Tweeters
Our outing across country was fairly successful. The WA portion started with a side trip to Wilson Creek. After a very long day of driving from Billings, MT we arrived on a late HOT afternoon and with the distance and heat waves could not make out TRI's. On to Ellensburg for the night. Next day, June 3, we two Okie's (only us from OK can call us that) headed for Wenas Campground. We asked two birders for some directions and after actually getting in the campground with several campers and lots of machine riders we found it difficult to find the roads in the WA Guidebook. No target birds and few of anything else. Did hear some Veeries on the way out. Left there and later that evening went to find Veeries on the highway just past the junction of 970 near Cle Elam. found and saw them.
June 4 we stopped for the Black Backs at Elk Heights and I was out of polace as usual and my wife Linda saw one. On to Sequim where we found Pigeon Guillemot and Marbled Murrelet at John Wayne Marina. Went to Hurricane Ridge after dinner and no luck on the Sooty Grouse. Weather was not good. For the next 10 days it was travel to Nome and Anchorage and back by air. A friend from OK flew in and met us for the return drive to OK. We returned to Sequim and the Audubon Center to get the Chesnut backed Chickadee we missed the first time. Got that. Went up to the Dungeness Wildlife area for Sooty and Varied Thrush. Nope. Then that evening of the 14th we went to Elwha River and saw the Vaux's Swift. Another lifer. Next morning the 15th we headed up to Hurricane Ridge and about a 1.5 miles from the entrance station we found a Sooty stand by the road waiting for us just like Bruce Moorhead said they might. Very coopertive bird with display and dance. My friend got real close for his amatuer photo session. With that kind of luck and many smiles we tried to catch up with the OlyPen Audubon group at Wenas campground. We found them and after much discussion on what road was what we tried one and it turned out to be Hog Ranch and up on the bench we found the Whiteheaded WP. Mary Mira and Bob Norton were among the group and had encouraged me to come and thanks to everyones help we found a very elusive bird for our friend. It was nice to see one after almost 20 years.
On the 16th we doubled back to Elk Heights for the BBWP with no luck. Maybe it is going to be like the WHWP for my friend for me. such is birding. We left WA for the Wallawos for Great Greys but didn't find them.
I wish to thank all who responded to by request for target birds. We found all targets except Varied Thrush. Heart o Hills campground was closed. I want to come back some day and go into the Okanogan area. WA was very pretty and Linda loved Sequim. (She loves the ocean anywhere being born and raised near Plymouth, MA)
Thanks to all again.
Garey Harritt, Ed.D.
Guthrie, OK
garlind at outdrs.net