Subject: [Tweeters] Mt. Adams: Spruce grouse, Pine GB, A3Toe WP,
Date: Oct 5 22:12:42 2008
From: Khanh Tran - fsprucegrouse at yahoo.com


Hi Tweeters,

Inspired by Joseph Higbee's past sighting of spruce grouse on the west side of Mt. Adams, I decided to do a spontaneous trip under wet, dreary condition this late Sunday afternoon. I focused near Takhlakh and Horseshoe Lake with an Elevation of 4400-4700 feet.

Grouse don't like to get wet, so I had sweet SPRUCIE success along with a few other goodies. This area is excellent habitat for spruce grouse as well as other grouse and definitely has potential for other boreal species. I was really impressed!

Holding true to this theory, I was able to find two skittish but gorgeous male SPRUCE GROUSE in two different locations near Horseshoe Lake. This small lake is about 5 miles NE of Takhlakh Lake. Three RUFFED GROUSE and eight SOOTY GROUSE were also seen along FR23.

This small sprucie population is one of the most skittish that I have observed thus far. Seen briefly on the roadside, the two males would scurry extremely fast under brush even while remaining in my car. Once they flushed into a tree they were a bit calmer but not much. I was able to get a few decent shots for documentation. Conditions were awful for good photos.

http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/recent_photos

Oh, and the other birds, of course. Near Takh Takh Meadows, I found one NORTHERN PYGMY OWL and one early NORTHERN SHRIKE. I have seen shrikes early in October at high elevations such as at Hart's Pass and Chopaka Mountain with Steve Nord. They must move down to lower elevations when the snow levels are heavy.

My pygmy owl toots drew five PINE GROSBEAKS among a mixed flock of chickadees, gray jays, and nuthatches. I was able to see three female or immatures up high in the tree tops. I walked closer to the campground and found an AMERICAN THREE TOE WOODPECKER.

What a beautiful area and I really enjoyed the small, but pictureque Horseshoe Lake and campground. Definitely have to come back and camp there under better weather. Lots of hunters up there so wear your orange.

Not a shabby day after all :)

Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon)