Today I got out in Pierce county to try out a possible route for a birdathon (TAS fundraiser) I’m leading Saturday. Overall not a terribly exciting day. I’m glad I got out to scout in a mock of a possible route. I learned that the place I had planned to start early, the Mountain View Cemetery Marsh is closed early, and I couldn’t get in. Route modified and I went there after first going to Chamber’s Creek, Sunnyside Beach, Ft. Steilacom, then the cemetery. Really uncommonly quiet for birds. Best bird was the House Wren at the expected place at the cemetery marsh. Ducks were tough to find. Missed Cinnamon Teal where I expected one at the marsh. No rails of any type. Wilson’s warblers are back, and I found Hammond’s flycatcher at Chamber’s creek. Not many other good passerines.
Shorebirds tough to come by, with only one Least sandpiper at the 56th St Ponds in Puyallup. I tried for Lesser Goldfinch at the place in Sumner that it’s been seen, and am pretty sure I heard one calling, but couldn’t sight it. Nothing early (LABU, REVI, BUOR, WAVI) at 178th off Orting Hwy, so will not go there Saturday.
I did Tacoma at low tide in the PM, and no shorebirds except Killdeer, no Purple Martins seen on Marine View boxes, but did find 2 Harlequin ducks at Dick Gilmur area along with 2 Rhinoceros auklets, and 2 Caspian Terns far out at Brown’s point lighthouse.
I think if the areas are open Sat I’ll change route and start at Spanaway Marsh and Chamber’s Lake.