There were a number of Tweeters subscribers who wrote me
separate emails about wanting a report on our birding in Yellowstone National
Park this last week. Well, we have one day to go and I won?t have time for
individual responses so the whole list gets this information in the
for-what-it?s-worth category. Ignore if you?re not interested.



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The first thing we tried to do was to try to find any recent
information on bird sightings and drew a complete blank. No official person
knew anything or anyone who might. There is a bird list available (and a decent
book) but these weren?t helpful except to verify sightings that were a little
iffy. Maybe our experiences below help to explain this lack of recent stuff.



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We did see a number of birds that I will try to list with
locations. Nothing unusual or lifer?s for us. Unfortunately there was simply no
consistency in our sitings except for a few birds at one location. One day
there were different birds all over the place at one spot within a few minutes
and then none the next 6 times we went there. Others were pretty much the same
except we didn?t try them as consistently. This is a big park with lots of
driving so you have to pick out where you want to be at sunup or down and go
there. If nothing shows up you move to someplace else and hope luck is with
you. Or, you choose an area that feels right and wait all day. We did the
former (averaging 70-8
0 miles a day in the park (looking for bears and wolves as
well), so I can?t advise whether sitting around is any better. (Of course you
can just go looking for the big animals and bird while you wait ? a sound
strategy for most of us).



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In general, it?s my unscientific opinion that fall is a
mediocre time to bird Yellowstone. There are no nests or mating areas to anchor
populations, nor are there consistent food sources at specific locations for many
of them to rely on. The birds seem to be moving around a lot. Many of the males
have moved on and the juveniles and a few females are mostly what you see. It's also too high to be part of consistent migratory patterns that usually go east or west.?



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There were reasonable amounts of ducks on many of the ponds and
lakes but usually just juveniles and a few female adults. We saw Ruddies, Widgeon,
Mallards, Pintail, Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser and Harlequins in
various locations. Lots of Canada Geese as well. Yellow-rumped Warblers (mostly
juveniles) were the most common warbler with a few Wilson?s. Lots of Clark?s
Nutcrackers in almost all locations. A few Gray Jays.



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Here are some of the birds and locations ? Who knows what
will be there when you are??



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Gardiner ?RV park ? Flocks of Cedar Waxwings for two days
and then they left.



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Mammoth Hot Springs - The one really birdy
location (for 20
minutes) was next to the stream on the right side of the lower terrace of
Mammoth Hot Springs where there was nothing the next 6 times we showed early,
noon and late: 10-20 Mt. Bluebirds, 2 Clark?s Nutcrackers, 5-6 Robins, a Varied
Thrush, a Hairy Woodpecker, 5-6 Yellow-rumped Warblers, a Townsend?s Solitaire,
a Chipping Sparrow, pair of Williamson?s Sapsuckers, lots of Brewer?s
Blackbirds.



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Floating Islands Lake ? 3 Sora Rails (2 juveniles and a
female) stayed in this pond and were visible all 4 times we stopped. The only
truly consistent place in the park for us.



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Tower Falls area - Bald Eagles were plentiful (three pair
circling South of Tower Falls and others scattered).?



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Red-tailed Hawks were seen from the Lamar Valley to near the
top of Mt. Washburn ? Adults and juveniles.



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Alum Creek confluence with the Yellowstone River ? Adult and
juvenile Swainson?s Hawks soaring overhead. Common Goldeneye and Canada Geese
in the river.



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LeHardy Rapids on the Yellowstone - 8-10 Harlequin Juveniles
diving and resting on the rocks.



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Pebble Creek Campground ?? 2 Mountain Chickadees



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It was actually a pretty feeble trip as birding trips go. On
the other hand, the scenery is always spectacular, the elk and bison are all
over the place and you have a 50-50 shot at seeing bears and wolves. Besides,0Aas spotty as the birds where this week, next week could be totally different.
Good luck and good birding all!







David Gluckman
811 22nd St.
Pt. Townsend, WA 98368
360 379-0360