Hiya tweets,

So I was getting ready to go camping near Mount St. Helens with 7 friends this weekdn when plans changed Friday afternoon - too much snow so we are going to Eastern Washington near Ellensberg. When my friends picked me up a little after 9pm Friday to head out, I had no idea where we were going. We got the convoy rolling and I asked the folks I was with if they knew where exactly we were going. My friend said "I think it's called Black Canyon. It's between Ellensberg and Naches". I of course quickly informed them that I knew exactly where we were going and knew of a great campground nearby called Wenas Creek that I would be going to next weekend, and as a matter of fact, Black Canyon is where I am leading a bird tour for the Wenas Audubon Annual Campout. Reconnaissance time!

When we woke up Saturday morning, it was to the sound of Steller's Jays and Chipping Sparrows. Soon they were joined by Western Meadowlarks, Western Wood-pewees and Pine Siskins. I identified quite a few more birds that morning before we headed up the road to Black Canyon, including Mourning Dove, Rufous Hummingbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee and all three nuthatches (one White-breasted Nuthatch kept coming down Saturday morning, often within 6-8 feet of one of us, as he picked up pieces of dogfood that my friend's husky had dropped. The little guy was very bold, and we watched him cache at least 20 pieces of dogfood, one piece at a time. Very fun!).

When we got to the Black Canyon trailhead, I quickly added Yellow-breasted Chat and House Wren. I was surprised to add Common Yellowthroat up the the trail a piece, and then concentrated on the hike. It was pretty hot on that steadily steep trail, and I am a little chubby right now and was soon huffing. We got to the cabin a mile or so up the trail and stopped for a little shade and water break. There is a pair of Lewis's Woodpeckers setting up a nest in a tree there, and I also spotted what I am sure to be a nest ssenario for a Black-headed Grosbeak. I also got Cassin's Vireo and Wilson's Warbler in that quick stop and we soon headed out. Didn't get much til we got the rest of the way to the top (it is a rocky, hot, steady climb for about 3.5 miles to the top), but the top was worthwhile! You have a wonderful 360 degree view which includes the backside of Mt. Rainier (for a Seattleite anyway), Mt. Stewart and just incredible views in all directions. We
decided to hike another half mile or so to a copse of trees to set up camp. We relaxed a while and then headed back up to the first ridge and then to the topmost ridge on the trail. Along the way we saw Mountain Bluebirds and our first Common Raven. We also heard Ruffed Grouse booming, and saw lots of Cassin's Finches. The sunset was stunning, and from up there you can also see the top of Mt. Adams.

This morning (Sunday the 17th), I got up before everyone else, unhooked Boue to come join me, and headed out to see what birds I could find. And I got some good birds. Had Townsend's Solitaire singing in a tree for a good long while, Hammond's Flycatchers everywhere, a couple of flocks of Pine Siskins, and one flock each of Evening Grosbeaks and Cedar Waxwings. Got a number of Western Tanagers calling here there and everywhere, more Chipping Sparrows than you could shake a stick at, a coupleof Warbling Vireos, and I finally chased a buzzy little fellow until I positively identified a Black-throated Gray Warbler!

We headed out around 2 this afternoon and I added California Quail, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, and as we got back to the parking lot, a Loggerhead Shrike flew by us. All in all, I picked up 45 species between the Wenas Creek campground and the Black Canyon trail and ridgetop. Not bad, and I now know what to look for and expect next week when I lead a tour up the same place. If you are planning on coming, bring a lot of water, good hiking shoes, and a walking stick of you have it. Be prepared for heat and a long steady climb. And rattlesnakes - we saw them both days on the trail. Cheers!

Brett A. Wolfe
Seattle, WA
m_lincolnii at yahoo.com