Hi Tweets,

After too many years to count of hiking in the Cascades, Heather and I finally had an awesome look at that rosy headed and breasted wonder - a male Pine Grosbeak. Singing from the top of a Subalpine Fir - which happily are not all that tall and makes for wonderful viewing.

The bird was on the Mt Rainier NP - Naches Peak Loop Trail that starts on Chinook Pass in Pierce County. Parking is at Tipsoo Lake (lots of Spotted Sandpiper courting going on there) and the trailhead starts on the other side of the highway at the southwest corner.

Pine Grosbeak are often seen right at the lake. We saw the bird about 1.5 miles up the trail in the meadow area near the only medium sized shallow pond. If you reach the National Forest sign, you just went too far. All the meadow area from the 'scenic overlook rock knoll' to the lake area is good for alpine species and a good spot for hawk watching in the fall.

Also seen and heard were Mountain Chickadee, Townsend's Solitaire, Sooty Grouse and Cassin's Finch.

You can continue on another 1/2 mile to the PacCrest Trail in Yakima county and turn left (north) to make a loop back to the footbridge over Chinook Pass.

Good birding,

Marcus Roening
Tacoma WA

Sent from my iPhone

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