Tag: grouse chicks

Jefferson County Birding Today

Distant Seattle skyline as seen from the north overlook on Mt. Walker today. If you look closely you can see the space needle.

Ken and I spent a very nice day today in Jefferson County, WA birding primarily inland areas in hopes of adding to our meager county life lists. We had a number of highlights, but seeing chicks of two grouse species had to be near the top. This Ruffed Grouse chick was seen after a passing pickup truck driver told us about a “Ruffed-neck Grouse with chicks” just behind us on the road while we were trying to locate a tough-ID flycatcher.

Newly hatched Ruffed Grouse chick seen on Lord’s Lake Loop Road.

Shortly later on the drive up to Mt. Walker we came upon this Sooty Grouse chick along with the mom and another chick ahead of us on the road.

Sooty Grouse chick

We had a really good day with empids, seeing this Willow Flycatcher, along with Hammonds and Pacific Slope Flycathers. All were in full song. We also added Olive-sided Flycatcher and Western Wood-pewee for a great flycatcher day.

Willow Flycatcher
Same bird just taking flight.

We did well with woodpeckers also, with Hairy Woodpecker and this Red-breasted Sapsucker.

Red-breasted Sapsucker.

We wrapped up the day with about 31 new Jefferson County species for our county lists.

Tomorrow I get together with Will Brooks to record an episode of The Bird Banter Podcast.

Good birding. Good day!