 |
| Mt. Baker looms over the Lighthouse at the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, WA; 8/4/2012. |
The Dugeness National Wildlife Refuge along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, just north of Sequim, Washington, is a rich habitat for wildlife, in particular of the avian persuasion. It serves as an important refuge for marine life, but also is a year round home for many birds as well as a vital stopping off point during the migration periods. A link to a website about the refuge is below...
During my short day visit in early August, I was able to spot a couple of dozen different species of birds ranging from sea and water birds to land birds and raptors.
 |
| Backlit by the morning sun, a Cedar Waxwing poses, Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, WA; 8/4/2012. |
Some of the birds I observed were:
Raptors: Bald Eagles, Osprey, Northern Harrier
Sea and Water Birds: Canada Geese, Mallards, Cinnamon Teals, Gadwalls, Pigeon Guillemots, Great Blue Herons, Western gulls, Belted Kingfisher, Glaucous-winged Gulls, Killdeers
Land Birds: Spotted Towhees, Cedar Waxwings (Above), Pileated woodpecker, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, American Robins, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Common Raven, American Crow, Northern Red-shafted Flicker, Mourning Dove and a surprising Eurasian Collared Dove.
Some photos below...
 |
| A Glaucous-winged Gull, Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, WA; 8/4/2012. |
 |
| Northern Flicker, Red-shafted variety, Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, WA; 8/4/2012. |
 |
| Osprey, Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, WA; 8/4/2012. |
 |
| Pigeon Guillemots, Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, WA; 8/4/2012. |
 |
| A young Spotted Towhee, Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, WA; 8/4/2012. |
 |
| White-crowned Sparrow, Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, WA; 8/4/2012. |
I am sure that early August is probably a slow period for birdwatching, but I enjoyed my visit there nonetheless, and hope to make another trip during a migration month some year.
