Subject: [Tweeters] Easy Pass (North Cascades) and Salmon Meadow BIRD REPORT
Date: Aug 11 17:00:48 2008
From: Khanh Tran - fsprucegrouse at yahoo.com


Hi Tweeters,

This weekend I had another nice hiking/birding trip with some friends, exploring another new trail--Easy Pass. So far, this has been my favorite hike, the scenery is simply AMAZING. It is a strenous, 3.7 mile hike to the scenic pass. The trail is somewhat challenging since it is very uneven on the footing at many spots. So, my advice is not to carry your scope like I did :( I eventually had to abandon it as I went up higher in elevation.

The gorgeous scenery is evident at numerous points of the hike and not just at the end. Just when you think that is it, it crescendos into an awesome view near the pass. You will see a National Park sign marker when you reach the pass.

As we assembled our gear at the trailhead, my pishing brought a male PINE GROSBEAK, and several Red Crossbills. Further up the hike, as you ascend to the rocky debris and cliffs, there were several juvenile GRAY CROWNED ROSYFINCHES. One young bird had a splash of pink on the sides. The adults were flitting in the distance. About 1.0 from the pass, near the first serious switchbacks, there were a dozen WHITE WINGED CROSSBILLS feeding on some of the cones.

Several zippy, Rufous hummingsbirds put in a nice presence in the alpine meadow filled with lupines, Indian Paintbrush, and other flowers that I couldn't identify. More PINE GROSBEAKS were heard and a vociferous family of WESTERN WOOD PEWEES were fun to watch. The young had a very similar begging call as crossbills and threw me off for a long time...

At the pass, we hiked up another 500 feet up a saddle and was rewarded with a family of WHITE TAILED PTARMIGAN. There were at least five chicks present along the rocky scree. They were about a third in size compared to the mother.

Salmon Meadows produced a beautiful male SPRUCE GROUSE and further up the road from the campground, there was a female with a family of 4 chicks. Managed to find 4 BOREAL CHICKADEES in a mixed flock of kinglets, and mountain chickadees. More PINE GROSBEAKS were heard. A soaring immature NORTHERN GOSHAWK caused a little commotion with the scads of 200 plus pine siskins, 100 plus immature chipping sparrows and numerous Juncos. I also saw a large flock of 40 Clark's Nutcracker.

A small Black Bear cub, accidently ran about 30 feet in front of me before realizing that I was there. It stopped for about 5 seconds, before going in the other direction. It gave me a good startle! At first, I thought it was a big black dog. I got the heck out of there...

A quick stop to Hess Lake near Conconully, produced one SOLITARY SANDPIPER and one GOLDEN EAGLE feasting on a rabbit.

Ending the trip at Easy Pass with a RAINBOW on the way out, made it all a not too shabby weekend. Alpine birding has such a short season, so GO as soon as you can!!!

I managed to get a few shots of the boreal chickadee and rosyfinches. The fancy chickens are usually cooperative for me so the pictures are of higher quality. Hope you will enjoy them.

http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/recent_photos&page=all

Good birding,

Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon)