On Oct. 1 while exploring Cameron Lake Rd east of Okanogan I discovered a
"drip" where a large pipe fed by a spring drips onto the ground several feet
below it. I stumbled across it attracted to the vicinity by a number of
passerines, which are not very numerous this time of year in this Ponderosa pine
area. There is plenty of cover near the drip, and during two fairly short visits
saw quite a few species. Red crossbills, white-crowned sparrows, juncos,
yellow-rumped warblers, red-breasted nuthatch, pygmy nuthatches (5 at one time!),
Clark's Nutcracker, black-capped and mountain chickadee, pine grosbeak and
hairy woodpecker.
To find this "drip", take Cameron L. Road south from SR 97 opposite a
road to the town of Okanogan. (Going south on this road is going in the opposite
direction to the trip described in "Birder's Guide to Washington", 2003). Go
5.9 miles to the north intersection of Cameron L. Rd with Cameron L. Loop Rd.
At the southwest corner of this intersection is a soda lake that was blood red
from a presumed algae bloom at the time of my visit. The drip is about 100-200
feet north west of the lake and south of the Loop road- just follow the
birds.
Bob Vandenbosch
Bobvanden at aol.com
Seattle