Mike, Steve, et al.,

I appreciate your views on the Western Flycatcher problem. If the local Western Flycatchers are as variable as your describe, I would simply conclude that the AOU's decision to split them was far too hasty, which has been my opinion all along. However, It seems highly unlikely that two species of Western Flycatchers coexist in this area. They are "Cordilleran Flycatchers" by virtue of the fact that Dr. Ned K. Johnston defined the local populations in se Washington as such, so that's what they are regardless of their vocalizations, at least until someone trumps Dr. Johnston's analysis, likely with advanced DNA analysis. "Pacific-slope Flycatchers," also by definition, are those that live in the Cascades and west. Only if a vagrant were to stray off course would it be possible to say that a "Cordilleran" were in the Cascades or a "Pacific-slope" east of the Columbia Basin, and given the variability in our "Cordilleran Flycatcher" vocalizations, at least, any such identification would be hazardous.

I've recorded quite a number of Western Flycatchers in Walla Walla, Columbia, and Whitman Counties as well as one in Spokane County and several in Pend Oreille, Stevens, Ferry, and Okanogan counties, but defer to Richard Cannings of BC who has done an elaborate analysis of these and his own recordings, which show a cline of variation in all key song features west to east across our northern border.

Gene.

----- Original Message -----
From: mike denny
To: enhunn323 at comcast.net ; tweeters
Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2004 1:22 PM
Subject: Re: "Cordilleran Flycatcher" near Dayton


Hello All,
It was with great interest that I read Gene Hunns impressions of the Western Type Flycatchers that breed in and around the northern Blue Mountains while on his short visit to the area.
My observations of Western Flycatchers (what we still call them) in the Blue Mountains is one of intrigue as this species is capable of producing both songs and calls of whatever race it chooses. We have observed dozens of birds along the Coppei Creek, Mill Creek, Upper Dry Creek and Walla Walla River drainages that will give perfect Pacific-slope songs and then calls during the morning hours and as the day progresses mixed notes appear and Cordilleran type calls can be heard. We have stood and watched numerous individual Western type birds give both calls interchangeably. The up slur or down slur of a single note in one or two individuals hardly makes for definitive creation of a new species. I would urge anyone to come camp in the Northern Blue Mountains and sample the Western type flycatchers in as many drainages as they can cover in at least two weeks of field work. I believe that the results would paint a picture that is no where near as black and white as some currently believe.
In closing I will say that I have the utmost respect for Gene and his knowledge of Washington's birds. Gene is sharp and knows his birds. I have learned many valuable lessons and pointers about the birds of Washington from Gene and consider him a friend and a very positive force in the ornithological community. Normally I would never question his conclusions, but in this case my years of field work in the Blue Mountains have caused me to reach a completely different conclusion. After listening and reading about how and why the Western Flycatcher was split and after numerous repeated encounters with this bird in the Blue Mountains, things just do not add up. The Blue Mountains seem to be where the Cordilleran Flycatcher as a species breaks down and folks can call it a zone of what ever they wish, the facts on the ground strongly point to one species which is highly variable in plumage and vocalizations across a large range.
Later Mike

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Mike & MerryLynn Denny
323 Scenic View Drive
College Place, WA 99324
509.529.0080 (h)

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