Subject: [Tweeters] Kittitas County Owl
Date: Jul 12 08:13:30 2012
From: walter.szeliga at gmail.com - walter.szeliga at gmail.com


Dear Tweeters,
Although primarily in search of Common Poorwills, I decided to drive the Forest Service roads of the Liberty area last night (11 Jul). I started by hiking up Mill Creek (FS 115 west off of US 97). No Poorwills, but I did find Purple Finch, a Great Horned Owl, a Ruffed Grouse, and a drumming Sooty/Dusky Grouse. Continuing east of US 97, I headed up FS 9712. My first stop was an area of thinned Ponderosa Pine about 2 miles north of Liberty. Here I had at least one calling Flammulated Owl and many Common Nighthawks. Another mile up the road, where FS 9712 takes a sharp right and begins heading west, I had more Common Nighthawks, another calling Flammulated Owl and a female Long-eared Owl giving a nest call, that was very close to the road. I continued on FS 9712 to its bitter end on the top of Table Mountain where I sat and watched stars. While laying on the roof of my car, I was flown-at by a Great Horned Owl, who either didn't see me, or realize I was too big at the last minute, since it veered sharply away and I could feel the wash from the wings. It remained in the area for another 15 minutes and could be seen cruising the meadow this way and that.

The last few miles of FS 9712, from Diamond Head to the meadow onTable Mountain are terrible. Nothing technically challenging, but it should only be attempted with a low clearance vehicles if you happen to hate yours. The drive from Table Mountain back to Ellensburg is 90% paved, and in great shape.

Cheers,
Walter Szeliga
Ellensburg, WA