Marian and I got out birding a bit on both Saturday and Sunday of this weekend. Saturday was a day to drive through some of eastern Pierce County, to see some new roads and explore locally. Maybe my favorite spot was a wooded wetland near Kreger Lake. I have been to Kreger Lake at the overlook lots of times, and nearby Silver Lake a few times, but had never driven down the dead end road that is the turn east just before going straight on the dead end road to the overlook at Kreger Lake. It is a road through a wooded wetland, and though nothing rare was seen, it was very quiet, birdy and a nice place to just check out. The day prior I heard my FOY Willow Flycatcher, but here at least 4 WIFL were singing and perching in plain sight.
Here is the same bird just after taking flight.
At the same place Swainson’s Thrushes were singing and giving peek-a-boo looks.
Cedar Waxwings were all over the place. It’s amazing that 10 days ago CEWA were hard to find. Not they are everywhere.
Yesterday we drove to Camano Island, to visit Marian’s youngest sister. This gave me a chance to pad my Island County list. By far my favorite place of the day was Iverson Beach where a trail starts at the parking lot, up to an overlook of the bay, then along the dike, through a mixed forest, and back through a marshy area. It even has a “Hobbit Trail.”
Almost as soon as I got on the viewing platform I picked a Parasitic Jaeger out in the distance on the water, and we got to watch it harass Caspian Terns and show off its tail chase stuff. I had not really birded Island County except in the winter. A few years prior Kay and I spent a weekend on Whidby Island in mid winter. My county list going into yesterday was 75 species, and now stands at 109. Low hanging fruit for sure, but the PAJA along with calling Red Crossbills, an Osprey, and just a nice variety of common species made for a great morning of birding.
Overall easy birding, good weather, and a nice 2-day stretch of birding. Today it is steady rain so far. I missed the Eared Grebes that were seen yesterday at Dune’s Peninsula on a quick check after getting up.
I did publish The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #61 with Stefan Schlick today. Another fun episode to record, as Stefan is smart and super nice.
Good Birding.