Tweeters,

Andrew Beelik led a field trip to southern Hood Canal today for Black
Hills Audubon Society, with stops made at a number of locations between
Belfair and Dosewallips in Mason and Jefferson counties. The following
highlights were part of the 52 species recorded. A Northern Shrike on the
open grassy flats at Theler Wetlands in Belfair was perhaps the best find.
Two flocks of Trumpeter Swans were seen in the Skokomish Valley (7 birds
on West Road) and at the Duckabush delta (16 birds), with the Skokomish
flock providing close-up roadside viewing and binoculars-only
identifications. Barrow's Goldeneyes seemed to be in higher abundance
than normal and were distributed along much of the canal. Other ducks
included 3 Harlequin Ducks off Saltwater Park near Hoodsport and a Black
Scoter at Hamma Hamma. At the latter location, we also had an animated
Peregrine Falcon dive on and strike a Bald Eagle 4 times, giving it a good
pounding. Everyone in our large group of 29 got close spotting scope
looks at Red Crossbills at Twanoh State Park. Finally, although the Hood
Canal killer whales didn't show today, we did manage to see a California
sea lion at Twanoh SP, which is the first one I've come across in the
canal.

Gary Wiles
Olympia, WA
wilesharkey at yahoo.com




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