Michael makes some very good points, although I may not have the birding
chops to contribute to the knowledge as a bona fide tweeter might. I might
contribute more if I were to accompany a better birder in the high country.
So if any fit brave souls with decent athletic ability, mountaineering
boots, ice axe skills and better birding chops than mine (not a high
standard) want to join me for a 3- or 4-day weekend next summer, give me a
shout.

Phil, Ring-billed, California and Mew Gulls are quite common in and around
the high alpine lakes west of the crest. In the alpine tundra zones west of
the crest in mid-summer, the second most abundant bird (after Grey-crowned
Rosy-Finch, which tend to be localized in big flocks) is the American Pipit,
which tend to be more dispersed than GCRFs. I have seen some rarities,
including a Great Gray Owl near Mt. Prophet in August 2009.

Yes, I have been remiss in cataloging my sitings, but that is largely a
product of the demands of mountain travel. I have had no luck persuading my
non-birder mountaineering partners to stop, sit and ID birds, and our
schedules have rarely allowed for that.

Steve
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