Alpinfox Posted May 7, 2005 Share Posted May 7, 2005 Hey, A friend of mine is workin' on a book and has a few general questions about Smiffay: 1) Approx how many established routes are there at Smith now? 2) What are those fast, small birds that swoop around the cliffs. They are all over the place at Leavenworth too. I think they are "swifts", but I'm not sure. And there is probably a more proper name like horny-toed, yellow-backed, sap-suckin' swift or something like that. I eagerly await your answers oh wise ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iain Posted May 7, 2005 Share Posted May 7, 2005 I think those fast birds are white-throated swifts, Aeronautes saxatalis. They are there from April-ish to September-ish. There is also the Canyon Wren, Catherpes mexicanus, which does the descending whistle call very commonly heard at Smith, and a distinct sound of the southwest canyon country too. They are permanent residents at Smith, while the swifts are just passing through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpinfox Posted May 8, 2005 Author Share Posted May 8, 2005 Thanks Iain! Anybody want to guess how many "established" routes there are at SR? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertjoy Posted May 8, 2005 Share Posted May 8, 2005 Swifts aren't the only birds way up there. Several years ago as I was topping out on Carabid I was assailed by the honking of a Canada goose who was sitting on her nest on a shelf about 20 feet from the top of the climb... pity the goslings of that climbing fool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducknut Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 Thanks Iain! Anybody want to guess how many "established" routes there are at SR? Iain is right on the white-throated swift. There are also a number of swallows such as the violet-green swallow and cliff swallows there too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ireneo_Funes Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 There's also magpies in abundance, and last time I was there I'm pretty sure I saw a vulture or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOtter Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 Any otters down there? I otter check it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dru Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 Cliff swallows, huh. His boyfriend must like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducknut Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 Dru, I knew you'd be one of the wankers who couldn't help themselves from rising to the occasion. Took the bait so to speak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picketeer Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 Well, how many routes are there at Smith these days? Ten years ago there were about ~1000. I guess there are 1200+. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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