Ken,

Just curious, how do you decide which is a Pacific Slope and which a
Cordilleran, since they're all one variable population as far as anyone can
judge. I don't believe there is any credible evidence that there are two
species of Western Flycatcher sharing the same terrain anywhere. If we
follow the AOU which followed Ned K. Johnson, we must call all the breeding
Western Flycatchers in SE Washington "Cordilleran Flycatchers" no matter
what they might look or sound like.

Gene Hunn
18476 47th Pl. NE
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
enhunn323 at comcast.net

----- Original Message -----
From: "washingtonbirder. Knittle" <washingtonbirder at hotmail.com>
To: <tweeters at u.washington.edu>; <inland-nw-birders at uidaho.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2006 5:49 PM
Subject: [Tweeters] 4 day WOS fieldtrip to Blue Mts.


> Friday night June 30 everyone (Ned McGarry, Brian Bell, Julia Bent, Marv
> Breece, Anne Kahle, Carol Kohler, and myself) showed up at Boundary
> Campground south of Pomeroy, but we didn't know it until daylight the next
> morning. This left the fearless leader awake most of the night wondering
> when all would arrive. Main highlights include a Three-toed Woodpecker
> nest at eye level on July 3 in first burned area north of Sunset Point on
> the west side of FR 40, 2 different sightings of Black-backed Woodpeckers,
> both in Garfield Co. along FR 40, all three accipiters were seen, 1
> Black-necked Stilt on Savage Pond north of Anatone along with a
> Green-winged Teal and a pair of Ring-necked Ducks on July 3, a Crow along
> the Grande Ronde River--Crows are tough in Asotin County, 6 Turkey
> Vultures south of Misery Springs in Asotin County along FR 40--possibly
> the largest group of vultures ever seen in this part of the state as they
> are very rare in the southeastern parts of Washington, a Green-tailed
> Towhee on the last day July 4 at Biscuit Ridge, Walla Walla Co.,
> Pacific-slope Flycatchers at Hartsock Wildlife Unit in Garfield Co. on
> July 1, another one an hour later near Spring Lake in Columbia Co., and
> yet another one at high elevation in Garfield Co. west of Wenatchee Guard
> Station on July 2. These are 'County First' for both Columbia and
> Garfield Counties. On the last day we observed a Cordilleran Flycatcher
> along Dry Creek in Walla Walla County for comparison in breeding plumage
> and call. Below is a list of places visited by day in case someone would
> like to run their own trip.
>
> July 1 Saturday
> Boundary Campground
> Blind Grade
> Hartsock Wildlife Unit
> Last Chance Resort for all 3 hummingbirds
> Spring Lake
> Rainbow Lake
> Punjab Creek
> Godman Springs
> Tepee Trailhead east of Godman Springs-one of the highest places in
> Columbia Co. one can drive to
> Dayton
> Marengo-a pair of Canyon Wrens looked like nesting in farmer's small shed
> with iron pipes on pipe rack
> Poorwill spot east of Marengo near county line
> Boundary Campground
>
> July 2 Sunday
> Boundary Campground
> FR 40
> Clearwater Lookout forest service cabins
> Sunset Point--struck out on finding Green-tailed Towhees here
> FR 4031 to trailhead to Diamond Peak-a super beautiful blue clematis in
> bloom
> Wenatchee Guard Station--another miss for Green-tailed Towhees
> Wickiup Wickiup Camp
> FR 44 leading down into Asotin Creek--singing Grasshopper Sparrow and only
> Lark Sparrow of trip
> Asotin Creek-close to 100 F and only Red-eyed Vireo of trip, no
> Cordilleran Flycatchers calling due to heat or possilby time of day
> Lickfork Creek junction with Asotin Creek
> Misery Springs Campground at 6200 feet a welcomed cool air place to sleep
> after cooking down along Asotin Creek
>
> July 3 Monday
> Misery Springs Campground with nesting noisy Hairy Woodpeckers at top of
> dead snag 100 feet up
> FR 40 north to Pomeroy to fix a flat, but found the Three-toed
> Woodpecker's nest on the way
> Alpowa Creek mouth, Asotin County--4 Bufflehead, and a few Western
> Sandpipers
> Swallow's Park-Caspian Terns, Glaucous-winged Gull
> Savage Ponds just north of Anatone--high elevation for Black-necked Stilt
> Field's Spring State Park-another Pacific-slope Flycatcher-have been noted
> at this location in passed years
> Grande Ronde River where the asphalt was liquid everytime you put your
> foot down -- 103 F -- TOO HOT for Yellow-billed Cuckoos or at least for
> searching very hard for them.
> Grouse Flat-hot time of day not much
> FR 40 leading north to Misery Springs Campound where the temp. was 71 F
> and very much welcomed for a second night of camping (no other campers in
> the campground)
>
> July 4 Tuesday (half-day of birding)
> left Misery Springs Campground before sun rise, temp. was 57 F
> headed straight to Biscuit Ridge for Green-tailed Towhees where we were
> rewarded with one singing across the steep slope.
> Dry Creek-our only Cordilleran Flycatcher
> Tom Lamb's with his many hummingbird feeders south of Dixie
> Bennington Lake--struck out on finding the reported Least Flycatcher
>
> The trip covered the high points of different areas of the Blue Mountains
> and the plant life and scenery were appreciated by the group. The FR 40
> leading south of Misery Springs down to Grouse Flats could have spent a
> whole day covering this stretch. This is where the only Hermit Warbler
> record of Asotin County comes from. Many Green-tailed Towhee type
> habitats were noted along this stretch. I know of those wishing to have
> joined this group, but were deterred by having to sleep on the ground in
> primitive campgrounds. I didn't hear any complaining from the group about
> having to sleep in this manner. This area is seldom birded and is one of
> the places many return to after having once been there.
>
>
> Ken Knittle
> Washington Birder newsletter
> 2604 NE 80th Street
> Vancouver, WA 98665
> mailto:washingtonbirder at hotmail.com
>
>
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