Manning Park Questions

[Chris]

I plan on going to Manning Park for a couple of days in mid July. I have been there before so I do know the basic expectations and the whereabouts of some places. Why I am writing this is because maybe I am overlooking an area in the park that is good for birding or maybe there is an area that I am not aware of so what are some good areas. I have walked around Lightning Lake, and a lot of small trials in Lightning Lake campground and hiked up Windy Joe,(saw Blue Grouse with her babies up there) Furthermore, besides the common birds that you see, what else do I have a decent shot at seeing. Finally, when I searched Manning Park birding there was one site had a picture of a Mountain Bluebird. How common is this species in the park and where is a good place to find it?

[tmanson]

Bundy: I would recommend you hike the 3 Brothers Trail, which starts from the parking lot at the end of the alpine road that starts opposite the lodge. I have seen Mountain Bluebird along this trail, as well as White tailed Ptarmigan. Also, Hermit Thrush, Townsend's Warbler, Three toed Woodpecker, Fox Sparrow, Varied Thrush, and possibly Golden Eagle, abd Grey crowned Rosy Finch, although, personally, I have not seen the latter here. Some of these birds you undoubtedly saw on your Windy Joe hike as well.
Cheers, Thor

Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.

[kastern]

Just a note.....we were up at Manning Park on Sunday and the road to the alpine meadows is still partially closed. You can get up to just past the look out. Probably in another couple of weeks it should be open I would think although there was still snow under the trees at the point where the road was closed. I think there have been some years when it doesn't open until almost the end of July. The 3 Brothers Trail is a beautiful hike....the wildflowers are spectacular, even if you don't see any birds.

Kathy

[Dave]

Hi Bundy,

The park checklist includes a more "Princeton" type area along the eastern edge of the park. That is probably where Mountain Bluebird is nesting, although could be a transcient anywhere in the park. If you are keen on the species, it is an almost guaranteed sighting along the row of bluebird boxes beside Hwy 3 between Manning East Gate and Princeton. This is probably where Lewis' Woodpecker and others make it on the manning list as breeders. Just guesses though.

Although you may know this is all, I have found that the most active early morning location for variety in Manning is the Spruce Bay area. The triangular patch of woods between the amphitheatre and the walking bridge across the lake will have nesting Three-toed Woodpecker. I have never "not seen" one in the woods there after a dozen visits. You can usually detect their presence by light scratching noises as they flack off the bark of Spruce trees. I rarely find them by their knocking. Pileated Woodpeckers nest there as do Red-breasted Sapsuckers, so plenty of knocking. Red-breasted are often heard softly tapping by the picnic table area there. Last year Red-breasted Sapsuckers nested in a tree on the west shore of Beaver Pond as well. Red-Naped Sapsuckers like the Aspen grove right in the middle of the main activity/playground by the Lodge next to Hwy 3. You can't miss their neat rows of holes in the trees there.

Grouse should be easy to get in the Alpine Meadows if you are first up the road. (If it is open, as Kathy pointed out!!). They should be very noisy drumming this time of year.

Dipper can be found on the outflow part of Lighting Lake, but I have only seen them there in the winter.

Hope this helps,

Dave

[Chris]

Thanks for the help you guys.

The 3 brothers trial sounds like an awesome hike. I have never seen a Ptarmigan or a Mountain Bluebird. I have seen the three toed woodpecker there before but it was really quick so I would love to get a good shot of it again.

Thanks for the info on the road to Alpine Meadows. Probably quite a bit of snow there at this time of year, more than usual.

That's what I thought of too with the Mountain Bluebird that it would be more east. A Lewis's woodpecker would also be a nice lifer too.

Dave I didn't know about the Three toed was by Spruce Bay. The woodpecker info really helps too.

Are there any chances of seeing Ruffed and Spruce Grouse up there?

Again thanks for the info. So many places I want to see there but not much time to see them.

[tmanson]

Bundy: Last year, we saw Spruce Grouse from the road between the lookoff, and the parking lot at the alpine meadows. There should be Ruffed Grouse around as well, perhaps lower down, although, I have not seen them in the park. Blue Grouse; most likely Sooty, should also be seen on a hike up there, although you can't discount the possibility of a Dusky, as this is a transition zone for these species. Cheers, Thor

Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.