Three Trips to Tacoma Day

Today Kay and I had an appointment in Tacoma at 10 AM, so we decided to try for the Clark’s grebe at American Lake after the meeting. I got brief but definitive looks, she missed as her scope in in repair and was sharing mine. Then after lunch we tried for the Greater-white fronted geese Read More…

A Rare Skagit Winter Day

Today was a rare winter day on the Skagit/Samish Flats. Clear skies, minimal wind, and almost no traffic made for a wonderful day to get out on the flats. First though was the primary excuse for the trip, going to Rosario Head to see if we could find the reported Yellow-billed loon and Rock Sandpiper Read More…

JBLM Prairies Today

Today Bruce Labar and I met at the Roy Y park-and-ride at 8:30 AM and headed for the Ft. JBLM prairies and Chambers Lake hoping for some early Pierce County birds. At the bobwhite spot a fire may have forced the birds to move, but no luck on them of CAQU but I did get Read More…

Pierce County Today

Finally today was a dry morning when I had time free and I got out and about the county. First stop American Lake where the usual Canvasbacks were closer than usual. A nice variety of waterfowl, the obligatory Bald Eagle, and a few brave passerines moving about in the 30 degree morning. I saw three Read More…

Puyallup TAS Trip

Today I met 18 local birders at Bradley Lake where after a brief orientation we headed off to DeCoursey Park, starting there because Bradley Lake was frozen completely over with zero waterfowl present. At DeCoursey we started at the playground area where we got oriented to several species of waterfowl including Bufflehead, American Wigeon, Gadwall, Read More…

A Long Snowy Drive Home Today

Today after seeing the Common Pochard yesterday Bruce, Ken and I headed north. The plan was to avoid the windy snowy pass on Hwy 199 and instead drive up 101 and come across where the hills were less high. Along the way we wanted to check for the King Eider that had been seen near Read More…