Subject: eastern WA Chukars
Date: Jun 19 15:08:34 2002
From: Scott G. Downes - Downess at cwu.EDU


If you want something quite a bit closer, eastern Kittitas county, both along the Vantage Hwy near vantage and along Huntzinger Rd, going south from vantage are both good. Mornings are best and while still possible, early April through early May I find them to be more active and often had them walk right up to where I was standing many mornings on the Quilomene this spring.
In fact the little guys almost seem to get pleasure out of scaring me half to death. Quite often one would walk up to a couple of feet behind me while I was standing still watching one of my thrashers, then when I decided to finally move they flew right past my face. Neat birds, but I really don't need that close of a look at a chukar.
Also of note this morning. I watched two nighthawks midmorning chasing a tthird nighthawk while foraging. I've never known Nighthawks to be territorial while foraging, but clearly looked like a pair was chasing off the third bird.

Good birding.

Scott Downes
downess at cwu.edu
Ellensburg WA