This weekend while camping on the Mad River near Ardenvoir I saw a male
"blue" grouse in a Ponderosa Pine on a dry patchy meadow forest ridgeline
(NF-800). Actually in previous years I have seen many grouse in the area up
to near the peak of Tyee Mountain. Unfortunately I never seem to get a good
look at the tails. From maps and reading I am guessing that these are Dusky
Grouse, but I understand that things get complicated around Teanaway and
Ellensburg. Does anyone know if the Ardenvoir to Tyee Mountain area is
safely Dusky habitat at all elevations and forest cover? In addition to
"blue" grouse I heard several Ruffed Grouse (lower near river), had my best
ever look at a feisty male Calliope Hummingbird, and saw a number of other
spring migrants including Western Tanager, both Bluebirds, and
MacGillivray's Warbler.



Bob Schmidt, Bothell, WA

bobs at world hyphen wide dot com