Subject: Wrangel - St. Elias National Park trip report
Date: Aug 19 00:08:14 1997
From: Andrew Sorensen - ajstudio at ptialaska.net


I was fortunate to spend most of ten days, Aug. 8 - 17 on the edge of
the Wrangel - St. Elias National Park, Alaska, more specifically on
Chittitu ridge near Andres and Calamity Peaks. Most of those ten days,
we had to suffer through some intense weather with wind gusts
approaching 90 mph and constant rain. Old timers in the area report
this is the worst stint of weather since the notable floods of 1980 in
the McCarthy area.
When the weather did clear for about two days, I did take notice of the
birds in the area while pursuing other goals.

raptors:

4 Golden Eagles - I love seeing these birds!!!
1 Bald Eagle
a pair of Merlins - at least, they were together.
3 Northern Harriers
1 Peregrine Falcon
1 unknown hawk - probably a Red Tail

other birds:

2 pairs of Common Ravens
several small flocks of American Pipits
1 Rock Sandpiper
a group of immature Lapland Longspurs
3 Pine Grosbeaks
about a dozen Lincoln Sparrows
about a dozen immature White-crowned Sparrows and one singing adult!
1 unknown swallow

And near McCarthy:

1 female Belted Kingfisher

Most of the time, we spent waiting out the rain and wind in a small
tent. But when the sun did shine, I enjoyed the incredible vista all
around me. Since most of the time was spent well above tree line, the
number of species was limited. But enjoying the birds in such country
is an experience beyond words.

Andy Sorensen
Anchorage, Alaska
ajstudio at ptialaska.net