I led an Elderhostel birding trip into the San Juans last week, and I wanted
to pass on a few of our sightings. We had 91 species total in three days of
cruising around the islands and taking some short hikes. We never ventured
into any of the large straits; we stayed in calm waters.

Pacfic Loon 30+, many with pearly-grey heads
White-winged Scoter Only 4, compared with dozens of Surfs
Red-breasted Merganser About 40 near Roche Harbor
Northern Bobwhite At Deer Harbor. Are these established?
Baird's Sandpiper One on Sucia
Red-necked Phalarope Perhaps 100
Parasitic Jaeger At least six, mostly light-phase adults
Bonapartes Gull Abundant, also Heerman's, Mew, Cal., RB
Common Murre Over 100, almost all in basic plumage
Pigeon Guillemot 200+
Marbled Murrelet 50+ - very pretty
Rhinoceros Auklet 200+
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1, Sucia
Hermit Thrush Several, all over
Varied Thrush Several, mostly on Sucia
Yellow-rumped Warbler Several on Sucia
Fox Sparrow 1 at Deer Harbor
Lincoln's Sparrow 1 at Deer Harbor
Golden-crowned Sparrow Abundant
White-crowned Sparrow Abundant

I did not see any Red-throated Loon, Brandt's Cormorant, nor (alas) any
Ancient or Cassin's Auklets.

== Michael Hobbs
== Kirkland WA
== MJCT_Hobbs at msn.com