Tweeters,

Saturday Leora and I got our usual late AM start on what is described
on page 449 of "A Birder's Guide To Washington" as "an extraordinary
75-mile loop through more high elevation habitats than any other
birding route n the state". I figured we could make it to Freezeout
Pass from Conconully before the bats came out. We were especially
targeting three usually difficult to find species, Spruce Grouse,
Three-toed Woodpecker, and Boreal Chickadee.

Had great looks at a Northern Pygmy-Owl at the tip of a snag on our way
up to Baldy Pass. At the pass the text offers, "stop here and walk
around to look for Spruce Grouse". Sure, why not. The easiest walking
looked to be a cow path along side of a barbed-wire fence heading
south. We were barely out of sight of the road when two fuzzy yellow
grouse chicks flew up into the middle of low firs. It wasn't long
before their mother started clucking for them and came up to within 10
feet. So much for the first target. Fifty yards back down the cow
path, onto the road, and a Female Three-Toed flies across the road and
lands for us. In the next half mile we have a half dozen encounters
with Boreal Chickadee. They are very pishable.

The tranquility of Roger Lake was tarnished by a pair of huge "Sky
Crane" Helicopters that took turns dipping their snorkels into the
lake and sucking up Forest Service knows how many gallons of pond water
in 40 seconds. Gees they make a lot of noise. Our plan to hike up to
Tiffany Mountain from Freezeout Pass was complicated by Forest Service
Hot Shot vehicles in all parking places and a trail closed due to
forest fire sign. Not wanting to relive some scene from "Bambi" we
decide to pull the plug on the loop and head south. Perhaps the
birding gods were generous enough to also offer up a Flammulated Owl?
Off SR-20 is Rock Creek Campground, listed as good for said owls.

We pull in at 9:45 and have the campground all to ourselves. With a
full moon on the rise I turn on the tape.

Naagh......silence. Flammulated Owls aren't easy.

Did have a couple of male Williamson's Sapsuckers in the morning.

Good birding,

Larry and Leora Schwitters