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Purdy and Key Peninsula Field Trip (10/30/04) Highlights
The prediction for rain probably resulted in the lowest turnout we have ever had for this trip. However, the weather was beautiful and sunny all day, although windy and cool when on the west side.
We started at the bridge to Fox Island where we saw over 200 Pacific Loons in varying plumages, over 100 Red-necked Grebes, only a few Common Loons, and a large number of Surf Scoters. Pelagic Cormorants were again roosting under the bridge and far outnumbered the Double-crested Cormorants. There were a few beautiful Harlequin Ducks, a few Western and Horned Grebes and Pigeon Guillemots.
Our next stop was Kopachuck State Parj where we picked up Bewick’s and Winter Wrens, Steller’s Jay, Downy Woodpecker and Northern Flicker. We saw two of the six Bald Eagles seen on the trip. There were a number of harbor seals sunning on the beach of Cutt’s Island.
At Joe’s Bay on the peninsula we saw a few White-winged Scoters, American Wigeon and Hooded Mergansers. We ate lunch in the sunshine and cold wind at Joemma State Park. Then we went to Penrose Point State Park on the east and sheltered side of the peninsula. There were many more Harlequin Ducks and some Red-breasted Mergansers, and numerous Pacific Loons.
We ended up walking the trail around Snake Lake in Tacoma where the reliable Wood Ducks were present, a few Northern Shoveler, both Ruby and Golden-crowned Kinglets, American Robin and one Cedar Waxwing. There were 3 birders and 42 species sighted.
