Hi Tweeters,

I had the pleasure of target birding with Jeffery Peters (Boston, MA) and Rob Parsons of Winnepeg, Manitoba. We had a successful trip and got all 5 difficult targets in alpine and coastal habitat.

We started out with a good response from a SPOTTED OWL below Paradise. We also heard two NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS, one being right at the visitor center before first light. BARRED OWLS also responded near Longmire Museum with one visual.

Prior to our morning hike for fancy alpine chickens, we were greeted with one RED FOX along the road. Our ascent to Panaroma Point, produced a few GRAY CROWNED ROSY FINCHES and one GOLDEN EAGLE.

It was along the upper elevations of the Skyline Trail where 9 WHITE TAILED PTARMIGANS graced us with their presence!!!

An interesting mixture of variable plumages and ages. At one point, two were running towards Rob and almost stepped on his shoes. Excellent looks against a beautiful backdrop so we were estatic to say the least.

We were also blessed with another forest chicken, a gigantic male SOOTY GROUSE near the old Paradise Vistor Center. ABA Lifer Number 699 for Jeff Peters;a much deserved, high five moment.

Paradise was unusually birdy with Cassin's Finches, Evening Grobeaks, Golden crowned Sparrows, and an eager SHARP SHINNED HAWK.

We finished the day with the flaky BAR TAILED GODWIT amongst the hundreds of Garbled Modwits. The BTGO has gotten a bit darker in plumage since I first photographed it 3 weeks ago but the supercillum is still prominent.

A quick dash to Midway Beach before sunset produced 4 GOLDEN PLOVERS with two being PACIFICS. The other two were quite distant to get a confirmative id.

It was definitely a nice way to end the day with a pretty sunset. We replenished with a good meal and brews at Bennets'in Grayland. Tuckered but happy birders:)

Good birding,

Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon)

www.ktbirding.com