Tag Archive for 'gadwall'

Oh no! It’s a miserable wet rainy morning, and Ramblin’ Rose is off to southwest Washington for another birding adventure. It’s September, a time in the Northwest for guaranteed crisp, clear, blue days. But this year, the fall has been temperamental with record rainfalls. The weather was so horrendous, two clients had even declined to get out of bed. But the rest of us took a deep breath, loaded up, and headed south. The rains only increased; hydroplaning and peering hopelessly through the dark,  I white-knuckled the van down the highway.

Our first stop for coffee was shocking, as the darkness had lightened to a dim gray and the torrential downpour had slowed to a fine mist. Our spirits were quickly lifted with caffeine and daybreak. Entering Grayland, we were greeted by the sight of a Common Loon FLYING above the tree tops paralleling the road. We cheered for it to lift its heavy body above the trees, wires, and road as it struggled on its southern migration.

We arrived at K street, and a quick scan produced a Whimbrel, a Common Tern, several species of gulls, and oddly enough a Turkey Vulture on the beach feasting on a young gull – the victim of some unknown crime. The wind and rain were still blowing in our faces, so we continued along to Tokeland. The sight of a flock of Western Scrubjays pulled us to the side of the road. Highly unusual to see such a species in this area. Upon our arrival at the marina in Tokeland the winds had calmed and within 50 feet of our scopes and binocs was an enormous group of Marbled Godwits, their blushing rufuous plumage, glowing under the pale gray sky. We intensely scanned the group and revealed a lone Bar-tailed Godwit a few feet away from a singular Willet. The rarity of the Bar-tail encouraged everyone and the enjoyment level began to rise. We meandered about the dock, picking up a few more species till the call of the tide forced us to move back north.

Midway Beach was our next destination, and as we ventured along the small lane I rolled down the windows to enjoy the sun breaking through the leaden sky. A fortunate choice, as a cacophony of sound rolled into the van. Halting in the middle of the rarely-traveled lane, we piled out of the van. Every tree, branch, shrub, and inch of ground was covered with an immense mixed feeding flock. Flashes of color and sound filled the morning – Red-breasted Nuthatches giggled, Fox Sparrows ticked, and Pacific Wrens burst forth with liquid song. Townsend’s Warblers brightened the willows, Chestnut-backed Chickadees and Golden-crowned Kinglets were the sopranos of the choir. There was life at every level celebrating the departure of the rains. We enjoyed the repast till again the call of a high tide pushed us to move.

Arriving at Midway Beach, we cautiously approached two Teal dabbling in the pools of water behind the dunes. Unwilling to bump the feeding birds, I encouraged the group to slow and stop. A moment passed till we realized that in addition to the two Green-winged Teals, there were approximately two THOUSAND ducks feeding in the shallow waters a few yards south of these tiny dabblers. Talk about not seeing the forest for the trees! Northern Pintail and American Wigeon composed the bulk of the group. A lone Baird’s Sandpiper graced the landscape in front of the murmuring flock. Two Northern Harriers pulled our attention from the waterfowl and reminded us again of the incoming tide. As we were preparing to depart a flock of White-fronted Geese saluted us from on high.

Off to Westport to relax and enjoy lunch. Perched above Gray’s Harbor, our food was overshadowed by the amazing birds surrounding us. Brown Pelicans traced calligraphy against the sky, now warm and bright with sunshine. We followed their graceful flights as they rose in unison over imaginary waves. All three species of cormorant put on a show of diving, hunting, flying, and silently perching nearby. The beauty of Heerman’s Gulls was not lost on anyone. Large, dramatic Western Gulls coursed the sky above the rounded puppy dog faces of Harbor Seals peering above the waves. Polishing off the last brownie we tore ourselves away from the spectacle to head to Bottle Beach.

This new state park is usually a delight for birders, and today was no exception. As we strolled along the boardwalk, Virginia Rail, Common Yellowthroats, and Marsh Wrens called from the wetlands. Several species of sparrows sounded the alert as we neared the beach. Once on the beach we were astonished and pleased by the large rafts of waterfowl littering the shallow bay. Northern Shoveler, Black, White-winged and Surf Scoter, Gadwall, Mallard, Scaup and yes, even more Northern Pintail and American Wigeon. It did not seem possible that this many birds could find this sanctuary, but they had and so had we. Reluctantly, we tore ourselves away from the wondrous flotilla as the trip back to Seattle was long distance and the afternoon was quickly waning. Our slow pace back to the van was rewarded with large numbers of Purple Finch, a stunning Western Scrub-jay, American Goldfinch, and a gaggle of female Red-winged Blackbirds. As we paused to watch the wealth of the wetlands, the sky – which had been so warm and blue throughout our birding adventure -  quickly darkened once again and descended upon us. The returning rains reminded us of how the day began. We were promised pre-dawn misery, but the day had delivered magic, and now it was time to return home.