On Friday, I visited the burn at the high point of Cecile Creek Road, north
of Conconully in Okanogan County. This location has been described in
recent postings. Although there are unmarked side roads branching off of
Cecile Creek Rd, the main road is fairly obvious at each of the turning
points and it is quite easy to stay on course. The surrounding area is very
scenic.



I birded three burned areas within a few miles radius, from noon until late
afternoon, with an eye out for Three-toed Woodpeckers. I did spot one
apparent female Three-toed Woodpecker that made a quick fly-through, landing
twice on tree branches and once near the ground (exact spot was obscured by
a log and other debris). With scant time to read field marks, the
identification was tentative. A female Black-backed Woodpecker spent
considerable time working a tree in full view while I scanned for the
Three-toed species. I also noted a Mountain Chickadee repeatedly passing
food to a nesting partner in a tree hole about 6-feet from the ground. I
observed a Spotted Sandpiper, which seemed odd at 5,500 feet elevation and
200 yards from the nearest small stream.



Other birds seen were: Townsend's Solitaire (several gave good views),
Western Tanager (one perched about 10 feet away for several minutes),
Mountain Bluebird, Gray Jay, Swainson's Thrush, Oregon Junco, Yellow-rumped
Warbler, American Robin, and a probable Nashvillle Warbler.



Marvin S. Hoekstra

marvin.hoekstra AT frontier.com