'Q
zzRoger, First thing when you arrive in Jasper is to find the Park Info office
where they sell books, maps and give info. Buy "Birding Jasper Nat'l Park" by
van Tigem. Maybe you can pick this up ahead of time through American Birding
Assn ($6.60).

Fall is rather slow in the boreal forests of Jasper, but the aspens put on a
marvelous show and wildlife abounds. Wolves, bighorns, zillions of elk, some
moose, deer, grizzly and black bear.

In fall, I would recommend:

1-Cottonwood Slough for marsh anmd water birds
2-Jasper Park Lodge and surrounding lakes, all reached by nice walking trails.
3-Miette Valley for waterbirds and boreal spp.
4-Maligne Valley road for a variety of species.
5-Mushroom Patch-great for passerines
6-Whistlers Sky Tram for ptarmigan, birds of prey.
7-Edith Cavell Road-hike to the alpine above the parking lot for caribou,
views, ptarmigan.
8-If you have the energy, hike or backback into the Tonquin. There is a lodge
which may be open. Willow and White-tailed Ptarmigan in the area. Gray-cheeked
Thrush in June through August ( I discovered these birds in July 1976, a few
have been apparently present on and off since - the southernmost breeders in
western North America.
9-Wilcox Pass at the south end of the pass. Great hiking.

Good luck!

Andy Stepniewski
Wapato WA