Thomas asked me to forward this to tweeters. I've already explained to him
that there aren't Pine Grosbeaks, White-winged Crossbills, Spruce Grouse, or
Rosy Finches on Orcas Island!

It's interesting that he makes the point "many of your readers are in other
parts of the country." I suppose the same request (to include more explicit
locality info) should be applied to all local birding lists, but I don't
think most of them do any better than we do around here. Nevertheless, if
anyone knows of localities for any of these species, you might send Thomas a
copy of your post about them.

Dennis Paulson

------ Forwarded Message
From: "Thomas Miko" <thomas.miko at verizon.net>
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2003 22:33:41 -0800
To: <nettasmith at comcast.net>
Subject: re: barred owl /pine grosbeaks

Hi Dennis,

I am reading Dianne MacRae's book on birding in Washington, in preparation
for my trip up there in 2 weeks. I have a question and a request:

The book says that Orcas Island/Moran State Park has Evening Grosbeak, Pine
Grosbeak, White-winged Crossbills, Spruce Grouse, other grouse sp, and Rosy
Finches. Is this true all year long, or in certain seasons, like winter?
Where are the best spots to look for these species? How do I get there? If
this island doesn't have them, are there spots in this area that have any of
the above mentioned birds?

My request is that for the next 3 weeks, whenever somebody on your list
writes about birds like Snowy Owl, Northern Shrike, Common Redpoll,
Gyrfalcon, or Bohemian Waxwing that they write explicit directions that are
useful for people who have never been birding up there. I have noticed the
same tendency on your list of writing "the Gyrfalcon was on the second pole
on Smith Road" Smith Road? What city? What county? What intersection? How
many miles to this spot from the intersection, etc? Please keep in mind
that many of your readers are in other parts of the country, and are not
familiar with these hotspots. I try to do this when I post on our lists
down here in Southern California.

If you are able to forward this to your tweeters list, I would greatly
appreciate it.

If this Barred Owl stays in your yard, can I please come and see it?



Thank you,


Thomas Geza Miko
653 S. Indian Hill Blvd., #C
Claremont, CA 91711
USA
home (909) 445-1456
cell (626) 390-1935
page (310) 366-9990

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