OLYMPIC PENINSULA NORTH

20 NOVEMBER 2011



We arrived at dawn at the bluff above the old oysterhouse at Dungeness NWR.
It was cold, about 25 degrees F. Scoping out to Dungeness Spit, we had
reasonable views of two SNOWY OWLS, in the area at the north end of
Graveyard Spit. One bird made a short flight confirming we were seeing a
real Snowy Owl and not just driftwood! Other sightings of note: a Merlin
came rocketing in and snatched a Dunlin from a tight flock of these waders
foraging on the mud.



In an hour here and from the bluff top at the entrance road to the refuge,
we amassed a nice list, proof of the great bird diversity in this area.


Next, we hit the Elwha River Mouth, accessed from Place Point Road. The sun
was shining warmly now and we had super looks of many birds. Gulls,
especially Thayer's were bathing in swarms near the river mouth. Just
offshore, we had brilliant views of all three scoters, Long-tailed and
Harlequin Duck. A sprinkling of loons, grebes, and alcids were farther out.
In the gravel-lined pool adjacent to the river mouth Ellen photographed an
American Dipper, not more than 30 feet from the wave-swept shore.




Homeward, we detoured to Diamond Point, in the area where Yellow-billed
Loons are sometimes noted. We saw no Yellow-bills but had Pacifics and
Commons, as well four species of alcids.



We finished our day at Fort Flagler at the north end of Marrowstone Island.
Our best find here was a soaring TURKEY VULTURE, a tardy bird, indeed,
perhaps subsisting on shore fish or mammal carcasses? We birded two main
sites here: the tidal rip off Marrowstone Point. An impressive full bore
outgoing tidal current had a sprinkling of birds including five species of
alcids (Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, Ancient and Marbled Murrelests, and
Rhinoceros Auklets). We sighted Ancient Murrelets twice. Once, a flock flew
downstream, simultaneously suddenly diving from the air into the
fast-moving current, as is their habit. We watched another group floating
"downsteam," giving us good scope views. We always stand in awe at these
tidal currents, monstrous rivers, of course very ephemeral in nature.



>From the base of the spit a mile or so to the west we set up another
seawatch hoping for Yellow-billed Loon. We dipped on our target bird but did
see 40 or so Long-tailed Ducks, and 30 Harlequin Ducks, good numbers we
thought. All three scoters were a treat, too.



Andy Stepniewski

Wapato WA

steppie at nwinfo.net