Hi Tweets

A group of birders from Eastside Audubon made a trip to the Sequim area yesterday. We started out under overcast and chilly skies. At the Edmonds ferry terminal we spotted SURF SCOTERs, PIGEON GUILLEMOTs, PELAGIC and DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTs, HORNED and RED-NECKED GREBEs, GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLs. Because of the low clouds around the mountains we could not see Mt. Baker - a week or so ago it stood out in great early morning splendor. As we ferried across the Sound we picked up some flying RHINOCEROS AUKLETs and COMMON MURREs. A CALIFORNIA GULL flew past and two WESTERN GREBEs were ahead of the ferry. At the Kingston ferry terminal we had more SURF SCOTERs, a couple of PIGEON GUILLEMOTs and cormorants. Surprisingly, there were no Barrow's Goldeneyes.

Our first stop was at Port Gamble, with the sun making an effort to come out. We needed to scope for birds, but saw COMMON and BARROW'S GOLDENEYEs, SURF SCOTERs, PIGEON GUILLEMOTs, HORNED and RED-NECKED GREBEs, a RED-THROATED LOON and a COMMON LOON. Quite a ways out in the bay a pair of MARBLED MURRELETs flew in. Two LONG-TAILED DUCKs were visible briefly. A GREAT BLUE HERON was perched on the old dock pilings - but no kingfisher. In the bushes below the bluff we saw (or heard) SPOTTED TOWHEE, SONG SPARROW, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, DARK-EYED JUNCO, PINE SISKINS (overhead), and surprisingly an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER. A couple of AMERICAN CROWs were around.

At Salsbury Point County Park we had more HORNED GREBEs, PIGEON GUILLEMOTs, SURF SCOTERs, a COMMON LOON, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTs, and at least 4 pairs of MARBLED MURRELETs. We tried for some small birds in the park, but the leaf blower made that futile. Across the Hood Canal Bridge we stopped at Shine Tidelands State Park where we picked up SONG SPARROW, GOLDEN-CROWNED and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. On the water there were BUFFLEHEAD, COMMON GOLDENEYE, a bunch of AMERICAN WIGEON, a few MALLARDs. Two VARIED THRUSH were working over one of the Madrone trees. Next we went down Seven Sisters Road to Wolfe Property S.P. - more MALLARDs, a larger group of AMERICAN WIGEON (no Eurasians), WHITE-WINGED SCOTERs. On the road in we heard PACIFIC WREN, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETs.

We pushed up the road and took the turn to Diamond Point - along most of the road there are hanging Christmas ornaments of various sizes and shapes. There sign says "Welcome to Holiday Lane". An unexpected bonus. >From the Diamond Shore Lane we scanned the channel toward Protection Island. We had two PACIFIC LOONs cruising slowly to the east, a COMMON LOON, HORNED GREBE, PIGEON GUILLEMOTs, and some distant cormorants. A GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET sang, a STELLER'S JAY made its presence known (and obligingly perched for us to see). Down at the informal boat launch there were a few HARLEQUIN DUCKs, more PIGEON GUILLEMOTS, the Pacific Loons. On the pond there were MALLARDs, GREATER SCAUP, and AMERICAN WIGEON (still no Eurasian). In the bushes were HOUSE FINCH and a singing male PURPLE FINCH and some invisible but vocal HOUSE SPARROWs.

Back out to the main highway and up to the turn to the John Wayne Marina. As we moved to the north the clouds closed in and we even got some misty drizzle. The day stayed gray for the rest of our trip. Along the shore were lots of AMERICAN WIGEON (yes, you guessed it, no Eurasians), in the pond MALLARDs. At the south parking lot were were surprised by 6 BLACK OYSTERCATCHERs squatting down, asleep, on the edge of the water in plain sight. We could scope them and watch their eyes open occasionally, and once in a while one would wake up and we could see the red bill. A BELTED KINGFISHER flew over and toward the north. No shorebirds on the jetty. Up to the north end and PIGEON GUILLEMOTs and RED-BREASTED MERGANSERs. A couple of GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETs were in the trees.

As we made our way past Sequim we picked up at least three RED-TAILED HAWKs perched in trees. Turning on Kitchen Dick Road we stopped at the ponds. They were filled with MALLARDs, NORTHERN SHOVELERs, LESSER SCAUP, some HOODED MERGANSERs, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, BUFFLEHEAD, RING-NECKED DUCK, a single CANADA GOOSE, and an AMERICAN COOT. Some Red-winged Blackbirds sang from cover, but one made a mistake and perched in sight.

Making our way north toward Dungeness, we saw ROCK PIGEONs on the lines and a couple of MOURNING DOVEs. We stopped at the first overlook on entering the Dungeness Recreation Area. Right below us were two male BLACK SCOTERs and a female. Cruising along the edge was a RED-THROATED LOON (better view than the earlier one). Two COMMON LOONs were a ways further out. SURF SCOTERs, HORNED GREBEs, RED-NECKED GREBEs, PIGEON GUILLEMOTs, and cormorants rounded out the sightings.

We pushed on to the east with a couple of stops along the bluff along Marine Drive. We scanned Dungeness and Graveyard Spits looking for suspicious white blobs. Unfortunately, they all turned out to be log ends or largish, rounded white stone. A distant perched adult BALD EAGLE gave a good size standard to use. A COMMON RAVEN kept calling, but never became visible. At Cline Spit we saw more COMMON LOONs, PIGEON GUILLEMOTs, RED-NECKED GREBEs, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTs, GLAUCOUS-WINGED and WESTERN GULLs. Scattered across the distant surface were several hundred BRANT. In the brambles on the way out were HOUSE FINCH and SONG SPARROWs and a single FOX SPARROW. From the bluff we could look down on a sandy island and the end of the spit. There we saw BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, DUNLIN, and BLACK TURNSTONEs.

At Dungeness Landing County Park we could see many of the same birds as at Cline Spit, plus lots and lots of AMERICAN WIGEON (probably 500 or more - still no Eurasians). Also MALLARDs, NORTHERN PINTAIL, and several hundred DUNLIN, a few BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, BLACK TURNSTONEs and some SANDERLINGs. A couple of nice WESTERN GULLs were there. A RED-TAILED HAWK was perched on a snag by the bluff (by walking 8 feet way it disappeared completely).

We moved around to Dungeness and the Three Crabs area. Lots more AMERICAN WIGEON (we maintained our state of not finding any Eurasion Wigeon). Some NORTHERN PINTAIL, and MALLARDs. Around the corner we saw the usual EUROPEAN STARLINGs and some BREWER'S BLACKBIRDs. On the wetlands there were MALLARDs, NORTHERN PINTAIL, GREEN-WINGED TEAL and an occasional RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. A single TRUMPETER SWAN was there. The feeders did not have any birds at them, and then we spotted an perched COOPER'S HAWK and thought that was a good reason for no birds at the feeders.

Around to Port Williams Road and Marlyn Nelson County Park at Port Williams. In a field there were two TRUMPETER SWANs. More PIGEON GUILLEMOTs, AMERICAN WIGEON, BUFFLEHEAD, and RED-BREASTED MERGANSERs (flock of 30 females). Back up to Schmuck Road, and along the road we had a group of 9 TRUMPETER SWANs, both adults and juveniles. Down to Washington Harbor Road and scan the Lagoon. Lots and lots of AMERICAN WIGEON (we maintain our perfect record - don't know that I have ever seen this many American Wigeon without a Eurasian).

Other birds seen included: NORTHERN HARRIER (juvenile), MEW GULL, NORTHERN FLICKER, BLACK-CAPPED and CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE, and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH.

A good day with good friends, reasonable weather (temperature between 28F and 45F). We picked up 79 species for the day, with lots of good views.

Good Birding!

Brian H. Bell
Woodinville WA
mail to bell asoc at iso media dot com