A couple of years ago in a discussion of out-of-place grouse I
mentioned seeing a Dusky Grouse in an unlikely, treeless location
north of Farewell Bend State Park on the Snake River north of
Ontario. When this sighting was rightfully questioned, I said I would
produce a photo, but had to concoct a story when I could
not find the photo. So, it had to go down as a sight (or perhaps
lunatic's) record.
Well in a trip to Boise last week I figured I'd try to vindicate myself
and relocate the grouse. I drove down the same back road toward
Brownlee Reservoir. No luck with the grouse, surprisingly.
But, as I turned south to drive along the lake, a bird rose up from the
shore and flew over my car; this was a deja vu of another sort as it
was a woodpecker. I tried to get a flight photo without success but then I
realized it was heading for the tree. Not a tree, the tree. I'd better
post the photo before I lose it also..
It may be that this area is a avian Brownlee Triangle. Anyhow,
depending upon your point of view, this Hairy Woodpecker
either has an extremely large, or an extremely small
territory. Either way, his future in the gene pool doesn't
look bright.
Bob OBrien Carver OR
PS In reality there is a small cluster of park-planted trees around the
campground a mile or so up the road.
Attachment:
HAWOhabitat.jpg
Description: JPEG image
