Hi all,

Another fun weekend walking the sand of Gray's Harbor, and trails of Mt. Rainier. Always nice to meet a few Tweets in person and be social.

As I mentioned in my previous post, not much diversity or number of birds but the quality was excellent.

**********OCEAN SHORES/ MIDWAY BEACH/ TOKELAND************

The Oyehut Game refuge provided nothing out of the ordinary, but early in them morning produced a dozen PECTORAL SANPIPERS, 3 RED KNOTS, mixed with both dowitcher species and yellowlegs as well.

Walking at the end of Damon Point awarded me with separate flocks of 2 AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS and 4 PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVERS (correction from previous post-a bit of dylexsia). In the one pond, there were 8 BLACK BELLIED PLOVERS, 5 WHIMBRELS, and one LONG BILLED CURLEW. One crisp, looking HORNED GREBE actively feeding.

Ran into Lonnie Sommers at Mid-way Beach immediately heard one golden plover call and found a small flock of 8 PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVERS. Coming back 10 minutes later, I found another small group of AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS. Otherwise it was very sloowwwwww.

Tokeland was reliable for Marbled Godwits, let's say 1000 birds! The flaky Bar-tailed was no where around.

******************MT. RAINIER AT PARADISE***********************

I choose to bird Paradise and wasn't disappointed. Along the upper trail Skyline Trail, there were a few GRAY CROWNED ROSYFINCHES. A few raptors were present including one PRAIRIE FALCON, one COOPERS and two SHARP SHINNED HAWKS.

Not too far from the little restroom near Panaroma Point, a beautiful MOUNTAIN GOAT made an impressive entrance and literally ran into me. I had to back away to fit him into my camera.

Heading down lower to the traditional ptarmigan site, I initially did not find the 20 minutes I was there scanning. Giving up and heading towards the visitor center, I ran into Gary Kelsberg.

I decided to show him the spot and joined forces with four pairs of eyes. It paid off, we instantly found one gorgeous female WHITE TAILED PTARMIGAN in her transitional winter plumage (50% white). Very stunning!! She walked along the trail and a male popped out of nowhere.

We were later joined by Paul Bannick and 3 other birds. A lifer for four people so it was fun to share the excitement and energy.

>From my observations, the ROCK and White tailed ptarmigans hens molt faster into the season than the males. Female was much ahead of the male in both seasons.

The pair at Slate Peak photographed in June 2008, showed the female in summer plumage while the male is still 70% white. This recent pair at Mt. Rainier shows the female much further in winter plumage. I will post photos of both situation. Fun stuff!!

Gary and I heard some WHITE WINGED CROSSBILLS near the Comet Falls Trail and later, I heard and saw at least 3 birds near the Longmire Museum.

Here are some photos. Sorry, it's nausea for some.