I accidentally deleted the message from the person requesting info on what
trees we saw the Clark's Nutcracker in the Blue Mts. The only nutcracker we
saw was perched in an Englemann's Spruce. It flew to a snag in the burned
area (species of tree unk.) and called for several minutes. We didn't see
any foraging so we can't help with the study.
We did note several White-barked Pine in the mountains although none I
recall as being very close to the burn. I've always been fascinated with
corvids and with the high mountain species in particular. I highly recommend
the book, " Made For Each Other" which focuses on the symbiosis between
nutcrackers and White-bark Pines. It also talks of other seed-caching bird
species.
Anyone interested in White-bark Pines and nutcrackers can find the 2 at
Washington Pass Overlook on Hwy 20 ( North Cascades Highway). We've noted
cache recovery in that area amazingly within 1 foot of the busy trail!
Steve Ellis
sellis at coup.wednet.edu