Hi all,



Firstly I want to take the opportunity to thank all the birders who have kindly sent me information on birding in Washington and British Columbia. I have come up with a ?fairly? realistic itinerary that should allow anyone to see most of the regions speciality birds. Obviously a great deal of luck would be needed to see everything but next March myself and two friends will be giving it a go!



I have attached the itinerary for your interest and if there are any comments I would be very interested to hear them. In researching the trip I have come up with a few more specific questions that I would love answered if possible.



1. The Birder?s Guide to Vancouver and the lower mainland (by VNHS) says the following about Mount Seymour:?Rock and White-tailed Ptarmigan are recent regular additions to the park species list. Mount Seymour is now ?the? place to find these birds in winter, especially in the valleys between Mystery Peak and Second Pump Peak? (page 56). Is this true and is so what is access like during early March?



2. The Birder?s Guide to British Columbia by K. Taylor mentions nesting sites for Black-backed and Three-toed Woodpecker along Shuttleworth Creek Road (page 116) ? is this still correct?



3. According to the new Hal Opperman ABA guide (a brilliant book!) Sharp-tailed Grouse can be found around Wells Wildlife Area and Bridgeport (page 386). Is there a lek nearby that can be viewed from public roads?



4. Which is the most reliable site for Ferruginous Hawk in southeast Columbia Basin? Is it either Hanford Lake, Lake Kahlotus, Juiper Dunes Wilderness Area or is there somewhere else? I gather mid March onwards is a good time to look for them.



5. I appreciate the need for sensitivity with some species (we have many in the UK we have to be very careful of due to disturbance and egg collectors) but are there any ?reliable? spots for Spotted Owl. I intend to spend some time in the North Fork Road/Swauk Creek Basin area (as suggested by Hal Opperman?s book) in the hope of this species.



6. Are there any mammal specialists online or that I can be put in touch with? Would love to see as many of the following as possible: Beaver, Coyote, River Otter, Elk, Mule Deer, Moose, Caribou, Mountain Goat and Bighorn Sheep (as well as Gray Wolf, Mountain Lion and Lynx of course but I kind of guess these are mythical?).



I look forward to birding this awesome region.



Best wishes and many thanks again



Paul



Paul Marshall

Bristol, United Kingdom



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