ML305462791

Observation details

Initial flock by the first pullout in the main road beyond the main junction /parking area. This was a pure flock of WWCR bigger than I've ever seen. I could not get a photo of the whole flock in flight but one photo of 86 birds I felt was less than 2/3 of the flock at the time as they stretched out more horizontally. I'm estimating this flock conservatively at 120 based on that. Watching for a while, never heard a RECR or other species, nor scanning dozens in trees. See photo of birds in flight. I also obtained some decent audio between cars. Continuing to the cabins, I spent some time there without finding much, then when I retraced my path to the ski resort/lodge now there was a large flock of mostly WWCR with some RECR and a CAFI mixed in, right on the side of the road, feet away from passing cars and people walking. In this flock I counted 65 on the ground at once, more in the trees. They unfortunately stayed only a few more minutes before starting to fly off. Returning to the pullout from the morning there were no crossbills - so I have to assume this flock was overlap, perhaps they joined up with the other species. All this to say I'm comfortable with minimum count of 120 though there may have been upwards of 200! Very exciting birds to still have around.