In wandering the east slope of the Cascades trying to find a dry place to
camp with some friends from Wisconsin we ventured up towards Wenas
Campground. At the three-way split we found two Clark's nutcrackers and
western bluebirds. There was a construction sign a short way in on Audubon
Rd. going back to the campground and we came across workers installing a new
gate about a quarter mile in from the fork off Wenas Rd.

The workers informed us the road to Wenas Campground would be gated and
closed starting Dec. 1 and reopening on April 1. They said this was because
of the damage on the road from winter 4WD and ATVs using the area and they
were trying to cut down on road maintenance costs.

So for anyone venturing up there for early migrants, April 1st will be the
opening date for the road beyond the 3-way fork at Audubon/Wenas Rds.

Our further wanderings took us along Lower Crab Creek Rd. where we found
several loggerhead shrikes as well as three Swainson's hawks (one dark phase
and two light phase). County line ponds were busy with many shorebirds of
which we did not have time to ID all. Para Ponds were very empty. Several
dozen yellow-headed blackbirds were flying along the wetlands along Lower
Crab Creek east of B S.E road.

Happy Birding.....

Mary Hrudkaj
hrudkajm at hotmail.com
Belfair/North Mason County

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