Saturday, 5/4, we spent the day on San Juan Island. We had a wonderful day
of spring birding and beautiful scenery. We went to the American Camp
Redoubt to see and hear the Sky Larks and were not disappointed. There were
6 Black-bellied Plovers (BBPL) and 1 Ruddy Turnstone (RUTU) there as well.
The Birding in the San Juan Islands book says that most observations of RUTU
are at False Bay, but this one was foraging in the grass with the BBPL.
There were Western Sandpipers and Dunlin at False Bay as well as Bald and
Golden Eagles. This is one of the few places in the state where both eagles
can readily be seen from the same vantage point regardless of season.

Pacific-slope Flycatchers were vocalizing at several locations. We saw a
Common Murre (alt plum) on the ferry ride back to Anacortes.

We also saw Orcas. There was a pod of at least 7 south of Lime Kiln.

Not unusual for the westside, but a treat for us, was the Black-throated
Gray Warblers at British Camp. Orange-crowned warblers and Common
Yellowthroats were relativley abundant.

Sunday after visiting our daughter at UW, we went to the Montlake Fill. We
saw over 40 species in the 1 1/2 hours we were there. We were surprised to
see and hear a male Yellow-headed Blackbird. We particularly enjoyed very
close observations of Western and Least Sandpipers. We also saw 3 Common
Snipe and 1 Spotted Sandpiper. We also had a great view of a Virginia Rail.
Warblers included Yellow-rumped and Wilson's and Common Yellowthroat.



Bill and Nancy LaFramboise
Richland, WA
wlafra at oneworld.owt.com