[Birdtalk] Dusky Grouse and Bright Flowers at Powder Mountain

[Kristin Purdy]

Finding a Dusky Grouse contour feather as soon as I stepped behind the gate this morning at Powder Mountain Ski Area in Weber County proved to be a good omen. Not only did I later find a tail feather and a secondary flight feather, but between those finds I saw thousands of Dusky Grouse feathers firmly ensconced on Dusky Grouse. Four adult females with broods and one single hatch-year male crossed my path for a total of 18 grouse.

Also at Powder were:

A Northern Harrier--I'm always surprised to see this species at 9,000 feet
American Kestrel
Mourning Dove
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Dusky Flycatcher
Western Wood-pewee
Warbling Vireo
Clark's Nutcracker
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Mountain Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Mountain Bluebird
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Chipping, Brewer's, Vesper, and White-crowned Sparrows
Black-headed Grosbeak
Lazuli Bunting
Cassin's Finch
Pine Siskin
No White-winged Crossbills (double drat!)

I also found a not-too-small pure white feather that I believe to be a Clark's Nutcracker secondary flight feather. I can't think of any not-too-small owner in that habitat, unless Rock Pigeons live up there.

Once the bird activity drifted off I casually paid attention to the wildflowers, which are spectacular right now. Without too much work I saw:

Englemann Aster
Yarrow
Showy Goldeneye
Arrowleaf Balsamroot
Mules' Ear
A Goldenrod (I think)
Stonecrop
Horsemint
Sulphur Buckwheat
Sticky Geranium
Wild Hollyhock
Fireweed (In the canyon by the stream)
Indian Paintbrush
Scarlet Gilia
Penstemon
Lupine
Showy Fleabane
Showy Larkspur (That name is probably not right--it was the tall delphinium)
Western Coneflower

and others I couldn't identify. I felt like I was walking through a picture postcard. The wildflowers in the high country are not to be missed, get yourself up there!

Powder Mountain Ski Area is located at the terminus of SR-158 above Ogden Valley in Weber County and is open to the public for hiking and such from June 1-August 15. Despite the foreboding-looking Private Property No Trespassing Signs, you may enter the property and you'll find other less obvious signs allowing public entry. 

Kris
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