Hi Tweeters,
Based on Larry's excellent directions I headed up to Skykomish early this
morning looking for the Black Swift nest. It took a little searching but I
found it and managed a few grainy but diagnostic photos. It was a
beautiful sunny morning along a remote mountain stream and I spent two
hours watching this single nestling. Black Swift nests are generally very
difficult to find and to get a view of one that didn't involve rock
climbing or rappelling was a real thrill for me. Thanks again to Larry for
posting.
On Mon, Jul 20, 2020 at 8:04 PM Larry Schwitters <
leschwitters at me.com>
wrote:
>
Tweeters,
>
>
Eric and I got a very nice email from Bill Voss thanking us for posting
>
the directions to a Black Swift nest. That was in late August of 2018. The
>
nest is currently occupied. So if this is an adventure you would be
>
interested in you will need to find that old post that gave the directions.
>
>
Just kidding. Here it is again.
>
>
I'm posting this for Oregon's Eric Horvath who has now photographed 26 WA
>
sites (all waterfalls) that show a bird on a nest.
>
Here he gives you directions to an easy one.
>
>
Hi Tweeters. As part of a search for Black Swifts nesting in Washington
>
state, I have found a new site that is easily accessible and easily seen
>
from a gravel road. There is only one Black Swift nest here at this
>
waterfall, and the chick is getting near to fledging age; it will probably
>
fledge about 10 September, guesstimate.
>
If you visit here, please be on your best American Birding Association
>
code of ethics and do not disturb the bird with sounds, or camera flash, or
>
climbing around on the cliffs to get closer!
>
>
Location: Lennox Ridge Falls, near to Skykomish, King County, WA.
>
Directions: Turn off Hwy 2 onto the Old Cascades Hwy at signs pointing
>
to Money Creek Campground, which is just under three miles west of
>
Skykomish and about ten miles east of Index. After a mile turn right onto
>
Miller River Road, then in another 300 feet turn right again onto Money
>
Creek Road, and follow it for 4.6 miles to where the falls are visible to
>
the left. A small pullout on the opposite side of the road provides room
>
for 2 cars, and there is further parking 300 feet up the road. Money
>
Creek Road is known for washouts, but current conditions are good for low
>
clearance cars if you drive with care. When you are standing on the road
>
looking across Money Creek at the waterfall, you may find a cairn. At
>
this point you can see the falling water of Lennox Ridge Falls, and the
>
black swift can be plainly seen with 10 x binoculars. That is, I can see
>
the bird but I have a refined search image. You should bring your
>
spotting scope and come in morning light on a sunny day if you want photos
>
and digiscoping. Forget about your SLR camera for this site, it is just
>
too far away. digiscoping is the only option. To find the nest, you
>
will have to look carefully, as these birds are well hidden even if in the
>
open. The chick is dark gray with white feather edgings, and the wingtips
>
look like little white chevrons cause of the edging. So to the
>
details…you're there on the road with your tripod and scope, looking at the
>
falling water. Look along the cliff left of the falling water, just a
>
little bit above eye level from where you stand on the road. The nest is
>
right below a maidenhair fern clump, under a rock roof that forms and
>
upward pointing V shape….Any more directions would take the fun of the
>
search away and the thrill of victory when you see it. I can email a
>
photo with the location circled if necessary. Please remember, do not
>
cross money creek and get closer-;the viewing angle gets worse and we cant
>
have disturbance that close to the nest. Thanks. Please let me know
>
what you see, I would like to keep track of the fledging date. I was there
>
28 Aug 2018.-;Eric Horvath, horvath at pioneer.net
>
>
Larry Schwitters
>
Issaquah
>
_______________________________________________
>
Tweeters mailing list
>
Tweeters at u.washington.edu
>
http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <
http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/pipermail/tweeters/attachments/20200721/3b7fc6be/attachment.html>