I took advantage of the nice weather on Thursday and birded Mt. Rainier and Mt Adams. The colors were amazing and was surprised to see very few hikers along the trails. I pretty much had the entire mountain to myself until noon!

Started the morning out well with a NORTHERN PYGMY OWL and BARRED OWL near Ashford. Proceeded to Paradise next where it was surprisingly birdy near the parking lot and lodge. The vociferous PINE GROSBEAKS were among the many robins, juncos, chickadees, and Zonos. I saw at least six birds along the lower trails near the lodge. The birds were taking advantage of the mountain ash, and had a feast! A few CASSIN'S FINCHES were also seen.?

As I ascended above treeline on the Golden Gate Trail, a flock of 150-200 GRAY CROWNED ROSY-FINCHES were actively feeding along the series of switch backs. ?Several groups of spumoni finches were also found en route to Pebble Creek Trail. ?A NORTHERN SHRIKE AND ROUGH LEGGED HAWK were also observed before reaching the Skyline Trail as well as good numbers of AMERICAN PIPITS, HORNED LARKS, AND SAVANNAH SPARROWS.

For awhile, I couldn't find any fancy alpine chickens at their usual haunts and suspect the last late, cold spring played a toll on their numbers. ?I was about to give up and thought my chicken kharma had come to an end, but I luckily found a trio of WHITE TAILED PTARMIGANS in the distance along the Pebble Creek trail as you head up to Camp Muir.?

Heading down and exploring Skate Creek Rd, I flushed another BARRED OWl and saw a RUFFED GROUSE along the road.?

Mt Adams was pretty quiet but I managed to kick up a couple of SPRUCE GROUSE and one BLACK BACKED WOODPECKER near the Killian Creek Area. ?On my way out towards Trout Lake on FR23, I found a group of SOOTY GROUSE.?

Glad I took the day off to enjoy the great weather before the rain hit. ?It was nice to see four grouse in one day. ? ?

Good birding,?

Khanh Tran?