[obol] Ash-throated Flycatcher Hood River County

[Norgren Family]

      I believe it was Ray Korpi who
reported an Ash-throated Flycatcher at
Koberg Beach State Park last summer. Business
took me to Hood River within days and I went
out of my way to find the bird. This park
(essentially a rest area)has no eastbound access
from I-84, so drivers from Portland must
continue about four miles to Mosier, exit
and get westbound. The visit was unsuccessful.
Having missed the Myiarchus at Baskett Slough
last month, I once again made this detour
today when business took me to Hood River.
     Once again I did not find the target species.
But as I was preparing to leave a fruit stand
on East Side Drive I heard and then saw an
Ash-throated Flycatcher, on top of a large
European Birch. East Side Drive is the first
left turn off Hwy 35 as one heads south out
of Hood River. Keep an eye out for signs to
"Panorama Point". The fruit stand complete
with Myiarchus is "Cherry Karma Purple Pit Stop".
Whether or not one is successful at seeing
the flycatcher,the view from Panorama Point
will justify the trip. The driveway for this
small county park is the next right after the
fruit stand. Continuing south on East Side Drive
one can eventually rejoin Hwy 35 via a number of
county roads, the first being Whiskey Creek Road.
     At the head of the Hood River Valley a county
campground(named "Barlow" maybe?)affords good
access to riparian birding, the highlight for me
being NASHVILLE WARBLERS.   Lars Norgren