Friday (6/6/03) I headed east on I90 after work to get a head start on
the week end. By the time I got to MP24 on the Vantage Hwy, Charlie
Wright had his eye on the ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER. Thanks, Charlie.
The bird was pretty quiet, although it did call a few times. It likes
the trees as well as the sage on the hillside.



I then camped near Vantage and Saturday morning worked Huntzinger Road
(south of Vantage) looking for BLACK-THROATED SPARROW. No luck. Also
no luck on the YELLOW-BILLED LOON below Wanapum Dam. The river was
pretty turbulent from a lot of released water.



Then I retraced my route along the Vantage Highway and did not find the
flycatcher. But I didn't look very hard. A CHUKAR stood in the middle
of the road near MP24 and there was also SAY'S PHOEBE, SAGE THRASHER and
MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD along the way.



>From Ellensburg I drove to Wenas. Both Bluebirds were everywhere along
Umtanum Road. I checked Maloy Road and did not find LEAST FLYCATCHER.
GRAY CATBIRDS were at the bridge nearby. Shortly after arrival at the
campground, Gary Wiles and I shared a female WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER.
The bird was seen in the campground along the road near the stream, not
far from the outhouse remains. I then took what I believe is called Hog
Ranch Road up towards Bald Mountain. On the way up I spied a pair of
BLUE GROUSE. The female saw me and immediately flew high into the
nearest tree. To the male it seemed that safety was the second priority
as he continued to put on a show. He was in full display and was
something to behold. Yellow combs flared, yellow air sacs filled, and
tail splayed and upright; with each "woof" his wings shook. Also along
this road were GRAY FLYCATCHER (sitting on the nest) and HERMIT THRUSH.
Along FR1701, 2 female WILD TURKEYS shared the road with me for awhile
before running down the side.



I camped not far from Hwy 410, and hoped the next day would bring a
woodpecker at the Nile Burn. This morning while traveling along FR1701
and thinking black-backed, a male WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER flew into a
tree at close range. A sign, perhaps? I continued along FR1701 and
connected with Hwy 410, about 1 mile from Nile Road.



Denny Grandstrand is right, there are woodpeckers at the Nile Burn.
This morning I saw 2 HAIRY WOODPECKERS and 2 BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS.
Referring to Denny's directions to this location (posted earlier to
Tweeters), after turning onto Clover Springs Road (FR1600), note that
there appears to be a burn before you travel 8 miles. But keep the
faith and continue on. It may be about 9 miles, but after 8 miles start
looking for a serious burn on your left. There is a very small pullout
on the left side as soon as you see the burn. There is a BBWO nest
hole just down the hill to your left. It should be relatively easy to
spot the adults coming and going from the nest hole. Also at the burn
were HOUSE WREN, TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE and CASSIN'S VIREO.



On the return trip to Seattle, I stopped at Federation Forest State Park
along Hwy 410 near Greenwater. I hoped for a HERMIT WARBLER. I found a
HERMIT X TOWNSENDS instead. Close, but no cigar. Still, a fun bird to
see.



It was a good week end.



Marv Breece

Seattle, WA

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