Subject: [Tweeters] Black-backed Woodpecker
Date: Jul 4 20:36:24 2005
From: washingtonbirder - washingtonbirder at hotmail.com


Today at Takhlakh Lake in northeastern Skamania County I ran into Marcus Roening who informed me about a Black-backed Woodpecker he had just seen. I drove up FR 2329 past the lake going towards Horseshoe Lake. Just as the roads nears a lot of lava rock on the left I had the male Black-backed Woodpecker across the road in a twin-top dead tree which had lots of fresh woodpeckers marks of activity. Marcus also informed me about seeing a Three-toed Woodpecker which is perfect habitat. I did not chase after it as we were up their on a family outing. Lots of Clark's Nutcrackers and Gray Jays everywhere. Also a pair of Lincoln's Sparrow between the campground and the day use area near a wooden foot bridge.

To get to Takhlakh Lake follow FR 23 south from Randle. Follow the signs. The last half is dusty gravel roads, but well worth it. We came home FR 90 down to Cougar with most of the road being paved.

A beautiful place to spend a day at the western base of Mt. Adams.

Ken Knittle
Vancouver, WA
washingtonbirder at hotmail.com<mailto:washingtonbirder at hotmail.com>