Over the last couple of weeks we've started to see our first TURKEY
VULTURES, TREE and VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS, and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS on
San Juan Island. Today I decided to focus more on the shoreline, and
spent about three hours birding the south end of San Juan today where I
turned up just over 45 species. Here are a few of the highlights...

My first stop was at Fourth of July Beach where I was surprised to find
three shorebird species: 9 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, 2 SANDERLING, and a
single DUNLIN. Griffin Bay was still very active as well, with the most
numerous species being the BUFFLEHEAD, of which I estimate there were
about 100. There were also five COMMON LOONS and a few small flocks of
SURF SCOTERS. In the scrub brush on the way back to the car I found a
pair of GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS and a single GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW.

The water was pretty choppy off of South Beach, so I had to wait for the
birds to bob up and down between the swells to get a good look. The
beach itself was quiet, but not too far offshore was a group of about 35
RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, the largest congregation I saw all day. The
highlight of this stop, however, was undoubtedly the three LONG-TAILED
DUCKS I spotted. Among a few other offshore ducks I spotted a Steller
sea lion cruising the waves.

At Cattle Point, I found the expected large group of GLAUCOUS-WINGED
GULLS on Goose Island, and at the south end of the island hosted about
60 PELAGIC CORMORANTS. A group of harbor seals hauled out at the north
end. While I saw HARLEQUIN DUCKS at multiple locations, there were more
of them here than anywhere else - I counted 15. I also found four BLACK
OYSTERCATCHERS, two PIGEON GUILLEMOTS, and had about six RHINOCEROS
AUKLETS fly by. I was also impressed by the 30 HORNED GREBES that were
diving in and among two more flocks of scoters. I expect to see the
grebes here at Cattle Point, but have never seen them in such numbers.
There were a couple of RED-NECKED GREBES nearby as well.

I didn't have any luck turning up any more shorebirds at False Bay,
though a few NORTHERN PINTAIL still remained along with some
GREEN-WINGED TEAL. A big flock of MEW GULLS was on their usual gravel
spit, with several of them foot-paddling in the mud and feeding.

On my way back towards town a COOPER'S HAWK flew over Douglas Road. My
last stop for the afternoon was Jackson Beach just outside of Friday
Harbor. Still hoping to add my to my shorebird total, I looked for the
winter resident greater yellowlegs, but it wasn't to be seen today.
There was a lone female COMMON GOLDENEYE, three GADWALL, and a few of
the expected ducks.

Throughout the day I saw about a half dozen BALD EAGLES, about one at
every stop. I also came across hummingbirds four different times, but
was never able to get a good enough to look to see if one of them might
have been my first rufous hummer of the year. All in all, despite the
chilly weather, it was a pleasant afternoon's birding on San Juan.

Monika Wieland
Friday Harbor, WA
www.orcawatcher.com
mailto:monika.wieland at gmail.com