Sunny Walter's
Washington Nature Weekends

Tweeters Bird Sightings - February

Sightings on this page are extracted from the Tweeters sightings.
This list is to help casual birders find out where they can reliably see birds
so most rare bird sightings are omitted.

(Note: Items in red are of special interest to Sunny.
As a photographer I'm partial to large birds or large flocks of small birds)

Sunny's Selections from Recent Tweeters NW Bird Sightings:
February
2/1/04
Waterville Plateau

We decided to go for the SNOW BUNTINGS and what a show it was, with the majority of the 200+ buntings in an almost pure flock just a few miles west of Coulee City right on the shoulders of SR 2.  Others were in mixed flocks with Horned Larks on SR 172. We were also treated to the sighting of a MERLIN just south of SR 172 on the left side of L NE.

Other good birds were TRI-COLORED BLACKBIRDS at Wilson Creek, SHORT-EARED OWL sitting on the north side of SR 28 as we traveled east from Odessa, PRAIRIE FALCON near SR 2, NORTHERN SHRIKES on SR 172.

Norma Wendt       Deer Park WA       mailto: ndwendt@netzero.com

2/1/04
Kelowna birding

Today my brother Connor and I birded the areas around Kelowna. We started off in the high country off Hwy 33, and had good luck with the upper elevation birds. We then descended back into the valley via McCulloch Road and then birded through Lakeshore Road and Okanagan Mountain Park. To add waterfowl we then spent some time along the Kelowna waterfront before heading in towards Rutland and Ellison for some open country birding. We managed about 71 species for the day. The highlights, for me, were two year-birds (Evening Grosbeak and Ruby-crowned Kinglet). It was also nice to get all 4 Chickadees.

Waterfront
  • Horned Grebe (many)
  • Great Blue Heron (several)
  • American Coot (numerous)
  • Bufflehead (many)
Rotary Marsh
  • Canvasback (many in large flock), American Wigeon (several), Redhead (700 or more off Rotary Marsh), Greater Scaup (300+), Lesser Scaup (1 female)
  • 1 Belted Kingfisher
Rotary Beach
  • 1 Common Loon
  • 40 Herring Gull, 2 Thayer's Gull, 5 Glaucous-winged Gull
Sutherland Park
  • 6 Ring-necked Duck, 3 Common Merganser
  • 1 Pied-billed Grebe
Mission Creek
  • 10 Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser (1 male on Mission Ck at K.L.O Rd)
  • Song Sparrow (many in field on K.L.O Road)
  • Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1 along Mission Ck upstream from Casorso Road)
  • American Dipper (1 along Mission Ck at East Kelowna Road)
McCulloch Road
  • 1 Merlin
  • 5 California Quail
  • Gray Jay (numerous), Steller's Jay (numerous), 1 Clark's Nutcracker
  • 2 Brown Creeper, 2 Golden-crowned Kinglet 
  • 2 Common Redpoll, 20 Evening Grosbeak
Philpott Road
  • 2 Downy Woodpecker, 1 Hairy Woodpecker
  • 2 Chestnut-backed Chickadee
  • 1 Pine Grosbeak, 30 Red Crossbill (eating gravel)
Lakeshore Road
  • 20 American Robin
  • 2100 Bohemian Waxwing
Okanagan Mountain Park
  • 1 Northern Pygmy-Owl
  • 2 Hairy Woodpecker
  • Steller's Jay (numerous)
  • 2 White-breasted Nuthatch
Marshall's Feedlot
  • Red-winged Blackbird (many), Brewer's Blackbird (many)
Wooded Areas
  • Black-capped Chickadee (many), Mountain Chickadee (many), Red-breasted Nuthatch (many)
  • Dark-eyed Junco (many), Pygmy Nuthatch (many in Ponderosa woods)
Maude Roxby
  • 4 Green-winged Teal, 6 Gadwall
Red-tailed Hawk (numerous)
American Kestrel (1 along Hwy 33, 1 along Old Vernon Rd)
4 Mourning Dove along Pooley Road

Chris Charlesworth       c_charlesworth23@hotmail.com

1/4/04
Renton
 
This afternoon at 3:20 pm the elusive adult Slaty-backed Gull was observed bathing and briefly
preening along the floating logboom line at Gene Coulon Park.
 
We arrived at Cedar River Park at the mouth of the Cedar River at 11am.  Notable species observed during our visit included a single Clark's Grebe located by Marv Breece during his early morning visit, then relocated by him later in the same vicinity, as we and other birders got good scoping views of it with several nearby Western Grebes for comparison. The orange-yellow bill and grayer sides and flanks were obvious in good lighting contrasting to a darker gray back and white extending up along the neck with the eye showing within a slight dusky area. An apparent Western/Clark's intergrade was also observed amongst a separate Western Grebe flock from Cedar River Park that showed an obvious orange-yellow bill, but the remaining plumage of the bird was of a Western Grebe. A single 1st winter Glaucous Gull was also noted from this location ,where it was observed primarily at Gene Coulon Park before 2:30pm.

Other notable species noted from both parks included the following:
  • 1 Red-necked Grebe, 600+ Western Grebes
  • 18 Greater White-fronted Geese
  • 2 Ring-necked Ducks
  • 1 Dunlin
 
Ruth and Patrick Sullivan       Tacoma,WA       godwit@worldnet.att.net
 

2/7/04
Raptorland on the Skagit and Samish Flats

Went out yesterday on a solo trip around the Fir Island, Edison routes. By 10 am at Game HQ, the sun had come out and I watched the coopers Hawk in full sun preen itself occasionally closing its eyes in what I took as the pure enjoyment of the pleasure of the warmth of the sun on its back.
  • Bird of the day was a fabulous view of a saw-whet owl along the game HQ trail. Aslo a barred owl there.
  • For the day  I counted 307 Birds of Prey!!!!!!  (Note: some were on the way up)   94 Bald Eagles, 112 Redtail Hawks, 2 Gyr Falcons, 1 Ketrel, 1 Barred Owl, 1 Saw-whet owl, 19 Short Eared Owls, 3 Merlins, 1 Harlans Red-tail, 4 Rough-legs, 68 Northern Harriers, 1 Coopers Hawk. 
  • At the West 90 at one time I counted 29 raptors.  There must be one heck of a lot of mouses for all them hawks to eats.  The west 90 was an ongoing show as the Gyr would hassle and steal voles from the Short-eared owls or from a rough-leg, and then have to duck and dive away from the eagles who wanted to steal it further. Quite a fun show!
  • I also counted 612 Swans but did not see a single snow goose on this day.
Rob Sandelin       floriferous@msn.com

2/8/04
Golden Eagle at Brady Loop Rd.
 
Today my mother and I birded a coastal route from the Elma area to Ocean Shores in Grays Harbor Co.  We encountered our best species of the day on our way home,which was a subadult Golden Eagle observed flying along the western portion of Brady Loop Rd. at 3pm.  This is our first observation of Golden Eagle in eastern Grays Harbor Co. and a noteworthy sighting for anywhere in western WA, especially in the winter. Our only Bald Eagles observed in the general Elma-Brady area were 1 pair of adults sitting together in a large Black Cottonwood tree at the Schouweiler Rd. wetland.
 
We began the day at the Schouweiler Rd. wetland (Chehalis Wildlife Area) west of Elma at 8am, before continuing on toward the Hoquiam STP at Bowerman Basin, then traveling to Ocean Shores until 2pm.

Bowerman Basin
  • 55 Canvasback along S.R.109
At Ocean Shores notable highlights included the following:

Oyhut Wildlife Area
  • 1 male Eurasian Wigeon
  • 1 Rough-legged Hawk
  • 2 Peregrine Falcons
  • 5 Black-bellied Plovers 
  • 43 Least Sandpipers
  • 65+ Yellow-rumped Warblers (observed at various locations near the Oyhut WA
  • 15 Western Meadowlarks
  • 2 Black Scoter
  • 1 Ring-necked Pheasant
  • 5 Black-bellied Plover
Ocean Shores Jetty
  • 17 Rock Sandpipers
  • 85+ Black-legged Kittiwakes
  • 38 Surfbird
  • 27 Black Turnstone
  • 1 Merlin observed along the outer beaches north of the Ocean Shores Jetty
Ocean Shores Marina
  • 8 Black Turnstone
Ocean Shores Golf Course
  • 13 Greater White-fronted Geese
Sanderling
  • 24 (with 18 Dunlin) observed from the Driftwood Drive beach access
  • 40 at Damon Point
2 Rough-legged Hawks at Ocean Shores
 
After birding Ocean Shores we drove to Brady Loop Rd. and birded the remainder of the afternoon in the Elma area.  Additional highlights:

Brady Loop Rd 
  • 34 Tundra Swan
  • 88 Trumpeter Swan
  • 37 "Dusky"Canada Goose
  • 25 Dunlin (Foster Rd.)
  • 1 Hairy Woodpecker
  • 1 Am. Kestrel
  • 1 Rough-legged Hawk
  • 1 Am. Kestrel along Hwy.12 at Elma
Ruth and Patrick Sullivan        Tacoma, WA       godwit@worldnet.att.net

2/7-8/04
Skagit Co
  • Yesterday at the Skagit Wildlife Area headquarters were at least 36 Barn Swallows and a Peregrine Falcon.  Had a Northern Shrike along Fir Island Rd.  Another Peregrine was along Maupin Road near Jensen access, where there was also a Short-eared Owl.
  • Offshore of Samish Island on Saturday night and Sunday morning were 1000's of Surf Scoters (seemed to be flying to a roost in the evening), plenty of Gray-bellied Brant, and 15 Long-tailed Ducks. 
  • Around 11:00am Sunday morning the Gyrfalcon put on a nice show at the West 90.  Also there were perhaps a dozen Short-eared Owls and four Rough-legged Hawks.  
  • Near the two East 90's was an adult Harlan's Hawk, while the staked-out Am Kestrel was present at the farmhouse along D'Arcy Rd.
Charlie Wright       Sumner, WA       charlie@birdwright.com


2/9/04
Marrowstone Spectacular

Had a great morning in Jefferson County.
  • At Indian Island County Park there were six male HARLEQUIN DUCKS feeding close to the shoreline.  About 150 BRANT were resting on the spit.
  • Mystery Bay was quiet. One GREATER YELLOWLEGS was feeding.
  • At the west end boat launch in Fort Flagler State Part I had a truly exciting (for me) view of a HARLEQUIN DUCK and a LONG-TAILED DUCK in the scope at the same time under full sunshine. Spectacular views. There were about two dozen Long-tailed Ducks and six Harlequins in sight at one time. Also present were about a dozen BRANT. A wide variety of other water birds were also present.
Grant Hendrickson       Redmond, WA       granth1@comcast.net


2/10/04
South Okanagan

Ryan Tomlinson and I did a marathon birding run in the South Okanagan. We left Kelowna in the darkness and began before dawn on Shuttleworth Ck Road, E. of Okanagan Falls. Our attempts to locate owls were fruitless. At first light we logged our first species, Common Redpoll, then located other good boreal birds before descending to the sunny valley bottom. We then worked our way to Osoyoos, via River Road and headed into the Anarchist burn. After lunch we birded the Okanagan River back to Oliver and White Lk, then scoured the Penticton Yacht Club as light faded. We got our last bird, a Great Horned Owl, along Benvoulin Road in Kelowna.

Osoyoos Lake
  • Pied-billed Grebe
  • Green-winged Teal, Common Merganser, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER
Okanagan Lake
  • Horned Grebe
  • Canvasback
Okanagan River
  • Gadwall, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup
  • 100 Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser
  • American Dipper
Shuttleworth Rd and/or Anarchist
  • Pileated Woodpecker, Gray Jay, Clark's Nutcracker
  • 30 Pine Grosbeak, White-winged Crossbill, Common Redpoll 
  • 5 Downy Woodpecker, 10+ Hairy Woodpecker, 3 Pileated Woodpecker
  • Steller's Jay, Clark's Nutcracker
  • Mountain Chickadee, Boreal Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pygmy Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet 
  • Red Crossbill 
We totalled 72 species and I got three year birds (Spotted Towhee, Prairie Falcon and Red-breasted Merganser). We had some big misses too like Mourning Dove, Am. Goldfinch, Brewer's Blackbird etc. Definitely a great day of birding though.

Chris Charlesworth    Kelowna, BC    c_charlesworth@avocettours.com     www.avocettours.com

1/11/04
Skagit County

Yesterday's sunshine and warm temperatures were an irresistible invitation to go birding, so I spent about 6 hours (noon to 6 PM) birding in Skagit County--  the Samish Flats, Rosario Head in
Deception Pass State Park, and (very briefly) the Skagit Wildlife Area headquarters.
  • I spent about 3 hours at the Samish Flats, and met David Chelimer and a couple of other birders at the "West 90". I did not see the GYRFALCON, nor had anyone else that I spoke to, but it is probably still nearby. I did get a very close view of a dark-phase HARLAN'S HAWK perched on a telephone pole near the East 90. 
  • Other raptors seen included at least 20 BALD EAGLES, 12 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 8 RED-TAILED HAWKS (including the Harlan's), one ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, and four SHORT-EARED OWLS. 
  • A treeful of 9 WESTERN MEADOWLARKS between Edison and the East 90 were starting to sing. 
  • A flock of 180 swans along Field Road consisted of about 30 TUNDRA and 150 TRUMPETER SWANS.
  • At Rosario Head, the highlight was an immature YELLOW-BILLED LOON seen at point-blank range in Bowman Bay on the south side.
  • Also of interest at Rosario Head were 2 BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS and 10 BRANDT'S CORMORANTS with Double-cresteds on rocks in Bowman Bay.
  • Offshore were at least 10 PIGEON GUILLEMOTS (some coming into breeding plumage), 4 COMMON MURRES, and a pair of MARBLED MURRELETS. 
Wayne C. Weber       Delta, BC       contopus@telus.net


2/12/04
Gyrfalcon at Bickleton

We spent about 3 hours in glorious sunshine, birding the area around Bickleton on Thursday afternoon.  Locals told us the Mountain Bluebirds are due to start returning on the 14th of February!  The area around Bickleton, although cold, was just above the low clouds/fog plaguing the hills above the Columbia River yesterday.

Raptor season now!
  • 1 Gyrfalcon (grey phase), 3 Peregrine Falcon  (very dark)
  • 8 Rough-legged Hawk  (three color phases), 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Northern Harrier  (male)
  • 1 Northern Shrike
  • 1 Bald Eagle *
* Several Bald Eagles along Rock Ck. Road and another on lower Dot Rd.)
  • Horned Larks (several small flocks, and many, mostly lone individuals)
  • Common Raven, European Starling
  • Rock Pigeons (Rock Doves)
  • Dark Eyed Juncos
  • American Robin (flock of ~60)
John & Loraine Allinger       nhojregnilla@hotmail.com

2/13/04
Swans on Crescent Lake

While driving to work this morning I was pleasantly surprised to see a couple dozen swans (possibly more) on Crescent Lake between High Bridge Road and the Reformatory Farm near Monroe.  This section of the lake is close to the road, providing easy viewing from the car.  Off in the distance I saw a couple of large raptors circling the lake but they were too far away to identify. 

Jody Breckenridge       North of Monroe, Snohomish County       jbreckenridge@r2usa.com

2/7/04
Lummi Flats, Whatcom County

The following birds were observed between about 2:00 and 4:30 PM.  Areas covered were North and South Red River Roads, Hillaire Road, and Kwina Road.  There was a lot of standing water in the fields and more waterfowl than I usually see on the flats.

The count of Common Ravens (25) was unusually high.  Twenty of these were in one flock, flying south near the intersection of Hillair and Kwina Roads.

I also heard at least 6 PACIFIC TREE FROGS calling at scattered localities on the flats.

Birds seen (in taxonomic order):
  • 5 Great Blue Heron
  • 8 Trumpeter Swan
  • 6 Gadwall, 400 American Wigeon, 200  Mallard, 1500 Northern Pintail, 30 Green-Winged Teal, 1 Hooded Merganser
  • 3 Bald Eagle, 9 Northern Harrier, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 8 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Rough-legged Hawk, 1 Merlin
  • 150 Glaucous-winged Gull, 4 Rock Dove 
  • 6 Short-eared Owl
  • 2 Northern Flicker, 1 Northern Shrike 
  • 30 Northwestern Crow, 25 Common Raven
  • 6 Black-capped Chickadee
  • 6 American Robin
  • 5 Fox Sparrow, 15 Song Sparrow, 20 White-crowned Sparrow, 2 Golden-crowned Sparrow, 2 Dark-eyed Junco
  • 200 Red-winged Blackbird, 4 Western Meadowlark, 100 Brewer's Blackbird
  • 10 House Finch, 4 House Sparrow
Wayne Weber       contopus@telus.net

2/11/04
Samish Flats, Skagit County

The following birds were seen between noon and 3:10 PM.  Areas covered included Alice Bay, the West 90 and East 90, D'Arcy Road, Field Road, and Farm to Market Road.  The tide was firly high when I arrived, falling rapidly during the afternoon.

In addition to the identified waterfowl, at least 1500 unidentified dabbling ducks were present far out in Samish Bay.

Birds seen (in taxonomic order):
  • 15 Double-crested Cormorant
  • 20 Great Blue Heron
  • 10 Canada Goose, 25 Brant
  • 250 Trumpeter Swan  (150 S of Field Road, 100 more N of Sunst Road),
    30 Tundra Swan with Trumpeters S of Field Road
  • 400 American Wigeon, 200 Mallard, 6 Northern Shoveler, 500 Northern Pintail, 40 Green-Winged Teal, 1 Bufflehead
  • 20 Bald Eagle, 12 Northern Harrier, 3 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Rough-legged Hawk
  • 200 Dunlin
  • 200 Glaucous-winged Gull
  • 6 Rock Dove
  • 4 Short-eared Owl
  • 1 Belted Kingfisher
  • 20 Northwestern Crow, 6 Common Raven
  • 5 Song Sparrow, 2 Golden-crowned Sparrow
  • 50 Red-winged Blackbird, 12 Western Meadowlark, 30 Brewer's Blackbird
  • 15 House Finch, 6 Pine Siskin
Wayne Weber       contopus@telus.net


2/13/04
Grant Co, WA birding


Steve Mlodinow, Randy Hill and I birded the Wanapum/Priest Rapids/Lower Crab Creek/ Para Pond Area.
 
Highlights.  Lots of Pintails as they move through the area.  a white-throated sparrow at Priest Rapids WMA (at the boat ramp)  It was cold and foggy at times.  Although we could not find tricolored blackbirds at Para's feed lot on Friday, Saturday produce a minimum of 12.  We looked for the blue jay on Sundance Rd with no luck.  Talking with a resident he said the bird shows up at his feeder (front yard) at 7:30 am almost every day.
 
Pasted below are my notes for the day.  Good Birding.

Para Pond
  • 800 Northern Pintail, 30 Canvasback, 60 Mallard, 30 Northern Shoveler
  • 200 Canada Goose
L. Crab Creek WMA,  Russian Olive stands
  • 473 American Robin, 10 Black-billed Magpie, 10 Spotted Towhee    
  • 2 Northern Shrike
  • 227 White-crowned Sparrow, 59 Dark-eyed Junco
  • 2 American Kestrel,  1 Red-tailed Hawk
  • 8 Northern Flicker
  • 6 Song Sparrow, 5 House Finch
  • 6 European Starling
  • 8 California Quail
Lind Coulee
  • 300 Canada Goose
  • 600 Northern Pintail, 200 Lesser Scaup, 1 Eurasian Wigeon, 50 Green-winged Teal, 100 Mallard, 20 Bufflehead
Adams Co,  Sundance Rd
  • 1 Merlin                              
Grant County, Wanapum Pool
  • 2 Bufflehead, 12 Common Goldeneye
  •  40 American Coot
  • 15 American Wigeon
  • 3 Horned Grebe, 1 Red-necked Grebe
  • 2 Common Raven
  • 1 Common Loon
Grant Co, Priest Rapids Area, Apple Orchards
  • 2 Black-billed Magpie, 20 American Robin                
  • 38 Dark-eyed Junco, 55 House Finch
Priest Rapids Area,  Residence
  • 47 White-crowned Sparrow, 77 House Finch, 30 Dark-eyed Junco
  • 41 American Goldfinch, 20 House Sparrow, 1 Red-winged Blackbird
Priest Rapids Area,  Brush Pile
  • 50 Dark-eyed Junco
  • 1 Northern Flicker
  • 1 Western Meadowlark
Priest Rapids WMD
  • 40 Gadwall, 4 Hooded Merganser, 6 Common Merganser, 500 American Wigeon, 30 Ring-necked Duck, 2 Eurasian Wigeon, 200 Redhead
  • 200 American Coot
  • 14 Canada Goose
  • 3 Northern Flicker
  • 1 Bald Eagle, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Northern Harrier, 1 American Kestrel 
  • 1 Great Blue Heron
  • 1 American Robin, 10 Black-billed Magpie, 1 Spotted Towhee, American Crow
  • 30 White-crowned Sparrow, 1 White-throated Sparrow
Grant Co, N. Potholes Res. Job Corp Dike
  • 212 Red-winged Blackbird
  • 10 American Robin
  • 1 Bald Eagle
  • 3 Black-billed Magpie
  • 1 Northern Flicker
  • 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
  • 150 Canada Goose
  • 3 Northern Pintail, 1 Canvasback, 51 Lesser Scaup, 60 Redhead, 4 Northern Shoveler , 5 Mallard
Bob Flores       rflores@smwireless.net


2/15/04
Columbia River, Vantage highway

Did a loop from Highway 24 out of Yakima, up the Columbia to Vantage, down Huntzinger Road and the Vantage Highway and brief tour of the Kittitas Valley. Nothing really rare but a few noteworthy items.

Priest Rapids WMA
  • Huge flock of Wigeons that included 1 male Eurasian Wigeon and 1 male American/Eurasian hybrid. 
  • 1 White-throated Sparrow in brambles near boat launch.
Huntzinger Road:
  • 3 Eared Grebe, just north of Wanapum Dam, near Getty's cove
  • Good number of Common Loon, 16 separate birds identified from Priest Rapids dam to Wanapum Dam.
Looked for early spring arrivals along the Vantage Highway in the form of Sage Sparrow, Mountain Bluebird, or Says Phoebe. The area was still locked in heavy winter and only ravens and raptors
(1 Golden Eagle, 1 Prairie Falcon) were present.

Bald Eagle numbers for the day:
  • 8 along the Columbia River, 11 Kittitas Valley, 4 Yakima Canyon
Scott Downes       Yakima WA       downess@charter.net

2/15/04
Ridgefield NWR

Spring trip to Ridgefield NWR yesterday. Lots of birds, lots of water. In fact more water than we've ever seen at Ridgefield.
  • 2 Pied-Billed Grebes
  • 15 Great Blue Herons
  • 1 American Bittern
  • Approx 800+ Canada Geese, one very large gaggle on the ground just after leaving the wooded area. Flight after flight coming in to join those on the ground. We counted what we believe to be 18 of the Minima specie amongst one group of Honkers. 
  • 350 Tundra Swans
  • ~ 350 Northern Shovelers. These guys also everywhere. Seemed like every pond had its resident population of at least 25
  • 350 Mallards, everywhere as usual, still a very pretty bird
  • 50 Northern Pintails, population not as great as previous trips, but sprinkled throughout the NWR
  • 7 Common Goldeneye, 15 Lesser Scaup, 23 American Wigeons, 16 Ringed-Billed Ducks, 14 Buffleheads, 17 Gadwalls, 2 Hooded Mergansers
  • 7 Cinnamon Teals in the two ponds at the Entrance Kiosk and in the ponds around the wooded area
  • 500 American Coots, everywhere, I mean EVERYWHERE
  • 9 Bald Eagles, 4 imm, two adults fussing over a tree perch, two adults guarding the road just before reaching the Blind Kiosk
  • 1 Golden Eagle - through the trees on the wooded part of the road
  • 8 American Kestrels, mostly in the open areas south of the Entrance Kiosk
  • 8 Northern Harriers, also mostly in the open areas, but few more by the Blind Kiosk
  • 9 Red-Tailed Hawks, including one sitting on the ground watching us watch him
  • 1 Cooper's Hawk
  • 4 American Robins on the ground
  • 50 American Crows, total daily count
  • 8 Red-Winged Blackbirds, no large flocks, just one here and there
  • 100 European Starlings - feeding on the ground amongst the Honkers
  • 2 Killdeer
  • 1 Western Scrub Jay at the Entrance Kiosk, on the ground and posing on the NWR Sign.
Peter Sullins       Everett, WA       TheSullinsFamily@earthlink.net


2/15/04
Okanagan Valley (BC) Rare Bird Alert

Sightings for February 15
  • The GYRFALCON continues at Marshall's Feedlot, along Hwy 97 at McCurdy Road in Kelowna.
Sightings for February 14
  • Birds were very active along the Esplanade Trails, behind the Penticton Yacht Club, this morning. Up to 15 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were seen of both the Audubon's and Myrtle races. The HERMIT THRUSH was heard calling and good numbers of WESTERN BLUEBIRDS and CEDAR WAXWINGS were present. Two imm. NORTHERN GOSHAWKS were taking advantage of the abundance of birdlife in the area.
  • In Kelowna, the GREAT GRAY OWL was again seen along Mission Ck, upstream from Casorso Road between the bridge and the viewing platform.
  • Amongst large flocks of RED-WINGED and BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS at the Southern Plus Feedlot, s. of Oliver, were at least three BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS (CC,m.ob). A PRAIRIE FALCON was also seen briefly as it chased pigeons (CS,HV).
CHRIS CHARLESWORTH       KELOWNA, BC, CANADA V1X 2X5       (250) 718-0335       C_CHARLESWORTH@AVOCETTOURS.COM       WWW.AVOCETTOURS.COM

2/13-15/04
Waterville Plateau
(single birds deleted by Sunny)
 
This weekend my mother and I lead a rewarding two day winter field trip to the Waterville Plateau area of Douglas Co. (with additional areas covered in Okanogan Cos.) with a total of 78 species encountered during the 2 day field trip.

We began our field trip at 6:30am on the 14th in Bridgeport then proceeded onto Bridgeport Hill Rd., where we searched for Sharp-tailed Grouse with NO luck, despite 4 attempts during a 3 day period along Foster Creek.

We traveled onto the Waterville Plateau covering areas such as the Leahy Junction area,
  • 9 Sage Grouse near Leahy Junction
  • Small flocks of Horned Lark near Leahy Junction
Continuing onto the Waterville Plateau we checked along S.R.172 from Hwy.17 to Bridgeport Hill Rd., including several areas within the town of Mansfield.
  • Very large numbers of Snow Buntings, Horned Larks were encountered along S.R.172 between Wood Rd. and Hwy.17, of which produced 5+ Lapland Longspurs, as the flocks roamed and swirled close to the highway and in nearby snow covered fields.
  • We observed good numbers of Horned Larks at several locations within the Waterville Plateau between Moses Coulee and Atkins Lake along Hwy.2.  Larger numbers were observed, primarily along S.R.172 east of Mansfield, of the "Arctic" and the local resident breeding subspecies, which allowed good comparisons. 
  • 2 Great Horned Owl in  Mansfield Cemetery
  • 8 Rough-legged Hawk along S.R.172 west of Mansfield
 We traveled back towards Bridgeport along Bridgeport Hill Rd., then a visit made to Bridgeport State Park in Okanogan Co. near Chief Joseph Dam.

Bridgeport 
  • 5 Steller's Jay
  • 3 Mountain Chickadee along S.R.173 near Bridgeport
Bridgeport Bar
  • 2 Merlin
  • 3 Varied Thrush, 35 Bohemian Waxwing, 50 Cedar Waxwing, 300+ Bohemian Waxwing along S.R.173 south of Bridgeport Bar
  • 30+ Western Meadowlark
  • 10 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 25 Am.Tree Sparrow
 Bridgeport Hill Rd 
  • 15 Common Redpoll, 20 Bohemian Waxwing
  • Small flock of Horned Lark
We ended the day with a drive made along Central Ferry Canyon Rd.
  • We encountered our largest flock of Bomemian Waxwings along the lower portion of Central Ferry Canyon Rd. that actively foraged within nearby fruit orchards to several stands of Lombardy Popular tree stands,which allowed good scoping views on our return trip down from the upper portion of road. We estimated an impression flock of 1500+ Bohemian Waxwings that were counted as they swirled and scattered due to a nearby Sharp-shinned Hawk. 
  • Very large numbers of waterfowl and Am.Coots were observed from several locations both days along the Columbia River, primarily at Bridgeport Bar and from the Fort Okanogan area, which consisted of Redhead, Ring-necked Ducks, Ruddy Ducks and Am.Wigeon among other species in lesser numbers. 
  • Later in the evening several of us that stayed overnight in Pateros owled along the upper portion of Central Ferry Canyon Rd., where we were entertained with good looks with the help of flashlights at one fairly cooperative Northern Saw-whet Owl, which was one of three heard that evening. 
  • My mother and I observed 2 Northern Saw-whet Owls on the evening of the 13th at the same location with 2 additional birds heard nearby.
Central Ferry Canyon Rd. (additional species)
  • 2 Golden Eagle soaring above the hills near Pateros,OK (observed from the lower portion of Central Ferry Canyon)
  • 1 Great Horned Owl
  • 30+ Pygmy Nuthatch along the upper portion
  • 10 Red Crossbill along the upper portion
  • 2 Varied Thrush
  • 12 Cedar Waxwing along the lower portion
On the 15th 6 of us checked several area in the Bridgeport areas, including additional checks made at Bridgeport Bar, the Fort Okanogan State Park area in Okanogan Co.and our last check of the trip made along Bridgeport Hill Rd.,
  • The latter produced up to 15 Common Redpolls, which were highly searched for at other areas and made the trip back to this location very worthwhile. We were standing along the roadside searching for Sharp-tailed Grouse scanning the Water Birch trees along Foster Creek until Ginger Rebstock spotted a flock of birds (that turned out to be Common Redpolls) foraging in a lone stand of Water Birch.  The birds remained foraging in the trees until an immature Northern Shrike landed in the same tree and flushed the birds, where they were observed flying overhead to the west side of the road. 
At that point 2 participants continued with my mother and I towards the Fort Okanogan area
then a stop made on our way home at Chelan in Chelan Co., where a Yellow-billed Loon was observed by Hugh Jennings and others during a field trip on the 14th. We almost immediately located the loon at 12:45pm along the south shore of Lake Chelan (Spaders Bay) from the Riverfront Park in Chelan. The bird eventually foraged alone west along the south shore of Lake Chelan, where my mother and I watched and photographed the bird at very close range at several vantage points near the marina area
 
Bald Eagle
Fairly good numbers encountered from several areas, primarily along the Columbia River

Additional species of note encountered to and from destinations on our way to Pateros on the 13th and on our way home on the 15th included the following:

Daroga S.P. 
  • 1 Red-necked Grebe, 10 Eared Grebe along Hwy.97 south of park
Columbia River(Lake Pateros) 
  • 2 Western Grebe
Swauk Prairie, Kittitas Co. (Teanaway area)
  • 8 Rough-legged Hawk
Longmire Rd. (accessed along Hwy.97/2 south of Orondo,)
  • 6 Hermit Thrush (with 3 Varied Thrush)
  • 30 Cedar Waxwing, 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 1 Spotted Towhee
  • 3 Golden-crowned Sparrow
  • 12 Steller's Jay along Hwy.2 east of Orondo
Ruth and Patrick Sullivan       Tacoma,WA       godwit@worldnet.att.net

2/15/04
Yellow-billed Loon at Ediz Hook
 
Today Cameron Cox and I found an immature Yellow-billed Loon at Ediz Hook in Port Angeles.  The bird was actively diving over a large portion of the harbor.  Three other species of loons were present at this location, along with 8-10 Marbled Murrelets.
 
Jessie Barry       UW, Seattle, WA       jhbirds384@hotmail.com

2/14/04
Ridgefield NWR, Lewis Co.
.
At Ridgefield NWR we saw:
  • 300+ Tundra Swans (also appeared that there were several Trumpeter Swans mixed in)
  • 4 Cinnamon Teal, 43 Ruddy Ducks, 1 Hooded Merganser
  • 8 Tree Swallows, 6 Yellow Rumped Warbler
  • 2 American Kestrel, 8 Bald Eagles  (including several immatures), 1 Rough Legged Hawk, 6 Northern Harriers, 12 Red Tailed Hawks
  • 2 Western Scrub Jay
In Lewis County we stopped at the Cowlitz Trout Hatchery.
  • 1 Osprey, 2 Bald Eagle, 1 Red Tailed Hawk, 1 American Kestrel
  • 1 Herring Gull
  • 2 Spotted Sandpiper
  • 1 Pileated Woodpecker
Along Gore Rd. we had 5 American Kestrels.

Dave Hayden       Lakewood, WA       dtvhm@nwrain.com


2/17/04
Heron Monitoring and Advocacy 101. 

Seattle Audubon Society's educational series on birds will be offering a couse on monitoring herons as part of its focus upon herons in 2003-2004.  Learn all of the methods related to tracking great blue heron colonies.  Don Norman, who has been monitoring herons since 1988, will teach you how to draw colony maps, estimate productivity, and translate this knowledge into helping protect heron habitat.  One evening session on March 16 at the Shoreline Center, followed by 3 weekend local field trips in late March, late April, and late May to learn to track a local colony.  Learn more about the course at donorman@aol.com or call the SAS office at 523-4483for a course prospectus.  Seattle Audubon Society Members $75, non-members $90.

First Field Trip
We will meet at 1pm at the Henning House by Kellogg Island along West Marginal Way in West Seattle,  south of the West Seattle Bridge.  (Take the Delridge Exit off the West Seattle Bridge, the exit to West Marginal Way rather than taking Delridge, which loops around under the bridge to the south.  Henning Park is just south of the Grayline Lot). 

Field Trips
Colonies will be picked by attendees if accessible.  Possible field trip locations will include:

Kiwanis Ravine at the Ballard Locks
Issaquah Creek at Lake Sammamish State Park
Kenmore Park and Ride
West Seattle
Black River
March Point at Padilla Bay
Bainbridge Island is also a possibility if permission is granted. 

Don Norman


2/17/04
Medina Herons

It's that time again.  The Great Blue Herons in Medina are very busy.  There are approximately a dozen herons hanging out near the nest tree.  The very flimsy nest blew down over the winter, leaving 3 nests for the time being.  Amazing they fledged 4 last year in that very flimsy nest.  The herons right now are actively displaying, doing bill snaps, and the display where they stretch their necks up, sway, and make a very odd gutteral noise.  I have also noticed a lot of bill wiping this year.  I am not sure if this is a display, or what it means.     
                                                    
This little heron colony is in a very busy park which is also an off leash dog park.  You can literally walk up and touch the tree the herons are nesting in, a very unusual situation for herons to nest. 

This morning I also saw the longest heron chase I have seen.  Two of them were really racing around, as fast as herons can race which in reality isn't very fast.  Today was the first time I have watched additions to a nest this year.  The big nest on the bottom was being added on to.  I am not sure the pairs have been determined yet for the other two nests.

To get to Medina Park take NE 8th exit off I405, go west,  straight past Bellevue Square, NE 8th winds around for a bit and ends up being NE 12th.  At a five way intersection (with 124th I think) go straight.  St. Thomas Episcopal, a large church, will be on the right and the park is on the left.  Use the parking lot off NE 12 and the heron tree is leaning over the pond in front of you.

Kathy Andrich       Roosting in Kent       chukarbird@yahoo.com

2/15/04
Washougal Dike near Steigerwald NWR

While biking on the Washougal Dike, we found a Say's Pheobe.  Also present was a flock of 22 skitish Horned Larks.  Several Western Meadowlarks were also sighted. 

Other birds noted were one mature Bald Eagle, several each of Am. Kestrels, Northern Harrier, and Red-tailed Hawks, 16 Tundra Swans, and 38, mostly grounded, Great-blue Herons. 

Yes, the wind does blow out there at the east end of the Columbia River Gorge!  The 25x scope in the wind with the heat waves from the sunlight were just too much to overcome to I.D. the ducks.

John and Loraine Allinger       Hockinson, Clark County, WA       nhojregnilla@hotmail.com

2/17/04
Bohemian Waxwings in Methow

Today I came across a large flock of Bohemian Waxwings in the town of Methow (Okanogan County, route 153 between Pateros and Twisp).  I'd guess that there were at least 300 of them, but it could have been considerably more.  They were foraging widely on the west end of town along both sides of the river, on the brush hillsides south of route 153, and in the trees in between.

Tom Rohrer       Renton, WA       texasbirdboy@yahoo.com


2/18/04
Elma to Tokeland birding

Hi Tweets, I made a trip out to the coast today in preparation for a Grays Harbor Audubon field trip I'll be leading in two weeks. 
  • My main highlight of the day was at Midway Beach (Pacific co.) where I had a nice view of 13 Snowy Plovers, which is a new life bird for me.  I've been to Midway a few times, but this is the first time I found the plovers.  They were located just across the stream of water that washed out the road bed at the beach access.  
  • Also, in the same general area was a huge flock of Dunlin with a few Sanderlings and Western Sandpipers running around too.  I didn't see any falcons in the area at all while I was there.
Tim O'Brien       Elma, WA       kertim719@centurytel.net


2/19/04
Upper Weir Prairie, Fort Lewis Washington
  • Today I observed two Western Bluebirds sitting on top of a nest box in Upper Weir prairie. All together there were five individuals on the prairie. There were also two Red Crossbills, a Western Meadowlark (singing), Red-breasted Nuthatch, and two Common Ravens.
  • Last week (2/10/2004) I observed 7 Western Bluebirds on Johnson Prairie.
Access to these prairie is limited to authorized personell.
 
Jim Lynch       Olympia WA       tarj1a1@comcast.net


2/20/04         
Samish Flats

My friend Casey Richart and I were driving from Bellingham to Olympia yesterday, and after Slugging and Snailing on Chuckanut Drive we decided to check out some birds in the flats. 
  • The waterfowl numbers are way up there, and was neat to see.  
  • Rough-legged Hawks still abound.  
  • At the Samish unit of the Skahit WMA, we had the Gyr Falcon on the third utility pole East of the parking lot.  It then flew to a perch which we have seen it use before in the middle of the marsh.  
  • We counted six Short-eared Owls up at one time, and had a singing Savannah Sparrow.  
  • Also one Tundra Swan with 184 Trumpeter Swans just North of Bow.
Drew Wheelan       awheelan@hermaninstitute.org

2/21/04
Brady Loop Rd., Nisqually, Mud Bay
 
Today my mother and I located a single Pink-footed Goose at 1:30 pm amongst a fairly large flock of Canada Geese and a single immature Greater White-fronted Goose just west of Foster Rd. along Brady Loop Rd. in eastern Grays Harbor Co.  It strongly appears that increasing numbers of Canada Geese are moving around compared to our last visit to Brady Loop Rd. on the 8th of February. We observed small numbers of "Dusky"Canada Geese at several locations within the Brady Loop Rd. complex amongst other subspecies of Canada Geese, including "Cackling" Canada Geese and 1 apparent partial albino Canada Goose. It will be interesting if the Pink-footed Goose will remain at this location or move around the Elma-Brady valley.
 
Another species of note we encountered was a Golden Eagle that was observed along Brady Loop Rd. east of Foster Rd. in flight at 12:45pm, then relocated perched in a tall Black Cottonwood tree just south of Gillis Rd. in a large,open field along the eastern portion of Brady Loop Rd., where it was photographed.
 
Other notable species observed along the Brady Loop Rd. complex during our visit included the following species:
  • 48 Tundra Swans, 24 Trumpeter Swans
  • 15 Ring-necked Ducks
  • 3 Northern Harriers, 2 Rough-legged Hawks, 4 Am.Kestrels, 1 adult Peregrine Falcon
  • 24 Golden-crowned Sparrows
  • 18 Western Meadowlarks, 1 Purple Finch
 A few other species observed to and from destinations in the general Elma-Brady area included the following:
  • 33 swan species observed along Hwy.12(east of Keys Rd. near Satsop)
  • 4 Am.Kestrels along Hwy.12 between Elma and Brady(with an additional bird noted along Keys Rd. north of Wenzel Slough Rd.)
  • 4 Wilson's Snipes at the Schouweiler Rd. wetland near Elma
  • 2 Western Scrub Jays along Hwy.12(with 1 at Elma and 1 at Brady)
On our way home we stopped by a few locations in Thurston Co. including the Mud Bay area (accessed along Hwy.101 along Madrona Beach Rd.) and the Nisqually NWR between 3:45pm - 5:25pm, where we added a few additional species of note to our day list along with several highlights including the following:
 
Nisqually NWR
  • 600+ Canada Goose, 11 Ring-necked Duck
  • 1 adult Bald Eagle with a freshly caught Am.Wigeon (with another adult bird and im. bird nearby)
  • 5 Northern Harrier, 14 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Peregrine Falcon
  • 8+ Tree Swallow
  • 2 Northern Shrike
Mud Bay
  • 13 Barrow's Goldeneye
  • 8 Greater Yellowlegs, 10 Dunlin (Perry Creek)
 Ruth and Patrick Sullivan       Tacoma,WA       godwit@worldnet.att.net

2/21/04
Port Townsend area, 2/21/04

The Seattle Audubon Master Birders field trip visited Port Townsend, among other areas.
  • There were large numbers of sea birds feeding in the swift tidal current off Point Wilson, with the usual behavior of floating downcurrent, then flying up it, so just about all the birds were flying right to left and could be tracked and discussed by all. 
  • Among them were surprising numbers of MARBLED  MURRELETS, a species that has declined greatly in Washington. I'm sure we saw 40+, all flying past in pairs, and that has to be just a sample of the many more that were there. I saw one trio and several singles as well. 
  • All were still in full nonbreeding plumage, whereas many of the PIGEON GUILLEMOTS were in breeding plumage (those that were not could be immatures), a few of the COMMON MURRES were in that plumage, and all of the RHIONOCEROS AUKLETS (the most abundant species) were in full breeding plumage. These differences in the time of acquisition of breeding plumage in alcids are really quite interesting, as they don't necessarily correlate with when the birds return to their breeding sites.
Dennis Paulson       Seattle, WA       nettasmith@comcast.net

2/15/04
Bohemian Waxwings

I encountered a flock of about 50 Bohemian Waxwings along Hatley Gulch Road, just outside of
Dayton, Washington. Needless to say, they were stunning to look at.

About 17 Horned Larks were seen in a nearby Canola field. I know these birds aren't newsworthy
for eastern Washington residents but, for me, they're exciting to see.

Kelly McAllister       WDFW       Olympia, WA       mcallkrm@dfw.wa.gov


2/22/04
Bohemian Waxwings in Methow (see 2/17)

Just a quick note to say the huge flock of Bohemian Waxwings is still just outside the town of Methow, flaunting their red undertails, waxy tail- and wing- tips glinting in the sun. A lifer for me at the end of a blissful weekend of skiing, Ahh!  If only all long weekends could be so fine!

Katie Sauter Messick        King County DNRP, Water and Land Resources
katie.messick@metrokc.gov

2/23/04
To grebe not to grebe

For the past two days, I have observed a dense flock of grebes south of Shine near the west end of the Hood Canal bridge.  They are just out of scope range to clinch the ID between horned and eared grebe.  It is possible to differentiate these two species on behavioral cues?  The grebes remain in a dense knot of approx. 200 synchronously diving, hyper-active birds.  There is also the typical smattering of horned grebes about the bay.  Any thoughts?

Also present
  • 520 western grebes
  • 70 Brant
  • 10 Oldsquaw
  • 1 red-throated loon
Quite a raucous show on these calm afternoons

Along the bluff towards Thorndyke Bay, there is fine band of timber with old-growth characteristics. Over the last few days there has been:
  • 1 goshawk, 1 barred owl, 1 pygmy owl, 1 screech owl
  • 3 eagles
  • 2 pairs of pileated woodpeckers
  • More singing Hutton's vireos then you can shake a stick at
The coltsfoot on the bluff is in full bloom I also found a skinned mink on the path perhaps a meal for the barred owl

Fred Sharpe        Lake Crescent WA        fsharpe@sfu.ca


2/21/04
Stanwood Field Trip

Ten of us from Rainier and Tahoma Audubon had a great trip  in the sunshine at Stanwood, WA.  DeLorme pg 95.  We traveled north on I-5 to exit 206 (Smokey Point), then west on SR 531 (Lakewood Road) approx 6 miles to Marine Drive near the water.  At Marine Dr, we turned north for 1 1/4 miles, and turned toward the water at the Warm Beach Methodist Camp and Conference Center on 20800 Marine Dr.  (From Stanwood it is 4 miles south on Marine Dr.  Website www.warmbeach.com ). 

Inside the huge area of cabins, lodges, and woods, we drove toward the water, and stopped at the large bldg called Cedar Lodge.  There are restrooms there, and an office inside, and they gave us bird checklists, and maps of the area.  There is a $5. charge per person. What a great place.  Lots of woods, bluffs, huge fields, dikes, beaches.  Wow.  Part of our group walked down the trail behind the amphitheater by the Cedar Lodge.  We drove two cars down to the stables to meet them.  At the bottom there are huge horse-grazing fields, a sewer pond that dumps into a constructed wetland, and a little farther along the trail/road at the bottom there is a small pumping station.  You can walk out on the dike there on Dike Road even though a sign says it is a private canoe area for Warm Beach.  There are dikes and salt marshes and a beach. 
  • We saw a GREAT EGRET very close to the trail in that area.
  • There were RED-TAILED HAWKS, and an AMERICAN KESTREL, and small birds in the bushes.  
  • There were TRUMPETER SWANS and a singing MEADOWLARK. 
  • Back up at the top about 11:30 we saw and heard singing HUTTON'S VIREOS and two of them chased each other around.  
  • A trip around the nearby forest nature trail was wonderful. The best nature trail I've been on recently, very natural.  In there we had several kinds of forest birds including 4 VARIED THRUSHES and two Brown Creepers.
After that we traveled the short distance north to Big Ditch. 
  • It was pretty quiet in the mid-day, but there was a huge flock of SNOW GEESE in the fields.
Then we went backsouth to Boe Road and drove into the Nature Conservancy Pt Susan Bay Refuge.  We had permission to enter in the afternoon (w/ no more than 12 people).  The contact person for the area is Liz Merriman lmerriman@tnc.org.   I had wanted to be there as the tide came in, as the bay really dumps out in that area.  Even though we were there 2 hours! before high tide, the tide was up into the grass. 
  • It was there that we saw a beautiful phenomenom of flying DUNLIN.  There are supposed to be 40,000 wintering Dunlin in Pt Susan Bay.  The flocks were lit by the setting sun, and as they did their evasive flight they formed columns or as someone commented "tornados", which would rise and fall.  Wow. At one point a Dunlin flock flew past us preceded by two BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS. 
  • As we started walking out on the dike, several of us observed a NORTHERN SHRIKE. 
  • There were several species of ducks in the ponds including RUDDY DUCKS going into breeding plumage.  
  • There were swans swimming nearby backlit by the setting sun.  
  • Finally as the last car left the area at 5:15, a MERLIN flew across over the end of Boe Road. 
Carol Schulz       DesMoines, WA       mailto:linusq@att.net

2/23-24/04
Hood Park
 
My mother and I spent two days birding western Walla Walla Co. and points beyond and were able to locate the 1st year Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Hood Park on the 23rd previously reported by Mike and MerryLynn Denny and other birders. The bird was only briefly seen on the 23rd at 4pm, where it was observed foraging amongst fairly dense undergrowth along the eastern portion of the park between the picnic area and the campground area(immediately east of the amphitheater).

Nevertheless, it was good to see the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and seve