Paul Hicks – December 7, 2020
Map: Downtown Olympia; eBird: Capitol Lake-North Pool; Percival Cove; West Bay Park; Schneider Creek
I “scouted” nine Olympia “waterfront” sites with five other local birders. We spent five hours but one could reasonably cover it in half the time. We found a few of the “goodies” that had been recently reported, but overall numbers and diversity seemed modest. Weather and wind were mild. Parking is ample everywhere, except where noted. Asterisks (*) indicate sights with bathrooms. A scope is advisable, if not necessary.
SUMMARY
BEST BIRDS: Long-tailed Duck (2), Trumpeter Swan (2), Barrow’s Goldeneye (lots), Herring Gull (1)
MISSES: Iceland Gull, alcids, grebes (other than Pied-billed), loons, mergansers (other than Hooded), and several species that were present on Capitol Lake a month earlier: Eurasian Wigeon (3), Redhead (1) and Canvasback (65+).1 The tide was too high for shorebirds.
TOTAL: 48 species, including 18 waterfowl.
SITES AND SIGHTINGS
*1. Upper Capitol Lake and trail (Deschutes Parkway, starting from the bathrooms)
This stretch is good for typical woodland species: chickadees, kinglets, creepers, wrens, woodpeckers, sparrows and towhees. We walked about a quarter-mile as far as the “intersection” with the first trail, where Anna’s Hummingbird is reliable. We saw two competing males (but no Golden-crowned Sparrow, usually present here). The upper lake held Trumpeter Swan (2); lots of Bufflehead and Lesser Scaup, several Hooded Mergansers, and a few Pied-billed Grebe, and a few American Wigeon. (No Ring-necked Duck that I recall). A Bald Eagle flushed the ducks several times. The puddle ducks preferred the adjacent wooded ponds: Mallard, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal.
2. Percival Cove (north on Deschutes Parkway just past Lakeridge Drive)
Other than a few Pied-billed Grebes and Belted Kingfisher, precious little going on here. The main lake across the street was almost empty, too.
*3. Marathon Park (Deschutes Parkway just past bridge and rail crossing)
Our only Ring-necked Ducks (~6) of the day. Just a few scattered clusters of diving ducks and a gull convention at great distance.
*4. Capitol Lake/Heritage Park (Simmons x 5th Ave; Bayview Thriftway has additional parking)
Just for kicks we sorted through the gulls bathing in the lake (Glaucous-winged/Olympic & Mew), feeding on the lawn (Mew & lighter-mantled Ring-necked) and roosting on an office building (Glaucous-winged with a near-pure Western). In addition to the distant diving ducks we added our only American Coots. A Cooper’s Hawk passing overhead caused a minor ruckus.
5. Port Plaza at Anthony’s Homeport Restaurant (704 Columbia NW, near *Farmer’s Market)
Best bird here: Long-tailed Duck (2). Because they’d been recently reported in West Bay, we searched and finally spotted them some 4000 feet away near the big green metal warehouse toward Smyth Landing (1801 West Bay Dr NW), with numbers of scaup and goldeneye nearby. An ornamental tree in front of Anthony’s attracted House Finch, Pine Siskin, and American Goldfinch (3).
6. Budd Bay overlook parking lot (near end of Marine Drive; turn right past Swantown/East Bay Marina and OAR Boathouse. Trails here lead down to KGY radio station and follow the shoreline.)
Diagnostic scope views of Brandt’s Cormorants on the channel markers. A loose flock of Surf Scoter and tight group of Hooded Merganser added some nice color to the otherwise gray-scale diving ducks scattered in East Bay and out to the point. We surmised that an immature Herring Gull (black bill with half pink-orange base) was hanging out with the huddle of large laris gulls. We could not pick out the Iceland Gull recently reported. The tide was too high for any shorebirds at the point here.
7. Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill (1675 Marine Drive NE)
Other than a nice group of scaup and Barrow’s Goldeneye among the old pilings adjacent to the restaurant, the action was mostly on the distant shore across West Bay: Greater Scaup, Common and Barrow’s Goldeneye, with White-winged Scoter further north around the marina. But we could not re-find the Long-tailed Ducks.
8. West Bay Park (700 West Bay Dr NW)
We checked the opposite side of West Bay for the Long-tailed Ducks but no luck. The scaup here were very approachable. Heard a male Anna’s Hummingbird buzzing, a Belted Kingfisher rattling, and a Yellow-rumped Warbler chipping.
9. Schneider Creek waterfront access (park at single-car pull-off across from Smyth Landing, 1801 West Bay Dr NW; this mini-park is a Thurston County “hotspot” on eBird)
Great views, again, of Greater Scaup, Barrow’s Goldeneye, and White-winged Scoter, but could not relocate the Long-tailed Ducks.
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1 Note: Last year I also noticed a big drop-off in wigeon and Canvasback (and perhaps Ring-neck Duck) numbers on Capitol Lake from November to December. Bob Wadsworth suggests the wigeon move to the newly flooded fields. I wonder if the Aythya ducks continue migrating south.
BEFORE YOU GO:
Before heading off for a birding adventure, here are some things to consider –
1. It’s always best to have a partner with you – both to maximize the joy and to minimize the risks. BHAS cannot ensure that these locations are totally safe.
2. Don’t forget to bring your mask and hand sanitizer. Have your mask handy and put it on when passing another person not in your party.
3. Leave valuables at home.
4. Check the weather and the bird reports before heading out. An easy way to check what birds have been seen is through Birder’s Dashboard http://birdingwashington.info/dashboard/. It is a simple way to research a species, place, or checklist.
