Bird Watching - The Outdoor Directory for Birding

The Lewis's Woodpecker like other woodpeckers and many other birds nest in cavities in trees. They are very dependent on old trees and snags for their nest sites. When logging, snag removal forestry management policies and other pressures on the Lewis's habitat result in the loss of their natural nesting habitat the results can be devastating for the species. The Lewis's Woodpecker, for example, is one of the highest priority bird species for conservation.

Diane Kook, in Bend Oregon, along with the East Cascade Bird Conservancy, has pioneered the use of bark fronted nesting boxes in the Ponderosa Pine forests of the eastern side of the Cascade mountains. Although the Lewis's prefers natural cavities for nests, Diane and her volunteers have discovered the Lewis's will use the nest boxes. This discovery can be of tremendous help in aiding the recovery of the Lewis's in areas of nesting habitat loss. Check out the East Cascade Bird Conservancy's website for drawings for the nest boxes. Hats off to all involved in this wonderful project.

Posted by bill@birdingguide.com at 10:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Just over 5,500 feet in elevation Oregon's Summit Lake is 6 miles of unmaintained dirt road west of the more accessible and touristy Crescent Lake. "I'm having the time of my life", eight year old Marcus shouted as he hit his head against our truck door window for the third time. Bouncing in and out of deep ruts and around rocks protruding out of the dusty volcanic ash road we drove towards our evening camping site at Summit Lake on the edge of the Diamond Peak Wilderness area. The unique call of Osprey perched in the tops of the trees greeted us as we set up our tents. The air temperature dropped quickly with the setting sun. A warm campfire warmed us and kept the children entertained. Poking a fire with long sticks and throwing small bits of wood into a campfire is plenty of fun for kids. The night fog over the lake shimmered with the warming rays of the rising sun.

The warm morning sun also brought in a flock of Red Crossbills with their uniquely shaped bills designed for prying the seeds from cones. The Red Crossbills landed in the ashes of our cold fire pit. attracted by the minerals of the wood ash the birds flew in and out of the pit eating bits of ash and charcoal from the nights fire. I took many photos of the Crossbills. "This is the easiest bird photography I have experienced in a while", I said to my grandson. "I'm busy. Look ground squirrels", he said aiming his point and shoot digital camera at a pair of ground squirrels checking out our camp site. "You know the difference between a chipmunk and a ground squirrel? ", I said. "Sure, ground squirrels don't have strips on the side of their head. Chipmunks do. You told me. Don't you remember?" "Smart Alec.", I replied.

Posted by bill@birdingguide.com at 09:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)