A northern harrier being harassed by a barn swallow.

A trip around the north end of the peninsula was exhilarating, even though there weren’t a lot of species out and about. Too many people, dogs and vehicles on the beach meant that there weren’t any shorebirds resting or foraging between the beach approaches of Ocean Park and Oysterville. But then, I was only out and about for a few hours so perhaps it was just the wrong time to be birding. Willapa Bay, on the other hand, produced good birding at least off the south entrance to Leadbetter Point. The tide was out so the larger birds were feeding on the mud flats, some in shallow water.

Over 24 great blue herons were foraging on the mud flats or in shallow water. They were spread out and thus, basically feeding alone. Great blues primarily, eat small fish and frogs. However, they may sometimes be seen in fields or ditches hunting for mice, or small mammals. I have witnessed this behavior on the auto tour at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Reserve. After all, the great blue is an opportunistic feeder! It is late summer now. The herons have finished nesting. Young herons will now disperse widely. Watch for them in places where fish are plentiful such as ponds, marshes, rivers, and even in backyards with ponds if they are stocked with small fish!

Three great egrets were also observed foraging on Willapa Bay when the tide was out. I saw them two days in a row. Like the great blue, the great egret tends to feed alone. Shallow water is where it stalks its prey and when sighted stabs it quickly with its dagger like bill. Crayfish, snakes, fish, and frogs are its favorites. The great egret is often called the great white egret as well as other names, but in North America its official name is the great egret. This large, majestic, white bird can be seen at Ridgefield or along the Lower River Road in Vancouver on a more regular basis than here. For us to see it is a treat.

The osprey is still being seen on its nests at the north end and when it fishes in Willapa Bay. Ospreys will soon begin to move on. No doubt, the great egrets will move on as well. The great blue heron which is the largest heron in North America will stay. It is a permanent resident.

I am seeing bald eagles more regularly now. Their flight path to Willapa Bay goes right over the house. The bald eagle is primarily a fish-eater, but it will also feed on carrion and waterfowl. I have watched it take a northern pintail and fly with it in its sharp talons to a large piling where it could sit comfortably to eat its meal in peace.

I have written quite a bit about the brown pelican and its low numbers this summer. Yesterday, when I was out and about with the birds, I dropped into the Port of Peninsula in Nahcotta. Lo and behold there sitting on two barges out from the visitors’ parking area were about thirty brown pelicans sunning themselves along with twenty or so glaucous-winged gulls. Further up the shoreline of Willapa Bay 15 or so were putting on an aerial display. Willapa Bay must be where the food is!

On another day, I was out and about in Chinook. About 75 brown pelicans were sitting on the rocks on the shoreline at the furthest point from the entrance to the Chinook County Park. As the tide came in, the pelicans flew up in flurry, formed their signature lines and flew off to dance between the undulating waves.

A walk through the grasslands of the north and its wetlands revealed the presence of savannah sparrows, song sparrows, and barn swallows flying furiously over the tall golden grass snagging insects on the fly. The female northern harrier was on the hunt in the area. She was harassed by the barn swallows big time. The chase was on and as the swallows tried to bombard her, she flew higher and higher into the deep blue sky to avoid their harassment. It was not a great morning for locating her prey for breakfast.

The biggest treat of all being out and about today was hearing the haunting call of the common loon float across Willapa Bay. Its mournful call filled my heart with joy and reminded me of the Canadian wilderness areas where I have been and heard the call of the loon many times.

Being out and about with the birds is one of my favorite pastimes. I do it often. I love it. Happy birding!