Yakkers,

This morning we observed about 10 White-winged Crossbills in the tall
Engelmann Spruces in Clover Springs Campground. There were both males and
females picking away at the cones, which are just now opening (most still
closed, a few are open).Needless to say we were thrilled to see these
irregular waifs from the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska.

Clover Springs Campground lies at about 6400 feet elevation along the Middle
Fork of Ahtanum Creek just under Darland Mountain. Take Ahtanum Drive west
from Yakima about 20 miles to Tampico. Go right at the fork here. In another
10 miles the pavement ends. Keep straight ahead on a good gravel road. In
another five miles or so, at Tree Phones Campground, go right on a good, but
steep gravel road to Clover Springs.

Yesterday afternoon in the Middle Fork Ahtanum, while on a Spruce Grouse
search, an adult Northern Goshawk dashed along the logging road (southeast
of Snow Cabin Campground) we were hiking.

This morning the subalpine meadows were swarming with migrants, maybe
prompted to hurry on south on account of the cold (37 Degrees) northwest
wind. Chipping Sparrows were the most abundant species, followed by
Dark-eyed Juncos.Warblers included Orange-crowned, Nashville, Yellow-rumped,
Townsend's, and MacGillivray's, the last rare at 6000 feet elevation in the
Cascades in my experience.Rufous Hummingbirds, Warbling Vireos and Western
Tanagers were also common.

We tried again for Spruce Grouse along the Middle Fork of the Ahtanum late
this morning and afternoon without success, but had a good hike.

Andy and Ellen Stepniewski
Wapato WA
steppie at nwinfo.net