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 Read More…
Longmire and Back
Bruce Labar, Marcus Roening and I met at the Roy-Y Park & Ride at 7:20 AM and headed for Longmire Rainier NP in hopes of finding a few FOY Pierce birds. At Longmire it was generally quiet but we managed to find a small flock of mixed chickadees, CBC’s mostly, but at least 2 Mountain Read More…
Fox Island and Purdy Spit with Kay
Today Kay had an appointment on Fox Island, and so while she was at that I birded the DeMolay Spit Reserve near the bridge. Loons were in good supply, and I got my FOY Common loon along with 5 PALO and one RTLO. After that I took Kay to look for the Common Eider at Read More…
Bainbridge Island with Ken and Heather
Today I finally had a Monday without a commitment and was able to get out with Ken in Kitsap. Heather Voboril and Ken had already planned to go to Bainbridge so Heather could see the Townsend’s solitaire and White-throated sparrow that have been being seen there, and I had a chance at 3 new FOY Read More…
Birding 3 Southwest Washington Counties in 3 Days
This week Kay and I celebrated Valentine’s Day with a mid-week getaway with new friends Patti and Dan Anderson. Tuesday Feb 14 we left about 9 AM and drove south to bird Cowlitz County. We were excited and this was our only good-weather day of the trip. First stop was at the Mt. Saint Helen’s Read More…
Ridgefield NWR and Vancouver Bottoms
Today Bruce Labar and I met at 7 AM and headed south to Ridgefield NWR. Enroute we stopped in Centralia at a home with a feeder where Lesser Goldfinches are often found. The feeders were well stocked but the LEGO were not attending but Purple Finches were all over. At Vancouver NWR we just did Read More…
Tundra Swans on the Orting Farm Loop Today
Today I tried once more for the Brant in the wet fields between Riverside Rd and Auto Way in Sumner, finding a diminishing flock of Cackling Geese behind the Honda dealership again, but today the Snow Geese were gone and the Brant still not found. Rain was found though and increasing hard rain at 33 Read More…
Pelagic Cancelled so A Day at the Coast
Last night Ken and I headed for Westport to stay the night and head out on the winter Westport Seabirds trip. It was sketchy re weather, but yesterday Phil thought we could get out. Well on arrival this AM we learned that the seas had gotten rough overnight and the trip was cancelled. That said Read More…
Snow Geese Finally plus Downy Woodpecker and Sharpie
Today after helping Brett knock out access to his attic and watching a flock of 20 Bushtits flit about in his side yard, I drove by the school on Portland Ave once again in hopes of seeing the Snow Geese reported there by Michael Charest and Bruce Labar among others. I’d gone by at least Read More…
Dipper and Meadowlark Today
Today Kay and I made another trip to try for the Snow Geese off Portland Ave between choir performances but no luck. After lunch Kay helped with the baby shower for Maya and so I was free to get out. First stop was another try for the GWFG or PEFA at Van Ogles Ford Road, Read More…