robsbigyear2019.com

Still having internet problems here! It won’t let me add photographs!!! I’ll catch up with that in Westport. First, I forgot to add Harlequin Duck (505) yesterday seen just feet off the beach at Fort Flagler. I got a good picture of one today at Ediz Hook here in Port Angeles. This morning I added Northwestern Crow (507) from the hotel parking lot and there were more on the waterfront. Supposedly out here, these are countable. I can always go to La Push and get some indisputable pure ones.

Then it was up the mountain to Olympic National Park. I am told the scenery up there is spectacular but I will have to take their word for it. Hurricane Ridge live up to its namesake with howling wind, rain, and fog combining for poor birding conditions. I only needed two species up there: Sooty Grouse and Canada Jay. I parked in picnic area B past the Hurricane Ridge Visitor’s Center and walked around then waited an hour in the car. On my second walk I heard a jay. It flew out across the road and landed at the top of a spruce tree. Canada Jay! (508). It took searching in four states to find one but at last it is now on the list. I walked some other trails up there and drove the road slowly, but no grouse. I think I’ll give it another try tomorrow. In the Heart O’ the Hills Campground I looked for Pacific Wren and Varied Thrush but no luck.

In the afternoon I covered Ediz Hook, a long sand spit in Port Angeles. I somewhat unexpectedly found a Lapland Longspur (509), there isn’t much grassy habitat. In the bay, I plucked out a Horned Grebe (510) to bring the list to a nice round number. Tomorrow I have more waterbirds to round up, but most can be found elsewhere so not much pressure.

Today I picked up my car at the Seattle Airport late enough that I missed all rush hour traffic. I first went to a park along the road to Fort … ummmm…. I forget the name. I have to do this in the hotel lobby, the internet is not working in my room. (The above photo is my view.) I give up!! Any way, there were two alcids, and eventually they sat on the water side by side so I could see the differences clearly – one was Pigeon Guillemot and the other was Marbled Murrelet (504) (ABA 637) (World 2831).

The first thing you need to do here is straighten out the gulls.

Notice the pale wing tips and the pale mantel. This is a Glaucus-winged Gull (503). Compare it to this one:

Notice two things: the wing tips are black and there is streaking on the head and neck. This is a Western Gull/Glaucus-winged Gull hybrid. Gulls are bad enough without getting into hybrids. Tomorrow I think I’m going up to Olympic National Park. Will it take 4 states to get a Canada Jay?

I am now in the Great Pacific Northwest, where I have not set foot since my cross-country hitch-hiking trip in 1976, much of which is now just a blur. The weather is cool and overcast with rain imminent, as you would expect. Rather than pick up a car now and rush around and try to drive up to Port Angeles tonight, I booked a room here at the airport where I can watch some Sunday Night Football with cold beer and chips and relax.

One of the important things about being up here is not just all the new birds I’ll see but I am now in the heart of Sasquatch Country. I have a camera, I have good eyes, so I will be on the lookout. No Bigfoot you say? Take another look at The Patterson Film. Notice two important things. First, it walks with its knees bent. Can you do that? Second, you can see the bottom of its feet as it lifts them up, its feet are perpendicular to the ground. You and I don’t walk like that. It’s doing all this fancy walking over uneven terrain while looking backwards! I’ll have more on this as I explore the deep dark forest of the Olympic Peninsula.

The ride up from San Jose this afternoon was smooth and on time, with some great scenery:

Here’s more:

Originally I did not plan to chase Yellow-billed Magpie, thinking it would be too far out of my way. Then I found a place on eBird, Coyote Valley, that was just off Highway 101 on the way to San Jose. My flight didn’t leave until afternoon so there was plenty of time for a search. I first slowly drove down Laguna Avenue but didn’t see any. Instead, I found a large mixed flock of blackbirds, so I worked on close studies of Tricolored and “Bicolored” Blackbirds.

Down the next road, Palm Avenue, I saw some magpies in a field near the parking lot of the Coyote Canyon Open Space Park, but the lot was full, there was a special event today! And I needed the rest room! I drove down an adjacent back road and there they were, Yellow-billed Magpies (502).

I saw about 18 of them here. I’m glad I made the effort to get this bird, it is such an iconic species of Central California. This is the only place in the world you can see one.

Tomorrow morning I pick up a car and work my way around the back side of the Puget Sound up to the Port Townsend area to search for loons, grebes, gulls, waterfowl, and shorebirds, with an eye out for as-yet undescribed hominins.

Ring the church bells! Sound the sirens! Blow your horns from coast to coast. Today I saw my 500th species of bird in North America this year. It’s all over and in the bag. There was no suspense. There was no cliff hanger. There was – in fact – no doubt. But still it feels great. A goal I set last year is achieved. I had some doubts along the way. Back in April I had to schedule this trip just to make sure. And the naysayers and Doubting Thomases had their doubts too, as they always do, so you just have to prove them wrong. And so I did.

Here is today’s bird-by-bird instant replay for you. I started the day at Moss Landing State Beach, but there were no Red Knots to be seen, the tide was high, covering the salt flats. Next stop was nearby Moonglow Dairy, a dairy farm that generously allows birders to enter and bird away from their operations. The property abuts Elkhorn Slough so it’s valuable ornithologically. The first target was Tricolored Blackbird, found almost exclusively within the state of California. Only a few feet inside the gate was a multi-hundred flock of blackbirds, many of which were Tricolored (496). Four more to go. I drove farther in to search for Ruff but I couldn’t tell where to turn so rather than do something wrong and get us all kicked out for good, I retreated.

A few miles down the road is Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve where I hoped to get some land birds. The gate was still locked so I parked and walked down the road where I thought I heard some chickadees or titmice. A few feet down the road I found the first of several Oak Titmice (497). Three more to go. I chased a woodpecker that I thought might be Nutall’s but I never got a good look. Just above me I saw a chickadee, but not just any old average chickadee, but a Chestnut-backed Chickadee (498), my sixth chickadee for the year. Two more! Then on the edge of the grass alighted a California Towhee (499). People, I know these are not scintillating birds but they are all worth the same – one tick on the checklist! One more to go. The list is moving right along now, I’m racking them up, and the sanctuary hasn’t even opened yet. I think I can do it this morning. What will be number 500?

I met up with another group of birders, one of whom knew Moonglow Dairy and gave me exact directions to find the Ruff. That would make a good 500, a glamorous Code 3 rarity. Should I give up Nutall’s Woodpecker or California Thrasher or some other commoner and go straight for the gold? No! Don’t try to rig the big one, get as many as you can get now or you’ll be sorry, you will soon see.

As we approached a barn, the guy who knows the area said he once flushed a Barn Owl a few years ago. That would make a good 500! We looked in two barns but no owl. A few minutes down the trail I thought I saw what might be a Wrentit in the bushes. As I searched, the lady in front of me said: “I have a Wrentit.” A sure one in the bush is worth a maybe one in the bush any day. I searched, and there to my wondering eyes should appear, this little beauty:

Wrentit! Big Year number 500! Plain and drab??? This is a good bird, now classified as a Sylviidae, an Old World warbler. My little group of birders congratulated me, earning me recognition from my peers, the only thing that matters I say. I could now walk the trails totally relaxed and enjoy the present for a few minutes. After that brief moment of California nirvana, it was back to the smelly dairy. I easily found the turn (take the first left and hug the fence). I found a distant bird that was a good candidate for a Ruff but instead it was a Pectoral Sandpiper. The Ruff hasn’t been seen since the 9th. Good thing I didn’t leave Elkhorn Slough early. In the closest cattle pen I watched a Peregrine Falcon stoop on a pigeon and make contact. The bird hit the ground but was still walking. The peregrine wheeled around and pounced, pinning it to the ground.

A short struggle and it was all over. With a little more time left on the day I returned to Moss Landing and turned up one more bird – Surf Scoter (501), my first scoter of the year. And that concludes this year’s visit to Monterey. There are many more birds I need to see before the year is out, starting tomorrow. I found a place off Highway 101 on the way back to San Jose that looks promising for Yellow-billed Magpie, California’s only endemic bird. This Big Year West Coast Tour continues northbound.

Always book two pelagic trips. After I drove to North Carolina from New Hampshire about 15 years ago, only to have my one trip canceled by weather, I have always booked two trips. Besides, you will get more trip birds. Today’s insurance policy trip was very similar to yesterdays. The range in size of the birds we saw ran from hummingbird to albatross. The whales and 4 species of dolphins showed very well.

Just past the harbor we got Pigeon Guillemot (491). Jaegers showed well, some right over the boat, first Long-tailed (492), then Pomerine (493). I missed Black Storm-Petrel, but that was all I missed. I spent more time at the bow and that made the difference.

They say Debra Shearwater has a booming voice. I call it the “Sonic Boom”. Here’s a person who has never once had to say: “Can everyone hear me ok?” Ever. Yesterday was a good example. “BLUE WHAAAAAAAAAALE !!!!!” The Sonice Boom took off, echoed off the Sierra Nevada, disrupted commercial aviation, paralyzed modern communication systems, and ground to a halt all marine life in Monterey Bay. Anybody who thought he was going to take a nap on board was rudely awakened. Not on this boat. Today she handed out a map of where, last Sunday, just this side of Pinnacles National Park, she saw 31 California Condors. Today was her birthday. This trip sold out in May, way earlier than any other. One of the leaders asked us to recognize this important date, with applause, I’m so glad they didn’t ask us to sing “Happy Birthday”!

Back on shore I continued to search for the rocky shorebirds, namely Wandering Tattler and Surfbird. First I found a Whimbrel (494). Fortuitously, I ran into a group of birders who told me they were on the tattler. I joined the group and we gave chase, as it moved from one rock pile to the next. Finally it came out and I got to count it (495). They hadn’t seen Surfbird all day and the setting sun was shining directly in the direction to look. I can search for this one next week in Washington. Another 12 hour day was done.

Only five more to go to 500! It really is possible tomorrow is the day. First I’m going to Moonglow Dairy to see if the Ruff is still there and to look for Tricolored Blackbird. At Elkhorn Slough I’ll look for Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Oak Titmouse, and few more things. Coincidentally, the last time I was in Monterey, in September of 2000, I was looking for my 500th ABA Life Bird. After the first trip with Shearwater Journeys I was stalled at 499. I couldn’t sleep that night. The next morning, on the second boat trip, on the harbor jetty, was Wandering Tattler – number 500. Now I am about to see that in one year, here in Monterey.

Meet Debra Love Shearwater, “Warden of the Sea”, in her last season on Monterey Bay. She says if you added up all the hours she has spent on the brine, the total would approach six years! “That’s why I’m retiring!” I get it. All her trips are sold out this year so she added one more in October. Last chance! But – she is still running her Far Eastern Russia trips next year.

As you can see, the weather was clear, calm and mild but there was a pronounced swell and that makes for a long day. The grund is still moving. So here’s the rundown. In the harbor I added Heerman’s Gull (477), Brandt’s Cormorant (478), Black Turnstone (479) and Common Murre (480). Out farther we saw California Gull (481), Rhinoceros Auklet (482), Pink-footed Shearwater (483), Black-footed Albatross (484), Ashy Storm-Petrel (485), and Sabine’s Gull (486). I missed the fly-by skua (I need that one!), Flesh-footed Shearwater, and Long-tailed Jaeger. That’s why you do two trips – I could see these tomorrow. But I did not miss the bird of the day – nobody did since it was on the water – Tufted Puffin! (487) (ABA 636) (World 2830). I had no hope of seeing this bird here and thought there was a chance I could get it in Washington so this is a big bonus for the list.

Eight hours after shoving off I was on dry land at last. As I left the wharf I heard a familiar bird I had to see: California Scrub-Jay (488).

I spent the next two hours in the Point Pinos area searching for rocky shorebirds, like Surfbird and Wandering Tattler. First I nailed down Pelagic Cormorant (489), then I was able to find one of the shorebirds, Black Oystercatcher (490), thanks to its bright shiny red bill visible in the distance.

Only ten more to go to hit 500! Today I added 14 species, the highest one day total since April 23 in Florida. Tomorrow I will only get a few, but I’m now beginning to think 500 is possible here in Monterey. I have to go to bed early again for tomorrow, without a drink. But that’s the sacrifice.

I posted this yesterday but forget to hit send.

It’s late and I’m tired so this will be brief. At the Tucson airport this morning I ran into Joy Bockius who was also going to San Jose. But being the wise and seasoned traveler, she booked the non-stop flight while I had to slog through Los Angeles. And then my flight was 45 minutes late! She probably arrived hours before me.

After working through California traffic on Highway 1, I stopped at Moss Landing Beach. My first bird was Western Gull (471), then Sanderling (472), and the prime target that you can only see if it moves, Snowy Plover (473):

In the harbor I added Elegant Tern (474) and the bonus bird, Long-tailed Duck (475), likely the only one I will see this year. After supper here at my sister’s house we walked the neighborhood and spooked up a covey of California Quail (476).

Tomorrow I head out to sea with Debi and crew. What will we see?

When I left New Hampshire with 39 warblers I was disappointed and didn’t think I had a chance to get to an even 40. That chance just arose. A Tropical Parula has been seen in Florida Canyon, Santa Ritas, off and on since 27 August. Today I gave chase, arriving at 7:20. The parking lot – not surprisingly – was full so I had to double park. “I’ll just be a moment.” I was lucky to arrive when I did. The bird was present when I got to the site, I watched it for a minute, (470)(ABA 635) and then it vanished. I waited around for an hour and a half and like most others, gave up on a second look. Down time was filled by a soaring Golden Eagle overhead and a Canyon Tree Frog on the side of the water tank.

For the curious, I drafted a list of the 40 warblers seen this year:

Now only 4 days until I leave for Monterey. Yesterday’s high there was 71 versus 92 here. It will be even cooler out on the sea. A Ruff just showed up at Moon Glow dairy Wednesday and with luck will linger a few days more.

To keep your mind sharp I have a new Puzzler, this one photographic. It’s straight forward – name that bird:

The picture was taken by me, this year, “somewhere” in North America. Use any outside sources available.

I’ve added another trip to the Big Year. I left Texas in April a little sore that I missed many birds I hoped to see. I missed the seadeater, Audubon’s Oriole, Ringed Kingfisher, and Red-billed Pigeon. To keep it from eating at me, I signed up for the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival in November. Normally I prefer to find my own birds but that didn’t go so well so I’m trying this. One of the trips is a Big Day van. Imagine, a Big Day within a Big Year. Does it get any bigger?

I need a new bird! Last year I was talking to Chris Harbard, area birder, guide, and all around jolly good fellow, about Vaux’s Swifts. He told me he counts good numbers regularly in September from his backyard in Hereford. Take a look at his eBird reports. His counts are primarily between mid- to late September into early October. His high count was 71 in 2.5 hours on 1 October 2017. If only there was a place near his house, up on the hillside, with public access, where I could scan for migrating swifts. That’s it – The Shrine:

The perfect perch for migration monitoring. The shrine was inspired by a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Yugoslavia, and features a 75-foot cross and a 31-foot Mary. Besides the view, maybe I’ll be struck by a little divine intervention. It’s a little early in the season for swifts but I drove up there this morning and backed my car into the parking lot. Before I even got out, a small dark swift flew by southbound at eye level into the sun and away- Vaux’s Swift! (469). Before the year is over I will total all the species I’ve added to the list from my car. I saw no more swifts in the following hour and a half but I think this site, which has not been eBirded before, has potential as a good migration observation site, certainly for swifts. I’ll have to come back in a few days. Next target is Cassin’s Vireo which is now starting to move through.

But enough of the daily grind already. Here it is – and now what only all the world has been waiting for – Fan Mail! Today I found a nice letter from – who else? – another cute girl I’d like to open to you, my loyal readers. Picking a single letter is not easy, the volume is becoming a real burden for my mailman, I’m sure I’ll be hearing from the post office top brass. So as before, she sends me her picture:

Meet Arfy, The Good Little Dog. She hails from Puppy Love, Minnesota – that’s what it says – probably not far from the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm. She loves the blog, she says, and looks forward to it like the morning paper. Although she has had a ruff life at times, she is trying her best to please her master and is pawsitive she will improve with time. She loves the Big Year blog and says it is the “ultimutt.” She even sends me a dog biscuit recipe made with collie flour. Thank you, Arfy, and all of us wish you the only the best.

Today I headed up Garden Canyon in the Huachucas seeking relief from the heat, maybe a stray goshawk, and new additions to the butterfly list. Along the way I ran into John Broz who was going up to meet Ron Thill, visiting from Texas, to do some butterflying. “I’ll join you,” I offered, and the three of us hit the trails.

That’s John on the left, Ron, and Karen Lemay running a plant survey. (Can you see her bumpersticker? “Got Milkweed?”) John takes much of the credit for my interest in butterflies, something I didn’t get at first. Then on the second outing it clicked – you search for flying creatures, some elusive, sometimes colorful ones, try to identify them, and keep lists, including a life list. Hey – that’s birding!

I’ve been keeping a butterfly list incidental to running the Big Year, but it’s a little skimpy so I knew a run up Garden Canyon would fatten it up a little. It did. We started at upper picnic area and finished in Sawmill Canyon with 38 species, way more than I have ever seen in a single day. I added 17 species to the year list, bringing it up to 52. No lifers! The best one of the day was Many-spotted Skipperling, whose range only covers a small piece of Southeastern Arizona and into Sonora a short ways.

Just as many species of birds occur only in Southeastern Arizona within the US, so do many butterflies. I’m also keeping a mammal list, now up to 37 species. At the end of the year I’ll publish both lists.

I’m counting the days! Two weeks from tomorrow I leave for Monterey where today’s high was 77 compared to Sierra Vista’s 95. Not to mention many new year birds plus plenty of marine mammals, from otters to orcas. Meanwhile I continue to search for new birds here, but there are so few possible I may only add one or two more before I leave.