As an amateur
birdwatcher, I am always on the lookout for the birds that frequent our property
here in Quilcene, WA on the Olympic Peninsula. Here is a list of what I have
spotted so far, starting April, 2004.
All links will open in a new window to the corresponding page on the Seattle
Audubon Societies web site or other sites with additional information.
May 29, 2005 - A small flock of mixed sex Bohemian Waxwings feeding in our
driveway in the early evening. Not common in our area, I had a good look
at these birds for some time and can confirm that they were indeed waxwings.
Northern
Flicker - September 24, 2004 in the street by our home, flew up
onto the trunk of a nearby fir tree. Adult.
Band
Tailed Pigeon - These birds are not very common here and have been
nesting in our woods since before we moved here. At first I thought they
were parrots that had gotten away, but, they were too different from a parrot.
Large doves, beautiful.
May 17, 2005 - The pigeons have been back for a couple of weeks. Our
family has grown from the single pair we first noticed 2 years ago
to a flock of about 10.
May 9, 2004 - It appears we may have a colony as today I saw over 20
birds feeding in one of the native plum trees on the hillside.
May 1, 2004 - Today I finally got a good look at our pigeon family. From
my observations we have a male, female, and two youngsters from last years
brood. It is lovely to hear their cooing and seeing them fly together over
the property. The female is setting on a nest. I have yet to spot it but
I have a good idea where it is.
Killdeer
- we have them nesting in several places on our property, these are one of
my favorite birds. I like them for the way they protect their nests...
they pretend to be wounded, when you follow them to see, they fly a
little further off until you are safely away from the nest. May 1, 2004 -
one of our resident Killdeer has abandoned her nest, I think because the
cat discovered it. Now I have two speckled eggs to collect.
Barn
Swallows- Nest under the eves of our indoor arena every year. Can
eat a lot of flies in one day, thankfully, we have an abundance of both flies
and swallows!
Bald
Eagle- These are fairly common flying over head. If I make a certain
whistle that sounds like their cry, I can get them to circle closer and closer
to me.
Turkey
Vulture - I haven't seen one this year, but the first year we moved
here our Foxy had a terrible wound which smelled as bad as it looked. We
were very concerned, which was made worse by the vultures circling over head.
Foxy is fine now, fully recovered and enjoying her old age.
Belted
Kingfisher - Common at the local Marina, I haven't seen one on our
property, but I have seen them by the roadside, and, sadly, I hit one with
ky car. A bad day.
Common
Raven - HUGE! and loud. On April 30th, 2004, I spotted a large raven
eating our Beagle's food. Had to go move the dish closer to his dog house
as Simon, the Beagle, likes to nibble throughout the day, and the Raven was
going to town on that food!
Wood
Duck - May 4, 2004 - While walking the fence line by the pond, I
scared up a lovely pair of Wood Ducks. These are the ones that often nest
in hollow trees, up to 65 feet off the ground. The duckling have to jump
out of the nest and make it to the water. I didn't go too close as I don't
want them to abandon their nest site. The female leads her mate to
the water where she was born, so I am looking forward to having
future generations of Wood Ducks.
Gray
Jay- May 9, 2004 - for Mother's Day we took a drive up to the
summit of Mt. Walker, just south of Quilcene on Hwy 101.
While taking pictures from the south view point we were engaged by a curious,
medium sized bird with an outgoing personality. My daughter, Margaret, was
able to get a good photo of this spunky Gray Jay which followed us down the
trail for about 30 feet.
Brown
Headed Cowbird - May 9, 2004 - While checking the horses in
the corner pasture found them grazing with a flock of about 9 Brown Headed
Cowbirds at their feet. It was a mixed sex group with about 3-4 males.
Oregon
Junco (Dark-eyed Junco) - May 9, 2004 - A pair were feeding near
the steps of our back deck while the cat watched from the porch. I was
nearby to protect the birds, as my cat will kill birds when he gets a change.
Grouse
and young. Mothers Day 2004. This was the same trip we took
when we found the gray jay. The grouse was on the side of the road with
one chick. I could not determine what type of grouse it was.
Rufous
Hummingbirds- May 21, 2004. Feeding on our potted verbena on the
deck. 2 birds, at least one was a female, I didn't see the back of the
other bird, so I couldn't see what sex it was.
Canada
Goose - May 22, 2004. 25 geese heading North in a V formation. Could
be the family that summers at Lake Leland. If so, in the past the group
has sported one domestic goose who migrates with them.
Take a minute and visit
BirdSource.org to
learn about backyard bird watching.
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Women's
As an amateur
birdwatcher, I am always on the lookout for the birds that frequent our property
here in Quilcene, WA on the Olympic Peninsula. Here is a list of what I have
spotted so far, starting April, 2004.
Wood
Duck
Skunk Odor Removal. 
