Red-eared Slider

27 February 2020, a sunny, 60ᵒ F day, brought out a turtle at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge—a Red-eared Slider. Note the red behind the eye. These turtles do not hibernate. They are able to slow their metabolism and can emerge on a warm day. They are the most frequently observed turtle in most of western Washington (Paulson). The problem with Red-eared Sliders is that, while native of the southeastern United States, they have escaped or been released from the pet trade all over the world. Feral populations are now found in Australia, Europe, South Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the Caribbean, and various Pacific Islands. Paulson warns, “These invasive turtles compete with native turtles and transmit diseases to them.”

Surf Scoter

When I spied this duck on 27 February 2020 at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, I first thought we had a Black Scoter. I noted no large white patches on the head or neck and no white in the wing. The bill, however, looked like a dull Surf Scoter. This Surf Scoter is typical of a first-winter, male.

Least Sandpiper

On 20 February 2020, Erika and I counted 68 Least Sandpipers at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. This count is one of the highest for Least Sandpipers in the winter in Washington. The species winters along North American Coasts from Oregon and southeastern Virginia to northern South Amierica. On the Pacific Coast, they are casual north to British Columbia. Least Sandpipers breed across Alaska and Arctic Canada and they are common across the continent during migration. The species is best identified by its brown coloration and yellowish legs.

Wood Duck

Here are three images of male Wood Ducks taken at McLane Lake near Olympia on 25 September 2019, 4 October 2019, and 11 February 2020. The second male is either immature and/or eclipse plumage, that ducks undergo after the breeding season. Note the faint suggestion of the male’s white chin stripes.

Virginia Rail

During a stroll along a marsh at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge on 24 February 2020, Erika noticed the cattails move. Out popped a Virginia Rail. This species is common, even abundant (albeit elusive), in freshwater marshes across the northern United States and southern Canada, They can be very hard to see—especially at the refuge where playing bird call recordings is forbidden. I was surprised at this bird’s coloration—it looked unlike any Virginia Rail I have ever seen. The breast seems remarkably rich chestnut. The gray face is oddly bordered by a pale, gray band. The flanks are much more finely barred than the flanks of other Virginia Rails. I was surprised when I researched this post, that no geographic variation is described in the ornithological literature. There are no recognized races in North America. The confusing field marks on this bird must fall within the normal range of coloration in Virginia Rails.

Great Blue Heron

Here are a few photos taken over the past year of Great Blue Herons.  All are from the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.  Wetland pollution and draining has also threatened the species. Currently populations appear to be stabile, with increases in some areas, but decreases in others. (Vennesland, R. G. and R. W. Butler 2011).

Great Blue Heron plumes were prized by the millinery trade if the early 1900s. The species has more or less recovered from this decimation, although some studies conclude that populations were higher before the 1930s than they are now (see citatio above).

Surf Scoter

A Surf Scoter swam up to us at the Bremerton Ferry on 14 February 2020. One assumes that these ducks use their outlanish bill colors to differentiate the age and sex of their companions. Surf Scoters consume bivalves and small fish, but take advantage of whatever prey items are most abundant at a given location and season.

Eurasian Wigeon

Erika and I have found about a half-dozen Eurasian Wigeons during the spring and fall at Nisquially National Wildlife Refuge. Most of these birds were well camouflaged in grassy meadows. On 17 February 2020, we found this individual at the end of the refuge boardwalk. The bird fed in the open alongside several American Wigeons. I have previously written about this duck. This bird fed in shallow water—the species is normally vegetation.

American Bittern

On 17 February 2020, after months of searching, Erika and I finally found an American Bittern at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. You can tell why bitterns are difficult to see. Bitterns inhabit cattail marshes in the Northern United States and southern Canada. Most migrate south in winter. Bitterns are in western Washington all year.

California Sea lion

California Sea Lions breed along the Pacific Coast from central Mexico to California. In the winter they move further north, reaching southeastern Alaska. They are seen in Puget Sound, usually from fall to spring. Females rarely occur here. These mammals are probably attracted to the Sound in search for salmon. Erika and I found this sea lion as we waited for the Seattle Ferry in the Bremerton, Washington, Harbor on 14 February 2020. I am not sure we have ever seen California Sea Lions.  First we heard the sea lions, which sound somewhat like barking dogs. Other field marks include its brown to black coloration, dog-like snout, and apparent crest on the top of its head. This crest is typical of older males.