Subject: [Tweeters] Tucquala Lake
Date: Jul 17 10:59:24 2011
From: Jim Owens - jimo at brainerd.org


Tweets,

Wildflowers, mosquitoes and birds were found in abundance in the meadows and forests surrounding Tucquala Lake on Saturday, July 16, though it was easier to see the bugs and flowers than the birds. The upper reaches of the Cle Elum River were resonant with birdsong on a slightly overcast and somewhat wet morning and afternoon, and birding by ear was the order of the day. Evening Grosbeaks and Western Tanagers seemed to be everywhere, and in the meadows and willow thickets the songs of Lincoln?s and White-crowned Sparrows were complimented by those of several accommodating Olive-sided Flycatchers. At least three species of warblers added to the songbird chorus, supported by Swainson?s and Hermit Thrushes, Golden-crowned Kinglets, a distant Varied Thrush and the surprise appearance of a Rufous Hummingbird. The highlight of the day was a prolonged view of an unconcerned juvenile American Dipper as it preened and displayed its white eyelids alongside the Cle Elum River. Wildflowers are probably at their peak in mid-elevation Cascade meadows now, making the drive up FR 4330 -- one of the roughest roads in the Cle Elum Ranger District -- worth the effort.

Here?s a complete list of birds noted during four hours of birding Tucquala Meadows and the first mile of the trail to Deception Pass:

Canada Goose
Mallard
Barrow's Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Great Blue Heron
Rufous Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Steller's Jay
Common Raven
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Pacific Wren
American Dipper (Juvenile)
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Swainson's Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Varied Thrush
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Western Tanager
Pine Siskin
Evening Grosbeak

Jim Owens
Mercer Island