Point No Point and Marrowstone Island Field Trip (10/1/05) Highlights

Things were slow on the ferry ride between Edmonds and Kingston, but when we arrived at Point No Point they really started rolling. Under bright sunshine, we had approximately 2000 BONAPARTE'S GULLS near shore and actively feeding. The main problem was where to start.

Scanning the gulls turned up a SABINE'S GULL. The all black head, yellow-tipped bill above a bright white breast and underparts really stood out among the non-breeding Bonaparte's, and when it lifted up the distinctive black primaires certainly clinched the deal. Suddenly, a COMMON TERN appeared being harassed by a PARASITIC JAEGER. The acrobatic turns and dives had us in awe, but the tern had no food so the jaeger turned away and flew around the point.

The usual huge congregation of HEERMANN'S GULLS were by the old boat rails as well as many GLAUCOUS-WINGED, and CALIFORNIA GULLS. All three cormorant's passed by, with nice views of several BRANDT'S. We walked around the "point" and found many gulls up on the beach. Mixed in with the Bonaparte's were two small terns. After study, we decided they were COMMON TERNS and the close looks were nice. The path yielded HOUSE FINCH, GOLDEN-CROWNED, WHITE-CROWNED and SONG SPARROWs. MALLARDS and GREEN-WINGED TEAL were down the canal. A RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET and SPOTTED TOWHEE were at the end of the trail. A COOPER'S HAWK flew over, and a COMMON RAVEN called up over the ridge.

From the parking area by the Hansville Store we scanned the passage and saw several PACIFIC LOONs, many still in breeding plumage. A couple of WHITE-WINGED SCOTERs flew by as did some SURF SCOTERs. A RED-TAILED HAWK perched in a tree nearby.

At Port Gamble we got views of COMMON LOONs, PIGEON GUILLEMOTs, cormorants, a BELTED KINGFISHER, a BALD EAGLE, some Song Sparrows, a WINTER WREN and BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEEs. Down at Salsbury Point we saw two nonbreeding MARBLED MURRELETS looking very elegant in their black and white tuxedos. Things were slower at Oak Bay County Park, but we did have HOODED MERGANSER on the lagoon and RED-NECKED and WESTERN GREBEs offshore. We were surprised by 7 NORTHERN PINTAIL on the bay. On the other side of the inlet the rocky jetty yielded HARLEQUIN DUCK. Just as we came into Nordland we had 9 KILLDEER and 7 GREATER YELLOWLEGS.

Fort Flagler State Park, the west beach had many more Harlequins in great light, all three cormorants, more Common Loons, another small flotilla of Pacific Loons and HORNED GREBEs. SAVANNAH SPARROWs were along the beach. At the lighthouse, we saw loads of PIGEON GUILLEMOTS, COMMON MURREs, and finally a RHINOCEROS AUKLET.

Other birds we saw today, included: GREAT BLUE HERON, AMERICAN WIGEON, COMMON MERGANSER, an OSPREY, MEW and RING-BILLED GULLs, ROCK PIGEON, NORTHERN FLICKER, STELLER'S JAY, AMERICAN CROW, AMERICAN ROBIN, EUROPEAN STARLING, DARK-EYED JUNCO, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD.

A very nice day for these 8 birders, that resulted in 56 species - many seen very well.