Charlie Wright and I led a small group of enthusiastic birders on my eight Pierce County birdathon. The route is called "From Purdy to Paradise" and included many different habitats along the way. Throughout the years we averaged around 100 species. One year with Charlie, Ryan Shaw and Tracey Norris, we set the county record at 117 species recorded.
This year we recorded 124 species which was beyond our expectations! The weather was perfect and birds just fell into place. We decided not to go owling which would have perhaps added a few more species. Nothing mind buggling as far as rarities, just wonderful sightings along the way.
Special thanks to Melissa Sherwood, Kristi Cedar, Ryan Wiese and Steven Garrett for helping set the county record.
Bruce LaBar
Tacoma, WA.
blabar at harbornet.com