Subject: [Tweeters] Clay-colored Sparrowsand other birds near Kettle Falls
Date: Jun 9 12:51:08 2006
From: Andy Stepniewski - steppie at nwinfo.net


Hi All,

Along Silver Creek Road 5 miles up from Keller on SR-21 south of Republic),
there was a calling Flammulated Owl late in the evening of 2 June.

We scouted 3 June for the upcoming WOS conference field trip we're leading
next week and found three singing Clay-colored Sparrows on 3 June. From
Kettle Falls area, go north on US-395 to Barstow, a tiny village. Go east
here across the Kettle River and make an immediate left on Pierre Lake Rd.
In about a mile go right on Gallaher-Barret Rd., which makes a 90 to the
left in about a mile. Shortly, go right on Beardslee and check the brush
patches as you ascend. We had Clay-coloreds at three different patches. Lots
of other colorful birds in the aspens along this stretch, nearby: Calliope
Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Dusky Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireos, Gray
Catbirds, MacGillivray's Warblers, Bullock's Orioles, and Lazuli Buntings.

On the west side of the Columbia River near Northport, there was a calling
Least Flycatcher. Cross the river from town and goabout 4 miles, generally
following the Columbia southwest, to an aspen patch.

Big Meadow Lake Campground had Northern Waterthrush (on the Lakeside Trail
and in the campground), American Redstart (on the Meadows Trail 1/3 mile
west from campground), and a Common Goldeneye female and brood. Both trails
had lots of blowdown slowing us down. George McNichol (Colville NF) assures
me these will be cleared by their contractor by 15 June, in time for our
three fieldtrips.

Andy Stepniewski
Wapato WA
steppie at nwinfo.net