Big Winner in WA +3 Lifers!!

Holy cow!!! What a springtime trip to Washington state I just had!!! Considering I was just there in October 2016 and got no life birds. This time, I had to do something different, and I thought what about spring migration? I've never been to WA in the springtime. So hopefully some better weather and better BIRDS.  I did just that, +3 new life birds.

This blog post will be about the new life birds I saw, and the next post will be more about the trip, places visited, food, and many first of year birds/second look lifers.

First things first, time to hunt for that damn Red-breasted Sapsucker, again.  I've tried the last two times in the fall visiting, but no luck. This time I went back to Juanita Bay State park, walked around, looked up at the trees, asked some fellow birders in the park, then . . . .

Red-breasted Sapsucker

ABA Life bird #587

Hollow tree near hole

The Red-breasted Sapsucker is a denizen of the coniferous forests of the northern Pacific Coast, usually found at middle or lower elevations. Food consists of sap, fruit, arthropods. Nest in cavity in dead tree or dead
branch. No nest material added to cavity.






















Success!!  This day is starting to shape up. Now back to the house to pickup Cara and enjoy this beautiful sunny weather in Seattle. It doesn't happen that often. Let's see if I can make it a twofer life bird day. So we headed over to Commodore Park/Ballard area to search the water locks that feed water from Salamon bay into Lake Union.  There at the park down in the locks . . . .

Barrow's Goldeneye

ABA Life bird #588

looking west

looking east towards Lake Union

Male with crescent-shaped white spot on face.

A medium-sized black-and-white diving duck, the Barrow's Goldeneye was originally described from a population living in Iceland. It is, however, primarily a duck of the western mountains of North America.

Yeah!!! This trip is already a success, and I've been here less than 24 hours and I'm +2. So now what?? Well we spent Saturday/Sunday up at Friday Harbor Island/Ferry ride. So the next post will have more about that trip and new trip birds seen.

Now we are back in Seattle, it's Monday 24th, and I leave for home at 6am the next day. It is another sunny day, where to??? I suggested to go up to Edmunds to bird at the marsh and waterfront, like I always do when I visit Seattle. I was looking for the Heermann's Gull, which I always see in the fall, but now in the spring, they are not there.  Scanning the Marina beach park, I'm seeing lots of Eared Grebes, Western Grebes when up pop these two little guys . . . what the what??

Marbled Murrelets, pair, ABA Life bird #589

Wow, I've looked for these guys in the fall, but guess what?? Springtime and full breeding plumage is the best time.  A chunky Pacific seabird, the Marbled Murrelet is unique among alcids (puffin relatives) in nesting high up in large trees in coastal forests. Little-known until the past few decades, it now is thought to be seriously threatened by logging. Small plump waterbird. Short, pointed bill. Short, pointed tail. Breeding adult sooty brown on upperparts, mottled brown on underparts. The Marbled Murrelet usually nests in trees greater than 200 years in age.

So at that, my trip was complete.  Three new life birds and I am happy!!! I want to thank my friends for giving me a reason to travel the county and letting me BIRD every time I'm in Washington.

Next up:  Washington trip round up