Subject: [Tweeters] Grad trip: Wings Tour questions
Date: Feb 23 15:42:05 2006
From: Ledzeppelinfan60 at aol.com - Ledzeppelinfan60 at aol.com


I have been reading through the Wings Birding Tour itinerary to get an idea
about my graduation trip, but I could use some help with finding out where
exactly they might be getting this birds as they are giving some fairly general
locations. So if anyone knows or can help find out the following, it would be
greatly appreciated. Just keep in mind my trip is based around the same time
(June 30th-July 9th possibly 10th)

Day 2: Along the Columbia River they get Sage Thrasher, Sage Sparrow and
Brewer's Sparrows. Where along the river? All up and down
or is there a certain location? The Sage-pine grasslands just
south of Okanagan have Cassin's Finch, Gray Flycatcher,
Flammulated Owl and Poorwill. Same as above: certain location or
just all throughout the grasslands?
Day 3: Okanagan Highlands region which are east of Orovile has Williamson's
Sapsuckers and possibilities of Great Gray Owls and Three Toed
Woodpeckers. Where exactly is this and are the birds all throughout
or should I be looking at a certain area for them?
Day 4: Where exactly is this "Canada's Pocket Desert" and where are the
Chukars, Northern Pygmy Owl, Lewis's Woodpeckers, Hammond's
and Dusky Flycatchers being seen.
Day 5: Manning Provincial Park; i know where it is, but where in the park
are the Black Swifts, Red-naped Sapsucker, Clark's Nutcracker,
MacGillivray's Warblers and the Grouse located.
Day 6: Where in Vancouver is good birding. They say they get Vaux's Swift,
Red-breasted Sapsuckers, and Chestnut-backed Chickadees there and
what are the possibilities of any wintering Shorebirds being
around. Also, are their any Crested Myna's still left in
Vancouver, I have not heard anything about them, and if so, where might
they be seen.
Day 7: How is the Sky Lark population on Vancouver Island and are they still
at the airport as Wings says? Also, are the Pacific-slope
Flycatchers just common in the parks there? Where is Clover Point on
the island? My atlas is not doing a good job telling me
where these places are.
Day 8: Where in Olympic National Park is good for the birds. The only birds
that they have of interest on the itinerary is the Varied Thrush
and the Blue Grouse, which I'll hopefully have by then.
Also, any idea whether the Northwester Crow is going to be split
anytime soon, and if I were to see a crow up in the NW corner, should i just
count it as one since there is not much difference other than
size.
Day 9: Where along the shores down to Westport for the pelagic is good for
just gazing out on the ocean and looking for birds.

They also have a trip to Whidbey island where they get Heermann's GUll,
Pigeon Guillemot, Marbled Murrelet and Rhinoceros Auklet, but i'm assuming that i
should get them on the Pelagic.

If you see any birds that I am making an unecessary trip out of my way for
birds, let me know, because I would much rather keep my trip confined to the
West keeping driving distances down as much as possible.
The pelagic im going out on is on the 8th, so if anybody has any advice for
Westcoast pelagics as i'm use to East coast, ill take any advice.

Thanks,
Jeff
Pennsylvania