Today Ken and I decided to bird Mason County again, this time focusing on the birds found in the higher elevations and breeding passerines. It was a terrific day to be birding, warm, dry, partly sunny and just enough breeze to keep bugs down in wetter areas. We started at the Skokomish Delta Overlook off Hwy. 106 where the runaway highlight was two Whimbrel seen far out on the low-tide sandbars. We added Purple Martin, and a variety of typical birds there for 26 Mason County species to begin the day. Next was a quick stop at the Hunter Farms yard where I was able to see Northern Rough-winged Swallows which Ken had but I missed at the last stop, along with a perched Osprey and more common species. We then headed up the Purdy Cutoff Road for 3 miles of excellent riparian habitat, seeing Spotted Sandpipers, Band-tailed Pigeon, a Pileated Woodpecker, and more songbirds.
On the West Skokomish Valley Road traffic was heavy but we managed 37 species including a female Wood Duck with 10 newly fledged ducklings, American Goldfinch, and lots more songbirds. Next was NF Road 23 where more songbirds showed, then finally our best part of the day was on the road from NF Road 23 to the High Steel Bridge. The bridge is really cool, high indeed, and on a road off to the right coming back down just a short distance from the bridge we found two Gray Jays, I saw a large brown bird silently fly through the leaves I suspect was a Barred Owl, but left unidentified, and heard a Sooty Grouse drumming quite a ways from the road, but which we walked a smaller side road to get close enough for good listening to its persistent booming. On the way out we added a House Wren singing. Throughout the day we heard a few Olive-sided Flycatchers, Western Wood Pewees, and almost constant singing of various songbirds and Pacific Slope Flycatchers. A great day to be out birding. 79 species for the day. A fun day to work on the things Heather taught at her birding photography class. Here are a few shots.