Birding by foot & bus,



We did a big day Seattle Audubon birdathon fieldtrip last May: walked around
Discovery Park, then hiked down to the Ballard Locks, had a nice lunch at
the Lock Spot caf?, caught the 44 to the University, hiked across campus to
the Montlake Fill, then caught the 74 (I think it was) up Sand Point Way to
Magnuson Park. We recorded 111 species. At that point, worn out, we called
the wives to come pick us up to take us back to the starting point. We could
have done that by bus, but it would have taken a bit longer.



I?m thinking we could have an even higher total count if we bussed from the
University to Fauntleroy and then up along Alki to Duwamish Head, then
bussing back to Discovery Park.



The trick is how to close the loop in the most economical and birdy way.
True also for bicycle trips.



Gene Hunn

18476 47th Pl NE

Lake Forest Park, WA

enhunn323 at comcast.net



From: tweeters-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of C. Anderson
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2008 11:50 AM
To: Tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: RE: [Tweeters] Bus and Birds: Edmonds



As a member of Eastside Audubon, my team of first time Birdathoners did
their day-long Birdathon in May by bus. We had a great time! We started the
day at the Mercer Slough, walking the trail that begins at the Park and
Ride. We caught a bus about midday to the Bellevue Transit Center, and from
there, took another bus to Juanita Bay Park in Kirkland.



With the only glitch being our leader (that would be me) having the team
wait for half an hour at the wrong bus stop, we managed to get in a nice day
of birding. The numbers were not high but we enjoyed ourselves. It planted a
seed in all of us that it really could be done.



Christy Anderson

Bellevue, WA



_____

From: tweeters-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Mark Vernon
Sent: Friday, August 08, 2008 2:44 PM
To: Tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: [Tweeters] Bus and Birds: Edmonds


I have several requests to post about birding while using public
transportation. It is one of my hobbies! It can be a fun challenge, and lets
you see some things up close and personal that you might not see driving.
Then again some people look at me like I am crazy when I tell them about
some of my trips!!!



Today I am writing about birding in Edmonds. I had today off, and that can
help if you are birding by bus. I took the 301 route going north out of
Seattle, I caught it in the Bus Tunnel at 7 am. This is a peak rush hour
express bus. I went all the way to the Aurora Village transit Center. This
is a quick route going north on I-5 with limited stops. From here I
transferred to the Snohomish County bus route 131 to Edmonds. I buy a Metro
Pass, and it is good in King, Pierce, Snohomish Counties and also Sound
Transit and Everett Transit.



Edmonds is perfect to visit by bus. The 131 route goes down to the
waterfront. From here it is easy to walk over to the Edmonds Marsh, where I
started today. The marsh was very active with shorebirds, mostly Least
Sandpipers and Killdeers. Purple Martins were perched on Telephone Poles. I
then walked along the waterfront. First I walked south along the marina to
as far as the dog park. I counted over 80 Heermann's Gulls out on the jetty.
Then I walked back north to the fishing pier. Here I saw a mixed group of
Gulls and Rhinoceros Auklets engaged in a feeding frenzy. Continuing north
beyond the Ferry Terminal I found a large flock of California Gulls. When
the tide is low I like to go as far as Shell Creek where there is always a
congregation of Gulls and other interesting birds. Today it was a high tide.



I ended my trip by going over to the "Taste of Edmonds", now going on. I ate
jambalaya and had a nice glass of wine. Returning to Seattle was not quite
as fast because the 301 route does not run in the middle of the day. Instead
I had to take the 358 which is kind of an overcrowded slogfest going south
on 99!!! These trips are always an adventure.



Mark Vernon

Renton, WA

mailto ma_vern at yahoo.com
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