Subject: [Tweeters] Spruce Grouse at Horseshoe Lake near Mt. Adams
Date: Oct 11 19:19:39 2007
From: washingtonbirder.Knittle Knittle - washingtonbirder at hotmail.com


Today, Oct. 11, 2007 Wilson Cady, Anne Kahle, and myself headed up to
Takhlakh Lake with Spruce Grouse as our main target. No wind, sunny, and a
balmy 31 degrees as we rolled into Takhlakh Lake coming from the Randle
side. We had our first Clark's Nutcracker of several fly over and a lone
Common Loon on Takhlakh Lake. We next began driving FR 2329 towards
Horseshoe Lake. Right before the lake a flock of Gray Jays made us stop to
check them out plus seeing other birds there too. Once we did get to
Horseshoe Lake we were looking up when here comes a high flying Loon right
over us and the national forest and didn't even stop at the lake. Seemed
out of place at the high elevation and forest. Next a young Osprey showed
up perhaps not knowing that the lake will be freezing up shortly. On our
way out after looking at odd rocks along the road coming in, we rounded a
curve and there in the middle of the road sat a female Spruce Grouse. After
two minutes she flew up into the Lodgepole Pines and vanished. Our only one
for the day.

Back at Takhlakh Lake we spotted 3 female Surf Scoters. Then on to Olallie
Lake where 4 more Surf Scoters rested on this high mountian lake. Mt. Adams
snow came right down to almost where we were, so it won't be long before
snow will cover everything up there.

On our way home we stopped at the east end of Riffe Lake where 5 Greater
White-fronted Geese and 1 Cackling Goose grazed on the very short grass.
There were many loons, most too far away to ID, but the closer ones were all
Common Loons. Other birds at Riffe Lake included 100+ Canada Geese, Western
Grebes, 1 Horned Grebe, a flock of American Pipits, and 1 Bald Eagle.

In closing must give thanks to Joe Higbee for his article in a past
Washington Birder newsletter with map. Spruce Grouse are not a sure bet,
but one will never see them without trying.



Ken Knittle
mailto:washingtonbirder "at" hotmail.com

Washington Birder newsletter
2604 NE 80th Street
Vancouver, WA 98665

www.wabirder.com