Subject: Thunder Mt.birds
Date: Sep 10 11:20:59 1996
From: Mary Poss - mposs at u.washington.edu


I just got back from yet another trip up to the fire. New arrivals
(from my perspective) were American Tree Sparrow (in a riparian
area dominated by drummond willow), and white crowned sparrows (in the
upland areas adjacent to open meadows-some lodgepole cover). I also found
the ptarmigan approx 500 yd from where I found them last year (6200ft- at
the edge of a wet meadow with a dense lodgepole/spruce edge). These birds
were heavily barred in an alternate chestnut/black/white pattern across
the breast and back, had a small red/brown patch caudal to the eye. They
had not started to turn white at all. One bird "displayed" and the fanned
tail (rear view) was entirely black but lateral feathers were white tipped
giving the impression on white spots against the black tail. I tentatively
keyed these to rock ptarmigan.
There were also some grouse in an old growth spruce adjacent to
the riparian that were immature and appeared to be ruffed grouse. They had
a white tipped tail and a grey "cape" over the shoulders, were slightly
crested, and no eye patch. I'd be interested in a discussion on field
characteristics of immature grouse.
We had a very social sharpie visit our camp on morning. three-toed
WP are still very abundant. The barred owl is maintaining its territory
in the old growth doug fir stand above 30 mile cr. Other birds included
br. creepers (spruce riparian), nashville warblers (meadow riparian edge)
and lincoln sparrows (wetland).
There is still an abundant floral display with asters, fireweed,
arnica, yarrow, and lupine defying the occasional snow falls up there.
Hopefully the weather will be benevolent for the next few weeks.
Just a reminder- the birding trips are Sept 21 and 22 and, because
of demand, also on Sunday Sept 29. All will start at 30 mile around
9:00AM. see you there.
Mary