Subject: [Tweeters] Wenas this Weekend
Date: May 25 07:58:26 2006
From: Lynn Schulz - linusq at worldnet.att.net


Hi Tweeters:
At last, the Wenas website has an updated schedule for 2006.
See http://www.nwlink.com/~cyrus/2006.html
It contains information about the many field trips for birds, flowers,
wildlife, and general exploration that are offered Fri through Monday.
Print out a copy and take it with you, because it is sometimes hard to get a
copy later at the camp when you want to go on a field trip. There are
signups at the big tree by the creek for some of the popular trips. Many of
the trips at the camp are dropins.
Camping is a popular way to experience the area,
but I myself am staying at a motel in Ellensburg. Ok, I wimped out this
time! From Ellensburg to Wenas on a fairly good gravel road is
approximately 20+ miles. The last mile is bumpy but passable w/ a passenger
car. (But maybe not a Lamborghini as someone pointed out.) Just go slow
the last mile or two.
Helen Engle sent some directions to some of us Auduboners, and I will send
some directions in another msg, as the map on the website is hard to use.

The Wenas Creek area where we all meet is
located SW of Ellensburg. It is an excellent place to observe a wide range
of breeding birds within a short distance. This is the peak time of year to
get the most species, when from 130-150 species of birds are recorded! The
camp is in a beautiful area of tall ponderosa pines. The area has been
known to naturalists for years. The flowers are spectacular.
If you are coming over from the Seattle area, go on I-90. (Chinook and
Cayuse Pass are closed.) A good rest stop is at the top of Snoqualmie Pass
at the Traveler's Rest (it's at the far east end of the ski area, and on the
north side of the road). It has a new coffee shop inside to the right, and
restrooms on the left, and they have a lot of hummingbird feeders on the
front and back of the building. Watch for Rufous Hummingbirds. Last Sat, I
saw one female that looked larger, and had a large bill. No time to wait to
study it. Across the road from the Traveler's Rest, there is a brushy
area. Inside it there is a pond. Warblers can be all around this pond,
including MacGillivray's, Nashville, Yellow, and Yellow-rumped. The chalets
to the left have feeders (Band-tailed Pigeons and hummers).
Down at the second Ellensburg exit 109, after taking exit 109, double back
to the right 0.5 miles on Canyon Rd past all the gas stns.,
and turn left on Umtanum Road. Things get really interesting, especially
after Umtanum Rd turns to gravel. A wonderful explanation of this road
right down to where you can see what birds, and
two excellent maps showing the Wenas area are in, "A Birder's Guide To
Washington" edited by Hal Opperman. A great stop for many birds is the
corral style parking lot on the left as you dip down to Umtanum Creek. The
trailhead to the trail along the creek is on the left of the road, and it
can have
Orioles and other birds. You can also follow the creek a few blocks to the
right near the gravel road. I believe someone saw an American Redstart in
there
not too long ago.
Continue on Untanum Road quite a ways. Down at the junction where it is
joined by a black top road, take a sharp right, and continue to Wenas Creek
Campground.
Directions will be in the next msg that I'll send later.
Yours, Carol Schulz
DesMoines, WA
mail to: linusq at att.net