Hello Tweeters,

This past Saturday, July 19th, myself and several non-birders went hiking up at Paradise on Mt. Rainier. We had a wonderful day, staying into the evening to watch shooting stars. I was the only birder in the group and was hoping to see Gray-crowned Rosy Finches and Blue Grouse, two birds that I had never seen before.

The highlight of the day was 7 WHITE-TAILED PTARMIGAN near Panorama Point. There was a female with 6 babies running around. They were only about 20 feet from the trail. I sat and ate lunch right in front of them for 45 minutes. The babies were really fun to watch scramble around. At one point one baby walked within 4 feet of me. When all the babies decided to go rest underneath the adult I continued on. We came by again a couple hours later and they were still all there, but slightly farther down the hill.

I was able to get some pretty good pictures that I put online:

http://www2.bc.edu/~merrillr/wtpt-pesa/WTPTPESA.htm


I am very grateful to Mike & Diane West who told me that they had seen several Ptarmigans and gave me directions to the area. They were located on the Skyline Trail, just east of Panorama Point. From Panorama Point facing away from the mountain look to the left and you will see a very green area past the large snowfield adjacent to the point. There is a small stream just below the path in the green area that the Ptarmigans were sitting near.

I did see 2 Rosy Finches flyover, but didn't get very good looks at them. There were quite a few AMERICAN PIPITS along the Skyline Trail, including one that seemed to be defending its territory (picture online), and also a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE. Unfortunately I couldn't find a Blue Grouse, but I was very happy to have 2 new life birds with the Ptarmigan and the Rosy Finches.

This evening at the Montlake Fill there was a PECTORAL SANDPIPER with 2 LEAST SANDPIPERS & 3 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS. You can also see pictures of it by following the same link as above.


Good Birding,

Ryan Merrill
Kirkland, WA
merrillr AT bc.edu