Date: 9/9/26 5:46 pm From: Jim Danzenbaker via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] fun birding at Migration Corner, Larch Mountain, Clark County
Hi Tweeters,
Some fun birding times over the last few days.
Well, it's been a fairly slow season at Migration Corner with the hoped for northeast breeze rarely coming to fruition. Then yesterday and today came along and the season was turned on its head! I'll try to summarize in some sort of coherent order.
The highlights were many on each day but today, Wednesday, we had one of the best species diversity (62 species) and rarity events that I can ever remember without having to move more than 50 feet from our cars. Think flycatchers on Tuesday followed by finches and woodpeckers today. If you want details, please read on.
*WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER*
I don't know what just happened with WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER on both Tuesday (immature female) and Wednesday (adult male). These are only the second and third records for Clark County. Of course, the first record for this location was on September 16, 2023 also at Migration Corner! When the adult male flew by today, it floored us and we didn't speak for several seconds. Gotta love this birding thing!
but wait, there's more......
*BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER*
10 minutes later, Dave I. quieted us down so we could hear the BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER that was "ker-[0lppppppp80jppllp"ing from a large dead doug fir in front of us. We soon spotted it on the side of the tree although we were caught without cameras at the ready so missed the photo. This is the *first *Clark County record!!!! High 5s all around!
*CASSIN'S FINCH*
In short, there were 5 (1-2-1-1) separate individuals that flew over this site yesterday. I was amazed by this since I had only seen a total of 26 (all but 15 at Migration Corner) over the years in Clark County since 2006. Today, I hoped we would find a few but getting 5 within 15 minutes of our arrival was incredible! More relaxed viewing this time with calling birds atop one of the tall doug firs at the edge of the parking area. I can only assume that the food failure in the northeast and north central part of the US and Canada and the forest fires in eastern Washington and elsewhere had these birds ranging farther afield to find food.
*PINE GROSBEAK*
Today, we had a flock of four fairly large, bulky, rather long-tailed passerines that flew over us. After we compared notes (pinkish on a few of them, general dullish gray underparts on others) we came to the conclusion that they were Pine Grosbeaks! This is another rare bird in Clark County and a record early date. This morning was shaping up to be a record breaking day!
*CLARK'S NUTCRACKER*
It's difficult to figure out this species which has become annual at Migration Corner since 2023 (couldn't find any records for last year though). Therefore, when Greg J called out "flock of large birds flying toward us over the ridge", we all looked up and counted 14 Clark's Nutcrackers! Later on, we had an additional two. Dave and Shawneen also found one to the west on Larch Mountain when they were driving down the mountain. This is an amazing trend and I hope it continues although I wonder what this is telling us about the availability of food in areas where they would ordinarily be hanging out.
*FLYCATCHERS*
After seeing or hearing only WW Pewees and Olive-sided Flycatchers on previous visits this year, the empidonax floodgates opened. On Tuesday, there were 5 Hammond's, 2 Dusky, 2 Western, 2 Willow Flycatchers iand 2 unidentified in the area. At one point, there were three calling empids at one time. Today, one Hammond's and one Olive-sided. Can't explain why the empids went from 13 to 1. You never know what will be around when you go birding.
*WARBLERS*
9 species of warblers capped the morning on Tuesday and 8 species today kept us on our toes (as if the rarities weren't already doing that). Tuesday's total number was 95 and Wednesday's was 281. Of course, it was only me on Tuesday for about 3 hours vs today with 6 observers over almost 6 hours.
*SPARROWS AND KINGLETS*
The first push of sparrows (including juncos) and kinglets happened over the last several days. Tuesdays totals were 16 and 16 and Wednesday's were 79 and 38
*THRUSHES AND SOLITAIRES*
As with other species, these species also rebounded. Varied (22) and Swainson's Thrushes (41) were quite prominent today. Solitaires jumped to 2 and 7.
I hope everyone is able to experience a day like today up at Migration Corner. You never know when it will happen but persistence pays as well as many, many visits. Monitor BirdCast and windy.com for help in predicting the next big day.
Remember to bring your Discover Pass and an ability to avoid potholes on the paved road leading to the mountain and many bumps and binks on the forest road leading to Migration Corner.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Keep your eyes and ears skyward!
Jim
-- Jim Danzenbaker Battle Ground, WA 360-702-9395 <jdanzenbaker...>
