Washington State and Osoyoos
Jul 19, 2022 10:23:02 GMT -8
oldfulica, imperialbirders, and 7 more like this
Post by Chris on Jul 19, 2022 10:23:02 GMT -8
Did a trip to the coast of Washington, then into the interior of Washington, finishing off in Osoyoos. Tallied 138 species with a couple of lifers.
Hadn’t been to the coast of Washington for a number of years. Saw a few species I rarely get to see such as Marbled Murrelet, Pigeon Guillemot, and Rhinoceros Auklet.
Overall, I was very impressed by Washington State Parks. They are well maintained and accessible.
Washington Park in Anacortes is a great location to visit. Good diversity of ocean birds and forest birds with a lot of hiking trails throughout.
Marbled Murrelet at Washington Park, Anacortes
Black Oystercatcher at Washington Park, Anacortes
Glaucous-winged Gull at Washington Park, Anacortes
Rhinoceros Auklet at Washington Park, Anacortes
There were a few locations where White Pelicans were present which was a surprise. Deer Lagoon was one of them
American White Pelican at Deer Lagoon
Saw seals and a porpoise species on the coast
DSC_3638
The next part of the trip was the interior of Washington. Stayed at Daroga State Park which is about 30 minutes north of Wenatchee on the Columbia River.
Ventured east and wound up in great sagebrush habitat. I was surprised by the terrain east of Wenatchee. Hardly any trees and almost all grassland or sage.
Walked up a gravel road and quickly got one Sagebrush Sparrow which was a lifer
Sagebrush Sparrow at Olson Rd, Waterville US-WA 47.52264, -119.73499
There were many Lark Sparrows as well. I was somewhat surprised I didn’t encounter a Sage Thrasher and to a lesser extent a Loggerhead Shrike.
There were a few sightings of Burrowing Owl in one location. Lucked out with one standing on a rock. Lifer for me.
Burrowing Owl at 11752–11798 Road A NW, Ephrata US-WA 47.26756, -119.51154
A stop at Potholes State Park produced Forster’s Tern, Great Egret, and Black-necked Stilt, species I’ve rarely seen.
Next day explored the Winthrop area. Very scenic area and managed to get a lifer, Wild Turkey. Pearrygin Lake State Park turned up a lot of bird species.
Say's Phoebe at Pearrygin Lake SP
Eastern Kingbird at Pearrygin Lake SP by
Checked an area for White-headed Woodpecker but didn’t encounter it.
Last day Steamboat Rock State Park area was the destination. This area is very scenic with rock formations and coulees. Hiked Northrup Canyon which later I learned contains the only forest within Grant County. When I submitted my eBird checklist from there White-crowned Sparrow got flagged as rare! It’s an easy hike but one needs to keep eyes open for Rattlesnakes. I almost stepped on one and had it make a snap decision to jump over it!
Numerous Canyon and Rock Wrens were tallied. I was surprised didn’t get Chukar. Quite a few Chats were singing throughout the hike was a pleasant surprise.
Lazuli Bunting at Northrup Canyon by
Yellow-breasted Chat at Northrup Canyon by
Osoyoos was the final destination. The typical Okanagan species were seen. Road 22 had numerous mosquitoes but did manage this quail photo. One of my favourite species. They have such character!
California Quail at Osoyoos--Road 22 and dykes (general)
The interior of Washington is a neat location to visit. I would recommend going in May or June just to avoid the hotter temperatures.
Here is the eBird Trip Report for more detailed information, photos, and checklists.
ebird.org/tripreport/67419
Hadn’t been to the coast of Washington for a number of years. Saw a few species I rarely get to see such as Marbled Murrelet, Pigeon Guillemot, and Rhinoceros Auklet.
Overall, I was very impressed by Washington State Parks. They are well maintained and accessible.
Washington Park in Anacortes is a great location to visit. Good diversity of ocean birds and forest birds with a lot of hiking trails throughout.
Marbled Murrelet at Washington Park, Anacortes
Black Oystercatcher at Washington Park, Anacortes
Glaucous-winged Gull at Washington Park, Anacortes
Rhinoceros Auklet at Washington Park, Anacortes
There were a few locations where White Pelicans were present which was a surprise. Deer Lagoon was one of them
American White Pelican at Deer Lagoon
Saw seals and a porpoise species on the coast
DSC_3638
The next part of the trip was the interior of Washington. Stayed at Daroga State Park which is about 30 minutes north of Wenatchee on the Columbia River.
Ventured east and wound up in great sagebrush habitat. I was surprised by the terrain east of Wenatchee. Hardly any trees and almost all grassland or sage.
Walked up a gravel road and quickly got one Sagebrush Sparrow which was a lifer
Sagebrush Sparrow at Olson Rd, Waterville US-WA 47.52264, -119.73499
There were many Lark Sparrows as well. I was somewhat surprised I didn’t encounter a Sage Thrasher and to a lesser extent a Loggerhead Shrike.
There were a few sightings of Burrowing Owl in one location. Lucked out with one standing on a rock. Lifer for me.
Burrowing Owl at 11752–11798 Road A NW, Ephrata US-WA 47.26756, -119.51154
A stop at Potholes State Park produced Forster’s Tern, Great Egret, and Black-necked Stilt, species I’ve rarely seen.
Next day explored the Winthrop area. Very scenic area and managed to get a lifer, Wild Turkey. Pearrygin Lake State Park turned up a lot of bird species.
Say's Phoebe at Pearrygin Lake SP
Eastern Kingbird at Pearrygin Lake SP by
Checked an area for White-headed Woodpecker but didn’t encounter it.
Last day Steamboat Rock State Park area was the destination. This area is very scenic with rock formations and coulees. Hiked Northrup Canyon which later I learned contains the only forest within Grant County. When I submitted my eBird checklist from there White-crowned Sparrow got flagged as rare! It’s an easy hike but one needs to keep eyes open for Rattlesnakes. I almost stepped on one and had it make a snap decision to jump over it!
Numerous Canyon and Rock Wrens were tallied. I was surprised didn’t get Chukar. Quite a few Chats were singing throughout the hike was a pleasant surprise.
Lazuli Bunting at Northrup Canyon by
Yellow-breasted Chat at Northrup Canyon by
Osoyoos was the final destination. The typical Okanagan species were seen. Road 22 had numerous mosquitoes but did manage this quail photo. One of my favourite species. They have such character!
California Quail at Osoyoos--Road 22 and dykes (general)
The interior of Washington is a neat location to visit. I would recommend going in May or June just to avoid the hotter temperatures.
Here is the eBird Trip Report for more detailed information, photos, and checklists.
ebird.org/tripreport/67419