Hi all,
I'm reminded that not everyone on OBOL knows where Marys Peak is --
sorry that I left that information out of my posting.
Marys Peak is in the Coast Range west of Corvallis and Philomath. Access
is via Hwy 34 from Philomath about 9 miles W to Marys Peak Rd., then 9
miles up that road to the parking lot for a viewpoint at the end of the
road.
Usually when Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches are present, to see them you need
to hike another half mile up the gravel service road that continues from
the viewpoint parking lot to the communications towers at the summit.
When the rest of the summit area is snowy, the finches tend to hang out
on the rocky south slope just below the summit which usually has some
exposed ground due to the prevailing winds. Snow Buntings are also found
there occasionally, and/or right in the gravel roadway. Sometimes other
unusual species for western Oregon (such as Clark's Nutcracker, Mountain
Chickadee, White-winged Crossbill, Cassin's Finch, etc.) wind up in the
geographically isolated noble fir forest near the summit. Sooty Grouse
and Mountain Quail are fairly regular along the road. But there is also
a good chance of seeing not much besides a Raven or two, if the winds
are howling.
A day-use permit is required (I think there is still a fee box where you
can purchase one using check or cash at the bottom of Marys Peak Rd.),
or else an annual access pass for National Forests (which you can
purchase at any USFS ranger station, or at Siuslaw National Forest
headquarters on the west side of the OSU campus).
The top end of the road is close to 4000 ft elevation, so be prepared
for snowy conditions on the road.
Good luck if you try,
Joel
On Mon, 2018-01-08 at 09:47 -0800, Joel Geier wrote:
-------- Forwarded Message --------
From: Joel Geier <joel.geier@xxxxxxxx>
To: MidValley Birds <birding@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [birding] Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches continuing on Marys Peak
Date: Mon, 08 Jan 2018 09:44:18 -0800
Hi all,
Mike Lippsmeyer reports that at least 5 GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCHES were
still in the summit area of Marys Peak on Saturday, January 6th.
Good birding,
Joel
