Kay and I spent Monday and Tuesday nights at the Captain Whidby Inn, a groupon special, and part of each day exploring and birding the island. (making it my trip to Island County in hopes of birding all 30 WA counties this year) It has been maybe 20 years since I’ve spent any time on Whidby Island, and had forgotten how beautiful the place is, with views seemingly in every direction.
Monday we took the ferry about 11 AM from Mukilteo, very few birds on the water, and started birding at the tiny park beside the ferry terminal. Weather was tough, 27 degrees, breezy and raining, so not much seen on the water or the parking lot edges First real stop was Deer Lagoon. It is a really nice tidal area, with a good trail and plenty of both open pools of tidal water and brushy edges. We spent an 1 1/2 hours there and saw 42 species, best birds were Brant, Greater Yellowlegs and Sanderling, heard two Virginia Rails, Black-bellied Plover and Least Sandpiper. From there we headed north with stops at South Whidby State Park (a few forest birds), Crocket Lake (looks like it could be great in migration, not much in winter- added N Pintail) and at the Mussel/Oyster ? pens just before Coupevile (30 Barrow’s Goldeneye). As we drove through Coupeville we saw the only European Collared Doves of the trip on wires and arrived at Captain Whidby Inn about 4 PM.
The Inn is a really cool spot. It has a nice view of Penn Cove, excellent grounds, and the Inn itself is rustic and nicely kept up. Our room was a cute small second floor room in the main Inn. A small sink in the room, toilets shared in the hallway. We visited the other room types and there are cabins near the water, and a two story grouping of rooms behind in front of a pond. Both have in-room toilet/showers and are much more roomy. A place we could return to easily.
Dinner the first night was at Chao’s Italian/Pizza in town. An excellent choice, moderate prices, friendly help and good vegan accommodations
Tuesday we had a really nice breakfast, continental style, but excellent granola, fruit, pastrys in the bar area included in the room price (about $75/ night including tax with the groupon) Then we birded the grounds, adding great looks at Hermit Thrush along with lots of DEJU and other lawn/brushland and forest birds. We headed straight north with a stop first at Deception Pass SP. It is a beautiful park, and we had nice views of the sound, adding Ring-necked and Harlequin ducks and Commmon and Red-throated Loons. Next I left Island county to show Kay Rosario Head where Bruce, Ken and I visited last month to see the YBLO and ROSA. We enjoyed a sunny but cool look at the rocks, picnic in the sun on the grassy area tables, and enjoyed great looks at Harlequin Duck, RB Mergansers, and singing Purple Finches.
Next we went back to the other side of Hwy 20 part of Deception Pass SP. We had a nice mile each way walk on the road and trail towards the point. Highlight was great looks at a female Hairy Woodpecker, a FOY WA bird for both of us. From there we just headed back to the Inn and relaxed before dinner at the Phad Thai place in town, just OK overall.
Today we birded our way back to the Ferry. Best stop was at Ebey Landing, where I was hoping for one or both crowned sparrows in Island County. Neither was found, but I added 4 new county birds I didn’t expect: Western Meadowlark (20) in the fields on the bluff, 4 Long-tailed ducks not far off shore, Pacific Loon, and White-winged Scotor flying by not far off shore.
The last stop was at Freeland County Park where I added Western Grebe to bring our Island County list to 75 species. I felt great about this and was really excited that Kay and I had such a nice time exploring, birding and just getting out together.
As soon as we got home, we had a nice talk on facetime with Jean, and I headed to Tacoma to try for the female Black Scoter that has been reported by Bruce and others off Ruston Way near the Ruston Point “permanent ferry” and it was quite obliging.