Subject: finding spruce grouse
Date: Jun 9 09:37:29 1994
From: Michael Donahue - mdonahue at u.washington.edu


I've had fairly good success at finding spruce grouse in the North
Cascades.

Like Gene Hunn mentioned, the west fork of the pasayten river
trail, starting at Slate Peak near Hart's Pass is an excellent place to
find them. You need to hike in about 4 miles, where the trail levels off
on the floor of the valley. I've seen them from this point on, right
along the trail. It's a steep hike out, but the birding is magnificent
and it's worth it. I've never seen them at the pass (but lots of blues)
even though they've been reported. You're better off heading into the
pasayten.

Slate Peak, BTW is probably the best place (good habitat, minimal hiking
and exertion) in Washington to find white-tailed ptarmigan. Walk the trail
that heads SE out of the parking lot along the ridge. Also explore the
north slope of the peak. In August there will be migrating raptors as
well--red-tails, kestrels and accipters mostly, but I always see at least
one prarie falcon and usually a golden eagle and a goshawk or two.

I've also seen spruce grouse north of Winthrop, along the trail to Billy
Goat Pass. See Delorme atlas p. 113, B-6.

I've also seen them along the trail around Roger Lake, near Tiffany
Mountain. Delorme atlas p. 114, C-1; also A Guide to Bird-Finding in
Washington (1991), p. 107.

Remember, where there are spruce grouse there are also boreal chickadees,
pine grosbeaks and the elusive three-toed woodpecker. Good luck!