Trip report: Rosy-finches in Snowies

This post is by Brian Waitkus, I'm just putting it up. - Libby

July 22, 2017
14 members and friends of Audubon gathered at the Sugarloaf Recreation Area, Lewis and Libby Lake parking area for a one mile hike to the Gap.  The quest for the trip was to locate Brown Capped Rosy-finch, but other birds, mammals, and butterflies were also observed.  The weather was great with cool temps and mostly blue skies.  At the Gap, after 45 minutes, we were fortunate to locate a pair of Rosy-finch marking a new species for many in the group.

The following birds were noted:
2 Brown Capped Rosy-finch                       2 Robin
9 American Pipit including 3 chicks            2 Yellow Rumped Warbler
2 Wilson’s Warbler                                     1 Ruby Crowned Kinglet (call)
12 White Crowned Sparrow                       2 Flicker
2 Townsend’s Solitary                                1 Red Breasted Nuthatch
1 California Gull                                         3 Swallow (sp?)
1 Bald Eagle                                               1 Golden Eagle
1 Lincoln’s Sparrow                                    1 Vesper Sparrow

The Laramie Audubon crew. Photo by Laurel Armstrong.