|> From: sholomg at mcs.com (Sholom Gliksman)
|> Subject: Victoria
|>
|> I will be vacationing and birding in Washington State in about two weeks time
|> (the week of June 19th). I have been thinking of taking the ferry from
|> Port Angeles to Victoria to see the skylarks. If I am a foot passenger on
|> the ferry, how can I get to a suitable location to see the skylarks? Also,
|> is there likely to be anything else of note to a Midwesterner - and if so
|> again what is available in transportation? (ie local bus route, etc...).

I understand the Skylarks at Victoria Airport are getting difficult to see.

Here are directions for the Skylarks on San Juan Island (which means you
don't have to take a passport). I made this trip last Memorial Day so
this is recent information.
The Gray Line runs a bus from Seattle to Anacortes (where the ferry leaves).
Sorry, I don't know their schedule.
The Skylarks are at American Camp, six miles south of the ferry.
You can walk, if you have the time.
Or you can rent a bike - there are several bike rent shops right at the
ferry landing. But it's rather hilly.
Or you can rent a moped at one of these bike shops.
Or I believe you can rent a car. You won't need a reservation for a bike
or a moped, but maybe you will for a car - I was told to contact The Inn
at Friday Harbor, 1-800-752-5752, but I didn't (I took a moped).

After the six-mile hike/ride/drive, contact the rangers at the visitor
center (National Park or Historic Site). They'll know about the skylarks.
The birds are half a mile further east.
On foot/by bike, walk/ride past the fort until the grass gets short and
the rabbit holes become evident in the field on the right.
On moped/by car, continue on the main road, then the first side road to the
right (which goes to the beach), and stop when you see the big short-grass
field on the right.
You may hear the birds in display flight from the road but you will have
to walk around in the field a bit to get a proper look (a scope is useful).

A mile or so further east, at Cattle Point, good seabird watching (but
it's the wrong season). I saw five Pacific Loons in breeding plumage
and a lot of Surf Scoters. And Bald Eagles are everywhere.
Lots of other nice birding on the island, if you have time and transportation.
There's a book, Birding in the San Juan Islands, which they sell at the
visitor center.
The ferry should give you alcids (Pigeon Guillemot, Rhinoceros Auklet,
Common Murre) and cormorants.

Good luck,

Daan Sandee sandee at think.com
Thinking Machines Corporation
100 View St, Suite 101
Mountain View, CA 94041 (415) 254-5757