Tweets:

Idie Ulsh has been seeing Mountain Quail near her place over in Mason
County. Knowing that many birders seek this elusive species in Washington
she asked me to post directions to the spot. The sightings are recent and
the young still small, so chances are probably better than usual of finding
the birds if you hurry. But as Idie says, you usually see them when you're
not looking for them.

DIRECTIONS BY HIGHWAY FROM TACOMA: From I-5 in Tacoma, take the exit for
Highway 16/Gig Harbor and cross the Narrows Bridge. Stay on Highway 16 for
several miles until you see on the left-hand side, just beyond Port Orchard,
the exit to Belfair and Highway 3. Take that left exit and stay on Highway 3
until you get to the first stoplight in Belfair. This is just beyond a large
Safeway store. There will also be a sign there pointing to Belfair State
Park.

Turn right at the stoplight onto Highway 300. You will shortly come to a
four-way stop by a QFC store. Go straight through that intersection and in
about 3-4 miles you will pass Belfair State Park. Keep going. About 0.3 mile
beyond the park you will come to a major intersection (Belfair-Tahuya Rd).
Turn right up the hill and stay on this road for a little over nine miles
until you pass the second fire station and will see a sign pointing to
Maggie Lake and NE Lakeshore Drive. Take the next left after the Maggie Lake
entrance onto an unnamed dirt road with a large stump on either side. The
quail were seen about half way up the second hill on this dirt road on the
right side.

DIRECTIONS BY FERRY FROM SEATTLE: The ferry takes just about the same amount
of time as driving around but is more relaxing. Take the Fauntleroy (West
Seattle) ferry to Southworth (careful, there are also ferries going to
Vashon from here). IMMEDIATELY OFF THE FERRY TAKE THE FIRST LEFT. This will
become Sedgewick Road. Stay on that straight for several miles until (after
3 lights) you will come to Highway 16. Turn right on Highway 16 and follow
the above directions from Highway 16.

Hal Opperman (for Idie Ulsh)
Medina, Washington
hal at catharus.net