[obol] Why I love high elevation birding with some updated photos (mostly owls and grouse)

From: Khanh Tran <khanhbatran@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 5 Nov 2013 04:36:21 +0000
It's been a while since I posted any sightings or photos.   The end of October 
was a great month for nice, fall weather so I seized the moment.  Mountain 
birding has always been appealing to me for several reasons; the beautiful 
scenery, the special birds, and the somewhat, physical challenges that it can 
bring.   Every year, I set goals of finding certain, challenging birds with a 
mind set that I will find them.  Skill and luck can play a factor, but 
persistence and being optimistic helps, too! This attitude gives me extra 
energy and focus to be consistently successful at find these elusive birds.   
Here are my recent findings at Mt Rainier, Mt Baker and Mt Adams the last 
couple of weeks.   Most of the hikes averaged 6-8 miles round trip in some deep 
snow, and some of the birding was done along the forest roads.   At times, 
there can be very few birds up in high elevation but the finds are usually 
rewarding.  Finding a LAPLAND LONGSPUR and SNOW BUNTING at 6500-7000 ft at Mt 
Rainier during the last week of October was really cool.  In past years, I have 
found Baird's and Least Sandpipers at 6500-8000 feet.   Hiking Mt Baker  in the 
middle of October was spectacular for fall colors but the birding there was 
very quiet as well.  I did not find any ptarmigans, rosy-finches or sooty 
grouse.  The only birds found here, were two nice surprises-- a BROAD-WINGED 
HAWK and some WHITE WINGED CROSSBILLS.  You can never predict what you will see 
and there is usually is an element of surprise.  I could always count on seeing 
rosy-finches and pine grosbeaks in both locations during the fall but this 
time, dipped.     Owling was surprisingly productive at Mt Adams, with many 
species being quite vocal on a calm, clear evening.  We heard up to five 
species at night within a 90 minute time frame last weekend.  The nice surprise 
was finding a BOREAL OWL near Baby Shoe Pass (4300 ft) near Takhlakh Lake.  Not 
the typical boreal owl habitat but always fun to stumble upon this reclusive, 
and under studied owl.   The next day on a cold, crisp fall morning, I got to 
witness several SPRUCE GROUSE (2 male: 2 female) eating grit along a less than 
ideal habitat near Killian Creek of Mt Adams.  At one point, there was a female 
SPRUCE GROUSE next to a SOOTY GROUSE.   Very few places were you can find both 
species side by side.  All birds were seen within a short time frame and the 
rest of the day, it was dead.  Looking up in the skies produced a GOLDEN EAGLE 
and NORTHERN GOSHAWK.   Horseshoe Lake was noticeably quiet and devoid of birds 
but Red Crossbills and AMERICAN THREE TOE WOODPECKERS kept the forest alive 
with their persistent, kip kip calls and loud drumming.   Lastly, I have seen 
close to 700 ABA birds, but nothing is more special that seeing a ptarmigan in 
pure white plumage. The alpine grouse in good light, literally glow with 
radiance and beauty.  Being very confiding, and allowing close looks adds to 
their appeal.   My recent hike last Tuesday to Mt Rainier produced the target 
of my affection; a trio of  WHITE TAILED PTARMIGANS in pure winter plumage.  I 
can never predict where these elusive birds will be and thought they would be 
down in lower elevation with all the fresh, recent snow. To much of my 
surprise, they were found at the very top of the Higher Skyline Trail at 
roughly 7000 feet.  It was such a nice treat to see a trio of these beautiful 
birds feeding and bathing in the snow.   
Some photos can be found here: 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23662496@N02/ Hope you enjoy the photos!  My motto 
is to have an open mind,  expect the unexpected, and explore new areas not 
covered by other birders.  Don't go with the flow and make assumptions, try and 
experiment with new ideas.  Having this mindset has enable me to have more fun 
and find more birds.  It is definitely more rewarding when you find something 
on your own!
Don't forget to enjoy the views when birding is slow in the mountains.  Hope 
enjoyed the nice, fall weather.   Good birding, 
Khanh Tran 
www.ktbirding.com
[obol] Why I love high elevation birding with some updated photos (mostly owls and grouse)

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