The long range weather forecast said Wed the 3ed would be good so
decided to make the long trip to bird Grays Harbour area. Arrived at
K street about dark on the 2ed. Blowing wind and rain took care of
birding so went to the motel to try on Wed.
Wed morning had thick fog so no birds in site at K street. Went on
to the Airport where the fog was still bad. Found Great-blue
Heron,White-crowned, Golden-crowned, and Song Sparrows feeding along
the road side. Also a Winter Wren.
Started for Ocean Shores and soon the fog was gone and the sun was
out. Took Grass Creek Loop and had a Ruffed Grouse. Back on the
main road saw a Cattle Egret near a horses head in a pasture north of
the road. A quick U-turn to confirm the siting produces a black horse
with a white blaze up its face. Glad I looked twice.
On the beach at Ocean Shores had a Raven, Sanderlings,Western
Sandpipers, a few odd gulls and as we left the beach a Peregrine
Falcon flew up from the road side and ahead of us for several hundred
feet. There were no birds out over the ocean, just empty sky.
Driving south to the North Jetty we had . Yellow-rumped
Warbler,Steller's Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Ring-necked
Pheasant,Glaucous-winged Gull and Brewer's Blackbird
At the jetty we had Black Turnstones and Rock sandpiper, also a
fly over Pelagic Cormorant.
We then wound our way through the housing area to the marina area.
Along the way we found Purple Finch, Northern Flicker,Spotted
Towhee,Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Pied-billed Grebe, Horned Grebe,
Mallard, Canada Goose, American Widgeon, Gadwall, and a Green Heron.
At the marina we had Surf Scotter, Red-necked Grebe, Common Loon,
Western Grebe, and a Belted Kingfisher .
Next we drove north to the small parking area where you can go to
the bay. On the bay we added Northern Pintail, Barrow's Goldeneye,
Ring-billed Gull and one Brant.
As we returned to the car a Palm Warbler flew in and landed near
us. Exciting as it was a new state bird for us. At a home feeder
near we added Fox Sparrow , Chestnut-sidded Chichadee, House Sparrow,
Dark-eyed Junco, and American Goldfinch.
At the airport we had 5 Killdeer and a Robin.
Time to return to K street. A short stop at the Hoquiam airport
added Northern Shrike, Common Goldeneye, Canvasback, Greater Scaup,
and some Dunlin along the bay.
At K street a small group of geese produces the two Pink-footed
and one White-fronted among with 20 or so Canadas. Got good looks at
the feet and the head and breast markings.
Still a few hours of day light left so went to the Brady Loop
area. . Read Tim O' Brien's account for dec 4 and he had more
raptors then us. One Rough-legged hawk, one Red-tailed Hawk, and one
Northern Harrier. Also a large group of swan having both Trumpeter
and Tundra. Took the short Hiriam Hall road to its end. Found two
Scrub Jays and a Lincoln Sparrow just then two Bald Eagles flew over
On the Wenzel Slough road we found a flock of Starlings and Red-
winged Blackbirds that covered the land like a black carpet. Also 5
Mourning Doves with them.
In Aberdeen as we got near our motel we had a Cooper's Hawk fly
over.
A very good day birding, but we saw not one other birder.
Larry and Jacque Goodhew Walla Walla