Tweeters,



Marv Breece and I did some leisurely birding at JBLM (Lewis) today, and
scored the first 7-swallow day I've had birding there (since 1979). The
bugaboo has always been BANK SWALLOW, but today Marv spotted, and then we
both had good looks at one of these elusive wet-side birds at the Muck Creek
Bridge - east side of the 91st Division Prairie - among the other swallows
there (BARN, CLIFF, and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED). We had previously seen
PURPLE MARTIN, and VIOLET-GREEN and TREE SWALLOWS at other JBLM locales.
Another first was COMMON NIGHTHAWK, which we heard at the far west side of
the same prairie area. Other highlights included great looks at
MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER, and LAZULI BUNTING at observation post (OP) 8
(likely the same birds seen on previous trips), as well as an AMERICAN
KESTREL dive-bombing a RED-TAILED HAWK at the same location.



Even with many training areas (TA) closed to recreation (this time of year
means the Advanced ROTC folks are training in places like TA 4, 13, 14, 15,
etc.), we were able to see 61 species in Roy and at JBLM.



We started at Roy, and spotted three EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES near the Roy
post office. Although TA 4 was closed to us, we did ID BREWER'S BLACKBIRD
(near Range Control), and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER,
WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, WESTERN BLUEBIRD, and CHIPPING, WHITE-CROWNED, and
SAVANNAH SPARROWS along the adjacent 2nd Division Range Road. Nisqually Lake
had PURPLE MARTINS and TREE SWALLOWS at the nest boxes there, and
VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS overhead.



Further to the west along Story Road, at the typically birdy spot at the
turnoff to OP 10, we had our first of what turned out to be almost
ubiquitous HOUSE WRENS (heard at every subsequent location at JBLM), WILLOW
FLYCATCHER, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, AMERICAN ROBIN, MOURNING DOVE, and YELLOW and
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS. On the way to this spot, Marv ID'd a singing BROWN
CREEPER.



At the west side of the 91st Div Prairie, we heard the nighthawk, as well as
PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER, WESTERN TANAGER, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER.
Doubling back along Story Road, we tried to turn a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH
into a White-breasted Nuthatch, but neither of us could make that work. We
also saw several NORTHERN FLICKERS alongside the road, as well as
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS.



Stopping for a view from OP 8 (at TA 5, which was open to recreation), and
in addition to the Mac warbler, bunting, and others highlighted, we saw BALD
EAGLE, EUROPEAN STARLING, and COMMON RAVEN.



In addition to the Muck Creek bridge birds mentioned, we saw CEDAR WAXWINGS,
DARK-EYED JUNCOS, SONG SPARROW, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, BELTED KINGFISHERS
(3), and heard a CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE and BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK. We
took a quick drive-by of Lewis Lake, and heard MARSH WREN there. Further
along, we saw a RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD and a couple of BUSHTITS.



Back home in Roy, we had EVENING GROSBEAK, PURPLE FINCH, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH,
PINE SISKIN, SPOTTED TOWHEE, STELLER'S JAY, AMERICAN CROW, HOUSE FINCH, RED
CROSSBILL, TURKEY VULTURE, VAUX'S SWIFT, and CALIFORNIA QUAIL (with what
looked like newly hatched chicks).



Not a bad day despite some brief showers and brisk breezes.



May all your birds be identified,



Denis DeSilvis

Roy, WA

Mailto: avnacrs4birds at q.com