Field Trip Reports 2001

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2001/11/23 Wilson Cady led a field trip to Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

2001/07/29 Brian Bell led a trip to Whidbey Island

2001/06/02 Mark Houston  and Ken Knittle led a trip to Ferry County

2001/05/05 Ruth and Patrick Sullivan's trip to the Ocean Shores-Brady Area

2001/04/08 Andy Stepniewski's Western Columbia Basin trip

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November 17, 2001 Wilson Cady led 3 birders to Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, with additional birding made at Steigerwald NWR and the Washougal STP in Clark Co. We encountered a total of 92 species, and had an enjoyable time birding the first part of the day away from the evident dense fog at most locations, by birding at Steigerwald NWR and the Washougal STP, with gained access by Wilson who led us all through the entire complex for 3 hours, before heading west to Vancouver Lake, Lower River Rd., then the last part of the day spent birding the driving loop along the River S Unit of Ridgefield NWR. Our best highlight for the time of year and for the location were 8 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS observed along Lower River Rd., just west of Vancouver Lake flying north towards Sauvie Island to the northwest, so these birds may remain for some time, if they do linger. In general good numbers of raptors were seen at most locations, including Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, and American Kestrel in that abundance order. Waterfowl numbers seemed somewhat low, except for fairly sizable flocks of at least 5 subspecies of Canada Goose, including several "Dusky" Canada Geese noted along Lower River Rd. A list of our highlights at selected locations and times follows.  Washougal STP/Steigerwald NWR 8:45am-11:45am: 8 Great Egrets, 100+ Tundra Swans (observed flying in from the east, while we all enjoyed smoked salmon sandwiches from Wilson on Steigerwald NWR, presumably birds from the wintering Franz Lake population in nearby Skamania Co. These bird circled overhead several time before separate parts of the flock headed west, while other headed back east), 9 Greater-White-fronted Geese, 1 Snow Goose, 1 male Wood Duck, 1 pair of Eurasian Wigeon, 1 Lesser Scaup, 1 Ruddy Duck, 1 adult Peregrine Falcon, 4 Greater Yellowlegs, 4 Least Sandpipers, 2 Dunlin, 4 Long-billed Dowitcher, 2 Common Snipe, 1 Great Horned Owl, 2 Hairy Woodpeckers, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 40+ American Pipits, 1 adult Northern Shrike, 5 Lincoln's Sparrows, 2 Western Meadowlarks.  Vancouver STP 12:30pm: 270+ Ring-necked Ducks, 2 Greater Scaup, 16 Lesser Scaup, 21 Ruddy Ducks, 1 adult Cooper's Hawk. Vancouver Lake/Lower River Rd. 12:40pm-2:30pm: 1 Common Loon, 13 Western Grebes, 8 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, 3 Great Egrets, 27 Tundra Swans, 1 Merlin, 1 adult Peregrine Falcon, 1 Ring-necked Pheasant, 6 Sandhill Cranes, 1 Bonaparte's Gull, 17 Western Meadowlarks. River S Unit of Ridgefield NWR 3:10pm-4:30pm: 16 Great Egrets, 58+ Tundra Swans, 10 CINNAMON TEAL (perhaps if conditions remain mild, relatively good numbers may remain through the winter at this location, being a normally abundant breeder, but very scarce late fall-early spring visitor), 3 Canvasbacks, 1 immature light-morph Rough-legged Hawk, 1 Ring-necked Pheasant, 1 White-breasted Nuthatch, 6+ Savannah Sparrows, 4 Lincoln's Sparrows, 6 Purple Finches.

July 29, 2001 Brian Bell led a trip to Whidbey Island. We arrived at Crockett Lake about 7:45 and initially scanned the west side of the lake in company with Stuart McKay. Under cloudy skies we had many, many shorebirds (probably several hundred), primarily peeps in view. Mostly WESTERN and LEAST SANDPIPERS. Most of these birds were in very nice plumage and provided good studies. There were at least three SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS - two juveniles and one adult. A sprinkling of  yellowlegs were also present. Next we went around to the east side of the lake and got very close views of the shorebirds at that location. We had probably 50 dowitchers, approximately 40 LONG-BILLED and 10 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, including one very bright, crisp juvenile. Gave great comparisons. Both GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS were around, again great comparisons. At both locations there were quite a few SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS. The east side also had a good collection of WESTERN and LEAST SANDPIPERS, and at least one SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. There was at least one BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER present and at least one PECTORAL SANDPIPER. At that point all the shorebirds went into the air, circled and when they returned the black-bellied and pectoral were not in sight. We stopped at Fort Casey SP and had a good variety of passerines including: BROWN CREEPER, CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE, PURPLE FINCH, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, SPOTTED TOWHEE and SWAINSON'S THRUSH. Down by the bluff we picked up PIGEON GUILLEMOT, RHINOCEROS AUKLET, COMMON MURRE and MARBLED MURRELET. At Penn Cove we had WHITE-WINGED and SURF SCOTER. A most enjoyable day, with about 62 species, and lots of great views and comparisons. All birds seen: Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Mallard, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier - female, Red-tailed Hawk, Ring-necked Pheasant, Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Long-billed Dowitcher, Bonaparte's Gull, Heermann's Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Caspian Tern, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, Marbled Murrelet, Rhinoceros Auklet, Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, Great Horned Owl, Hummingbird sp., Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Willow Flycatcher, American Crow, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Barn Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Marsh Wren, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Common Yellowthroat, Spotted Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin.

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June 2, 2001 - Mark Houston and Ken Knittle's trip to Ferry County.  We began at 5:45 waiting for the Keller Ferry. Lake Roosevelt was it's normal with little birdlife. Our 1'st destination was Swawilla Basin where one bird led us to another until we had seen or heard quite a few species. Birds of note here were: Canyon Wren, Turkey Vulture, Brewer's Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat. Second destination was Silver Creek Rd. where a pair of White-headed Woodpeckers were in the same area as 1994. Third destination was north along the Sanpoil River--one of Washington's finest birding destinations in June and home to lots of Veeries with few showing themselves. Bobolinks were also in their field just a few miles south of Republic and a quick flyby of White-throated Swifts. Fourth destination were Sanpoil Lake(mill pond) and Curlew Lake. (Here I left the group as I needed to head for home for work the next early morning)

Birds seen:

Red-necked Grebe---Sanpoil Lake Canada Goose Green-winged Teal Mallard Blue-winged Teal--Sanpoil Lake Cinnamon Teal--Sanpoil Lake American Wigeon Common Merganser Turkey Vulture Osprey Red-tailed Hawk American Kestrel Ring-necked Pheasant Ruffed Grouse with young California Quail Killdeer Spotted Sandpiper Common Snipe Mourning Dove Vaux's Swift White-throated Swift Rufous Hummingbird Belted Kingfisher Lewis's Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker White-headed Woodpecker Northern Flicker Western Wood-Pewee Willow Flycatcher Dusky Flycatcher--Swawilla Basin Pacific-slope Flycatcher Say's Phoebe Western Kingbird Eastern Kingbird Tree Swallow Violet-green Swallow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Bank Swallow--Sanpoil Lake Cliff Swallow Barn Swallow Clark's Nutcracker (approx. 50 birds Silver Creek Rd. in one large flock) Black-billed Magpie American Crow Common Raven Black-capped Chickadee Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Rock Wren Canyon Wren House Wren Dipper Western Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Veery American Robin Gray Catbird Cedar Waxwing Starling Cassin's Vireo Warbling Vireo Orange-crowned Warbler Nashville Warbler Yellow Warbler American Redstart--heard only Northern Waterthrush--heard only Common Yellowthroat Wilson's Warbler Yellow-breasted Chat Western Tanager Black-headed Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Spotted Towhee Chipping Sparrow Brewer's Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Lark Sparrow Song Sparrow Bobolink Red-winged Blackbird Western Meadowlark Brewer's Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Bullock's Oriole Cassin's Finch Pine Siskin American Goldfinch

Notice NO HOUSE SPARROWS---That's tough in Ferry County

Ken Knittle, Gold Bar xenops@msn.com

May 5, 2001 - Ruth and Patrick Sullivan's trip to the Ocean Shores-Brady Area

There were a total of 6 total participants, as we carpooled in two vehicles. We encountered fairly great weather during most of the day, with partly to mostly sunny skies, despite a few morning rain showers, and constant moderate wind throughout the day, but we still managed to observe a total of 126 species for the day, and 230 miles of driving, as we visited most of the good birding locations along our route consisting of the Brady Loop Rd. complex, Hoquiam Sewage Treatment Plant, and the general Oceans Shores area. Good numbers of shorebirds were observed at most locations, starting at the Hoquiam STP, then continuing throughout Ocean Shores. The main highlight of the day was at the end of our trip, where we located 3 SANDHILL CRANES in a grassy field along Brady Loop Rd., found and located by Dave Hayden, as we checked this location twice during the day, for additional species, and scouting purposes. In addition, we had additional notable species at several of the main birding locations, despite the constant wind.

We started out along Foster Rd. at 7:15am, and continued along the west portion of Brady Loop Rd., as we checked many of the open fields, and exposed wetlands, where a short drive produced the following highlights:

18 WHIMBREL, 2 Black-bellied Plovers, 60 Least Sandpipers

At the Hoquiam S.T.P., we scoped the pond, and fields at the east end of the airport, where we managed to get fairly good numbers of waterfowl, and other species including both Scaups, 6 Ruddy Ducks, 3 male Cinnamon Teal, 2 BONAPARTE'S GULLS, 30 Vaux's Swifts, and 7+ Northern Rough-winged Swallows

Next, we took a short walk through Ocean City S.P., just north of Ocean Shores, where a good several songbirds species were heard and seen including 8 Black-throated Gray Warblers, and 12 Orange-crowned Warblers, in addition to a AM. BITTERN that was flushed out of the marshy wetland within the park. Just south of the park boundaries, we took another short walk, this time again for more songbirds along a trail in from Hwy.115, where notable species included 3 pair of Wood Ducks, 2 Pacific-slope Flycatchers, 1 Varied Thrush, 1 Hutton's Vireo, 1 singing Townsend's Warbler, and 1 MacGillivray's Warbler

At 10am, we arrived at Ocean Shores, where our first stop was made at the Ocean Shores Golf Course, where we were able to locate the following highlights that included 110 GREATER-WHITE FRONTED GEESE (with only one grounded bird, as the remaining birds were flyovers.), 1 female Taiga MERLIN, and 1 Marbled Godwit.

Next, along Marine View Drive, just west of Damon Point, along the east section of the Ocean Shores Game Range, we found our first diverse flock of shorebirds at approaching high tide, that contained the following:

10 Greater Yellowlegs, 4 Whimbrel, 34 Western Sandpipers, 7 Least Sandpipers, 78 Dunlin, 28 Short-billed Dowitchers

At the Ocean Shores Jetty, we were fortunate to have the sun to our backs for good viewing, but winds were still very persistent, but most of us were able to locate the most notable highlights that included 1 SOOTY SHEARWATER, 25 Black Brant, 1 WANDERING TATTLER, 3 Ruddy Turnstones, 17 Black Turnstones, 6 SURFBIRDS, 1 ROCK SANDPIPER, 23 RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, 1 first-year THAYER'S GULL, 3 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, and 6 MARBLED MURRELET.

Next, we checked the Ocean Shores S.T.P., where a flock of 11 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were tallied, later joined by 7 more for a total of 18 birds, among 12 Least Sandpipers, and 2 Dunlin. A quick walk behind the sewage ponds at high tide provided a fairly good looks at several gull species, as they roosted on an exposed sand spit, a flock of 20 offshore Black Brant, including a single BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, then a nearby shorebird flock that contained 22 Semipalmated Plovers, 8 Sanderling, and  2 Western Sandpipers.

At Bill's Spit at outgoing tide, where we ran into several birders, where an extensive study and count of the shorebirds, and associating gull flocks consisted of the following numbers of notable species:

18 Semipalmated Plovers, 5 Whimbrel, 37 Marbled Godwits, 2 Black Turnstones, 36 RED KNOTS, 735 Western Sandpipers, 6 Least Sandpipers, 158 Dunlin, 78 Short-billed Dowitchers, 7 gull species, including 1 second-winter HERRING GULL, and 38 BONAPARTE'S GULLS, and 8 Caspian Terns.

We later walked to the Damon Point "pond", where birding was fairy slow, as far as adding any additional species, but good numbers of offshore waterfowl north of Damon Point were noted, in addition to watching a immature PEREGRINE FALCON harassing a large flock of "peeps", at the pond, then later scattered the entire fllock to the north, leaving only a few shorebirds to remain along the edges of the pond, as we walked it, with a total of 28 Semipalmated Plovers noted a two locations on Damon Point, 60 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, 8 Black Brant, and a pair of Horned Larks on breeding grounds, with greats looks at one bird.

Next, our final walk of the day was made at the east portion of the Ocean Shores Game Range, just west of the base of Damon Point, where the best highlight was 8 Ruddy Turnstones, and 2 Black Turnstones, in addition to more of the same shorebird species mentioned previously.

At the close of our birding day, before heading back to Brady Loop Rd., we checked a few birding location that we have noted in past visits, as we added a few additional species in the Ocean Shores area, including an adult Cooper's Hawk, and 2 pair of Bushtits.

At Montesano, our only Am. Kestrel of the day was noted, along Hwy.12, and a single Osprey on it's annual nest site along Hwy.12 was observed, being 1 of 2 birds for the day.

At the Brady Loop Rd., we mainly scoped the extensive wetland at the west portion of the loop, with more time spent than the morning visit, mainly watching the 3 SANDHILL CRANES, (being rather late for the season, reminding us of the lone injured bird that we relocated on "our" Birdathon last year on the 20th of May, that was originally present along Brady Loop Rd., but at a different location) in an unplowed field, after Dave Hayden found them foraging, then we quickly scoped them out, along with other species that included 1 AM. BITTERN, 6 Wood Ducks, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 4 Virginia Rails, 2 Sora, 1 Greater Yellowlegs, 5 Whimbrel, 7 Least Sandpipers, and 3 Long-billed Dowitcher.

This field trip was fairly rewarding throughout the day at most locations, with the most diversity at the Ocean Shores Jetty, and Bill's Spit, in addition with the latter sight offering the best looks at most shorebirds, including the Red Knots (being our only location for this species of the day) and gulls, considering the tidal conditions, but our best bird of the day, being the 3 Sandhill Cranes came at the end of our trip, making that sighting special and very worthwhile, despite not being an extreme rarity, but it is a good county bird, and a notable seasonal date for the region.

Other non-birding notable observations included dragonflies (2 CALIFORNIA DARNERS at two locations, with 1 at the base of Damon Point, and the other along Fairwood Drive, east of Ocean Shores, being both found in the afternoon, as it warmed up) and also, good numbers of Harbor Seals observed at several locations within Grays Harbor. 

April 8, 2001 Andy Stepniewski's Western Columbia Basin trip

WOS members met at Thorp west of Ellensburg to canvas the various habitats in the western Columbia Basin. We were thwarted at our first stop at Robinson Canyon, at the east base of the Cascades, where a WDFW barricade seemed to mean business. I've since learned the road in Robinson Canyon has washed out; I wasn't able to find out when it will be opened. Everyone had good views of a confiding Townsend's Solitaire, though, so I didn't feel the time here was all for naught.

We then headed east through Kittitas, birding the open fields. As usual there were lots of raptors. Along one fence line, we had great scope views of an adult Bald Eagle and 2 Rough-legged Hawks and a few minutes later a busy Long-billed Curlew. We also had a dark Rough-leg. We were off to a good start!

Though winds were up and down on the approaches to and in the shrub-steppe of the Quilomene Wildlife Area, we were still able to get good views of Sage Thrashers, Mountain Bluebirds, and Brewer's and Sage Sparrows. We had a "heard" Vesper Sparrow, too, but it didn't show itself. There were a good number of showy wildflowers about; memorable were Sage Violets, several Lomatiums, and Sage Buttercups.

At the overlook of the Columbia at Ginkgo State Park, there were close studies of breeding plumaged Horned Grebes. Pied-billed and Western Grebes were also seen. A few observers saw White-throated Swifts zoom by, too.

At Sentinel Gap, where the Columbia flows through the imposing basaltic ramparts of the Saddle Mountains, we had wonderful, if distant views of a Golden Eagle perched atop a spire. Drifting by us on the river were Common Loons, one in breeding plumage. Numbers of Violet-green Swallows were seen nearby, close to the water, probably on account of the cold and wind.

Along Lower Crab Creek, were skunked at the usually reliable owl roosts. In Russian Olives there, one is usually able to roust Great Horned or Long-eared Owls. These groves seemed mostly birdless; I wondered if the fall and winter berry extravaganza had run its course, hence the birds had little to eat here and had moved on. Farther along the base of the Saddle Mountains, we did get good looks at Loggerhead Shrike, a common species here, probably because of the abundance of Greasewood shrubs. We heard the cacklings of Chukars on the distant talus slopes, but could never find one. A Great Horned Owl hooted briefly, though it was midday. Also obliging was another Golden Eagle, a number of harriers, Red-tailed Hawk, and kestrels. There were a few White-throated Swifts flying about the cliffs here, but oddly no Cliff Swallows, yet.

Eastward on Lower Crab Creek, I must have been paying too much attention to driving, as I cruised by at least 2,000 Sandhill Cranes! Sharp-eyed Jeff Swift, in the last car, had alerted his car to this spectacle, though at first they wondered if the field in the distance was full of gray boulders! This roosting site was about 1 mile east of Smryna, an impressive little village along Crab Creek. By and by, we returned, and admired the dancing cranes ourselves. The movement of 20,000-25,000 Lesser Sandhill Crane through Othello each spring surely must be one of Washington's ornithological highlights.

Finally, the last stop was at the Para Ponds northwest of Othello. These ponds were full of waterbirds. Eared Grebe, Black-necked Stilt, and Yellow-headed Blackbirds were all showing themselves off. Waterfowl were about in good numbers and diversity, including Ruddy Ducks, mostly having attained breeding plumage.

Then it was back to Ellensburg, arriving there about 5:30 PM.

Species observed:

Common Loon, Pied-billed Grebe, Horned Grebe, Eared Grebe, Western Grebe, Canada Goose, Green-winged Teal, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Golden Eagle, American Kestrel, Prairie Falcon - chasing blackbird flocks, Chukar, Ring-necked Pheasant, California Quail, American Coot, Sandhill Crane, Killdeer, Black-necked Stilt, Long-billed Curlew, Common Snipe, Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, Great Horned Owl, White-throated Swift, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Say's Phoebe, Horned Lark, Violet-green Swallow, Black-billed Magpie, American Crow, Common Raven, Black-capped Chickadee, Canyon Wren, Marsh Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Mountain Bluebird, Townsend's Solitaire, American Robin, Sage Thrasher, Loggerhead Shrike, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Brewer's Blackbird, Vesper Sparrow, Sage Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, and House Sparrow