We stopped at Loup-Loup to stretch our legs on the way home from the WOS meeting Sunday afternoon and the birding was amazing. Stepping out of the car we were greeted with both male and female Williamson's Sapsucker and a singing Townsend's Solitaire. Within minutes we spotted Common Raven, Red & White-breasted Nuthatch, Mt. Chickadee, Western and Mt. Bluebirds, Am. Robin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Western Tanager, Dark-eyed Junco and a Chipping Sparrow. We did hear drumming like a possible Red-naped Sapsucker but could not find it. If we had stayed longer we might have picked up Barred Owl and Clark's Nutcracker and who knows what else. This is the best birding we have had at Loup-Loup. It has been cut and burned and there are lots of decaying branches are on the ground, big open areas of grass, and good perches in a well spaced stand of trees. If coming from the west turn right (south) just before the summit and before the sign marking the summit at the Sno-Park area. Go past the Benson Creek sign and park. Walk a bit to the right towards the highway and there is a well used sapsucker tree. Keep listening and watching for feeding birds. We were there from about 4:30 to 5:30 when the birds were actively feeding. What a great end of a good WOS trip and no rain or wind.

Barbara Jensen
Friday Harbor, WA