May 26, 27 (Thurs/Fri) 5:30 a.m. Black Canyon and Robinson Canyon Overnight Bird Hike- Birdathon Trip

Sharon Aagaard and Stan Wood will colead this 2-day, overnight field trip. Three cars of 12 people, including 2 leaders will leave from the multi-story Tibbetts P & R lot in Issaquah at 5:30 am on May 26 and return by 5:30 pm on May 27, overnighting at a motel in Ellensburg. Carpool cost: $25/person. Each participant will seek five pledges or combine pledges and a personal

donation to Birdathon.

   Both canyons are very birdy and located in the L.T. Murray State Wildlife Recreation Area. The Black Canyon bird hike is 6 miles roundtrip, with a gradual elevation gain of 1250 feet (for more details Google or see “Best Desert Hikes Washington” ). The Robinson Canyon bird

hike is 6 miles roundtrip, with a gradual

elevation gain of 1000 feet and involves crossing lower Robinson Creek (note: we will not cross upper Ainsley Creek nor scramble to a viewpoint). Both hikes are rated “difficult” in the Dessert Hikes book, however, I think they are “moderate.” Some of the birds we hope to see and/or hear: Calliope Hummingbird, Ruffed Grouse, Western Wood-Pewee, Hammond’s Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin’s Vireo, Warbling Vireo, House Wren, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Swainson’s Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Nashville Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock’s Oriole, sparrows, swallows, birds of prey, and hopefully Great-horned and Long-eared owls (have nested in Black Canyon). For more information/sign up contact Sharon Aagaard: 425 891-3460; scormieraa001@hotmail.com.