Subject: [Tweeters] N Fork Ahtanum Creek - Yakima
Date: Oct 9 09:39:17 2014
From: Randy Hill - re_hill at q.com


Got back yesterday from a week in the North Fork Ahtanum Creek area west of
Yakima. A bit of a change from the June WOS Conference field trip. Daily
trips on the north-facing slope of White's Ridge in an area between Tree
Phones and Eagles Nest Vista (Middle Fork Road) down to North Fork Ahtanum
Creek. Highlights were:



Sooty Grouse - multiple locations daily

Spruce Grouse - verified only 10/7, although other groups likely that were
heard only; groups of 3 and 6 seen

N Pygmy Owl - seen or heard daily, including calling 10:30-11:00 at
mid-slope; typically the first bird calling at daybreak

Black-backed Woodpecker - at least three locations scaling dead larch; one
spooked several times by a Douglas squirrel. No fires in immediate area and
an interesting shift from 3-toed dominance during last decade and
black-backed dominance in the 1990s.

Pine Grosbeak - one likely candidate below Eagles Nest Vista by size, shape
and flight, but I need to hear the 'quidip' call that Sibley describes



On the way in or out, Lewis's Woodpecker, Western Bluebird and the local
population of Western Scrub-Jay near Tampico. Hermit Thrush, Varied Thrush
and Gray Jay in big numbers daily, and Clark's Nutcracker typically audible
from distance.



Randy Hill

Ridgefield