Critterwatch

Eye for detail

Eagle-eyed birdwatchers gave The Spokesman-Review a B-minus in bird identification for errors in last Sunday’s photo display of five woodpecker species found in a burned forest.

Here are the lessons learned:

“ A female black-backed woodpecker was misidentified as a downy woodpecker.

Key difference between species: A downy has white bands above and below the eye while the black-backed has a white band only below the eye. Also, the black-backed is the only woodpecker of that type with a solid black back.

“ A pileated woodpecker was misidentified as a female.

Key difference between genders: While the male and female both have red feathers on the tops of their heads, the male pileated woodpecker also has a red “mustache” that streaks back from its bill.

Wildlife yard tour

Wildlife biologists and Spokane County master gardeners are planning a June 25 tour to who how some homeowners are luring wildlife to their yards with sustainable gardening.

The tour, which includes three public sites and 11 private properties, is co-sponsored by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Washington State University (WSU) Extension Master Gardeners.

“This is a chance to see how others in urban and rural settings provide habitat for wildlife in their backyards, and learn how to do it yourself,” said Howard Ferguson, a wildlife biologist who coordinates the state’s Eastern Washington’s Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary program.

Tonie Fitzgerald, Spokane County Extension horticulturist WSU/Spokane County Extension horticulturist, said many of the tour properties also feature native, drought-tolerant plants that provide low-maintenance, sustainable landscaping.

“That kind of gardening means less watering and mowing and more time for bird-watching and relaxing,” she said.

Master Gardeners and other experts will be on hand at every tour site to explain sustainable gardening and wildlife habitat needs.

Pre-register: Pay the $5-per-vehicle tour fee and get addresses, directions and a map of the 14 sites so you can drive at your leisure on June 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Also included is printed information on creating wildlife habitat in your own yard. Registration options include:

“ Send name and address, with a $5 check payable to WSU Extension, by June 17 to WSU Extension, 222 N. Havana St., Spokane, WA 99202.

“ Come in person at the WSU Extension office or the Fish and Wildlife Department’s office at 2315 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley (north of I-90, between Pines and Evergreen, at Mirabeau Point.)

“ On the day of the tour, register at two of the public sites – the Green Zone at Spokane County Conservation District office grounds, N. 210 Havana St. (just south of WSU Extension and the fairgrounds), or the Fish and Wildlife Department office.

Info: Fish and Wildlife Department (509) 892-1001, or County Extension (509) 477-2164.