Tweeters:
Here are some suggestions for birding and exploring in July in WA state.
These areas are on the way to the coast (and the coast seems to be where
there is a lot going on, shorebird-wise); the north coast (north of Ocean
Shores), and the Neah Bay/Cape Flattery area.
1. ROCK CANDY MT ROAD TO CAPITOL PEAK-west of Olympia in the Capitol State
Forest. Accessed from hwy 8, which is the hwy to Ocean Shores. Look for Mt
Quail, Hermit Warbler, Ruffed Grouse, Gray Jays, Band-tailed Pigeons,
MacGillivray's Warblers, Willow and Olive-sided Flycatchers, Hermit Thrush,
Varied Thrush, Pygmy Owl. Charlie Wright and I were up there on July 8. It
was a cold, foggy morning up there that Monday morning, after a big
rainstorm-thunder shower day the day before. We didn't see Mt Quail that
day, but they may have been on the nest. Mt Quail young and their moms
should be out and about starting about now, as they forage in the early
mornings. Charlie and Ryan Shaw saw these birds in May on the top of
Capitol Pk. At that time the male quails were calling. Near the top of
Capital
Pk, Charlie and I heard Hermit Warblers all around us. They did not come
into tapes. We just drove til they flew near us, stopped and got eye-level
looks at them. Wow. These birds all appear to be pure Hermit, not hybrid.
I had been frustrated several times trying to find my way up to Capitol
Peak, because there are no signs. So I will send another msg about Rock
Candy Mt Road with very-good directions.
After Charlie and I left Rock Candy Mt Road we went out to Ocean Shores.
We saw the Pacific Golden Plover at the Damon Pt Pond, and stood at the
Ocean Shores jetty in the sunshine in our shirtsleeves scoping Sooty
Shearwaters. We had a nice day combining the Capitol Forest just after
dawn, and the seashore before high tide and during high tide.
2. THE NORTH COAST-starting north of Ocean Shores about 1 hour's drive.
Bob Morse writes about these areas in his new book, "A BIRDER'S GUIDE TO
COASTAL WASHINGTON". He has great maps, and bird explanations. He
specifically talks about July for seeing and hearing Marbled Murrelets
flying into and out of their nest sites in the old-growth forests. There is
so much good information in the book, that I will not attempt to write about
all of it. At a meeting, Bob specifically mentioned Campbell Tree Grove, in
the mts. south of Lake Quinalt. He said it was a good place to go in July
to look for Marbled Murrelet. He likes 3rd Beach near LaPush for Spotted
Owl, Pt Grenville (get the permission with the phone numbers in his book),
and Taholah for lots of other species. Each site he mentions, and there are
many along the way leading north to Neah Bay, has many species possible.
Bob carefully explains about them all. I think if you want to bird and
explore in July, you should BUY THIS BOOK! I don't get a commission from
him. ;-) Because Lake Quinault is so far inland, it is easier to see the
areas on hwys 109 and 101 on the larger state map. After orienting w/ the
state map, Campbell Tree Grove is on DeLorme pg 60, A-3.
3. NEAH BAY & CAPE FLATTERY-I went on a quick non-birding family trip up to
the Neah Bay area on July 2 & 3. I was very impressed w/ the area around
Neah Bay. The Macahs seem to be welcoming tourists. They charge a yearly
fee of $7 to drive in their area. It's a user permit that helps pay for
road & trail maintenance and you can see the results. The Macahs are
friendly to tourists, and have a museum/visitor's center where you can pick
up a map that explains the area. I understand the trail to Cape Flattery is
very nice, and only 1/4 mile long, a BIG improvement from the bad old days
when you could get lost out there. Again use A BIRDER'S GUIDE TO COASTAL
WASHINGTON to find out about the Tufted Puffins at Cape Flattery and the
other species on local beaches. My family and I went to Hobuck Beach south
of Hobuck Creek on Macah Bay where there is a nice little resort. Stop by
there, and check out the camping, and beach combing. Great views to the
south where you can see the rocks and stacks of Shi Shi beach. Great
sunsets too. Try taking pictures through your scope.
Get out there and explore. Do some camping too. And enjoy July. We're
having the nicest summer weather I can remember.
Yours, Carol Schulz
DesMoines
linusq at att.net