Subject: Visitor Looking for a Few Target Species
Date: Oct 18 14:54:01 2002
From: Hopkins,Jeffrey A. - HOPKINJA at apci.com


Dear Tweeters:

I have the opportunity to do some birding in the Northwest over Thanksgiving
(I'm actually stopping there on the way home from a business trip to Korea).
I'm arriving Tuesday the 26th - at least that's the plan this minute - so
I've
got a few days to run around.

I was planning on heading up the Olympic Peninsula after Gray's Harbor, and
may
do a big loop into Victoria and Vancouver (yes, for the myna), coming back
via Mt.
Baker, but I could shorten that up if I can stay closer to Seattle. I have
the
Birders Guide to Coastal Washington, and the ABA Guide to Metropolitan
Areas,
but was hoping for some on the ground pointers and advice on a couple of
target species:

1) Rock Sandpiper - The Gray's Harbor area seems to be the most reliable
place for
these from what I can tell. Is Ocean Shores or Westport a better choice?
Any other spots closer to Seattle or do they like the ocean over the
straits?

2) Blue Grouse - I know they're resonably common in the right habitat, but
are
there any places where they might be "a gimme"?

3) Gray-crowned Rosy-finch - Are the roads to higher altitude sites where
they
might be found open as late as Thanksgiving? Any ski resorts with feeders?
If I
have one choice would Mt. Baker, Mt. Rainier, or the Olympics (or someplace
else)
be a better choice?

4) White-tailed Ptarmigan - same as 3 (except for the feeder part, of
course).

5) Skylark - Are there any left in the San Juans, or is my only hope to go
over to
Vancouver Island?

6) Do any Vaux's swifts stick around that late or are they all gone by then?

Any hints you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and good birding!

Jeff Hopkins
Whitehall, PA
hopkinja at apci.com


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