Tweets,

During the week of Aug 31 to Sep 6, Dave Swayne, Mark Crawford and I hiked
the Seven Loop Pass in the N Cascades, with extensions, during a spell of
stupendous weather conditions. Although we did not get all of our target
birds, there were some surprises that were just as gratifying.

Several people have asked for trip details, which follow. Our route
included Trail 472, descending the West Fork Pasayten River from Slate
Peak, then Trail 472A, ascending Holman Creek. We then followed the Pacific
Crest Trail north to Music Meadows with further extensions to Coney Basin,
Lakeview Ridge and Hopkins Lake (we split up for these destinations).
Return to Slate Peak and Harts Pass was entirely via the PCT. Green Trails
maps Washington Pass (#50), Pasayten Peak (#18), and Jack Mountain (#17)
cover the areas we hiked and camped.

Large numbers of a selected group of species were seen in all locations,
most notably White-crowned Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Mountain
Chickadee and Dark-eyed Junco, plus occasional large numbers, at higher
locations, of Horned Lark and American Pipit, including a group of at least
50-60 pipits on the ground and in the trees just N of Slate Peak on the
PCT. Notable sightings are listed below, with locations.

Spruce Grouse - 3 groups female and young of 3, 2, and 5 (W F Pasayten R)
Sooty Grouse - family of 4 at Music Meadows; Harts Pass
Northern Harrier - Lakeview Ridge
Sharp-shinned Hawk - Coney Basin, Lakeview Ridge, Harts Pass
Cooper's Hawk - Slate Peak, W F Pasayten R, Lakeview Ridge, Music Meadows
Northern Goshawk - Lakeview Ridge; a beautiful adult male gave a
point-blank fly-by
Golden Eagle - Slate Peak, Music Meadows, Coney Basin
American Kestrel - Harts Pass
Northern Pygmy-Owl - Meadows Campground, Holman Creek, PCT N from Holman
Pass, Music Meadows
Barred Owl - S of Tamarack Peak (~6200 ft elevation)
Common Nighthawk - W F Pasayten R (heard only)
Calliope Hummingbird - PCT N from Holman Pass
Belted Kingfisher - in marshes along W F Pasayten R
American Three-toed Woodpecker - W F Pasayten R (multiple birds), Holman
Pass
Western Wood-Pewee - near Tamarack Peak
Hammond's Flycatcher - W F Pasayten R
Pacific Slope Flycatcher - Lakeview Ridge, near Tamarack Peak
Boreal Chickadee - W F Pasayten R; one flock of 6+, more heard only later
Mountain Bluebird - Meadows Campground, near Tamarack Peak
Townsend's Solitaire - PCT N of Holman Pass, Lakeview Ridge (group of 8+)
Pine Grosbeak - Holman Creek, at least 8; PCT N of Holman Pass
Red Crossbill - W F Pasayten R
White-winged Crossbill - PCT N of Holman Pass, one pair, with large flock
of birds agitated by called-in pygmy

We also had good numbers of Townsend's and small numbers of Orange-crowned,
Nashville, Yellow and Wilson's Warblers, plus occasional sightings of Fox
and Lincoln's Sparrows.

On our way up, we stopped at the National Park visitor center at Newhalem
and were surprised with high numbers of Black-throated Gray Warblers (at
least 16) at one spot less than 50 feet from the car, plus all 3 vireos.

A great week spent with fun people and birds.

Scott Ramos
Seattle