[Tweeters] Jefferson and Kitsap Counties

[Tim Brennan via Tweeters]

Hey Tweets!

I had a backpacking trip to Marmot Pass in Jefferson County, bookended by some Kitsap County birding, with some good birds found! On Wednesday, I made a stop at Point no Point (on Peninsula no Peninsula) and did a little seabird watching. Hundreds of Bonaparte's Gulls were offshore, occasionally harassed by some Parasitic Jaegers. I caught a Common Tern as well, before checking the marsh behind the lighthouse, where I picked up a Virgina Rail for my Kitsap yearlist.

In the later afternoon, I got to hiking up to Camp Mystery, which was full of so many different mushrooms. Red Crossbill, Varied Thrush, and American Dipper on the way up. Thursday morning, I hiked up to Marmot pass from my camp, with Pine Grosbeak calling just out of Camp Mystery. At Marmot Pass, there were plenty of Canada Jays, and American Pipits flying overhead. I accidentally started a hike up towards Buckhorn Mountain, getting to about 6500 feet, with Clark's Nutcracker on the way up, and Gray-crowned Rosy Finch at the top of my hike. This was about a half-mile, and included some pretty loose talus - be warned! On the way back to 101, I caught an elusive year bird for Jefferson - a Ruffed Grouse flushed from the last bit of gravel road I touched for the day - 190 for the year!

Today, I had a Heermann's Gull at the Kingston Ferry, bringing the Kitsap year to 146. It'll be a bit before the blog is updated at jkcountybirding.blogspot.com, but wanted to share some highlights from a fun trip to the peninsula.

Cheers,

Tim Brennan
Renton
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