Tweets

Made the hike up to Panarama Ponit at Rainier so Elaine could add Ptarmigan,
White-tailed to her Life List. Didn't leave Orting until 2PM and got back
after dark.

Very successful -- 4 males, a female and three chicks in exactly the same
spot described by everyone else. Only the female and chicks plus one male
were first visible but three males came out from under the top edge of the
snowfield just below the 'green area' and foraged in the area. One had a
prominent red eyebrow to start and each of the other males (if you could
keep track of them) displayed the eyebrow at various times. One chick looks
noticeable smaller than the other two. Binocular views are fine and scope
views are great. Can see their feathered feet easily.

A summer intern that was doing point counts the next day that we met on the
trail up had never seen Ptarmigan. We told her the general area and met up
with them at Panorama Point where they were looking over the area (they made
it there ahead of us, being young and in better shape!!). We reread the
e-mail instructions and pointed the location out to them. We were halfway
across the snowfield when they let out a "WHOOP". Found them. Being from
Maryland she was ecstatic. So were we!

Two of the parties (non-birders) that we asked about seeing 'chickens' on
the mountain had seen Ptarmigan. One party, also from Maryland
coincidently, had seen them in the Panorama Point vicinity (the Son thought
they were pigeons but the Mom knew they were Ptarmigan and told us before we
asked.). The other climbers had seen a number (at least a female and 5 or 6
chicks) in 'the area of waterfalls about a mile or so to the right of
Panorama Point looking at it from the lodge'. Their details were sketchy
because they weren't looking for birds but knew what they had seen.

Also, good flowers, great views (Adams, Hood, St Helens), Marmots,
butterflies and a few horseflies/mosquitos. Few other birds, juncos,
gray-crowned rosy-finches, pipits, ravens. A great way to get daily
exercise!!

Good luck, thanks for all the Ptarmigan reports on Tweeters and good
birding,

Bob and Elaine Taylor
Orting, WA