Eventually we made our way up through the beechwoods on the north side of the mountains, timber is harvested here and there are forestry roads, complete with padlocked gates(!), it would be difficult to reach the highlands above the forest without a guide with keys, even armed with waypoints. The trailhead at the end of the rutted forest track lies only a gentle 4km uphill stroll from the seedsnipe habitat, much easier than the 45 degree Garibaldi Pass slopes and more akin to a walk up Longridge Fell at home. However, it was a drag today in the snow, significantly trickier than usual and where it did not lie in the forest the track was waterlogged. It would normally be very enjoyable through the lovely, pristine, moss-covered beech trees. We left the trees behind and crossed an area of longer grassland before a snowy hillside. Yellow-bridled Finch and Rufous-chested Dotterel, two specialities of this spot, appear in quick succession. The males of both these extraordinarily beautiful birds lit up the white landscape and afforded stunningly close views. Ochre-naped Ground Tyrants had also stayed up here, at a slightly lower elevation than the pass. We paused for a cup of coffee, as Federico guided us to a likely spot for the seedsnipe, which he keeps regular tabs on, and indeed, one is there, sheltering in a snow-free streambed. So nice to see it on its alpine breeding grounds! But the snow is already melting now, swirls of mist evaporate from the lichen-covered hillside as it is time to leave, quite a different scene to our arrival here!
