Well..... There weren't any. Beautiful day though.

No ptarmigan that I could *see*. Maybe if I blow up my photos (3 rolls)
really, really, really, REALLY BIG, perhaps I can spot one. It was very COLD
up there, +5F at Longmire to -15F at Paradise with gusty winds in exposed
spots 20-50mph with a lot of blowing and drifting snow. I don't know what
that means in wind chill factor, but my breath froze instantly to my face. If
there were any ptarmigan around, the only likely looking habitat was probably
down in the Nisqually glacial valley in the alder/willow thickets. But, it
was so windy and gusty on that bridge that I could not stand up and blowing
chunks of ice were a missle hazard. The alder thickets along the side of the
main road just above the bridge might be good too, and I wouldn't be
surprised if ptarmigan might wander down the Nisqually all the way to
Longmire in winter.

I forgot my little notebook for keeping a running count for the day
(0800-1800hrs), but managed just fine on the back of a business card, using
only 1/4 of it. The days total from Longmire to Paradise and back, and up
and back again was 7 species, 34 indiviuduals, none above Narada Falls:
gray jay (4)
Steller's jay (1)
common raven (3)
chestnut-backed chickadee (14)
red-breasted nuthatch (4)
golden-crowned kinglet (2)
varied thrush (4) -- Longmire only

Having gotten used to the idea that there were few birds, I was quietly
sitting in the car enjoying a sandwich when a gray jay suddenly dropped
through the sun roof, and perched on the steering wheel, startling the hell
out of me. It was soon joined by it's mate, and the two took turns helping
me with my sandwich. They wouldn't just fly in and out, rather stayed for
awhile, perching on my fingers, taking several bites then exiting through the
drivers side window. I know, you are not supposed to feed the animals at Mt.
Rainier or other NP's, and I didn't exactly invite them, but it was fun
none-the-less.

If you've never made a winter excursion to Mt. Rainier, it is certainly worth
it if your car is up to it and properly equipped. Not so much for birds but
for the magnificent scenery.

Richard Rowlett <pagodroma at aol.com>
Bellevue, WA, USA