Last Post 3.4.13

The Clallam County Birding Blog that has been up at this URL is moving to a new location
so open and bookmark this . . .

http://clallamcountybirding.com/wordpress/

and thanks for the few weeks of look-seeing here as the new site was [and still is]
under construction

Denny AFMJ Van Horn
Dungeness, WA

13th Post 3.1.13

Birds of Note the past few days . . .

• Snow goose / most likely the same bird that's been in the area for weeks; Schmuck road at Hidden Triangle pond; the goose was standing on the pond's brim
• Ruddy duck / two males were on Lake Farm rd pond
• Wild turkey / there is a small flock that has existed along the Dungeness river for years; they habitate from US101 N to Woodcock road. A male answered to a hen's clucking call and then a second male answered; this one was 50m from the first
• Sooty grouse / birds seen on Palo Alto road near MP10 and Deer Park road at about 4,000' elevation
• Turkey vulture / two birds were seen today; one over Diamond Point and a second over the Elwha river
• Rough legged hawk / probably the same hawk that's been seen since 2.19; Schmuck road
• Red knot / it's possible that this is the same bird first seen on Dec 10 [and seen several times since]; observed from Dungeness Landing to E along river's estuary
• Long billed dowitcher / three birds working tide flats E of Dungeness Landing
• Whimbrel / five birds working the tide flats E of Dungeness Landing
• Marbled godwit / four birds were E of Dungeness Landing in the far SE corner of the marsh outlet working the tide flats
• Cassin's auklet / three birds were close in shore at Ediz Hook Strait side [~100m out] N of the Boat House
• Thick billed murre / the Ediz Hook murre was seen ~400m off shore [SE] from the Pilot's House; observed for some 20 minutes before lost to sight behind the Salmon Prison; one lone gull kept it company; there were few Common murre on the harbor
• Herring gull / a single adult was found amongst several hundred Glaucous winged, Olympic, and Mew gulls working the grass fields for tasty morsels W of Schmuck road where liquid manure was being kicked-out by a giant lawn sprinkler
• Orange crowned warbler / singing; Kitchen Dick ponds
• Swamp sparo / still there at Kitchen Dick ponds; east side being shy down in the brambles
• Snow bunting / a lone bird found seed-feeding at the seed-feeding site on Ediz Hook just W of bathrooms; was told that the bunting was first seen on Feb 28 late afternoon
• Bullock's oriole / continues to be seen in the Marine & Thornton area

The 3rd First-of-Month Big Day for the county [east end] was chased today: 1am - 9pm. The chase-route? Blyn / Wood's rd / Palo Alto rd / Gray Wolf river rd / Eagle creek ponds / Diamond Point / JW Marina / Washington Harbor / Schmuck rd / Port Williams / Jamestown / Seashore rd / Kirner pond / Dungeness Landing / Cline's Spit / Lamar rd / Hogback rd / Kitchen Dick ponds / Finn Hall rd / Lake Farm rd pond / N Ennis st [ePA] / Valley Creek Estuary Park / Port of Port Angeles / Ediz Hook / W 18th st [wPA] / Lower Elwha rd / Deer Park rd / Dungeness / 3 Crabs marshes / and back to Blyn and Wood's rd. Total species: 144. 

12th Post 2.27.13

Good words by a friend that are just right to share . . .

"Monday, Feb. 25, the western wind was gusting over 45, and a walk through the mountains and farmland fields was peculiarly devoid of birds.  They were no doubt seeking shelter wherever they could find some.  I did watch 4 Northern Harriers just resting out in the open tucked in the short grass  while the gusts blew over the top of them. One male had it's eyes closed.  A juvenile flushed as I walked by, battled the turbulent air to stay close to the ground and quickly relit.  I could also see movement way back in the hedgerows, but birds were largely no-shows!

Tuesday, Feb. 26, was another matter.  The weather was briefly sunny and calm in the morning. The highlight was not seeing a new bird for the year, nor making an unusual observation: it was simply coming upon the flock of Western Meadowlarks on Schmuck Road.  There were about a dozen next to the pavement, so I stopped the car and eased out.  One was taking a bath in one of the plentiful puddles.  Four were on the nearby power lines, others on fence wires and an old corral, yet more in the surrounding fields.  Immediately, I was enveloped by a symphony of song, including several in total meadowlark melody, some accenting with loud call notes, and others giving distinctly strange chords as if they wanted to participate, but were very rusty from lack of practice. The effort was a supreme contribution to an early Spring morn, and made me appreciate why I take the time to get into the habitat each day to look and listen.  The world is full of beauty for those who take the time to appreciate it, and I would place a singing Feb. flock of meadowlarks right up there at the top!" [Bruce Paige]

11th Post 2.26.13

Birds of note since the 22nd . . . 

• White throated sparo / three birds continue at feeders: one each at Clallam Bay, Jamestown, and Dungeness; birds are white-stripe with bright yellow lores
• Yellow headed blackbird / weeks early, a single bird was heard giving it's raucous call from the cattails between Helen's pond and the Pumphouse on 3 Crabs road
• Green heron / a single bird was seen flying over the slough-marsh along Backtrack road in Neah Bay
• Kestrel / a male was wire-sitting close to Old Olympic hwy on Towne rd 
• Yellow shafted flicker / described just as older field guides note when it was recognized as a separate species - red nape, black malar, with brightish yellow under-wings and tail - the flicker was seen at a feeder in Sequim
• Black crowned night heron / both the adult and juvy were seen at their Dungeness roost on the 23rd even tho the wind was blowing a Bf5; this is the first time the juvy [Windy] has been seen with the adult [Gale] in several weeks
• Bullock's oriole / the Marine & Thornton bird continues to show up sporadically

Birds not seen since the 22nd . . . 

• Gibson Spit Burrowing owl
• Dungeness Rec Area Long eared owl
• Schmuck rd Rough legged hawk

Tenth Post 2.22.13

Ten Owls in 24 Hours! 
Thurs Feb 21
Snowy - 3 Crabs road 4:15pm
Short eared - Dungeness Rec Area 5:30
Long eared - DRA 5:30
Barred - Ward at Woodcock road  6:10
Barn - Towne road  6:25
Great horned - Dungeness Village  6:40
Western Screech - Holland road dip at Graysmarsh  9:05
Northern Saw whet - Wood road MP3.4  10:15
Fri Feb 22
Northern Pygmy - Palo Alto road MP9.5  6am
Burrowing - Gibson Point  8:30am

The Snowy was perched on a roof peak on N side of 3 Crabs road near Pettitt road. The Short ear came up from heavy orchard grass and, as it began hunting flight, was immediately intercepted by the Long eared flying in from the E. They sparred for a few seconds, parted, and went separate ways [40 yards distance]. The Long ear is [probably] the same owl first seen on Jan 26 by Ryan Merrill and several others since. The Barred was called out from woods along the river at Ward and Woodcock road. The Barn was perched on a fence post along Towne road. The Great horned is the male who's been calling along the river in Dungeness for weeks. The Screech was called out from the woods along the dip on Holland road at Graysmarsh. The Saw whet consistently found along Wood road took several trys and some time, but finally answered. As the sky lightened two Pygmys answered to calling back in the forests along Palo Alto road. And the dawn walk on Gibson Spit was rewarded with the Burrowing owl standing on a log not far from it's burrow. Thanks to Michael Barry and Bruce Paige for the re-seeing of the Burrowing owl, cuz it was this find along with seeing the Long ear that gave the reality of 10 Owls in a Day a chance of happening.

Where else but Clallam County could one encounter 10 owl species in a single chunk of time and have the luck of two code 5s giving the final say to the venture.

Ninth Post 2.21.13

Good Birds in Clallam County still present on this date . . . 

Code 5

• Black crowned night heron / Dungeness
• Burrowing owl / Sequim Bay area
• Thick billed murre / Port Angeles harbor
• Iceland gull / La Push harbor 
• Long eared owl / Dungeness Rec Area

Code 4

• Snow goose / Schmuck rd
• Tundra Whistling swan / 3 Crabs marsh
• Redhead / Golden Sands blvd sloughs
• Swamp Sparo / Kitchen Dick ponds & 3 Crabs marsh
• Common redpoll / Dungeness

Code 3

• White throated sparo / Jamestown & Dungeness
• Ruddy duck / Kitchen Dick ponds
• Marbled godwit / Graveyard Spit
• Rock sandpiper / Ediz Hook
• Herring gull / Ediz Hook
• Barred owl / many locations
• Bullock's oriole / Marine & Thornton rd

. . . when you only get 48 seconds before the bird is gone, you shoot, then worry about quality!

Eighth Post 2.19.13

Rough legged hawk - a single bird was seen hunting fields W of Schmuck road at dusk [~5:30]. The hawk worked the heavy orchard grass fields, then hunted the brambles running W to E on Dairy View lane [a dirt track]. It passed over the road and continued on E where it encountered a female Harrier; they did an aerial dance for a few seconds before separating - each continuing to hunt in opposite directions. This is the 3ed reported sighting of RLH in the county this winter.

Snowy owl - at the intersection of Schmuck and Port Williams an owl flew from the N over the the house on the corner and continued S down Schmuck road where it took perch on top of telephone pole. The bird was a heavily barred individual.

Snowy owl - on 3 Crabs at the Pumphouse an owl flew up from the ground, circled out over cattails and then landed on the S corner of the Pumphouse. This is probably the same owl that's been in this area all winter.

Guinea fowl - a full plummed Guinea fowl was found standing along the edge of Coulter road off Schmuck road at the turn-around to Sequim Valley Ranch. The bird eventually took off running, gaining air in a massive short-winged flapping venture flying 20m before lighting and running further E where Coulter turns to dirt. This was just odd! I've not seen a Guinea fowl loose in the county. Maybe we should add it to the checklist? Code 5+?

Kestrel - two of these falcons were seen today: the Hogback road male, back for it's 3rd winter, was on wire above dry lake bed; this is a banded bird. The second was seen on wire along Old Olympic hiway where McDonald creek passes under.

Bullock's oriole - continues: Day 12

Western meadowlark - a small flock of meadowlarks works the fields E and W of Schmuck road near the hay barn in winter. On the 17th there were 19 seen in the area with two singing their songs and several others trying out parts of meadowlark talk.

Seventh Post 2.17.13

Code 4 - Swamp sparo
On 11.25 last year, a Swamp sparo was found at the Kitchen Dick ponds and over several days, even tho it's shy behavior was frustrating, was seen by many who searched for it.

And now, almost three months later, it [or another] was found again yesterday at the ponds. As noted for the Neah Bay Swamp sparo, this bird is probably the same bird; having over-wintered, in part, due to the very mild winter we've had on the Peninsula.

Finding the bird is a matter of patience. There are three ponds: one W and two E. The sparo has mostly been using the willow-brambles along the roadside of the NE pond. Pissshing. Waiting. Looking. "Ohhh, there it is!" Nope. Song sparo. Lincoln's sparo. Pisssh some more. Squeak. Wait. Look at every feathered movement, then . . . .

Other birds using the ponds and area included

• Ring necked duck
• Common merganser
• Wood duck
• Shoveler
• Green winged teal
• Lesser scaup
• American coot
• Gadwall
• Audubon's & Myrtle warbler
• Ruby crowned kinglet

Sixth Post 2.16.13

From the West End moving East
Neah Bay

• Bruce Paige shares this: ". . . what are the odds of seeing a Swamp sparrow in the same partially-cut roadside bramble patch two months later?  Well, I did. Probably an over-wintering individual. I 'pisshed' the area first with no results, continued a hundred yards or so to the Transfer Station, and when I got back, saw a Song sparrow and Swamp sparrow where nothing had been visible a few minutes before. The incident just emphasizes how many birds are missed compared to the number seen!" 

Clallam Bay

• Thayer's gull
• Herring gull

Twin Rivers

• Ancient murrelet
• Whimbrel
• Marbled godwit

Salt Creek

• Black oystercatcher
• Black turnstone
• Ruddy turnstone

Elwha River 

• Thayer's gull
• Herring gull
• California gull 
• Glaucous gull / 1st year
• Ring billed gull
• Mew gull
• Bonaparte's gull
• Western gull
• Glaucous winged gull
• and the hybrid seagull of the usual kind  

Ediz Hook

• Thick billed murre continues 
• Surfbird

ONP - Hurricane Ridge

• Horned lark / in the snow! 
• Gray jay

Kitchen Dick Ponds

• Swamp sparo 

Marine & Thornton

• Bullock's oriole / Day 9 at feeders

Jamestown

• Merlin dark phase
• Merlin light phase
• Peale's peregrine falcon
• Anatum peregrine falcon
• Collared doves / noted only by this: 32! 

Golden Sands Blvd Sloughs

• Redhead / one female with 100s of Wigeons 

Fifth Post 2.15.13

Great Back Yard Bird Counts, Feb 15 - 18
They started today; here's summaries from a couple . . .

Dungeness Village at dawn

• Golden crowned sparo  x9
• Spotted towhee  x3
• Pine siskin  x40+
• Song sparo  x5
• Dark eyed [Oregon] junco  x6
• Dark eyed [Shufeldt's] junco  x8
• Sooty fox sparo  x4
• Sharp shinned hawk  x1
• Downy woodpecker  x2
• Red breasted sapsucker  x1
• Red tailed hawk  x2
• Beagle  x2
• Killdeer flyover  x5
• House sparo  x14
• Stellar's jay  x3
• House finch  x5
• Red winged blackbird  x15
• Sturnus vulgaris  / Starling  x20+
• Collard dove  x18
• Mourning dove  x2
• Varied thrush  x1
• BC chickadee  x5
• CB chickadee  x9
• a bunch of Bubble gum gulls 
• and others . . . 

3 Crabs SE Marshes at dusk

• Barn owl  x1
• Trumpeter swan  x31
• Black crowned night heron  x1
• Great blue heron  x2
• Cooper's hawk  x1
• Red tailed hawk  x2
• Beagle  x2
• Great horned owl  x1
• Marsh wren  x5
• and an assortment of ducks of varying hues . . . 

If you haven't yet, do a count in your yard or where you Bird. For info on how to do one go to  http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc  and have a little Birding fun.

Also today

• Merlin in tree top along Priest road in NW Sequim.
• Merlin in vicinity of Carrie Blake Park.
• Kestrel on wire along Old Olympic hiway in vicinity of Agnew store.

Fourth Post 2.14.13

Dungeness Bay & Dungeness Landing ~2pm

• Lincoln sparo [x4].
• Savannah sparo [x2].
• Myrtle [Yellow rumped] warbler [x3].
• Audubon's [Yellow rumped] warbler [x4].
• King & Queen fishers [x5].
• Merlin [x1]; this was a very light plumed bird [Prairie?]; it came in low from the E across the tideflats, made a darting but not serious pass at a horde of Dunlin, then flew on W out of sight over Cline's Spit.
• Peale's peregrine [x1] sat in a snag off the W end of the mouth at Dungeness River.
• Beagles / 11 adults and 16 juvys were in the area; there was a lot of interaction between adults and younger birds; several times these interactions got physical with adults pummeling a juvy.
• Red tailed hawk [x4] / a lot of talking between what appeared to be pairs.
• Harrier / 6 females, 2 males working the area from back along the river, across the tide flats, and out over Graveyard Spit.
• Great blue heron [x13] / several birds working the tide flats, but the rest were on the S face of Graveyard Spit resting, preening, and doing the heron stand.
• Waterbirds were the usual kind: however there was a pair of Black scoter off Cline's Islet - this was the only unusual waterbird sighting.
• Ring billed gull [x1] wandering the tideflats looking for edible tidbits W in the cove at Cline's Spit along with Mew gulls.
• Oddly, there were no loons on the bay.
• Except for a few Horned, grebes were also absent.
• Shorebirds were of the Black bellied plover, Dunlin, and Sanderling kind; nothing else.

At dusk in the marshes SE of 3 Crabs

• T'was a four owl dusk: the 3 Crab's Snowy was perched on roof peak of the little cabin at end of Pettitt lane; Barns [x2] were hunting grass fields; a Short ear was working the same area as the Barns but at a higher elevation; and a Great horned was talking GHO talk back in the woods along the river.
• 117 Trumpeter and 5 Tundra swans came in from the W to Les Jones' marsh for their overnight gathering.
• Brant! This was odd. Nine geese flew E to W over the marsh, then turned NW over Abernathy road flying out towards the mouth of Dungeness river; they were very noisy. Why odd? Cuz Brant are rare away from their home on the water where they fly low and stay off shore. 
• Virginia rail [x1] talking kadicka kadick. . .  sounding like two rocks with cracks clack-scraping  together. 
• Flicker hybrid / this bird showed a red malar and a thin red bandanna nape. 

Third Post 2.13.13

Out in the netherlands of the far west at Neah Bay, Bruce Paige notes this interesting tale between gull and eagle: An adult plucked a first cycle Glaucous winged gull out of the air and, carrying the struggling bird, flew to the tide line with it, landed, and after a scuffle left the gull and went aloft. The Beagle circled the gull, stooped on it several times, but the gull dodged each pass. The gull either couldn't or wouldn't take flight. The Beagle finally left the gull and flew into the conifers at the edge of the shoreline. The gull made it's way to water, and swam out beyond the waves. The Beagle continued to sit, watching.

Also in the Neah Bay area were: Purple finch, Red crossbill [type 3 & 10], Western meadowlark [x1 / a rare bird here], Thayer's gull, Western gull, California gull, Herring gull, Killdeer in several large flocks, and the usual suspects of the water-assortment kind.

Second Post 2.12.13

• Coming from Nash's carrot fields, 128 Trumpeter swans flew over Dungeness in nine separate flocks at dusk, landing in Les Jones' marsh. There were also seven Tundra swans in two groups that came over and went into the marsh - they were talking all the way in.
• Martha, the Anatum peregrine who's been here all winter, was on her perch-snag this evening in the Dungeness marsh area SE of 3 Crabs. She sat there unabashed with what looked like a peep in her talons. 
• Off Port Williams this afternoon there was an assortment of birds: Ancient murrelet, Marbled murrelet, Guillemots, Pelagic cormies, DC cormies, Bufflehead, Common goldeneye, Eared grebe, Horned grebe, Red necked grebe, Western grebe, Common loon, Pacific loon, a possible Yellow billed loon way out there, Brant, American and several Eurasian wigeon, Oldsquaw [Long tailed duck], Greater scaup, Surf scoter, White winged scoter, Red breasted merganser, Glaucous winged gull, Olympic gull, Mew gull, Ring billed gull, Common murre, Rhinos, and Western gull were all doing their thing.
• Marsh wrens are beginning to challenge each other. Territorial singing has begun in earnest even tho breeding is still a few months away.
• Virginia rail [x3] were calling at dusk in the marshes SE of 3 Crabs.
• Barn owl [x3] and Short eared owl [x1] were seen at dusk over the same marshes. Two Great horned owls were calling from the woods back along the Dungeness river in Dungeness. This pair is nesting in an old Beagle [Bald eagle] nest back along the river; by now she should be sitting on eggs.
• Myrtle [Yellow rumped] and Townsend warbler continue to be seen in the central area of Dungeness and along the face of Dungeness Bay feeding through deciduous trees.

First Post 2.11.13

A female Bullock's oriole has been visiting a backyard feeder in the vicinity of Marine Dr. and Thornton Dr. Considering that it's many months early, it seems to be sustaining itself on suet and sunflower seeds. Also, it's possible that this bird has been in the area since early January as a bird described as '... yellowish, with gray belly and wing-bars was at the feeder but . . . '   

Photo by Dow Lambert