Yesterday afternoon was so nice, We went out to some of our local birding
areas.
First stop was Oak Bay County park with a receding tide, sun and light
winds. We observed 120 Black Brant, Glaucous gulls, Northern pintail, White
winged Scoter, Bufflehead and Red-breasted merganser.
Moving on to Marrownstone Island: More Northern pintails, Greenwing teal,
and Greater Yellow legs.
Next stop was East Beach: a few more Glaucous gulls, Long billed Dowitchers
were on the move stopping to feed in the exposed sand of the outgoing tide.
We saw two groups of about 15 birds each. Two Western sandpipers were with
the dowitchers.
At Fort Flagler beach and campground area: 90 or so Black Brant were
feeding on the eel grass, Double crested Cormorants were on the old
pilings, a pair of Harlequins, Red breasted Mergansers, Glaucous gulls,
American crows, Great Blue heron, Song and White crowned sparrows. Many
Harbor seals hauled out on Rat Island.
The settling ponds near the gun batterys: Mallard and Widgeon Ducks
On the way to the point where the USGS Research Center is, we saw Barn
swallows.
At the point: One Canadian goose, Mallard, Widgeon, two Bald eagles-one
adult and one immature bird, a white crowned sparrow was singing a
repetitive song with much gusto.

Returning home to our feeders: we have Dark eyed Juncos, White crowned
sparrows, Chestnut backed Chickadees, Red breasted Nuthatches, American
crows. The number of Bandtailed Pigeon have increased to about 20. On the
ground are Robin and Varied Thrush. A single male Spotted Towhee in
beautiful breeding plumage.
We have a resident Coopers Hawk who visits several times a day, landing in
the Cedars, then coming down to the ground looking in the rocks and ocean
spray looking to flush out Junco. Sometimes successful and usually not.
We had a good afternoon birding and enjoying the fine weather.

Bob and Diana Whitney
Port Townsend