After returning from a WOS trip, I read excellent
Spokane County reports from the Corders and Woodruffs.
Over the weekend, both parties had seen Blue Jays and
a Black-backed Woodpecker. Since BBWO would be a
Spokane County lifer for me, I was especially keen on
seeing this bird.

On Monday morning (2/13/06), Jim Acton and I ventured
out on a snowy morning. Just east of 7th Ave. and
Stone, we easily found three calling BLUE JAYs. These
birds have been hanging out in the vicinity of
Underhill Park (at the bottom of the South Hill in
Spokane) , and were often seen on 7th Ave. between
Stone & Smith.

As the snow continued to fall, we drove into the
Dishman Hills Natural Area in Spokane Valley.
Although we found the correct spots where the BBWO had
been reported, we came up empty. In fact, the snowfall
seemed to suppress all bird activity.

On Tuesday, I tried again from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM and
even hiked out farther out in desperation. However, I
never heard or saw any woodpeckers.

After bending Roger Woodruff's ear about tree scalings
and how best to time the woodpecker activity, I
decided to try again this morning (2/15/06). When I
arrived around 9:00 AM, the temps were in the low 20's
and the conditions, were calm, and sunny. An inch or
two of snow remained on the ground.

After first stopping at the big scaled Ponderosa Pine
tree that the BBWO favors, I tried the second spot on
a rocky promontory. As I was setting up, two barking
dogs came running up to me. Thinking that they had
blown my chances, I almost fell over when I heard a
BBWO drumming. A female BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER
landed in a tall leafless snag and began tapping and
drumming.

After a few minutes she flew to the northwest. Since
she was headed in the direction of the main feeding
tree on the trail, I returned to that spot. As I
arrived, the BBWO was actively feeding on her favorite
tree.

When I finished communing with the BBWO, I heard a
couple of EVENING GROSBEAKs fly over. On my return
hike I saw MOUNTAIN CHICKADEEs, PYGMY NUTHATCHEs,
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, AMERICAN ROBINs, a male
VARIED THRUSH, and a WINTER WREN around a wooded pond.
Unexpectedly, a GREAT HORNED OWL began calling.

This was an excellent day to be out birding, and a
great way to enjoy our winter wonderland.

Gina Sheridan
Spokane, WA

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