American Bittern

This American Bittern was the high point of Erika and my 29 March 2020 visit to the Nisqually national wildlife refuge. Even at close range, the bird was hard to see. We knew something was nearby because of the half-dozen birders intently focusing their optical equipment along the small creek that runs next to the refuge’s Twin Barns. I asked the woman who pointed the bird out to us how she found it. She replied, “Oh, that bird is always here…” If so, Erika and I have strolled by this American Bittern a hundred times during the past year.

Greater Yellowlegs

On 22 March 2021, Erika and I watched as a Greater Yellowlegs gave a prolonged chase of another yellowlegs. This encounter was probably not sexual. In the field, you can not really tell males from females. Yellowlegs of all ages are known to drive off competitors from good fishing pools (Elphick and Tibbitts 2020)—apparently, that is what is happening here. These chases are usually infrequent and short, but can be longer in duration and can even result in pecking and kicking—although we did not see any physical contact.

Great Blue Heron

This woe-begotten Great Blue Heron could be wounded, but more likely is just cold on this 40ᵒ, 22 March 2021, morning. The heron flew off after posing for a few photographs. Erika and I were strolling at the Billy Frank Jr Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.

Blue Orchard Bee

While working on the back porch on 27 March 2021, I found s small, black bee. iNaturalist had no trouble identifying it as a Blue Orchard Bee, Osmia lignaria. This bee nests in reeds and natural holes, but, unlike carpenter bees, it does not drill its own cavities. Blue Orchard Bees are common pollinators in the early spring—the species flies during colder and cloudier days than many other bees. Commercial orchards and gardeners buy these bees and bee houses. These bees seldom sting and tend to be solitary. The bees do require cold winters to survive and are found across much of North America. 

Audubon’s Warbler

Two versions of the same photo taken on 22 March 2021 at the Nisqually national wildlife refuge. I like the small-bird image better than the cropped one—you can see the little gnats that the bird is hunting. You may recall my recent picture of the Myrtle race of the Yellow-rumped Warler. The bird here is the more to be expected Audubon’s race. A male, like this one, is unmistakable with its bright yellow throat. This bird was even more gorgeous than is shown here—its breast is jet-black.

Northwestern Salamander

Northwestern Salamanders are found along the west coast of North America, from Alaska to central California. In Washington, they range from sea-level to the timberline west of the Cascades. They spend most of their time under logs or underground. They are usually active only during fall rains or, in the spring, as they migrate to the freshwater ponds in which they breed. These salamanders secrete poison from the glands behind their eyes and are normally avoided by predators. Erika and I encountered this individual on 22 March at the Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge. The salamander seemed quite lethargic, probably as a result of the 40° morning temperature, but the salamander may have been wounded by any of the many human hikers along the dike trail. In any event, for us this Northwestern Salamander is a first.

Bufflehead

Buffleheads, like this drake on 22 March 2021 at the Billy Frank Jr. National Wildlife Refuge, are among the most abundant ducks in Olympia. I mentioned in previous posts that Buffleheads are difficult to photograph. Their white sides and white head patches tend to overwhelm the camera sensors. But bright sunlight is needed to show off this ducks dazzlingly iridescent heads. Consequently for the past two years, I have pursued the ultimate Bufflehead image—this photograph comes closer than most.

Marsh Wren

This Marsh Wren greeted Erika and me at the Nisqually national wildlife refuge on 22 March 2021. Marsh Wrens, with their amazing song repertoires, seem like delightful birds. On the other hand, these birds have a disturbing habit of destroying eggs. Both males and females often peck and break any egg of any species—other birds' and Marsh Wrens' alike—they encounter (Kroodsma and Verner 2020).

Band-tailed Pigeon

On 19 March 2021, two Band-tailed Pigeons, after a winter’s absence, appeared at our feeders. These pigeons are common in western Washington in the summer and can be locally common in the winter, too—just not in our backyard. We are ending our first full two years in Olympia. Previously the pigeons’ earliest dates were 4 April 2020 and 19 May 2019. Most of our birds move south to winter along Pacific Coast. This dove enjoys a remarkably wide range, from western North America south  through Central and western South America to northern Argentina. Here in Washington, numbers are declining. The species may be susceptible to protozoa diseases at feeders. Band-tailed Pigeons also depend on mineral springs, which supply essential nutrients, but are disappearing with agricultural and urban development (Wahl et al. 2005).

Ring-necked Duck

All winter, Erika and I listed Ring-necked Ducks Olympia’s Capital Lake—this drake on 16 March 2021. This duck’s neck ring is often invisible, even in close-up views like this one. The drake’s white-ringed bill is a better field mark. Ring-necked Ducks prefer smaller, freshwater lakes and are less often seen in Puget Sound. These ducks are migrants and/or winter residents across most of the United States. They breed across Canada, spilling over into most our our northern states. They also breed south into the northern Rockies. In Washington, they breed in the east, but only rarely in the west.