Post by Jamie on Aug 19, 2017 19:54:07 GMT -8
Today was the FVB Fieldtrip to Needle Peak. The attendants were: Jason (Jason ), Mr McDonald (Chris), Mr Foth (paulos ) and his wife Mrs Foth, Mr Walker (Randy ), Mr Osterhold (josterhold ), and Joel (kestrel ).
It was a very fun hike! Fun, but tiring. My legs are not happy.
Throughout the hike, we watched for birds. The hike was quite steep and tiring, so it was great to stop regularly when a bird was seen or heard! There was a bit of hawk activity with 5 Red-tailed Hawks and a Cooper's Hawk soaring overhead. We also saw a large accipter (bigger than a Cooper's!), but couldn't confirm it was a goshawk.
We hiked to Tasty Lake (apparently that's what it's called) for lunch. Birds seen on the way there include: Dark-eyed Junco, Western Tanager, Western Wood-Pewee, Red Crossbill, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and more.
We arrived at the lake at around noon. Food never tasted so good at Tasty Lake. We were hoping to see ptarmigan, since apparently they like to hang out around the lake. During lunch, we were all watching for ptarmigan, but came up empty.
Mr Foth suggested that we should go up to the top of Flatiron to look for ptarmigan. Most of us agreed, so we went up.
We looked all over the mountain. Near the top of Flatiron, I saw Joel and Mrs Foth looking excited. They found ptarmigan! I scrambled up (nearly falling!) and saw a young male ptarmigan with an adult female.
Adult female and young male White-tailed Ptarmigan by Jamie G, on Flickr
Suddenly Mr. McDonald came and said there were 4 more ptarmigan a bit further up. And they were closer! So naturally I went up. Sure enough, there was a group of 4 ptarmigan resting and feeding in the rocks. I noticed a couple more scurrying around too, so that makes 8 ptarmigan in all! They were not at all scared and allowed great photo ops.
White-tailed Ptarmigan by Jamie G, on Flickr
Stretching. It's cool to see its wings!
White-tailed Ptarmigan stretching by Jamie G, on Flickr
White-tailed Ptarmigan hen by Jamie G, on Flickr
The Headless Ptarmigan!
Headless Ptarmigan by Jamie G, on Flickr
This shot is my favorite.
White-tailed Ptarmigan by Jamie G, on Flickr
I saw Nr Walker and Mr Foth heading down, and they joined in on the excitement. Unfortunately, josterhold and my dad were somewhere else on the mountain and only saw ptarmigan poop and feathers. Too bad.
After enjoying the ptarmigan and stumbling down Flatiron, we began the long trek back to the parking lot. There was so much downhill!
At some point, my dad spotted a hawk soaring high overhead. After some debate, we determined it was a Rough-legged! It is very early for them, but perhaps that was an early migrant. I think that might be the earliest for the checklist area?
The rest of the hike down was pretty much uneventful. We did see a couple Olive-sided Flycatchers, which was a life bird for Mr. Walker! Congrats.
They were on top of a snag and offered great views and photos. (I havent really edited the flycatcher pictures yet, but i'll edit the post and add them once I do).
After that, we didn't see much else. Then again, I was paying more attention to not falling down the steep trail instead of birds!
I'm not sure the species list, but I will post it once I get the checklist done.
It was a good and fun hike! Thanks to everyone for coming!
It was a very fun hike! Fun, but tiring. My legs are not happy.
Throughout the hike, we watched for birds. The hike was quite steep and tiring, so it was great to stop regularly when a bird was seen or heard! There was a bit of hawk activity with 5 Red-tailed Hawks and a Cooper's Hawk soaring overhead. We also saw a large accipter (bigger than a Cooper's!), but couldn't confirm it was a goshawk.
We hiked to Tasty Lake (apparently that's what it's called) for lunch. Birds seen on the way there include: Dark-eyed Junco, Western Tanager, Western Wood-Pewee, Red Crossbill, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and more.
We arrived at the lake at around noon. Food never tasted so good at Tasty Lake. We were hoping to see ptarmigan, since apparently they like to hang out around the lake. During lunch, we were all watching for ptarmigan, but came up empty.
Mr Foth suggested that we should go up to the top of Flatiron to look for ptarmigan. Most of us agreed, so we went up.
We looked all over the mountain. Near the top of Flatiron, I saw Joel and Mrs Foth looking excited. They found ptarmigan! I scrambled up (nearly falling!) and saw a young male ptarmigan with an adult female.
Adult female and young male White-tailed Ptarmigan by Jamie G, on FlickrSuddenly Mr. McDonald came and said there were 4 more ptarmigan a bit further up. And they were closer! So naturally I went up. Sure enough, there was a group of 4 ptarmigan resting and feeding in the rocks. I noticed a couple more scurrying around too, so that makes 8 ptarmigan in all! They were not at all scared and allowed great photo ops.
White-tailed Ptarmigan by Jamie G, on FlickrStretching. It's cool to see its wings!
White-tailed Ptarmigan stretching by Jamie G, on FlickrWhite-tailed Ptarmigan hen by Jamie G, on FlickrThe Headless Ptarmigan!
Headless Ptarmigan by Jamie G, on FlickrThis shot is my favorite.
White-tailed Ptarmigan by Jamie G, on FlickrI saw Nr Walker and Mr Foth heading down, and they joined in on the excitement. Unfortunately, josterhold and my dad were somewhere else on the mountain and only saw ptarmigan poop and feathers. Too bad.
After enjoying the ptarmigan and stumbling down Flatiron, we began the long trek back to the parking lot. There was so much downhill!
At some point, my dad spotted a hawk soaring high overhead. After some debate, we determined it was a Rough-legged! It is very early for them, but perhaps that was an early migrant. I think that might be the earliest for the checklist area?
The rest of the hike down was pretty much uneventful. We did see a couple Olive-sided Flycatchers, which was a life bird for Mr. Walker! Congrats.
They were on top of a snag and offered great views and photos. (I havent really edited the flycatcher pictures yet, but i'll edit the post and add them once I do). After that, we didn't see much else. Then again, I was paying more attention to not falling down the steep trail instead of birds!
I'm not sure the species list, but I will post it once I get the checklist done.
It was a good and fun hike! Thanks to everyone for coming!
