Camp Cascades July 31–August 11, 2019

CAMP CASCADES JULY 31–AUGUST 11, 2019

Tufted Puffin © Michael O’Brien

CAMP COUNSELORS : MICHAEL O’B RIEN , LOUISE ZEMAITIS , & GLEN DAVIS

LIST COMPILED BY : MICHAEL O’B RIEN

VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS , INC . 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE , SUITE 1003 AUSTIN , TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD .COM

CAMP CASCADES July 31–August 11, 2019

By Michael O’Brien

The year 2019 was another hot one in Washington, but, fortunately for our Camp Cascades group, none of the region’s wildfires impacted our schedule as it did during the previous two years. In fact, we enjoyed remarkably delightful weather throughout most of our camp, with temperatures ranging from the 50s to 70s most of the time, soaring into the low 90s only when we visited Oak Creek. Rain was very limited, with brief showers only one day and evening.

We began in the Puget Sound Region, based at Camp Casey Conference Center on Whidbey Island. Situated next to Crockett Lake and Fort Casey State Park, the birding right out our doorstep was excellent and could have kept us busy for days. Crockett Lake held a nice variety of shorebirds, highlighted by a juvenile Hudsonian Godwit, a rarity for Washington. But the “regular” shorebirds were just as interesting, and we enjoyed chances to study some tricky identification challenges between the various “peeps,” yellowlegs, and dowitchers. A stop at the nearby Keystone Ferry Landing allowed us spectacular views of many Pigeon Guillemots, which were surprisingly noisy as they squabbled amongst each other on the rocks. On a walk through Fort Casey State Park, we got our first taste of woodland birding with such species as Olive-sided and Pacific-slope flycatchers, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Pacific Wren, Purple Finch, and Red Crossbill. Bluffs overlooking the Straight of Juan de Fuca were excellent for sifting through flocks of alcids, gulls, and cormorants, plus numerous Harbor Porpoises just beyond the kelp beds. We also took time to observe and discuss flight style differences between six different swallow species, all of which were passing down the shoreline in good numbers.

Studying migrating swallows at Fort Casey © Michael O’Brien

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 Camp Cascades, 2019

A little farther afield, we found excellent forest birding at South Whidbey State Park, with sightings of Band-tailed Pigeon, Hutton’s Vireo, Bushtit, “Russet-backed” Swainson’s Thrush (including a stub- tailed fledgling), and excellent numbers of Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, and Pacific Wren. Of particular interest here were two different “types” of Red Crossbill, which we recorded to compare their distinctive flight calls. Another highlight was finding a beautiful adult Red-breasted Sapsucker, which we studied at length, taking field notes and making field sketches. This bird was busy drilling sap wells in a Red Alder, so it stayed put for a long time! Some seawatching at the north end of the island (Libbey Beach and Swan Lake) was also especially productive. Not only did we find several nice birds like Pacific Loon, Red-necked and Western grebes, and Marbled Murrelet, we also saw a magnificent Gray Whale just offshore! Perhaps everyone’s favorite outing in the Puget Sound region was our boat trip to Protection Island. Stunning views of two Tufted Puffins were the centerpiece of this trip, but we also found hordes of other alcids, as well as Harlequin Duck, Red- necked Phalarope, and a monster Northern Elephant Seal.

The next phase of our trip brought us to the Cascades and Mt. Rainier, where we camped three nights at Cougar Rock Campground and two nights at Ohanapecosh Campground, with a hotel night at White Pass in between. It was a delight to stay in the shady forest among giant trees, sorting out high-pitched calls of Brown Creeper and Golden-crowned Kinglet, and listening to the ethereal humming whistles of Varied Thrush. Daily visits to our campsite by Canada Jays reminded us of why they got the nickname “Camp Robber” (though we never fed them anything). A visit to picturesque Narada Falls allowed us excellent views of a foraging American Dipper, plus nice comparisons of Black and Vaux’s swifts soaring overhead. And visits to Clear Lake and Leech Lake each allowed nice studies of Barrow’s Goldeneye, among other waterfowl species. We spent parts of two days on the east side of the Cascades, where the “rain shadow” effect results in much drier habitats and a very different mix of birds. At Oak Creek Wildlife Area, the rugged rocky landscape looked like the Southwest and was home to the likes of White-throated Swift, Golden Eagle, Say’s Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Rock Wren, and Lark Sparrow. All that, plus an amazing 35 Lewis’s Woodpeckers—our record count here and anywhere! Nearby Ponderosa Pine forest at Wenatchee National Forest helped add to our woodpecker list with sightings of White-headed Woodpecker, along with Williamson’s and Red-naped sapsuckers.

But the “best’ of Mt. Rainier was at high elevation, where mountain meadows were full of life. Wildflowers in these meadows were spectacular, and butterflies were abundant as well, including many blues, checkerspots, and fritillaries, as well as the biennial Clodius Parnassian. The Hoary Marmots looked as happy as could be, munching on lupines and lounging on snowfields, and American Pikas nervously basked on sun-bathed rock piles, making their “EEP!” alarm calls when danger was near. Small flocks of songbirds gravitated toward these lush meadows to reap their bounty, and we found a number of interesting species including Mountain Bluebird; Cassin’s Vireo; Orange- crowned, Nashville, MacGillivray’s, and Townsend’s warblers; Western Tanager; Pine Grosbeak; and Cassin’s Finch. Much of this habitat was explored on two long and glorious hikes above treeline at Paradise and Sunrise. Though birds were few after we got above treeline, the scenery was beyond spectacular, and we enjoyed exciting encounters with two Northern Pygmy-Owls in a tiny clump of trees, a Prairie Falcon dashing over Frozen Lake, numerous American Pipits, and some of our best wildflowers and butterflies. And after a tantalizing fly-by view of two Sooty Grouse on our Paradise hike, we finally had excellent views of one on our last visit to high elevation at the Paradise Picnic Area—a perfect “grand finale” for this camp!

As always, we wish to thank Leica Sport Optics , the American Birding Association , and Black Swamp Bird Observatory for their continued support in co-sponsoring this camp. Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 3 Camp Cascades, 2019

Mountain meadow at Paradise © Michael O’Brien

ITINERARY July 31 – Late morning arrivals in Seattle; travel to Whidbey Island via Mukilteo-Clinton Ferry; arrive Camp Casey Conference Center by 6:40 pm. Night at Camp Casey Conference Center. Aug 1 – Fort Casey State Park; Crockett Lake. Night at Camp Casey Conference Center. Aug 2 – Port Townsend-Keystone Ferry; Puget Sound Express boat cruise to Protection Island aboard The Redhead w/Capt. Christopher Lewman & Sarah; Point Hudson; Kah Tai Lagoon; Anderson Lake State Park; Gardiner Wild Birds Unlimited. Night at Camp Casey Conference Center. Aug 3 – Keystone Ferry Landing; South Whidbey State Park; Penn Cove; Libbey Beach; Swan Lake. Night at Camp Casey Conference Center. Aug 4 – Whidbey Island to Mt. Rainier: 3.5 hr drive via Mukilteo-Clinton Ferry and Marymoor Park. Night at Cougar Rock Campground. Aug 5 – Narada Falls; Paradise; Longmire. Night at Cougar Rock Campground. Aug 6 – 6-mile loop hike from Paradise (Dead Horse, Skyline, and Golden Gate trails). Night at Cougar Rock Campground. Aug 7 – Cougar Rock Campground; Wenatchee National Forest (NFD 1304 burn area); Hause Creek Campground (Gifford Pinchot National Forest); Clear Lake; White Pass. Night at White Pass Village Inn. Aug 8 – Oak Creek Wildlife Area; Windy Point Picnic Area; White Pass (Leech Lake). Night at Ohanapecosh Campground. Aug 9 – Sunrise (hike on Sourdough Trail to Frozen Lake and Burroughs Mountain Trail); dinner and dusk birding at Packwood. Night at Ohanapecosh Campground. Aug 10 – Ohanapecosh Campground; (skipped Chinook Pass due to landslide); Louise Lake; Paradise Picnic Area; Narada Falls; Spanway; drive to Seattle. Night at Clarion Hotel SeaTac. Aug 11 – Departures.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 4 Camp Cascades, 2019 KEY N = nest or nesting activity observed Y = dependent young observed I = Introduced * = Camp Casey Conference Center “yard list” (52 spp.)

BIRDS Waterfowl (Anatidae ) *Canada Goose ( Branta canadensis ) – Seen on six days. Wood Duck ( Aix sponsa) – One at Anderson Lake. Gadwall ( Anas strepera ) Y – Six at Kah Tai Lagoon. American Wigeon ( Mareca americana ) – Two at Clear Lake. *Mallard ( Anas platyrhyncos ) – Seen on eight days. Ring-necked Duck ( Aythya collaris ) – Eight at Clear Lake. Harlequin Duck ( Histrionicus histrionicus ) – 15 at Protection Island. *Surf Scoter ( Melanitta perspicillata ) – Seen on four days. Common Goldeneye ( Bucephala clangula ) – Single female at Keystone Ferry Landing.

Common Goldeneye © Michael O’Brien

Barrow’s Goldeneye ( Bucephala islandica ) Y – Seven each at Clear Lake and Leech Lake. Hooded Merganser ( Lophodytes cucullatus ) – 22 at Kah Tai Lagoon, two at Anderson Lake. Common Merganser ( Mergus merganser ) Y – Seen at Clear Lake and Tieton River. Ruddy Duck ( Oxyura jamaicensis ) – One at Anderson Lake.

New World Quails ( Odontophoridae ) California Quail ( Callipepla californica ) Y – Seen at Libbey Beach and Oak Creek.

Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies (Phasianidae ) Sooty Grouse ( Dendragapus fuliginosus ) – Quick views of two fly-bys on our hike at Paradise, and excellent views of a male singing from a treetop at Paradise Picnic Area. Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 5 Camp Cascades, 2019

Grebes ( Podicipedidae ) Pied-billed Grebe ( Podilymbus podiceps ) – One at Anderson Lake. Red-necked Grebe ( Podiceps grisegena ) – Seven offshore from Swan Lake. Western Grebe ( Aechmophorus occidentalis ) – One off Swan Lake.

Doves and Pigeons ( Columbidae ) Rock Pigeon ( Columba livia) ( I ) – Seen on six days. Band-tailed Pigeon ( Patagioenas fasciata ) – Seen on seven days. Eurasian Collared-Dove ( Streptopelia decaocto ) ( I ) – Seen on seven days. *Mourning Dove ( Zenaida macroura ) – Seen on seven days.

Nightjars and allies ( Caprimulgidae ) Common Nighthawk ( Chordeiles minor ) – Seen at Packwood and heard at Cougar Rock and Ohanapecosh campgrounds.

Swifts ( Apodidae ) Black Swift ( Cypseloides niger ) – Two soaring over Narada Falls. Vaux’s Swift ( Chaetura vauxi ) – Seen daily in the Cascades.

Vaux’s Swift © Michael O’Brien

White-throated Swift ( Aeronautes saxatalis ) – Numerous at Oak Creek.

Hummingbirds ( Trochillidae ) *Anna’s Hummingbird ( Calypte anna ) – Seen on five days. Rufous Hummingbird ( Selasphorus rufus ) – Seen on six days.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 6 Camp Cascades, 2019

Rails, Coots, and Gallinules ( Rallidae ) Virginia Rail ( Rallus limicola ) – Heard at Kah Tai Lagoon and Longmire.

Oystercatchers ( Haematopodidae ) Black Oystercatcher ( Haematopus bachmani ) – Seen at Protection Island and Penn Cove.

Plovers ( Charadriidae ) *Black-bellied Plover ( Pluvialis squatarola ) – Seen at Crockett Lake. *Semipalmated Plover ( Charadrius semipalmatus ) – Numerous at Crockett Lake. Killdeer ( Charadrius vociferous ) Y – Seen on five days.

Sandpipers and Allies ( Scolopacidae ) Hudsonian Godwit ( Limosa haemastica ) – One juv at Crockett Lake was a rarity for Washington. Baird’s Sandpiper ( Calidris bairdii ) – One at Crockett Lake. *Least Sandpiper ( Calidris minutilla ) – Numerous at Crockett Lake; also a few at Swan Lake. *Western Sandpiper ( Calidris mauri ) – Numerous at Crockett Lake; smaller numbers elsewhere.

Western Sandpiper © Michael O’Brien

Long-billed Dowitcher ( Limnodromus scolopaceus ) – 17 at Crockett Lake; two at Kah Tai Lagoon. Red-necked Phalarope ( Phalaropus lobatus ) – Three on our boat trip to Protection Island. Spotted Sandpiper ( Actitis macularius ) – Seen on five days; most unusual was one flying down a forested road near Chinook Pass in the Cascades, apparently confused by foggy conditions. Solitary Sandpiper ( Tringa solitaria ) – One at Louise Lake. Lesser Yellowlegs ( Tringa flavipes ) – One at Crockett Lake. *Greater Yellowlegs ( Tringa melanoleuca ) – A few at Crockett Lake and Kah Tai Lagoon.

Auks, Murres, and Puffins ( Alcidae )

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 7 Camp Cascades, 2019 *Common Murre ( Uria aalge ) – Several locations in the Puget Sound Region; most numerous on the Port Townsend-Keystone Ferry. *Pigeon Guillemot ( Cepphus columba ) N – Seen at nearly every location where we viewed the water in the Puget Sound Region. It was especially enjoyable getting super close views and hearing their calls at the Keystone Ferry Landing.

Pigeon Guillemot © Michael O’Brien

Marbled Murrelet ( Brachyramphus marmoratus ) – Small numbers seen at several locations. Cassin’s Auklet ( Ptychoramphus aleuticus ) – It was a big surprise to see this more pelagic species well into the Sound on the Port Townsend-Keystone Ferry. *Rhinoceros Auklet ( Cerorhinca monocerata ) – Abundant offshore, particularly around Fort Casey, Protection Island, and Port Townsend. Tufted Puffin ( Fratercula cirrhata ) – Nice views of two at Protection Island; sadly, the population here has dwindled to just a few pairs.

Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers ( Laridae ) Bonaparte’s Gull ( Chroicocephalus philadelphia ) – Several at the Clinton Ferry Terminal. *Heermann’s Gull ( Larus heermanni ) – Numerous in the Puget Sound Region, but all were adults, sadly indicating the fourth year in a row of very poor breeding success. These birds breed exclusively in Mexico (mainly in the Gulf of California), and disperse northward in summer/fall to take advantage of rich feeding areas along the Pacific Coast. Mew Gull ( Larus canus brachyrhynchus ) – Two adults at Point Hudson. Ring-billed Gull ( Larus delawarensis ) – A few around Crockett Lake. Western Gull ( Larus occidentalis ) – One adult from the Port Towndend-Keystone Ferry. *California Gull ( Larus californicus ) – Abundant throughout the Puget Sound Region, plus a few on lakes east of White Pass. These birds are immigrants from interior breeding sites.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 8 Camp Cascades, 2019 *Glaucous-winged Gull ( Larus glaucescens ) – Common throughout the Puget Sound Region. Some of these birds showed various darker plumage features, likely indicating hybridization with Western Gull. *Caspian Tern ( Hydroprogne caspia ) – Small numbers seen daily in the Puget Sound Region; particularly numerous at Crockett Lake.

Loons ( Gaviidae ) Pacific Loon ( Gavia pacifica ) – Four off Libbey Beach. Common Loon ( Gavia immer ) – Seen at several locations in the Puget Sound region.

Cormorants ( Phalacrocoracidae ) Brandt’s Cormorant ( Phalacrocorax penicillatus ) – Singles at Protection Island and Point Hudson. *Pelagic Cormorant ( Phalacrocorax pelagicus ) N – Numerous and seen daily in the Puget Sound region. Double-crested Cormorant ( Phalacrocorax auritus ) – Small numbers seen on four days in the Puget Sound region.

Pelicans ( Pelecanidae ) *American White Pelican ( Pelecanus erythrorhynchos ) – Seen daily at Crockett Lake; flock size varied, with a max of 18.

Herons and Egrets ( Ardeidae ) *Great Blue Heron ( Ardea herodias) – Seen daily in the Puget Sound region, plus one at Clear Lake.

Great Blue Heron © Michael O’Brien

Green Heron (Butorides virescens ) – One at Marymoor Park.

New World Vultures ( Cathartidae )

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 9 Camp Cascades, 2019 Turkey Vulture ( Cathartes aura ) – Seen on eight days.

Osprey ( Pandionidae ) Osprey ( Pandion haliaetus ) N, Y – Seen on seven days.

Hawks and Eagles ( Accipitidae ) Golden Eagle ( Aquila chrysaetos ) – Two at Oak Creek and three at Windy Point. *Northern Harrier ( Circus cyaneus ) – Seen daily at Crockett Lake. Sharp-shinned Hawk ( Accipiter striatus ) – One at Sunrise. Cooper’s Hawk ( Accipiter cooperii ) – Seen on four days. *Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) – Numerous and seen daily in the Puget Sound Region. *Red-tailed Hawk ( Buteo jamaicensis ) – Seen on ten days; most of these were recognizable as the darkish Western subspecies ( B. j. calurus ).

Typical Owls (Strigidae) Northern Pygmy-Owl ( Glaucidium californicum ) – It was a real camp highlight to see two of these birds on our Sunrise hike; these birds showed the rich warm tones typical of Pacific birds ( G. c. californicum group).

Northern Pygmy-Owl © Michael O’Brien

Kingfishers ( Alcedinidae ) Belted Kingfisher ( Megaceryle alcyon ) – Seen on seven days.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 10 Camp Cascades, 2019 Woodpeckers ( Picidae ) Williamson’s Sapsucker ( Sphyrapicus thyroideus ) – Male and female seen at Wenatchee National Forest; male at Leech Lake. Red-naped Sapsucker ( Sphyrapicus nuchalis ) – One at Wenatchee National Forest and two at Oak Creek. Red-breasted Sapsucker ( Sphyrapicus ruber ruber ) – One at Fort Casey and two at South Whidbey State Park.

Red-breasted Sapsucker © Michael O’Brien

Lewis’s Woodpecker ( Melanerpes lewis ) – An amazing 35 at Oak Creek and one more at Windy Point. *Downy Woodpecker ( Picoides pubescens ) – Seen or heard on six days. Hairy Woodpecker ( Picoides vilosis ) – Seen on four days. White-headed Woodpecker ( Picoides albolarvatus ) – One at Wenatchee National Forest. Pileated Woodpecker ( Dryocopus pileatus ) – Heard at a few locations. *Northern (“Red-shafted”) Flicker ( Colaptes auratus cafer ) – Seen every day.

Falcons ( Falconidae ) American Kestrel ( Falco sparverius ) – Seen on four days. *Merlin ( Falco columbarius ) – Seen on three days in the Puget Sound Region; one seen well at Crockett Lake was of the very dark Pacific Northwest or “Black” subspecies ( F. c. suckleyi ). Prairie Falcon ( Falco mexicanus ) – One at Windy Point Picnic Area, and another at Frozen Lake on the Sunrise hike.

Tyrant Flycatchers ( Tyrannidae )

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 11 Camp Cascades, 2019 Olive-sided Flycatcher ( Contopus cooperi ) – Seen on eight days. These birds were of the Western type as determined by song, though current subspecies boundaries do not recognize this East/West break. Western Wood-Pewee ( Contopus sordidulus ) Y – Several at Marymoore Park, plus many on the dry east side of the Cascades (e.g., Oak Creek and Wenatchee NF). Willow Flycatcher ( Empidonax traillii brewsteri ) – Seen at Anderson Lake, Marymoor Park, and Oak Creek. Dusky Flycatcher ( Empidonax oberholseri ) – One at Wenatchee N.F. and two at Sunrise.

Dusky Flycatcher © Michael O’Brien

*Pacific-slope Flycatcher ( Empidonax difficilis ) N – Seen on three days, all in the Puget Sound region. Say’s Phoebe ( Sayornis saya ) – Two at Oak Creek. Western Kingbird ( Tyrannus verticalus ) – Three at Oak Creek. Eastern Kingbird ( Tyrannus tyrannus ) – One at Oak Creek.

Vireos and Allies ( Vireonidae ) Hutton’s Vireo ( Vireo huttoni ) – Two at South Whidbey S.P. Cassin’s Vireo ( Vireo cassinii ) – Seen at Paradise and heard at Wenatchee N.F. and Oak Creek. Warbling Vireo ( Vireo gilvus swainsoni ) – Seen at Wenatchee N.F. and Windy Point. Red-eyed Vireo ( Vireo olivaceus ) – Heard at Oak Creek.

Crows and Jays ( Corvidae ) Canada Jay ( Perisoreus canadensis obscurus ) Y – Seen on six days. Steller’s Jay ( Cyanocitta stelleri ) Y – Seen on ten days, mainly in the Cascades. All birds seen well were of the Pacific Coast group with blue markings on the forehead. California Scrub-Jay ( Aphelocoma californica ) – Three in Spanway. Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 12 Camp Cascades, 2019 Black-billed Magpie ( Pica hudsonia ) – Four at Oak Creek. Clark’s Nutcracker ( Nucifraga columbiana ) – Four at Sunrise. American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos ) – A dozen around Oak Creek and a few others around Packwood. *American/Northwestern Crow ( Corvus brachyrhynchos/caurinus ) Y – Crows were abundant throughout Puget Sound region, from Seattle to Whidbey Island and the Olympic Peninsula. A recent study has documented extensive hybridization between American and Northwestern crows in this region. Although many birds we saw looked and sounded phenotypically appropriate for Northwestern Crow (smallish with hoarse, weak voices), the known hybrid swarm in this region makes an already difficult identification problem essentially impossible, so we therefore cannot put a definitive name on any of these birds. Common Raven ( Corvus corax ) Y – Seen on nine days, but much more numerous in the Cascades.

Larks ( Alaudidae ) Horned Lark ( Eremophila alpestris ) – Two at Sunrise.

Swallows ( Hirundinidae ) Northern Rough-winged Swallow ( Stelgidopteryx serripennis ) – One or two seen daily in the Puget Sound region. *Purple Martin ( Progne subis arboricola) N – A very local species in the Pacific Northwest, we saw small numbers daily in the Puget Sound region with small colonies at Crockett Lake and Port Townsend. *Tree Swallow ( Tachycenita bicolor ) – Seen on five days, always in small numbers. *Violet-green Swallow ( Tachycineta thalassina ) – Seen on nine days; most numerous in the Cascades.

Violet-green Swallow © Michael O’Brien

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 13 Camp Cascades, 2019

*Barn Swallow ( Hirundo rustica ) N, Y – Seen every day; most numerous around Fort Casey and Crockett Lake. *Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrronota ) – Seen on six days.

Chickadees and Titmice ( Paridae ) *Black-capped Chickadee ( Poecile atricapillus fortuitus ) – Seen on six days, mainly at lower elevations with deciduous undergrowth. Mountain Chickadee ( Poecile gambeli baileyae) – Seen at Longmire, Wenatchee N.F., and Paradise. *Chestnut-backed Chickadee ( Poecile rufescens rufescens ) – Seen every day.

Long-tailed Tits (Aegithalidae ) *Bustit ( Psaltriparus minimus saturatus ) – Seen on four days.

Nuthatches ( Sittidae ) *Red-breasted Nuthatch ( Sitta canadensis ) – Seen or heard every day. Pygmy Nuthatch ( Sitta pygmaea ) – Four at Wenatchee N.F. and six at Oak Creek.

Creepers ( Certhiidae ) *Brown Creeper ( Certhia americana ) Y – Seen or heard on nine days.

Wrens ( Troglodytidae ) Rock Wren ( Salpinctes obsoletus ) – One at Oak Creek. House Wren ( Troglodytes aedon parkmanii ) – Heard at Fort Casey and Oak Creek. *Pacific Wren ( Troglodytes pacificus ) – Seen or heard on fice days. Marsh Wren ( Cistothorus palustris browningi ) – Heard at Crockett Lake. *Bewick’s Wren ( Thryomanes bewickii calophonus ) – Seen or heard on four days.

Dippers (Cinclidae ) American Dipper ( Cinclus mexicanus ) – Seen on five days, at Narada Falls, Paradise, and along the Tieton River.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 14 Camp Cascades, 2019

American Dipper © Michael O’Brien Kinglets ( Regulidae ) *Golden-crowned Kinglet ( Regulus satrapa ) Y – Seen or heard every day.

Thrushes and Allies ( Turdidae ) Western Bluebird ( Sialia sialis ) – Seen at Wenatchee N.F.. Mountain Bluebird ( Sialia currucoides ) – Several at Sunrise.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 15 Camp Cascades, 2019

Townsend’s Solitaire ( Myadestes townsendi ) – Fly-by seen and Paradise; also heard at Cougar Rock Campground. Varied Thrush ( Ixoreus naevius ) – Seen or heard on four days. *Swainson’s Thrush ( Catharus ustulatus ustulatus ) Y – Seen at Fort Casey, South Whidbey State Park, and Marymoor Park; all were of the Pacific “Russet-backed” subspecies. *American Robin ( Turdus migratorius ) Y – Seen every day.

Mockingbirds and Thrashers ( Mimidae ) Gray Catbird ( Dumetella carolinensis ) – One at Oak Creek.

Starlings ( Sturnidae ) *European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris ) ( I ) Y – Seen on eight days.

Wagtails and Pipits ( Motacillidae ) American Pipit ( Anthus rubescens pacificus ) – Seen at Paradise and Sunrise.

Waxwings ( Bombycillidae ) *Cedar Waxwing ( Bombycilla cedrorum ) – Seen on nine days.

Finches ( Fringillidae ) Evening Grosbeak ( Coccothraustes vespertinus ) – Seen at South Whidbey State Park and Paradise; these birds belonged to the Pacific Northwest “Type 1” group, based on flight call. Pine Grosbeak ( Pinicola enucleator ) – Two at Louise Lake. House Finch ( Carpodacus mexicanus ) – Seen on seven days; most numerous at Oak Creek. Purple Finch ( Haemorhous purpureus californicus ) – Seen at Fort Casey and Wild Birds Unlimited. Cassin’s Finch ( Haemorhous cassinii ) – Replaces Purple Finch at high elevations; seen at Wenatchee N.F., Leech Lake, and Sunrise. Red Crossbill ( Loxia curvirostra ) – Recorded on four days, at both Whidbey Island and Mt. Rainier. Red Crossbill taxonomy is complex, with as many as ten different types in North America, differentiated mainly by flight call and named based on preferred food source. Birds of the of the Western Hemlock (“Type 3”) group were recorded at Fort Casey, South Whidbey S.P., Paradise, and Ohanapecosh Campground. Birds of the Douglas-fir (“Type 4”) group were recorded at Fort Casey and South Whidbey State Park. *Pine Siskin ( Carduelis pinus ) – Seen every day. *American Goldfinch ( Spinus tristis ) Y – Seen on nine days.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 16 Camp Cascades, 2019

Sparrows and Allies ( Emberizidae ) Chipping Sparrow ( Spizella passerina ) Y – Seen on six days, mainly at high elevation meadows, but also at Oak Creek and Wenatchee NF. Lark Sparrow ( Chondestes grammacus ) – Seen at Oak Creek. *Dark-eyed Junco ( Junco hyemalis ) Y – Seen on ten days. All those seen well belonged to the Oregon (J. h. oreganus ) subspecies group. *White-crowned Sparrow ( Zonotrichia leucophrys ) Y – Seen every day; most numerous in the Puget Sound Region, where birds belong to the Pacific (Z. l. pugetensis ) group; a few above treeline on Mt. Rainier showed some darkish in the lores, suggesting intergrades with Rocky Mountain birds ( Z. l. oriantha ). *Savannah Sparrow ( Passerculus sandwichensis ) – Seen on three days, all on Whidbey Island. Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia morphna ) Y – Seen on nine days. These birds belonged to the large and very dark Pacific Northwest group.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 17 Camp Cascades, 2019

Lincoln’s Sparrow ( Melospiza lincolnii ) – One at Paradise. Spotted Towhee ( Pipilo maculates) Y – Seen on seven days. Puget Sound birds belonged to the dark Pacific Northwest ( oregonus ) group, while those east of the Cascade Crest belonged to the more heavily spotted Interior ( maculatus ) group.

Blackbirds and Allies ( Icteridae ) Western Meadowlark ( Sturnella neglecta ) – Several at Oak Creek. Red-winged Blackbird ( Agelaius phoeniceus ) – Small numbers on Whidbey Island and one at Longmire. Brown-headed Cowbird ( Molothrus ater ) Y – Seen on seven days, including juvs being fed by Dark- eyed Junco and White-crowned Sparrow. Brewer’s Blackbird ( Euphagus cyanocephalus ) – Small numbers around Whidbey Island.

New World Warblers ( Parulidae ) *Orange-crowned Warbler ( Oreothlypis celata ) – Seen on five days, at Oak Creek and Mt. Rainier; all those seen well were of the bright Pacific subspecies ( O. c. lutescens ). Nashville Warbler ( Oreothlypis ruficapilla ) – Seen at Wenatchee N.F., Leech Lake, and Oak Creek. All of these were presumed to be of the Western subspecies ( O. r. ridgwayi), and, though subspecies ID is typically only reliable by song (and none of these birds were singing). MacGillivray’s Warbler ( Geothlypis tolmiei ) – Seen or heard on six days, mainly in the mountains. Common Yellowthroat ( Geothlypis trichas arizela ) – Seen on three days in the Puget Sound region. Yellow Warbler ( Setophaga petechia ) – Seen at White Pass and Oak Creek. *Yellow-rumped (“Audubon’s”) Warbler ( Setophaga coronate auduboni ) Y – Seen on nine days; numerous both at Whidbey Island and at high elevation meadows on Mt. Rainier. Black-throated Gray Warbler ( Setophaga nigrescens ) – One at Anderson Lake. Townsend’s Warbler ( Setophaga townsendi ) – Seen on four days, all in the mountains.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 18 Camp Cascades, 2019 Wilson’s Warbler ( Cardellina pusilla ) – A few seen on four days at both in the Puget Sound region and in the Cascades.

Cardinals and Allies (Cardinalidae ) Western Tanager ( Piranga ludoviciana ) – Seen on seven days. Black-headed Grosbeak ( Pheuticus melanocephalus ) Y – Seen on five days. Lazuli Bunting ( Passerina amoena ) – Heard at Oak Creek.

Old World Sparrows ( Passeridae ) House Sparrow ( Passer domesticus) I – Seen on eight days.

MAMMALS Eastern Gray Squirrel ( Sciurus carolinensis ) ( I ) – Several at Fort Casey. Douglas’s Squirrel ( Tamiasciurus douglasii ) – Seen or heard every day. Yellow-pine Chipmunk ( Tamias amoenus ) – Seen on six days; common above treeline on Mt. Rainier, as well as in the drier ponderosa forest on the east side.

Townsend’s Chipmunk ( Tamias townsendi ) – Seen on nine days; this is the common chipmunk in humid forests, both in the Puget Sound Region and on Mt. Rainier; generally darker and duller than Yellow-pine Chipmunk. California Ground-Squirrel ( Otospermophilus beecheyi ) – Numerous at Oak Creek. This is about the northern limit of this species’ range. Cascade Golden-mantled Ground-Squirrel ( Spermophilus saturatus ) – Seen on six days; numerous in open or edge habitats on Mt. Rainier. Hoary Marmot ( Marmota caligata ) – Seen on three days, mainly above treeline on Mt. Rainiar, where they frolicked in lush mountain meadows.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 19 Camp Cascades, 2019

White-footed Mouse ( Peromyscus leucopus ) – Seen at Cougar Rock Campground and White Pass. American Pika ( Ochotona princeps ) – Seen on five days, at rockslides near or above treeline; it’s always highlight to watch these wonderful animals gathering their winter food supplies. *Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus ) ( I ) – Seen daily around Fort Casey. Northern Elephant Seal ( Mirounga angustirostris ) – One basking at Protection Island. Harbor Seal ( Phoca vitulina ) – Seen daily in the Puget Sound Region; large numbers backing at Protection Island. *Mule Deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ) – Seen on seven days. Those from the Puget Sound Region to western portions of the Cascades belonged to the very dark “Black-tailed” subspecies (O. h. columbianus ); two seen at Paradise were considerably paler, and may have been intergrades with the widespread nominate “Rocky Mountain” subspecies ( O. h. hemionus ). Elk ( Cervus canadensis ) – Several in Packwood; these belonged to the “Roosevelt” or “Olympic” subspecies ( C. c. roosevelti ), which are larger and more richly colored than other subspecies. *Harbor Porpoise ( Phocoena phocoena ) – Seen at several locations around Puget Sound, including from Fort Casey. Gray Whale ( Eschrichtius robustus ) – A big highlight was seeing a very large individual of this species off Swan Lake.

AMPHIBIANS & REPTILES Northern Red-legged Frog ( Rana aurora ) – Two at South Whidbey State Park. Western Fence Lizard ( Sceloporus occidentalis ) – Oak Creek Common Garter Snake ( Thamnophis sirtalis ) – Wenatchee N.F.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 20 Camp Cascades, 2019 BUTTERFLIES Clodius Parnassian ( Parnassius clodius ) Western Tiger Swallowtail ( Papilio rutulus ) Pine White ( Neophasia menapia ) Western White ( Pontia occidentalis ) Becker’s White ( Pontia beckerii ) Cabbage White ( Pieris rapae ) Purplish Copper ( Lycaena helloides ) Thicket Hairstreak ( Callophrys spinetorum ) Gray Hairstreak ( Strymon melinus ) Spring Azure ( Celastrina ladon ) Square-spotted Blue ( Euphilotes battoides ) Boisduval’s Blue ( Plebejus icarioides ) Acmon Blue ( Plebejus acmon ) Anna’s Blue ( Plebejus anna ) Great Spangled Fritillary ( Speyeria cybele ) Zerene Fritillary ( Speyeria zerene ) Mormon Fritillary ( Speyeria mormonia ) Purplish Fritillary ( Boloria chariclea ) Edith’s Checkerspot ( Euphydryas editha ) Snowberry Checkerspot ( Euphydryas colon )

Field Crescent ( Phyciodes pulchella ) Milbert’s Tortoiseshell ( Aglais milberti ) California Tortoiseshell ( Nymphalis californica ) Painted Lady ( Vanessa cardui ) – One of our most common butterflies; we missed it last year! Red Admiral ( Vanessa atalanta)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 21 Camp Cascades, 2019 Lorquin’s Admiral ( Limenitis lorquini ) Common Wood-Nymph ( Cercyonis pegala )

Great Basin Wood-Nymph ( Cercyonis sthenele ) Woodland Skipper ( Ochlodes sylvanoides )

DRAGONFLIES Common Green Darner (Anax junius ) Blue-eyed Darner ( Aeshna multicolor ) Twelve-spotted Skimmer ( Libellula pulchella ) Cardinal Meadowhawk ( Sympetrum illotum ) Blue Dasher ( Pachydiplax longipennis )

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 22 Camp Cascades, 2019