Hi Tweets,

Kristi and I decided to take one more long weekend trek before I have to
start teaching again. We spent about three days in and around Okanogan
County, and it was time well spent. We had much of the area to ourselves,
with the fires and the closure of Hwy 20 probably keeping folks away. The
area around Leavenworth was a little smoky due to the Fischer fire [near
Dryden], but most of Okanogan County was clear and smoke-free. Our most
notable observation in general was the substantial passerine migration that
we witnessed, with mixed feeding flocks of warblers in most locations, at
times upwards of 50 birds. A few highlights:

White Pine Rd
We accessed a neat little area off of Hwy 2 in Chelan County, just east of
Stevens Pass (I think it was between MP 78 and MP 79). The road stretched
for about 4 miles before dead-ending at a trailhead; we passed a nice
campground in the first mile. Highlights here were about 8 BLACK SWIFTS at
the trailhead mixing it up with a dozen or so calling Common Nighthawks (who
seemed quite active and vocal for 11am). The swifts would occasionally zip
through a loose flock of Tree Swallows, allowing nice comparisons. Along
this road we ran into our single biggest flock of warblers of the trip: at
least 50 birds. In increasing order of abundance, we had Orange-crowned,
Townsend's, Yellow, and Yellow-rumped. In between the flitting warblers,
Cedar Waxwings and Black-headed Grosbeaks gobbled berries and Western
Wood-Pewees called in the distance. Also present: Olive-sided Flycatchers
and a number of Hairy Woodpeckers.

Cameron Lake Rd & Bridgeport SP
We took Cameron Lake Rd near the town of Okanogan the next morning. We saw
the world's cutest baby Ruddy Ducks diving with mom and dad and a large
group of eclipsed-plumage ducks (wigeons, etc.). Birds of the open country
were very much in evidence: both kingbirds, Say's Phoebe, many Kestrels,
Vesper Sparrows galore, Horned Larks, etc. Coveys of California Quail lined
the roads, and Gray Partridge scuttled through the fields. A stop at
Bridgeport SP near the south end of this loop produced more feeding warblers
(mostly the same 4 species noted above) and Western Tanagers. We searched
for eastern vagrant warblers, but could not pull any out of the flock.

Loup Loup Area
A late afternoon trip west on Hwy 20 out of Okanogan was interesting. We
were welcomed into Rock Creek campground by a black bear cub loping up the
hillside. Mom stayed out of sight, presumably up the hill. Highlights here
were more warblers (this time including a nice MacGillivray's), Cassin's &
Warbling Vireos, Mtn Bluebirds, Williamson's Sapsucker, and a Townsend's
Solitaire persistently calling (and giving a reasonable impression of a N.
Pygmy-Owl). Loup Loup itself offered the regular conifer passerines, a
Barred Owl, Gray Jays, and a healthy-looking coyote.

Forest Road 39 from Conconully to Long Swamp
The road was in great shape, and again we mostly had the place to ourselves
except for a couple of hikers at Freezeout Ridge and some campers at Tiffany
Spring. We were greeted first by a very vocal and very cooperative N.
Pygmy-Owl near dawn (the real article, this time). Further on, we were
literally stumbling over Blue Grouse, with FIVE different groups seen in a
four hour period (a minimum of 14 birds). I kept an eye out for Spruce
Grouse, but none were to be had this morning. An adult Cooper's Hawk was
junco-hunting at a pullout (we watched a dramatic but ultimately fruitless
dive-and-grab). Roger Lake sported two Am. Three-Toed Woodpeckers and
another warbler flock (this one featuring Wilson's). Tiffany Springs had
more warblers (5 species) and Boreal and Mountain Chickadees sharing the
same spruce tree. The Clark's Nutcrackers were very noisy. Bark beetles
(?) are still ravaging the area, and few mature spruces survive along this
stretch. Smarty Creek Trail provided a wonderful moss-covered jaunt. The
trail was a bit boggy, but we were rewarded with still more warblers and
another Three-toed eating his lunch on a snag.

All in all, it was a great trip. Our 82 species was not a high count, but
the overall number of individuals present was impressive.

Good birding,


Hans


Hans de Grys
Bothell, WA
degrys at verizon.net