Heather Trail Manning Park

[tmanson]

Hi everyone: Hiked up the Heather Trail today in Manning, with Murray Brown, and Brian Steitch. Weather was not so good with some kind of mist/rain event happening most of the day. I think this actually helped with the birding, as it kept most everything low. Last week I did this same trail with Brent, and Carolynn Schmor, and the weather was beautiful. Great for the wildflowers, and the views, but not too birdy. Mostly Pine Siskins, Juncos and Spruce, and one of the Blue Grouses.
Today, as stated, it was much birdier. Townsend's Warblers were everywhere. Most any of us had seen in one area. There were still lots of Pine Siskins, and Juncos, but also Pine Grosbeak, Yellow rumped Warlber, Hermit Thrush, Fox Sparrow, an Accipiter, Grey Jay, Clarke's Nutcracker, Common Raven, American Robin, and one of the Blue Grouses. Murray was on the hunt for Dusky Grouse, and we had real close looks at a male, followed by lots of discussion over whether it was a Dusky or Sooty. Murray took lots of picutres, and maybe he will post here, and see what the rest of you think. We checked Sibley, and National Geographic after we got back to the car, and it is amazing how different the same bird is presented in the two guides. Makes it an even more challenging id, especially in a transition area like Mannning Park. Cheers, Thor

Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.

[Gord]

Thor, which fox sparrow did you see up there? Curious if it's the slate-coloured or sooty ssp.

Nice report. Id like to see the pictures of the grouse.

[tmanson]

Gord: The consensus is that is was a Sooty. Thor