Subject: [Tweeters] Snoqualmie Pass Birds (including Hermit Warbler)
Date: Jun 25 08:26:46 2012
From: Walter Szeliga - walter.szeliga at gmail.com


Dear Tweeters,
I had been waiting for a rain-free day to go hiking for the past few
weekends, and I finally gave up and went yesterday (6/24). My initial
plan was to hike from the end of FS 136 in the Rocky Run cirque on the
southwest side of Mount Margaret. I was able to drive up the road
until about 10 yards from the "trailhead" before encountering snow
drifts. I failed to make it too far up the path foot however due to
the rain, avalanche debris and the increasing depth of the snow
drifts. I was able to find a vocalizing Willow Flycatcher and hear a
number of Varied Thrushes and Pacific Wrens however.

Since I hadn't spent much time actually hiking yet, I decided to
explore the Gold Creek Trail (#1314). I was not disappointed, this is
a fantastic trail with tons of birds, wildflowers and waterfalls. I
was able to hear and occasionally see 5 species of Thrush (Varied,
Swainson's, Hermit, Veery, Am. Robin) and the sheer number of
Townsend's Warblers was amazing. The highlight of the trip was a
group of four Black Swifts feeding at treetop height, due to the
inclement weather, in the recent avalanche clearing about 3 miles in.
There are plenty of tall waterfalls along this hike, so I wouldn't be
surprised if Black Swifts were breeding here. The other bird of note
is a Hermit Warbler that I recorded singing in the old growth grove at
the wilderness boundary (signed) about 2 miles from the end of the
private road.

Cheers,
Walter Szeliga
Ellensburg, WA