On Skyline Trail at Paradise Sunday, I wasn't trying to bird but the birds came anyway. I had a single GC Rosy-Finch in a rocky outcrop just below where the Upper trail makes its highest crossing of the glacier. I had two Ptarmigan sitting right next to the trail a little past halfway around the loop (going clockwise) where a stream enters a small ice tunnel. Pipits and the other usual stuff were also around. I started the trail at around 630am and saw very few people until I neared the end back close to the lodge. There was lots of snow on the trail.

Thanks to all who gave me recommendations on the coast. I did the Westport pelagic on Saturday and originally planned to do Olympic the next day but opted for Rainier for the shorter drive back to Sea-Tac last night. Thanks to the Bainbridge Island crew, I had great views of the Pacific Golden Plover at Bottle Beach.

Paul Hudson

From: MEYER2J at aol.com
Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2008 09:56:36 -0400
To: Tweeters at u.washington.edu
CC:
Subject: [Tweeters] Mt. Rainier - Sunrise








Hello Tweets:

Four of us hiked at Mt. Rainier, Sunrise, on Sunday, Aug. 3rd.
Weather, flowers and mountain were spectacular. Mike West, his
brother and partner, and I started out late morning from the Sunrise parking
lot, hiking toward the Glacier Overlook. There were a few Dark-eyed Juncos
and Pine Siskin along the way. This route takes you along the Skyline
Trail where there is one snow-patch requiring sound footing on a very narrow
ledge. About 1/8th of a mile before reaching First Burrroughs we
saw Her. A White-tailed Ptarmigan, in the rocks to our right. After
several minutes of great viewing, 3 youngsters started milling about. By
now it is about 2 p.m. After eating lunch at the Burrows and enjoying the
view, we started down the trail toward Shadow Lake. A flock of
Gray-crowned Rosy Finch flew by, with a couple of them stopping on a large rock,
giving us a better view. About 4 p.m. while still on the trail, we saw
another White-tailed Ptarmigan, down-slope, on our left. This parent had
4-5 youngsters who were calling in soft mewing voices. The little ones
were quite spread out, but the parent stayed in one place, trying to keep an eye
on all of them. Needless to say, we were thrilled at our good fortune of
seeing two ptarmigan families. As we started on our way again, an American
Pipit gave us good views when it landed on one of the nearby stones near
the trail. We encountered 3 Rufous Hummingbirds before returning to our
car at 5 p.m. On a side note, the Greenriver Restaurant is open for
business again, under the name of Buzzy's. Hours are 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.,
except on Tuesday when they are closed.

Cheers! and good birding, Joyce Meyer
meyer2j at aol.com


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