Hi Tweets,

Some friends and I spent the holiday weekend backpacking along the outer coast of the penninsula, and we were treated to a non-stop wildlife extravaganza. Dozens of Brown Pelicans were circling the mouth of the Quillyute River as we pulled into the parking lot at Rialto Beach, and many more were seen skimming the waves as we donned our packs and headed north on the beach. A raft of about 40 Surf Scoters floated just offshore, while half a dozen Double-crested and Brandt's Cormorants fished in the waves nearby. Two Pacific Loons joined the cormorants and a Dahl's Porpoise also made a brief appearance.

We stopped for lunch and were scolded by a Song Sparrow who didn't appreciate our choice of dining areas. A few pelicans could be seen diving for fish, and they were constantly harassed by Western Gulls that were looking to pirate a meal. We had to wait a few hours for the tide to recede before we could continue north from our lunch spot, so I set up my spotting scope. After getting a closer look at the pelican/gull squabble we spotted a Gray Whale as it breached out near the horizon. The whale breached several more times, and I managed to get an excellent view of it through my scope. It broke the surface, rolled about a quarter turn, and then fell back into the sea with a huge splash. Absolutely amazing.

After the tide receded we continued on for about a mile to a stretch of beach just south of the Chilean Memorial. We set up camp and I scoped out all of the rocks and seastacks in the vicinity. Several Great Blue Herons were stalking prey in nearby tide pools, and two Harlequin Ducks were preening on a seaweed covered rock. Harbor Seals were hauling out of the water to rest during the low tide, and a lone Sea Otter, wrapped in kelp to secure himself, napped in the waves. Hundreds of pelicans could be seen on and around Cake Rock, and groups of three to ten pelicans cruised by in front of our camp on a regular basis.

There was never a dull moment during the following two days. Crows and ravens argued in the trees behind us, and a pair of Peregrine Falcons paid a visit, sending the local gulls into a panic. I found two sites out on Triangle Island in which a peregrine had fed on gulls, so I didn't blame the birds for their strong reaction to the falcons. Belted Kingfishers, Black Oystercatchers, and a Bald Eagle all were seen and/or heard, and a Winter Wren made a very vocal inspection of our camp.

Despite higher than normal human traffic, it was a great holiday weekend, and I highly recommend heading out to Rialto in the near future for the pelican show alone!

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Kevin Mack
Naturalist
PAWS Wildlife Department
Lynnwood, WA
425-787-2500 ext. 854
www.paws.org

PAWS advocates for animals through education, legislation and direct care. A Northwest leader in protecting animals since 1967, the Progressive Animal Welfare Society shelters homeless animals, rehabilitates injured and orphaned wildlife and works to end animal abuse and exploitation.

PAWS relies upon donations from individuals like you to carry out the work we do for animals. Please visit www.paws.org to help animals in need. Thank you.