I have been wanting to go to Mt. Walker in the
Olympics NP for a long time - both to try for
Hermit Warbler and for views. Today was the day.
Rain most everywhere else, but mostly clear there
with even some great views back over Hood Canal,
Puget Sound and even to the Seattle Skyline. I
stopped at a number of places along the main road
up to the North and South Lookouts. At one stop I
saw a bright yellow bird flitter across and
thought I had the Hermit. Turned out it was one
of several very curious Wilson's Warblers. Out of
the car I heard some "booing" up the hillside.
Earlier I had seen a couple of Band Tailed
Pigeons, but it then was clear that it was a male
Sooty Grouse. I followed the sound and was sure I
was close, but could not see a bird in the dense
trees. Then I heard the "clucking" of a female
and was very fortunate to see her in the thick
brush and get some good pix.
https://picasaweb.google.com/103072475474183849815/MtWalker#5754851372861549650

Seemingly all around and at many other spots along
the way, the eerie shrill call of the Varied
Thrush was also heard. One bird had been seen
briefly on the road shortly before.
At other stops on the way up I had another
Wilson's Warbler, Swainson's Thrush, more Varied's
and many Dark Eyed Juncos. The view back to
Seattle (seeing the skyline from there was
unexpected) was very nice through light clouds.
But no Hermit nor Townsend's warblers. At the
North Viewpoint, I had only a single Varied Thrush
and more Juncos. I continued on to the South
Viewpoint and heard what I thought was a Hermit
Warbler's song as soon as I parked. Along the
trail, the song was quite clear (and close). I
played the call and the bird came right in posing
briefly before moving to the next branch, usually
just before my camera focused. This continued for
many minutes and I got a decent picture or two.
https://picasaweb.google.com/103072475474183849815/MtWalker#5754851236467831762
I was also able to show the bird to some others
including one lady who was hoping for it and thus
added it to her life list. At the Viewpoint
itself a pair of very "friendly" Gray Jays fed on
nuts some hikers offered, recalling their "Camp
Robber" name.

As an aside, other than three gulls, I did not see
a single bird on the ferry crossing to Edmonds.

--
Blair Bernson
Seattle