Hi Chazz and all,

Blackjack Creek Wetlands is one of my most favorite birding spots in the
southern part of Kitsap County (Point no Point easily still takes honors
as my all around Kitsap favorite). However, the best I can do as far as
birding Blackjack, is to view the wetlands and surrounding pastures by
scope at the ample wide spots along Lider Road. And perhaps that is how
it should be. I'm sure if that if I was to actually access the heart of
this very nice wetland, I would flush most of the waterfowl and
shorebirds and such out of it.

The wetland is mitigation property and I'm sure one could somehow find
the owner and gain access permission. I have talked to a few of the
surrounding landowners and they did not know the current owner. Or, at
least that is what I was told. One such landowner use to own the
property, but sold it for this mitigation purpose. Certainly the sign at
a gate makes it seem that access permission can be gained, but nothing
is provided as far as a contact. If you have success Chazz, I would love
to hear about it.

For those curious, Blackjack Creek Wetland as observed from the shoulder
of Lider road is reached by taking the Sedgwick exit off of SR16 and
heading west for 1/2 mile or so before turning south (left) on Sydney
Road. Lider Road is only about a 1/2 mile south on Sydney on the left.

The Wetland and surrounding pastureland is absolutely the best spot in
Kitsap County to find Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, and Northern
Shrike - three species that can be tough here in Kitsap County. On a WOS
trip a few Saturdays ago we scored on three Northern Harriers and a
Northern Shrike. We did not have an American Kestrel there on that
Saturday, but I had one a few weeks earlier.

Cheers and good birding,

Brad Waggoner
Bainbridge Island
mailto:wagtail at sounddsl.com