Rock Ptarmigan - Joseph Ransdell-Green
Report

Contributor

Joseph Ransdell-Green Media from this contributor Profile

Date

Location

Murphy Dome
Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, United States
Media from this location Illustrated Checklist
Map
Map Coordinates: 64.9545422, -148.3657694
Age
Not specified
Sex
Not specified

Observation details

A large flock of easily 60 ptarmigan. I snowshoed the north and east sides of the dome for an hour and a half looking for Rocks. Coming back to the west side I saw a flock out on the tundra near a rocky outcrop. When I was close enough I counted 48 by 1’s. I got a few photos of the close ones. I recall seeing only a male with a mask (my photos show four males) but mostly females. A couple minutes in some hunters started shooting at the flock. They lifted up and flew north. I don’t think the hunters harvested any. I counted 39 birds 1 by 1 and then estimated the rest at about 20. Photos. Thank you to Addie and Sam for finding and reported this flock! My first Rock Ptarmigan in the borough! I also had never seen them in the winter before, beautiful birds!

Technical information

Dimensions
5064 pixels x 1232 pixels
Original file size
1.43 MB