Cheam Mtn work bee Sept 9

[Gord]

A little late posting this, but FVRD Parks and Chilliwack Hiking Club is doing a work bee tomorrow morning on Cheam Mtn trail 500 metres from the parking lot to prevent off-road vehicles from accessing the fragile alpine meadows on Cheam Ridge. Past projects have been sucessful in reducing the number of these vehicles who have in the past, created enormous environmental damage.

Plans will be to fill rock gabions on the trail to only allow foot traffic to pass.

Meet at Thompson Regional Park at 0700, Saturday Sept 9. Bring lunch, gloves and appropriate clothing and footwear. We will be back at Thompson Park by 3:00. Limited rides will be available.

www.fvrd.com/FVRD/Services/Parks+and+Trails/parks_home/Thompson.html
You'll have to cut and paste the above URL to your browser

A good chance, especially with the forecasted clouds, to see a bunch of migrants up there while we work!

[Dave]

Congratulations on the Goshawk, Gord! I remember you missing the bird by a few minutes a few weeks ago.

I would love to help out with the trail, but it won't work tomorrow. I am laying down sod instead. (Maybe I'll attract a Buff-Breasted Sandpiper !!!!! ) I hope the day goes well for you.

An impressive list of birds. I would have loved to have spent some time on the Pygmy Owl (This bird has escaped me too long!.

As far as the theory of ptarmigan+clouds, it was quite clear when we went up Cheam on Labour Day and there were about 10 out and about. There were very few raptors floating around though. 4 of the Ptarmigan were where we had seen the 20+ a few weeks earlier, and the other 6 were in the jumbled rock where Gord and Jeff were when Thor and I found the 20+. Did you check the jumbled rocks to the west of the main Cheam Ridge, Gord? I am wondering if the Ptarmigan hang out between these huge rocks when the weather is clear or when predators are flying around. (I am talking about walking past (West) of the newly-created stone warming hut on the ridge towards the saddle.)

Dave

[Gord]

Dave, I checked that area but didnt spot any ptarmigan there either. But your theory does hold water. Either they hide there, or in the stunted trees/bushes near the slopes they like to feed in. While they look pretty docile, I think they are capable of moving great distances in a short time span.