Horned Lark—Photo: Dow Lambert
A Splendid Day for a Hurricane Ridge Walk
by Kathy McCoy
Friday morning, September 19, brought superb weather for our field trip at Hurricane Ridge. The smoke, previously obscuring the mountains, had cleared, giving way to stunning views over the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Rocky Point and Victoria. It was a glorious, although not a particularly “birdy” day.
Before our group had fully assembled at 8:30 a.m. to begin its formal eBird count, some birds were flying by and landing briefly on the nearby meadows. These birds included Horned Larks and American Pipits. The appearance of Dark-eyed Juncos prompted a discussion about the subspecies distinctions. (The Oregon subspecies arrives on the Olympic Peninsula during the breeding season in contrast to others like the Slate-colored Juncos that show up in winter in my yard.) Several flocks of swifts came into view—including Vaux Swifts and others too far away to identify. Corvids made themselves somewhat scarce; only one Common Raven and no Canada Jays appeared. A few Red-breasted Nuthatches joined the juncos and White-crowned Sparrows in the trees and shrubs, while American Pipits and Savannah Sparrows dotted the meadows.
At about 10:00 a.m., we drove up to the Hurricane Hill Trailhead to a full parking area, which necessitated continuing on foot. Some in the group opted to head home. Up the hill, a small group of Band-tailed Pigeons rewarded our climb, along with a couple of Steller’s Jays, a Common Raven, and a Hairy Woodpecker. Chestnut-backed Chickadees and Red-breasted Nuthatches were hanging out in the trees. (One curiosity, not bird-related, were some pebble-crusted egg sacs or cocoons, embedded in a rock retaining wall that looked similar to the Caddisfly larvae covered with debris sometimes seen in streams.)
As we returned to the trailhead, a Varied Thrush popped out in time to greet us. A small flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers flew over, punctuating the end of our walk. One disappointment: No Sooty Grouse showed itself, which would have been a life bird for one in our party.
While most of the birds observed were species commonly seen at lower altitudes, the group enjoyed a brilliant autumn day for a stroll in the Olympics, nonetheless!