Tweeters,

Sunday was rainy all day at Fort Lewis, but for the six of us who hit the
usual spots on my tour, it was no problem: the birding was fine. (Lots of
standing water on both the paved and unpaved roads: had to abandon traveling
some of unpaved roads due to the depth of the water.) Once we got past the
more populated parts of the Fort, during the first 2+ hours, we had no
vehicles pass on the nearby roads - very quiet out on the ranges, too.



Highlights

At the Muck Creek bridge area, we found two YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS, both in
view at the same time and both singing. Unless females of this species also
sing, that would mean two males are holding territory near each other. We
had excellent, though sporadic, views of one bird, but had more distant
views, with backlighting, of the other. We were focused on one Chat, but
kept hearing another Chat occasionally to the north of it. Finally, the
second bird popped up on top of an exposed dead branch and we spotted it.



We found five PURPLE MARTINS on the branch of a large snag about 350 yards
west of the Brandenburg Marsh. This is the snag that in years past had
martins nesting in old woodpecker holes. With the martins, we had a
six-swallow day!



As we left on the 2nd Division Range Road, we saw a SPOTTED SANDPIPER
singing and flying toward some wetland just to the southwest of the sentry
gate (Scout's Out gate). Although this species is undoubtedly present at
other sites on Fort Lewis, it's only the second one I've seen.



The Trip

Heading toward Range Control, we saw several BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS and a
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL. After checking in at Range Control, we birded near the
building and found BARN and CLIFF SWALLOWS, VAUX'S SWIFTS, YELLOW-RUMPED
WARBLER, EUROPEAN STARLING, HOUSE FINCH, AMERICAN CROW, AMERICAN ROBIN, and
had excellent views of a juvenile WESTERN BLUEBIRD and a male RUFOUS
HUMMINGBIRD.



The site along the 2nd Range Road was alive with birds: PACIFIC-SLOPE,
WILLOW, and OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHERS; WESTERN WOOD-PEEWEE; RED-BREASTED
NUTHATCH; CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE; GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET; BROWN CREEPER;
SAVANNAH, WHITE-CROWNED, CHIPPING, and SONG SPARROWS; BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD;
TREE SWALLOW; ORANGE-CROWNED, WILSON'S, and (heard only) MACGILLIVRAY'S
WARBLERS; DARK-EYED JUNCO; HOUSE WREN (probable nest in burned-out snag); a
female and several male WESTERN TANAGERS; and a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK.



At the intersection of the Range road with Story Road, and bit to the west,
we found a family party of PURPLE FINCHES; CEDAR WAXWINGS; and heard several
SWAINSON'S THRUSHES.



Atop OP-8 were two COMMON RAVENS, as well as MOURNING DOVE; BLACK-HEADED
GROSBEAK; BEWICK'S WREN; RED-TAILED HAWK; BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE; SPOTTED
TOWHEE; and YELLOW WARBLER. KILLDEERS were at the graveled area near the
east end of the 2nd Div Range Road.



Lunch at OP-3 produced no new birds, but at least we kept somewhat dry under
the shelter of the large Douglas-firs. Besides the Chats, the Muck Creek
area had several other new species for the day: COMMON YELLOWTHROAT; WESTERN
SCRUB-JAY; RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD; NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW; CALIFORNIA
QUAIL; BELTED KINGFISHER; and a very active WOOD DUCK, which kept flying
around, and which landed on a broken-top snag for several minutes.



Brandenburg Marsh had a pair of Wood Ducks, as well as MARSH WREN, GADWALL,
and the Purple Martins.



On the way back along the prairie, we spotted a coyote heading out into the
91st Div Prairie, and ended the trip with the Spotted Sandpiper as the last
new species for the day, for a total of 62.



May all your birds be identified,



Denis DeSilvis

Roy, WA

Mailto: avnacrs4birds at q.com