Subject: [Tweeters] Mt. Adams bird report: Addendum
Date: Oct 6 18:09:31 2008
From: Khanh Tran - fsprucegrouse at yahoo.com


Hi Tweeters,

After a good night sleep, and doing more research through the archives and pbase photos, I wanted to clarify a few things.

1) Joseph Higbee photographed a female SPRUCE grouse around the same area in October 4th to October 7th of 2001. Last October 11th, 2007, Ken Knittle, Wilson Cady, and Anne K. found a female in the area as well. Thanks to them for the inspiration!

MY OBSERVATION: The two males found this Sunday were the most secretative and skittish spruce grouse that I have observed--even more flighty than a Ruffed and "Blue" grouse. I based this statement from the other 173 sprucie seen from 2005 to present in OR, WA, and BC. Each bird is different in personality and depends on high activity of hunting in the area. Unfortunately, this is the time of year, where I found the most birds.

Not surprisingly, the Wallowas population and Cathedral Provincial Park in BC, are the tamest; you can almost pick them up. They are a protected species in the Wallowas and no hunting is allowed at Cathedral PP.

According to Dr. Schroeder, there has been a huge decline in these birds in the Okanogan area the past several years. Almost a 3-fold decline, with the heavy fire, logging, and pressure of legally hunting them in WA to be contributing factors.

2) The PINE GROSBEAKS and AMERICAN THREE TOE WOODPECKER was found near Horseshoe Campground.

3) Also, had a probable BLACK BACKED WOODPECKER near a open burn not too far from the Takhlakh Lake Campground. The visibility was poor and I couldn't get better looks. However, about 400 feet higher up in elevation, there was a definite 3 TOE WOODPECKER.

So keep your ears and eyes peeled.:)

Let me know if you have any questions,

Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon)