Tom Mansfield and I spent three days birding in the San Juan Islands,
with highlights from the 118 species found including a Golden Eagle,
two Sandhill Cranes, both Baird's and Pectoral Sandpipers, and two
Townsend's Solitaires.

We spent much of the time looking for shorebirds and ended up finding
fifteen species over the three days. A Red-necked Phalarope got us
off to a good start on the ferry ride to Orcas Island. On Orcas there
were about 10 Virginia Rails calling from the Frank Richardson
Wildlife Preserve at Deer Harbor. At North Beach we scoped both
Red-throated and Pacific Loons and had our first of many American
Pipits of the trip. From the viewpoint on the way up Mt Constitution
we had great scope views down the hill of a perched young GOLDEN
EAGLE. At the top of the mountain there were two TOWNSEND'S
SOLITAIRES flying around and great views of a pair of Red Crossbills
perched on the ground. In Olga we found our only real passerine
activity of the day, which included a Western Tanager, Black-throated
Gray Warbler, Western Wood-Pewee, and a bunch of White-crowned
Sparrows. A Golden-crowned Sparrow was with some more White-crowneds
on the way out to Doe Bay.

That evening on San Juan Island we were able to find both Barn and
Great Horned Owls along False Bay Rd despite the gusty winds. The
next morning at False Bay were single Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs.
Looking out of the bay a pod of Killer Whales cruised past, including
one that did a full breach and several that were slapping their tails.
There was also a large Humpback Whale with them that was slapping its
pectoral fin on the water for awhile. Both here and around the
American Camp Visitor Center were flocks of dozens and dozens of
sparrows - mostly Savannahs but also Lincoln's, White-crowned, and a
few Golden-crowneds. Other birds along False Bay Rd included a couple
Pacific-slope Flycatchers, a singing Cassin's Vireo, Warbling Vireos,
and both Swainson's & Hermit Thrush. There were more migrants at
Cattle Point including 8+ Orange-crowned, a Wilson's & a Yellow
Warbler. Not much going on offshore birdwise, but more Killer Whales
were off in the distance. At Jackson Beach there were a few more
Greater Yellowlegs. Three House Wrens on the day - one at American
Camp Visitor Center and two more near Jakle's Lagoon.

We made it over to Lopez Island in the afternoon with enough time to
check several spots around the north part of the island. A
Black-bellied Plover and both Western and Least Sandpipers were along
the Fisherman's Bay spit. The biggest surprise of the trip were two
SANDHILL CRANES in the fields south of Bakerview Rd that cooperated
for great views in the scope. At Spencer Spit there were three
Baird's Sandpipers and a Semipalmated Plover. A Greater Yellowlegs
and American Coot were in the marsh at the east end of Airport Rd.
After dark a Western Screech-Owl was calling along Davis Bay Rd.

Saturday morning we checked Spencer Spit again. The Baird's had
departed but were replaced by my first migrant Dunlin of the fall.
The Sandhill Cranes were still in the same field. The Port Stanley
pond was devoid of shorebirds first thing in the morning, but
mid-morning contained a Greater Yellowlegs and two Pectoral
Sandpipers.

Back on the mainland in Skagit County we enjoyed an extended view of
an adult light morph Parasitic Jaeger making slow headway into the
strong winds at March Point. A juvenile Green Heron and a female
Ruddy Duck at Channel Drive were surprises. Up at Alice Bay there were
at least six Sanderlings with the flocks of Westerns. Another
Parasitic Jaeger (dark imm) was chasing gulls from Jensen Access late
in the day. There was also a House Wren in the parking lot.

Good birding,
Ryan Merrill
Kirkland