Hi all,

On Saturday, eight of us enjoyed a terrific day of birding over here in
Kitsap County. With a beautiful sunny day and enthusiastic participants, it
was an easy task for this rookie leader. We started off the morning hours in
the northern part of Kitsap County visiting such places as Foulweather Bluff
Nature Preserve, Driftwood Keys (a big hit!), Point no Point, Buck Lake, and
Eglon. In the afternoon we visited a few spots on Bainbridge Island.

Although we didn't come across any major rarities, we tallied some 92
species for the day and managed some terrific looks at some "Kitsap County
targets". Oh yes, the fact that most of the participating birders were
looking to add new county birds to their lists made my "job" easier.
Highlights for the day included:

Orcas - At Eglon (3 miles south of Point no Point) we enjoyed watching a pod
of Orcas. With numerous jumping Chum salmon they must be enjoying a feast in
Puget Sound at this time.

Eared Grebe - One at Manzanita Bay on Bainbridge Island gave us some nice
close looks and a good comparison to nearby Horned Grebes.

California Quail - Amazingly not an easy bird to see in Kitsap County. A
whole covey (10+) perched-up in a blackberry patch in Driftwood Keys.

Merlin - One attacking a flock of Starlings at Driftwood Keys at very close
range. Quite a site! The only thing that would have made it better is if it
would have been successful.

Thayer's Gull - A highlight for me anyway. One seen at the pilings at the
end of Twin Spits Road was a new county year-bird for me.

Northern Shrike - One in the fading daylight at our last stop along Lovgreen
Road on Bainbridge Island. This was actually a "staked-out" bird, but given
the time of day I had given up hope of re-finding it. A nice find by Matt
Dufort in a shrub quite close to the road while the rest of us are starting
to say our good -bys. A nice way to end the day.

We were fortunate to see all of the expected woodpeckers including a
cooperative Red-breasted Sapsucker that we could almost touch. Both expected
accipiters, all three species of cormorants and scoters, and great looks at
both Wood Duck and Harlequin Duck were included in the day's fun.

Cheers and good birding,
Brad


Brad Waggoner
Bainbridge Island, WA
mailto:wagtail at sounddsl.com