I just returned to Sequim from a 3 day trip to La Push and Neah Bay.

There was nothing wildly exciting at La Push though the surf and visibility may have been a factor. It certainly must be the winter Brown Pelican capital of NW Washington though as pelicans were plentiful flying off-shore and right next to town along with feeding frenzies of California and Heerman's Gulls.

Neah Bay was somewhat quiet for land and sea birds. On the 23rd, near the Hobuck Beach Campground, there was a large mixed species flock feeding on serviceberries at the cow pasture across the street. Included were 2 White-throated Sparrows (both tan-striped), and a female Lazuli Bunting. The latter species has shown up several times in the last few years around Neah Bay.

At the Makah National Fish Hatchery were 3 Cinnamon Teal, rather late in the season.

Notably absent were flocks of warblers, and other land birds. The vegetation in still fully-leafed which makes it difficult to spot flocks of small birds, but still, just a single Common Yellowthroat and an Orange-crowned Warbler? Last year at this time the same trees were loaded with Yellow Warblers and a variety of other species.

Today, for comparison, there were an estimated 210 warblers in one farmland hedgerow near Sequim. Unfortunately, all but one ID'd was a Yellow-rumped.


See you out there,
Bruce Paige
Sequim

spruceak at yahoo.com
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