[pct-l] PCT's birds and other critters

[ftclp at uaf.edu (Christin L. Pruett)]

I was wondering if anyone (I'm thinking there were at least two guys;
Birdnut?) kept a bird list while thru/section hiking last summer or any
summer for that matter.  I'd like to put together a checklist of the birds
of the pct and post it on the web.  If you'd like to add your info or
become a co-checklister let me know.  I'm particularly interested in
Oregon and Washington because I didn't quite make it up there (stopped in
Ashland).  I saw and identified 133 species including some nice west coast
specialities: wrentit, California gnatcatcher, California Quail,
California Thrasher, California Towhee, Costa's Hummingbird, Mountain
Quail, and many more. The birds are what made the trip for me.  The pct
has awesome birds!  My pair of light-weight Olympus binoculars were
invaluable.

I saw several goshawks  but must have missed the aggressive one in N. Cal.
did anybody get plunked this summer?

JoAnn, I only saw one rattlesnake through all of California - it was in
the Marble Mountains.  In fact I saw more bears in one day (4 going into
Saeid Valley) than rattlers on the whole trip.  In my opinion, bears are
the scariest critter on the trail - I had one visit my camp in the middle
of the night.  Do not camp at the S fork of the San Joaquin River!  (for
more on this little adventure check out Joshferd's website:
www.joshferd.com - 29th of June). Nice campsite, nice river, nice
fire-ring, not so nice bear. After that I got a bear cannister - <$10 for
two weeks rental from Devil's Postpile office. Mailed it back from Tahoe.
Great deal for a little extra peace of mind.

Christy
-- 
Christin L. Pruett
University of Alaska Museum
907 Yukon Dr.
Fairbanks, AK 99775
907-474-6727