Subject: [Tweeters] Whidbey Island birding-- gobs of Mourning Doves,
Date: Oct 29 09:14:33 2004
From: Wayne C. Weber - contopus at telus.net


Tweeters,

Yesterday, October 28, I birded from about noon until dusk on Whidbey
Island. Unlike Charlie Wright, I don't carry a rabbit's foot around
with me
( :-) :-) ), so I found no outstanding rarities. (There must be
some
explanation as to how he finds all those goodies!) However, I found a
few interesting things. Here are some of the uncommon species or
noteworthy observations:

Eared Grebe-- One in the large pond at Swantown, another in the sea
off the viewpoint at Swantown.

Common Goldeneye-- My first birds of the fall, a flock of 6 males,
not entirely out of eclipse yet, at the head of Penn Cove.

Long-tailed Duck-- Two flocks totalling 80 birds off Joseph Whidbey
State Park, and 12 more off Swantown viewpoint. Aside from Point
Roberts, this is one of the largest concentrations I've seen in WA.
(No, I haven't ever been in the boat party on the Sequim-Dungeness
CBC, which is obviously the LTDU capital of the state).

Virginia Rail-- one heard calling near the E end of Crockett Lake

Pigeon Guillemot-- at least 25 (possibly more) around the Keystone
ferry terminal, plus 12 more off Swantown and Joseph Whidbey State
Park. Good numbers for this species

Mourning Dove-- I stumbled into a roost (!) of at least 40, possibly
50 or 60, Mourning Doves in the grass south of the highway on the
south side of Crockett Lake. This is a high number for a species which
seems generally uncommon on Whidbey Island.

Hutton's Vireo-- two birds, possibly a pair, scolding me at the picnic
area at Joseph Whidbey State Park. Scads of chickadees, kinglets,
wrens, etc. in the area.

Red Crossbill-- four heard calling at a distance (not seen) at Joseph
Whidbey State Park. They were not the usual "Sitka" form which breeds
on the northwest coast, and may have been call type 4, which has been
reported recently on the Oregon coast.

I will post complete lists of birds seen to http://birdnotes.net ,
and may forward a couple of these to TWEETERS.

Good luck and good birding,

Wayne C. Weber
Delta, BC
contopus at telus.net