I spent most of the last week at Wapato Point in Manson, near Chelan on the lake. It was really hot, so decent birding was an early morning thing, and a drive up the very steep road to Chelan Butte was a highlight. FOY Dusky Grouse, Gray Flycatcher, and many Lewis’s Woodpeckers were highlights. The really steep road was fun to drive both up and down, and the vistas were stunning. So the grouse makes Best Bird of the Last Week for me. How about you? Tell the club about your best bird of the last week in a comment below. Good birding!
A Merlin made 5 passes at the 2000 swifts entering the big stack at JBLM tonight! Was not successful, but the Tiegers saw him catch one last night! Besides the couple of thousand swifts putting on a great show, this just added to the excitement. Who needs TV? Adam and I were smiling all the way home.
A covey of 7 California Quail at Edmond Marsh in DuPont, a personal favorite spot. Of late I’ve been doing more bike riding (with binoculars) than bird walking, easier on the knees! I combine a ride around Edmond Marsh, breaking off at the western end where the Sequalitchew Creek outflows from the marsh (only seasonally anymore) into the ravine and old flume that goes thru a tunnel under Center Drive. As I was approaching the tunnel to head for a down & back along Sequalitchew Creek Trail, 7 California Quail crossed the bike path 30 ft in front of me for full, clear viewing. I often hear them in this immediate area and occasionally see 1 or 2, but I’ve never seen 7 at once…..a treat.
BTW, while we KNOW that they’re there all year, Pacific Wrens seem to go quiet (or quieter) and reclusive early in the summer. Occasionally I’ll hear or even see one, but not nearly as frequently as at other times of year. Over the last 2-3 days I’m again hearing them more frequently……fall is coming!
Yesterday in Kitsap County had first of year Short-billed Dowitcher, 1, and 6 Red-necked Phalaropes. 2 year birds in 1 day, won’t happen often this time of year
Sweet. Let’s see what we get in Mason Thursday.