While working near Mount Adams in the extreme SE corner of Yakima county
yesterday, 11/8 had some interesting sightings thought I'd pass along....

The first was an odd woodpecker combo, west of Bird Creek Campground,
T7R11S13 at about 3600' elevation saw a WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER fly in front
of the jeep and land on a fir. I quickly parked the jeep and jumped out for
a closer look. Not seeing the woodpecker on the tree I heard tapping and
followed it to a nearby alder. The strange thing was this particular
woodpecker was not the original White-headed but rather a RED-BREASTED
WOODPECKER. An very odd duo to see together. Wonder how often one could
expect to encounter both species (one of dry eastside forests and one of wet
westside forests, together?)

Further in my day (actually our next plot) I was greeted by the sounds of 2
possibly 3 PINE GROSBEAKS in mixed Grand Fir/Ponderosa Pine habitat.
T7R12S19, 3000' elev.

Finally at the end of the day in the shadow of Mount Adams, literally the
mountain was only about 3.5 miles away.... found a THREE-TOED WOODPECKER
tapping away in a mixed forest of Subalpine Fir, Noble fir, Spruce and
Lodepole Pine. The location was T7R12S2 elev 4900'

A very nice sunny day with some highlights as a treat. Mammal wise, no elk
or cats yet we did see tracks at the last site in the snow of Cougar tracks
following Elk.

Good Birding all.

Scott Downes
downess at charter.net
Yakima WA