Hi Tweeters,

My wife and I visited Orcas Island this weekend. ?I kept my eyes open for birds whenever possible, and we generally enjoyed the trip despite it being cloudier and damper than hoped for. ?Probably my top highlights were:
- Golden Eagle - on Mt. Constitution
- Black-capped Chickadee - 1 first heard then seen near some of the ubiquitous Chestnut-backeds at Crescent Beach - interesting that these birds are uncommon on the San Juans
- Barred Owl - calling one night from camp
- Evening Grosbeak - multiple around Cascade Lake and especially the town of Olga
- Common Nighthawk - fun to see or hear these birds every night at Cascade Lake - these + Golden Eagle + House Wren show this is not typical west-of-Cascades habitat

Other birds among about 78 total species on the island included:
- Black Oystercatcher - pair 1 morning on Crescent Beach (the only shorebird species all weekend despite trying several times for more)
- Mourning Dove - 1 in Olga?
- all 5 west-of-the-Cascade woodpecker species including Red-breasted Sapsucker at Buck Bay
- Hammond's Flycatcher - at least 1 bird along Cascade Lake
- 6 breeding warbler species (no Black-throated Gray or MacGillivray's)
- Red Crossbill - several different types on Mt. Constitution

The Opperman guide was very helpful in planning quick birding stops while my wife was otherwise occupied. ?Crescent Beach early in the morning was nice, as was the birdy town of Olga. ?

Good birding,
Evan Houston
Seattle, WA