>Does anyone know of or have any suggestions on where I might have a
>reasonable chance to find white-tailed ptarmigan in winter? I'd love to see
>one of these birds in winter dress. I don't ski, so launching a major over
>land winter alpine expedition on foot is not an option. It does not have to
>be in Washington, but somewhere within about 500 or 600 miles of Seattle
>would be nice. I was thinking that Western Montana or up in B.C. somewhere
>would do. Thanks.
>
>Richard A. Rowlett <pagodroma at aol.com>
>Bellevue, WA, USA
>
>
A bit further a field, the Lane Guide to Birding Colorado (pages 49 to 50)
list Guanella Pass (elevation 11,665 feet) as the best spot in the country
to see White-tailed Ptarmigan in winter plumage. This location is an easy
afternoon drive out of Denver. I (Bill) made the trip there in Feb of 92,
but did not see any ptarmigan.

The Lane Guide indicates that the ptarmigan stay along a hill side about 1/4
mile from the parking lot at the pass. When I was there, it was very cold
and windy. The surface of the snow was crusted over but would not hold my
weight. I would frequently break through the surface and would be up to my
waist in snow. After strugling to get half way to the locataion, I looked
back to the car and thought to myself that if I keep going, I might not make
not make it back. I gave up on the search and headed back. At least the way
the snow was that day, skis or snowshoes were a necessity.


Bill and Nancy LaFramboise
Richland, WA
wlafra at oneworld.owt.com