RE: Birding the Pacific NW
Zucker, Paul A. (ZUCKEPA1@central.SSD.JHUAPL.edu)
Wed, 15 Jul 1998 16:16:59 -0400
Tom,
We took a trip to that area a few years ago, and I have been many times to
Seattle.
We stayed in Port Alberni and took the boat ride down the inlet to Ucluelet,
seeing 20 Bald Eagles en route. The ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles WA
is a lovely ride (some Alcids, dolphins). Since the ferry is not huge, it is
a good idea to park your car in the line as soon as the gate opens for the
departure you want. The harbor, the BC museum and the Empress hotel are
within an easy walk from there (you need to return in time for the customs
and immigration check).
One of my favorite places for birding and for scenery is Hurricane Ridge in
Olympic National Park. It is a short drive south from Port Angeles. On the
ridge is a subalpine meadow with breathtaking views of the nearby Olympic
mountains. There are good trails to hike, and Blue Grouse is particularly
common there. Going from Port Angeles to Seattle is the Dungeness wildlife
refuge and the Dungeness spit reaching five miles out. That whole area is
very good for birds, including both coastal and forest (on the way to the
spit) habitats. Port Townsend is a picturesque town at the mouth of Puget
Sound. The ferry ride from there across to Whidbey Island is particularly
good for Rhinoceros Auklets and Common Murres. (From the south end of
Whidbey, there is a ferry to the Seattle area.) At the north end of Whidbey
Island is Deception Pass State Park which includes some dense northwestern
forest (Townsend's Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Varied Thrush, Oregon Junco--to
name a few that I saw there last time).
Discovery Park in Seattle has a wide variety of habitats and trails. If you
have time a day's trip to Mt. Rainier is worthwhile (covering several
habitats). Have a great trip.
Paul A. Zucker
Potomac, MD
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Thomas harten [SMTP:tjharten@chesapeake.net]
> Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 1998 10:33 AM
> To: MDOSPREY@ari.net
> Subject: Birding the Pacific NW
>
> Ospreyers,
>
> Has anyone in the group spent much time birding Seattle/Vancouver?
> I'll be heading out there in mid-August to do a little bit of birding
> as well as some general touring around.
>
> I'll be in Victoria for a couple of days as well as Uclulet/Tofino
> (Pacific Rim NP) for a couple more. I should have at least one full
> day to bird the Seattle area. We'll be travelling the ferries and
> possibly taking some whale watches (I hope to see at least a few
> seabirds).
>
> Also any recommended reading would be appreciated.
>
> Many thanks!
>
> Tom Harten
> Bowie, MD