Subject: [Tweeters] Sunrise,Mt.Rainier NP Grey-crowned Rosy Finches
Date: Jul 23 10:20:40 2006
From: Marcus.D.Roening at gsk.com - Marcus.D.Roening at gsk.com




Hi Tweets,

On Saturday, July 22, Heather Ballash and I hiked up to Third Burrough's
Mountain out of Sunrise and had the best day of viewing Gray-crowned Rosy
Finches that we've had in many, many years. We started out of the rapidly
filling parking lot at 8:30am, with overcast skies and the thermometer
already hitting 75F at 6400'.

We hiked up to Sourdough Ridge to Frozen Lake and then took the left fork
up the north face of First Burrough's across 3 small snowfields, across
Second Burrough's (with killer views of Mount Rainier) and then continued
on the unofficial trail to "Third Burrough's", which is actually the final
ridge, 3,000' above the Winthrop Glacier. The total distance is about 3.5
miles and 2,000' of elevation gain on nicely graded trails. The trail
through the small snow fields is "step-kicked" in well enough that people
with tennis shoes were crossing, especially since the snow was already
getting soft. If heights make you nervous, bring along a ski pole and keep
your eyes on the person in front of you and you should do just fine.

For the first time ever we had GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCHES on every portion
of the trip, most years we see none. The first pair were working the
Sub-alpine Firs half way along Sourdough Ridge to Frozen Lake. It is
always a treat to be able to look down on birds. Listen for their "Vrree
or Zhree" flight notes.

Second viewing was at the overlook on Second Burrough's in the talus slope
on the Glacier Basin side, where two adults were busy feeding a very noisy
and demanding juvenile.

The last group of 7 were in the final large snow field on Third
Burrough's. If we really want to see Rosy-Finches, this is the spot that
we usually find them at and they'll often approach quite close to you while
chasing bugs across the snow. From here it is only another 300' to the top
of the ridge looking down on the Winthrop Glacier - always an impressive
sight and you can track the climbers going all the way to the top of the
mountain.

Other birds seen:
Mountain Bluebird
Clark's Nutcracker
Mountain Chickadee
DE Junco
WC Sparrow
American Pipit
Horned Lark

Not seen by us, but seen this week WHITE-TAILED PTARMIGAN - seen at First
Burroughs, Between First and Second Burrough's and in Berkeley Park.

Good Birding,

Marcus Roening
Tacoma, WA
marcus.d.roening at gsk.com