
daytimes, and was just too exhausted for late nights. I did go to Robinson
Canyon on Monday, and saw my first Common Poorwills, as well as a Saw-whet
Owl, a welcome sight if not a lifer. Playing back songs on my laptop works
okay, but I need external speakers for some volume- worth the experiment
though.
My truck got stuck in sand on Tuesday on the Colville Reservation,
forcing me to hike for 2-3 hours to get a tow. Fortunately, the truck and me
are both fine. It turned out to be worth the trip, as I saw a Clay-colored
Sparrow along the way, near Soap Lake Road! I knew this was the best
possible area for this species, but had no real expectations of seeing it- it
was a wonderful look, at short range and eye-level. Other good birds on the
walk were Loggerhead Shrike, Horned Lark, Lark Sparrow, and Swainson's Hawk.
I had to laugh at myself, that I may collapse from heat exhaustion, but at
least my life-list will be up-to-date!
Yesterday, Roger Lake provided an amazing close look at a Golden
Eagle, and life-birds Boreal Chickadee (also on Freezeout Ridge),
White-winged Crossbill, and a great look at a Three-toed Woodpecker. Today,
I had a more satisfying look at a WW Crossbill at Hart's Pass, Calliope
Hummingbird and Mountain Bluebird closer to Slate Mt. Lookout, and Black
Swifts at West Fork Methow River Trail (a North American bird for me).
Anacortes finally got me Band-tailed Pigeon and Northwestern Crow- I agree
with the recent post that described it as not much of a lifer, but I did have
the tapes with me, and it does make some sense upon listening.
I've already set a personal trip record, and have over 35 lifers, so
I'd say it's been a smashing success. After the wedding I have a couple of
more days working the Olympic Peninsula and the coast, so I have an outside
shot at my dream goal of 50 lifers. Hope that Bar-tailed Godwit sticks
around for a few days! Thanks again for all the help, Tweeters!
Happy birding!
Ken Allaire
New York City
kallaire at cs.com