[Tweeters] Douglas County 3/14-15

[Tim Brennan]

Heya Tweets,

I just got back from my March trip to Douglas, and had an interesting visit! The highlights were mostly owls. On Sunday morning I spent a few hours before sunup walking Redfield Road on Badger Mountain. The road itself was clear, if muddy at times, and the snow on the sides of the road made it easy to see my way. At different points along the trail I had four Great Horned Owls (two m/f pairs calling back and forth), three Northern Pygmy Owls (conservatively - one may have been a repeat), and two Long-Eared Owls. While driving there over Badger Mountain (highway 2 is closed to travel up from Orondo), I also had a Northern Saw-whet Owl. I was actually really hoping to find a Barred Owl up there, but it's hard to be disappointed with that many owls!

The fifth owl species I had was Western-Screech Owl - a code 4 bird in the county. There was a single report from Douglas Creek on eBird, so I thought I'd camp there and see how it worked out (beautiful location, and one of my favorite campsites). I had a pair right in the campground giving off trills during the early hours, and a little into civil twilight.

I'd found no finches outside of House Finch and American Goldfinch this year, but added Pine Siskin, Red Crossbill, Cassin's Finch, and a Pine Grosbeak (!) on Badger Mountain Sunday morning as I walked back to my car. At Starr Road, it was a no on Yellow-billed Loon, yes on Pacific, and I also had a couple Eurasian Wigeons in a flock at Bridgeport Bar.

Cheers,

Tim Brennan
Renton
tsbrennan at hotmail dot com


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