Trip Report

Washington State, British Columbia

October 8 - 14, 1997

Phil Davis

Davidsonville, Maryland



Summary:

Target Birds:

Species Success?

Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel Yes - Westport (1), Ocean Shores (1) and Alkai
Point (34)
Gray Partridge Heard only - Ellensburg (1)
Blue Grouse Yes - Mt Rainier (2)
Ancient Murrelet Yes - Alkai Point (2)
Crested Myna Yes - Vancouver (2)

Yellow-billed Loon No
Laysan Albatross No - Pelagic canceled
White-tailed Ptarmigan No - Did not try for
Rock Sandpiper No - Not for lack of trying
White-winged Crossbill No - Did not try for

Itinerary:

Wed 10/08/1997 Arrived SeaTac; Mukilteo-Clinton Ferry; Whidbey Island,
night in Vancouver
Thu 10/09/1997 Vancouver, Pt Roberts, Blaine, night in Burlington
Fri 10/10/1997 Padilla Bay, Everett Sewage Treatment Plant,
Edmonds-Kingston Ferry, Pt No Point, night in Westport
Sat 10/11/1997 Westport, Ocean Shores, Satsop, night in Tacoma
Sun 10/12/1997 Mt Rainier, Ellensburg, night in Ellensburg
Mon 10/13/1997 Ellensburg, night in SeaTac
Tue 10//14/1997 Alkai Point, Everett STP, departed SeaTac


Overview:

This was a "target bird" trip, rather than one focused on the maximum
number of species. A secondary objective was to add to my year list if no
targets were available. The focus of the trip was the October 11-12
pelagic out of Westport. Unfortunately, work commitments constrained my
travel to Seattle from Wednesday to Wednesday around the pelagic weekend
rather than being able to use an additional couple of weekend days on the
preceding or following weekend. This meant a lot of north/south travel was
required. Key target birds were two pelagic species: Fork-tailed
Storm-Petrel and Laysan Albatross; and landbirds: the Crested Myna and Gray
Partridge. With some luck and maybe early arrivals, I hoped for
Yellow-billed Loon, Rock Sandpiper, and Ancient Murrelet. With a little
more luck, I hoped to stumble over a Blue Grouse (a true nemesis bird!).
If I had great success and some time left over, I hoped to head further
north for White-winged Crossbills, or even White-tailed Ptarmigan. I
planned to keep my ear on the RBA and birdbox (if back in service) for any
news of Gyrfalcons, Whooper Swans, Emperor Goose, or any other rarities of
note. I did not need to "chase" the Skylark since I picked it up a number
of years ago on San Juan Island; or a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper [a Delaware
bird for me!].

I had requested local birding information and received a number of very
helpful and informative replies. A list of those who supplied information
is acknowledged at the end of this report.

I laid out my basic plan of attack on the airplane from Baltimore after
reviewing all the e-mail messages from the Tweeters listserver (covering
"Cascadia" - OR, WA, and BC) and the local birdfinding guides for
Washington State, Seattle and King County, Whatcom County, Vancouver, and
Ocean Shores. My basic strategy was to head north upon arrival and be
prepared to go after the Myna in Vancouver on the morning of the first full
day and then hit Point Roberts in hopes of catching a YB Loon or an Ancient
Murrelet. The next day would be "free" to chase any good species on the
RBA or the Birdbox while I traveled to Westport. Saturday and Sunday were
committed to the pelagic. I figured I'd head east after that to try for
the partridge in Ellensburg, then I'd have another free day to chase any
good targets of opportunity. It was clear that it would be difficult to
head north to try for crossbills or ptarmigans.


Day #1: Wed 10/08/1997 Arrived SeaTac; Mukilteo-Clinton Ferry; Whidbey
Island, night in Vancouver. This day was QUITE rainy and windy. No
unusual species encountered (or noted) on Whidbey Island.

Day #2. Thu 10/09/1997 Vancouver, Pt Roberts, Blaine, night in Burlington

Vancouver, BC: After overshooting the turn (and being dumped onto the
southbound bridge toward the airport) and taking quite a bit of time to
return to the targeted area, I parked at the corner of 72nd and Hudson
Street. I worked the two block radius area for about 90 minutes without
success, even around the Airport Square Office Building (looks like some
trees were cut down recently there). I crossed under the Oak Street bridge
on SW Marine Drive cutting up into the "park" area. (This is actually a
grassy area inside the cloverleaf when the northbound Oak Street bridge
traffic exits west on SW Marine Drive). As I walked around the corner into
the "grassy knoll" area, a couple of crows took flight and then two CRESTED
MYNAS sailed right by me, heading across SW Marine Drive and under (or
beyond) the bridge. The white wing patches were clearly visible against
the otherwise black plumage. They were significantly larger than the
numerous starlings in the area and smaller than the crows. I really wanted
a better look at a perched bird, so I crossed SW Marine and checked under
the bridge and around the Oak Street industrial area. Even driving the
area, I was not able to relocate the birds.

Point Roberts, WA: I had hoped to find a YB Loon or Ancient Murrelets
here, on this piece of the U.S. that is detached from the rest of the
"mainland". You enter Pt Roberts from Canada. It was VERY windy with some
showers. Did not find my target species. However, highlights included
Marbled Murrelets, two Parasitic Jaegers, about 20 Harlequin Ducks (!),
Common Murres, Pigeon Guillemots, and a first winter LITTLE GULL. The gull
was feeding with a flock of about 30-50 Bonaparte's Gulls at the east end
of the rock breakwater. The first thing I noticed was the smaller size
compared to the Boneys--it jumped out at me. Next I noticed the black W
(M?) across the back and upper wings. Finally, the black hood (more like a
cap) was prominently visible.

Blaine: Lots of waterfowl. Nothing unusual, however. It was raining
again (Hey, this is Washington state !!!)


Day #3: Fri 10/10/1997 Padilla Bay, Everett Sewage Treatment Plant,
Edmonds-Kingston Ferry, Pt No Point, night in Westport

Padilla Bay, Samish Flats: Best birds in the area: a late VAUX'S SWIFT, a
flock of American Pipits.

Everett STP: Most of the Boney's took flight shortly after I arrived and
headed out. One among them was bigger and darker, but I did not nail down
whether it was the Black-headed or a Franklin's (probably the latter).

Pt No Point: Had hoped for an Ancient Murrelet, however, there were NO
seabirds visible when I stopped here. [Besides the USCG station, is there
a park that I missed? The "no parking" and "no trespassing" signs outside
the USCG station were rather intimidating. How does one bird this area?]

Westport: More rain. Arriving at Westport and checking in at the
Albatross Motel, I learned that Saturday's pelagic had been canceled due to
the weather and we could met at the boat at 8 am in the morning to talk
about the plans for Sunday. The proprietors of the Albatross are very
friendly ... I will gladly give them my future business.

Day#4: Sat 10/11/1997 Westport, Ocean Shores, Satsop, night in Tacoma

Westport: At the boat, Terry Wahl told us that the forecast for Sunday was
20-25 knot winds and 7-10 foot seas, and (oh yes) rain. Therefore, the
Sunday trip was canceled, too. Those of us that showed up at the boat
exchanged helpful information on our target birds (In retrospect, we really
should have introduced ourselves to each other ...). One of the birders
reported that the day before (Friday) he had seen about 4 Fork-tailed Storm
Petrels in the Westport harbor (or actually between the jetty and the
harbor entrance). This got my attention! (One of my two target pelagic
species!). I mentioned this to Terry and he said that he has only seen
them in the harbor about twice in 10-12 years. So, I scoped out the area
and sure enough, found at least one FORK-TAILED STORM PETREL in the area
that I believe is called Half Moon Bay (?) - again between the jetty and
the harbor entrance. Brown Pelicans were also present.

Ocean Shores: Crossed over to Ocean Shores and made my first stop the
jetty. Hoping for a Rock Sandpiper, I walked all the way out to the end.
I found only 14 Black Turnstones and one Surfbird. (I missed the
Kittiwakes that I saw other observers later reported -- I must have had my
eyes down on the rocks more than I thought! I did see at least one more
(or the same?) FORK-TAILED STORM PETREL on this side of the harbor.
Tooling around the area, I heard chattering and stopped to get my trip
Hutton's Vireo and Chestnut-backed Chickadee.

Day #5: Sun 10/12/1997 Mt Rainier, Ellensburg, night in Ellensburg

Mt. Rainier: Crossed over Mt. Rainier in the rain, then the snow. Up at
Paradise, there was 12 inches of snow on the ground and more falling. Not
much bird activity! On the way down the east side, about 1/4 mile south of
Louise Lake, pecking on the side of the road, was a BLUE GROUSE! The light
gray terminal tail band was clear. There was about 6 inches of snow on the
shoulder and she was in the road. This was about the 4000-4500 foot level.

Later on, about 1/2 mile south of Box Canyon, in the road was, another,
BLUE GROUSE (female). There was no snow on the shoulder, however she was
also pecking/feeding in the road. This was about at the 2400-2600 feet
level. The tail band was also clear on this bird. Found a Slate-colored
Dark-eyed Junco.

Ellensburg: On into Ellensburg to try for the partridge. This one should
be easy, right? Got to the target area north of the airport right at dusk.
Cruised Hungry Junction and Look Roads. Nothing (except a Great Horned Owl).

Day #6: Mon 10/13/1997 Ellensburg, night in SeaTac

Still in Ellensburg: Up before sunrise. Drove Faust Rd, Clarke Rd, Hungry
Junction Rd, Look Rd. Drove them again, drove them again. It was QUITE
windy. A local said they were probably hunkered down. After breakfast and
motel check out, returned to the area. Wind had died down. Drove the
roads several times. Parked and walked all of Clarke and Faust Roads. At
one point, heard the hoarse call of what I believe was a GRAY PARTRIDGE.
Tried everything I could think of to coax it out (it was in the brush in
someone's yard behind a fence on Faust Road). No luck. Not to worry,
they'll be others ... there weren't! Took a break and a cat nap. Returned
to the area at dusk, reran the circuit. Nothing!

BTW, at the airport area west of the intersection of Look and Brick Mill
Roads, the gate is padlocked and there is a "No Trespassing" sign that is
much newer than the older "No Hunting" signs. Do birders go in here anyway?

Spent over 24 hours on these rascals ... this is what make birding so
interesting ... RIGHT?

Day #7: Tue 10//14/1997 Alkai Point, Everett STP, departed SeaTac

Checked the RBA and the newly recomissioned Birdbox (thanks, Hal!). Heard
about the Ancient Murrelets at Alkai Point. Let's give it a shot. Got
there, nothing on the north side (hey, I'm not a local). The south side is
where the action was. Found two ANCIENT MURRELETS!. Quite a ways out, but
the tiny bills were obvious and the contrast between the dark head and the
lighter back was very apparent. Also, the white collar/cheek marks were
distinctive. Stayed on them hoping to see them fly to check out the head
posture and how they land (head first), as well as the underwing bar
between the wing and the body. Well, a local resident (who knew something
about birds) came up and started talking to me ... you guessed it, when I
looked back into the scope, they were gone!!!

BTW, she told me that a pod of Orcas had passed by they day before (that
would be Monday, 10/13, before the report on the birdbox). Picked up a
Fork-tailed Storm Petrel. Scanned the entire waterfront and counted 34 of
them. Also, present were two Harlequin Ducks. There was also a Phalarope,
sp. way out there.

Everett STP: Last stop, trying to get the Black-headed and Franklin's
Gulls for year birds. Did find two Franklin's, did not find the
Black-headed Gull.


Many thanks to all those who provided information, either directly or
indirectly. They include: Michael Price, Hal Opperman, Paul Cozens, Jack
Bowling, Tom Schooley, Greg Gillison, Terry Wahl, Eugene Hunn, Jim Flynn,
Bob Norton, Mike Peterson, Alan Knue, Max Gotz, Andy Stepniewski, Carl
Haynie, Jon Anderson, Jim Johnson, Brian Scott, and Elizabeth Noyes.



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Phil Davis

home: PDavis at ix.netcom.com Davidsonville, Maryland, USA
work: PDavis at OAO.com Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
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