Tweeters,

My husband and I camped at Lake Cushman last weekend to do some property scouting and hiking.

We were awakened each morning at 6:15am by a very vocal Pygmy Owl that worked it's way through the campsite for about a 1/2 hour. We also had a Barred Owl calling each night around 10pm.

The campsite also hosted all of the missing Pine Siskins that we've all been missing and tons of Red Crossbills as well. King Fishers, Ravens, Crows, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and Chestnut-backed Chickadees were plentiful as well.

On our hike to Mt. Ellinor we were accompanied by more Pine Siskins, Red Crossbills, and two Pine Grosbeaks that came within 6 feet of us along the trail. I have two poor photos of those. They appeared to be female/immature male. Their call notes alerted me to their presence and they gave several flight calls as they flew off.

Cheers,

Amy Powell
Renton, WA
schillingera at Hotmail.com