![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCB1ag58pRiiuDKqyIkC7q3RzrLnSAWbguzmRfKFiCqybtLZjhk1W95Cyib61Dy5XmfoIqkEwkeZ7i33VNYWR_if2M34HjqC0pxxDAGQ5mmkugXkJ_EW-pmClpAwuk8sd9jKAQspVmVP7g/s400/Dungeness-Lighthouse,-WA,-8.jpg) |
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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpWR0h9J40fn2FHFbUCuBYqz1BH2BHtWmZPBMtoIFpowO_Bf8hTVKIcpQ9mAvhYACJ_dXMrfUT5muT42tm7CHLXquwNUNQ9XrKoiolV8-_e_qMPUk-oH9l1DgCcgVhHzdP0UUFge7Fj8K/s400/CedarWaxwingDungeness8-4.jpg) |
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...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuH3F-FJvkAmOEJlvdBbhifdhqfcaHXBA9mGsqA3z5KNUjf-LldKK4G9gEByofJ1nUf_LJBsEwoFxWyOVsF9ebu3R1RO2l88BkS8Ek5BkVGYQKkFToAg5hHWzFuHeeaBSQWVnMz9s-u03/s400/Glaucous-winged-Gull,-Port-.jpg) |
A Glaucous-winged Gull, Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, WA; 8/4/2012. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2I8IWhGBE6aFFVFNq9MMMVSTjRg1wuoc7VX9B7u099rss7mvibDLamNJY4ff-mC8qFW-aIyFSD7z-G30uqGUsPgcXZ438ywfCgNj031dkXHKCrox92C4An6m4uo-1NlRtx5P53pXQzoM/s400/NredshaftedFlickerDungns8-4.jpg) |
Northern Flicker, Red-shafted variety, Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, WA; 8/4/2012. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRWOGh-8XySqplk37GkiuiQXAnBx_f4LIIyKoBc9rtq_2Q2HJiDK7XITS-0fIatuyGF5Dq3t44VKc5rOgfK5_A71C34HBnqaCpAydwH1DIMo68OPrgjxlJAcRP5SgMyI1hGbbUuRDN5X1/s400/Osprey,-Lake-Sammamish,-WA,.jpg) |
Osprey, Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, WA; 8/4/2012. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVEP7qqwAEFEXKOHH0mF7r9bEHhKWQGGIMze7c8tBevtJzreTCrnqi8d-BbTLX9vY8Y2QlxIVrIOD-TMHHL0AKMsSgZ5I6DIY3e07UCM97PuhL_wfzTRMYmu8tVw-t968mZR2aptM7zcf/s400/Pigeon-Gillemots,-ungenessW.jpg) |
Pigeon Guillemots, Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, WA; 8/4/2012. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Wj6edLYBJM1XhniHMe0yIFxOXayD3BXJYzol3N9XdiLlU466ziY3xN_uOAyQWhsGbODNfkWGU0472yMCnXWwkQJoEIAyyxHnNmFOg2fXPeIo1-WKUxPau6LJfGBF4VCbtiQxPbBvbWw8/s400/SpottedTowheeDungeness8-4.jpg) |
A young Spotted Towhee, Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, WA; 8/4/2012. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFjCvKnPSTcqatu2I89btcjFtQcQj9FGw9bGCP5buZ7ACuwlRiCCqBInIiMpv09oZA4id6grga20rmvNmXRKez-d91FDKvvVpk9YEzgN_tDRbAyVh66Ca7WCr5pKPunz3lydUIiOiXnwU/s400/WhtCrwndSprrwDungenes8-4.jpg) |
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.