I used to stop at the access to the Quilomene WMA off Old Vantage Road to
look for "Sage" birds and thought it was a great spot. Much to my surprise,
when I tried to stop there the other day, I found that all the
sagebrush was gone! I almost missed the entrance! Now i know of the recent
large wildfires in that area, but this spot was not touched by them. It
seems all brush was removed all the way down to the Columbia River.
When did this happen? I had not been there since last spring, but never
heard anything about it in the news! This is a major habit loss for many
species, including the endangered Sage Grouse.

Another great birding spot lost is Birders Corner. There is very little
water left and appears that the landowner is trying to reclaim it to graze
cattle.

Hans


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*Hans Feddern*
Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA
thefedderns at gmail.com