>I'm planning to head to the mountains. Steven's pass or mountain loop
>highway or other such north and east places. Does anyone have
>suggestions for places to spot Rosy Finches and other higher altitude
>winter birds?
>
>Thanks
>
> Ted Becker tbecker at eskimo.com
> (206) 794-3708 (FAX by appointment) or (206) 794-9329
> 26915 Van Brocklin Road, Monroe, WA 98272
> "The worst day birding is still better than the best day working."
>
>=============================================================================
>The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the
>views and opinions of the author.

Ted, rosy-finches aren't in the mountains at this time of year. They're
out on the plains, feeding on weed seeds and roosting in the rocky canyons.
The Waterville Plateau, east of Waterville, is a good place to check.
There are also a lot of Snow Buntings out there now. Any area adjacent to
the big coulees and canyons east of the Cascades is worth checking (and you
have seen the postings on the rosy-finches at Tsawwassen).

The mountains are pretty close to DEAD at this time of the year; what's
left up there are primarily chickadees, nuthatches, and golden-crowned
kinglets, also corvids.

Dennis Paulson phone: (206) 756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail: dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416