Meet Leader Barbara at the Saltwater State Park parking lot, near the restrooms, at 8:30 AM
We return around Noon.
Please call 206-241-3201 and reserve a spot.
Highlights from our December bird walk
There were seven birders assembled on a mostly dry morning. Highlights included sighting six, or more, Common Loons with one that still retained most of its breeding plumage. A female Red-breasted Merganser was swimming and foraging close to the shore. With the spotting scope, there were views of a Red-necked Grebe, smaller Horned Grebes and some colorful Surf Scoters.
Next, a male Pileated Woodpecker flew in to work on a tree near the main beach trail and stayed long enough that everybody could get a good peek. Two vocal Anna's Hummingbirds chased by rapidly while another displayed, flying straight up high above and swooping down in a J-dive with a loud chirp at the end. Interesting fact; the sound is actually made by the shape of their tales in an animal version of a sonic boom.
A Belted Kingfisher was flying over the water, no doubt looking for food, and was spotted again later perched in a tree. At the end of the hiking trail a large group containing both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets were found foraging through shrubbery together. Earlier in the day, a participant asked about seeing Harlequin ducks and, funnily enough, a pair was noticed in the North with their highly distinctive plumage pattern.
