Subject: North Cascades & Methow
Date: Jun 24 19:23:29 2003
From: Carol Riddell - cariddell at mac.com


Hi Tweeters,

It seems as if lots of West Siders went east over the weekend. I did, too,
wanting to try out parts of the Audubon birding map. I headed over highway
20 Sunday afternoon. Heading out of Burlington I noted RED-WINGED
BLACKBIRDS, CROWS, and BARN SWALLOWS. At Healy Road there were two
RED-TAILED HAWKS perched in a tree.

I have paddled the entire length of the Skagit from east of Marblemount to
Skagit Bay but there are many land locations I haven't checked out. Raser
State Park seemed like a good place to investigate before heading over the
mountains. Three cheers to the diligent staff who have taken great efforts
to beat back the exotic plants that are changing the lowland forests. Birds
or no, it was a pleasure and a privilege to wander through this state park.
>From a botanical standpoint, it is as if they have turned back time. Thanks
to the birding map to get me to stop. I saw one WINTER WREN, AMERICAN
ROBINS, one TURKEY VULTURE, a PILEATED WOODPECKER (voice) and lots of
SWAINSON'S THRUSHES on the trails. Along the Skagit River I saw one BALD
EAGLE, a number of CEDAR WAXWINGS on the far shore, four COMMON MERGANSERS
in nonbreeding plumage, and CLIFF SWALLOWS. If you like your lowland woods
sans Scotch Broom, English Ivy, and Herb Robert, this is definitely a park
at which to plunk down the $5 parking fee.

With a late start, I had to roar over Hwy. 20 to find a place to stay before
dark. I stayed in Mazama. In the 1.5 mile walk after dinner I only saw
BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS. After dark I watched bats feeding on mosquitos on the
grounds outside my room.

Monday morning, on the drive from Mazama to Sun Mountain I noted CALIFORNIA
QUAIL, BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE, MOURNING DOVE, EVENING GROSBEAK, VIOLET-GREEN
SWALLOWS, one KESTREL, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS, and a
BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD.

My destination was the Sun Mountain beaver ponds. I identified PYGMY
NUTHATCHES (2), TREE SWALLOWS (lots over the water and nesting in holes in
the aspen), COMMON GOLDENEYES on the water, RED-NAPED SAPSUCKERS (3-4),
MALLARDS, CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRDS, WESTERN TANAGER (1 male), NORTHERN FLICKER
(several males); PILEATED WOODPECKER (voice), SPOTTED SANDPIPER (1 on the
pond), sseveral KILLDEER, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, CEDAR WAXWINGS (in the
process of nest building), YELLOW WARBLER (2 males), one HOUSE WREN, one
WARBLING VIREO, RAVEN, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE. Over the meadows between the
ponds and Sun Mountain Lodge there were four COMMON NIGHTHAWKS at mid-day.
I missed as many birds as I identified so I was impressed with the variety
in and about these ponds.

Heading west over Hwy. 20 I stopped to walk in to Rainy Lake (at Rainy
Pass). I saw three GRAY JAYS and was rewarded with the song of a HERMIT
THRUSH. I spotted it on the top of a young Engelmann Spruce and had good
views.

Carol Riddell
Edmonds