Photo: California Quail by Mick Thompson
August 8, 2023
For early August, we enjoyed pleasant weather and found a good variety of species. We began with Brandt’s Cormorant, Surf Scoter and hundreds of American White Pelican in Padilla Bay. At Cap Sante, we were surprised to see 11 California Quail and an Orange-crowned Warbler. A walk along the Ship Harbor trail produced Pigeon Guillemot, Pelagic Cormorant and Short-billed Gull, while lunchtime at Washington Park offered nice views of Rhinoceros Auklet and Marbled Murrelet. We finally found some Black Oystercatcher at Rosario Beach, along with Olive-sided Flycatcher and Red Crossbill. We finished at Fir Island’s Hayton Reserve with Baird’s Sandpiper, two Whimbrel and number of Semipalmated and Black-bellied Plover.
60 species (approx. qty.)
Attendees: Phil, Graham, Rex, Dianna, Val, Denny, Amy, Karen, Judy B., John H., Jane, Reg, Frank, Pam T., Pam P., John E., Sue B., Maureen T., Bruce, Tari
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Canada Goose (18), Mallard (9), Surf Scoter (3)
GALLINACEOUS BIRDS: California Quail (11)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Brandt’s Cormorant (6), Double-crested Cormorant (46), Pelagic Cormorant (62), American White Pelican (250), Great Blue Heron (14)
VULTURE: Turkey Vulture (2)
RAPTORS: Osprey (2), Bald Eagle (11), Red-tailed Hawk (3)
SHOREBIRDS: Black-bellied Plover (8), Semipalmated Plover (11), Killdeer (5), Black Oystercatcher (3), Greater/Lesser Yellowlegs (1), Whimbrel (2), Baird’s Sandpiper (1), Semipalmated Sandpiper (1), Western Sandpiper (20)
GULLS, TERNS: Short-billed Gull (40), Ring-billed Gull (21), California Gull (4), Glaucous-winged Gull (125), Caspian Tern (6)
ALCIDS, JAEGERS: Pigeon Guillemot (22), Rhinoceros Auklet (10), Marbled Murrelet (6)
DOVES, PIGEONS: Rock Pigeon (3), Eurasian Collared-Dove (1), Mourning Dove (2)
HUMMMINGBIRDS: Anna’s Hummingbird (1)
KINGFISHER: Belted Kingfisher (1)
WOODPECKERS: Northern Flicker (1)
FLYCATCHERS: Olive-sided Flycatcher (1), Willow Flycatcher (2)
CORVIDS: American Crow (30), Common Raven (2)
LARKS, SWALLOWS: Purple Martin (8), Tree Swallow (6), Barn Swallow (36)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (8)
NUTHATCHES, CREEPER: Red-breasted Nuthatch (1), Brown Creeper (1)
WRENS: Bewick’s Wren (2)
THRUSHES: American Robin (2)
MIMIDS, STARLINGS: European Starling (300)
WAXWINGS, PIPITS: Cedar Waxwing (2)
WARBLERS, CHATS: Orange-crowned Warbler (1)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (2), Song Sparrow (21, White-crowned Sparrow (21), Dark-eyed Junco (2)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Brewer’s Blackbird (6), Brown-headed Cowbird (1)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: House Finch (13), Red Crossbill (1), American Goldfinch (3), House Sparrow (3)