Greetings All,
This morning I decided to take a trip through Capitol Forest, and check
access and bird activity at the higher elevations. I took the route from
Highway 8 up over the top near Capitol Peak, and out though the Waddle Creek
Road/ Delphi entrance. Bird activity was rather low as might be expected
about now, but travel conditions were fine. However weather conditions were
so-so with some wind and heavy clouds along the ridges at the high point.

The highlight was two and possibly three Pine Grosebeaks; an adult male
(red) and a russet (female?) bird were seen very well. A third bird
disappeared before I could get a good look at it. They were seen about 0900
this AM. The birds were along the C4000 road between Capitol Peak and
Larch Mountain; about 0.6 miles north of the gated (yellow) road up to
Capitol Peak. When facing south (the way I came in) the number 13 is
painted in orange on a tree on the outside edge of the road at the site.
Presumably 13 miles from somewhere; this is how the log truck drivers tell
each other where they are via CB. Note that the is an active logging unit
just south of the site. They were not working today but I would not advise
travel here during the week.

This section of road is around the highest point you can drive in Capitol
Forest, and is perhaps the bottom edge of the Pacific Silver Fir Zone which
may be the dominant confir in this very local area. The birds were feeding
in deciduous shrubs that I thought at the time were Huckleberries, but may
have been salmonberry or mixed. A couple of small red alder with catkins
were in this opening and the birds moved from the alder to the tops of the
silver firs and back. The birds may be keyed to this distinct vegetation
association here. The russet bird was very cooperative and quite vocal
delivering it's distictive call notes almost continuously. Mostly it was
pretty quite up there, the only other birds seen were the usuals: Varied
Thrush, Common Raven, Winter Wren, Golden-Crowned Kinglet, and
Chestnut-backed Chickadee.

As far as driving directions go... Get a map. Signing is evident if you
look hard enough, but not every road is marked and the route is probably not
obvious. I went from Hwy 8 at Rock Candy Mountain entrance via B-line -
B1000 - C4000 - C-line out to Waddell Creek Rd. It might be more
straightforward the other way around. It's snow free for now and I would
avoid weekdays do to logging and log trucks.
Cheers and Good Birding...

Bill Shelmerdine, Olympia
mailto: georn1 at hotmail.com

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