Subject: Re: WINTER white-tailed ptarmigan
Date: Jan 4 08:39:40 1996
From: Eugene Hunn - hunn at u.washington.edu


I've not seen them in that plumage but have never tried, either. I would
suggest either above Paradise (on cross-country skis or snowshoes) or
above the Mt. Baker ski lift lot, near the upper edge of timber in either
case.

Gene Hunn.

On Wed, 3 Jan 1996, Bill and Nancy LaFramboise wrote:

> >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
>
>