September 8, 2012 - Buzzards Roost

It was a beautiful morning and as the crew showed up we decided to work on the Pine Mt. Tail, which ends at a great view looking towards RDO called Buzzard's Roost.

A plan that worked for the East Ridge brushing last year was to hike to the top and work the way down.  So we headed off to the view.  On the way Tom and Janette were constantly have deja vu flash backs partly, ok mostly, because I was saying we weren't on this trail for years.  We made it to the top around 11:30 and we did get our views.

View to the ocean in the RDO direction.

View toward Boulder Creek (photo by Tom)

We took in the view and stayed out the sun in the shadows of the out cropping.

Lunch at the rocky switch back (no poison oak)

After some time at the top we head down and I realized that the trail was in very good shape and realized that the crew that was out in May did make it to the top and had brushed the trail (so they weren't going crazy: at least I think).  So I finally got my lazy day with a great hike in the park.

On the way down we took the fire road to check it out but also for a different way back.  Near the bottom we came upon a large snag that appeared to be an old Fir.  We saw a Woodpecker fly from it and assumed it was an Acorn since you could see the holes they use to stuff their acorns.  In this area we also found a mixed flock of Townsend Warblers, Chickadees, Pacific Wren, and Hutton Vireoes.  Great way to end the day.

Although it was an easier than normal day we did put in 7 hours for a total of 42 hours for the day.  We are a little behind last years record volunteer hours by about 40 but it is still possible to break last years record with 3 more trail days left.  I would like to thank Gene, Tom, Norm. Janette, and new member Kathy for giving their time for nature.

See you on the trails.

Jeff

Bird Count 

2 Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)

1 Red-tailed Hawk (Western) (Buteo jamaicensis calurus)

3 Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)

1 Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)

1 Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)

1 Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)

1 Hutton's Vireo (Vireo huttoni)

8 Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)

1 Common Raven (Corvus corax)

6 Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens)

1 Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)

5 Brown Creeper (Certhia americana)

3 Pacific Wren (Troglodytes pacificus)

2 Wrentit (Chamaea fasciata)

3 Townsend's Warbler (Setophaga townsendi)

6 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) (Junco hyemalis [oreganus])