Reserve an Olympic Peninsula birding tour and enjoy a diversity of Olympic National Park birds year-round!

Portrait of a female sooty grouse in a meadow on the Olympic Peninsula dotted with white wildflowers

Explore summer bird diversity in the Olympic mountains, winter bird diversity on the Salish Sea, and the amazing spectacles of spring and fall bird migration on the Olympic Peninsula with a former neotropical songbird researcher and hawk counter.

Birding tour rates that include transportation are priced by destination whereas birding guide service (you drive) is on an hourly rate.

A teacher helps you to savor Olympic National Park bird biodiversity

Birding guide Carolyn Wilcox is used to waking up early to observe birds, having led bird walks while working as a science teacher and now as a birding guide. She loves Christmas Bird counts and participates in both the Port Angeles and Sequim CBCs that have counted upwards of 150 bird species. For comparison, over 300 bird species have been identified in Clallam County alone in one year. Ideally we will bird together and inspire others to find joy in watching birds and creating ideal bird habitats in our backyards and beyond!

Seasonal timing of Olympic Peninsula bird watching tours

Close-up of a young male Pine Grosbeak perched on a conifer who is in a transitional plumage with both yellow and red coloring

Closeup of a resting flock of Black Oystercatchers during high tide on the Salish Sea

During the spring, people gather for Olympic Peninsula’s BirdFest. and Neah Bay's Bald Eagle Festival. During late summer or early fall, bird watching organizations like the Washington Ornithological Society and the American Birding Association have met up in Port Angeles to take advantage of fall migration and access to the Olympic Mountains.

In the late fall, rarities often blow in, especially to Neah Bay, which has hosted rare raptors, egrets, kingbirds, warblers, buntings, orioles, sparrows and others. Speaking of rarities, I spotted a Nashville Warbler in my backyard during the winter of 2014-2015!

Olympic Peninsula and Olympic National Park birding resources

Close-up of an adult Varied Thrush, which has a black mask, black band across its chest and the male is a stunning shade of orange

Since ExperienceOlympic is located in Port Angeles, the Olympic Peninsula bird watching information presented here is anecdotal local experience by birding guide Carolyn Wilcox as well as information from Fred Sharpe’s Olympic Peninsula Bird Checklist. The Olympic Peninsula includes quite a few bird watching resources for both local and visiting birders to Washington State.

Closeup of a Townsend's Warbler showing the yellow and black face, green back, white wing bars, yellow throat and chest, white belly and stripping

The Dungeness River Audubon Center adjacent to Railroad Bridge Park in Sequim is a great facility for Washington birders and is located on the Olympic Discovery Trail. You can pick up maps, like the Olympic driving loop of the Washington State Birding Trail, and a bird watching checklist for Clallam County (used on Olympic Peninsula birding tours by ExperienceOlympic). Dow Lambert maintains an excellent bird photography website (and has been kind enough to include photos included on this page) that includes informational Olympic Peninsula birding links.

Four Harlequin Ducks with two breeding males in the middle, one female in front and one male in basic plummage in the rear

Information and Photos of Olympic Peninsula Birds

Basic Plumage Red-throated Loon with a narrow yellow upturned bill white speckled back white face and red eye in Neah Bay, Washington State

Loons: I have heard Common Loons yodeling in Port Angeles Harbor in the spring and fall. Common Loons are more numerous from October to May but can be seen at all times of the year. Less common in the Port Angeles harbor are Pacific and Red-throated Loons as I tend to see them more often at the new and improved Elwha River mouth. Yellow-billed Loons are rare but can be observed during the winter; and even rarer is finding an Arctic Loon.

The Red-necked Grebe has more striking black, white and red coloration during breeding as seen in this image

Grebes: The lovely Red-necked Grebe is actually quite common during the winter in the Port Angeles harbor from about October to April. Horned Grebes are also fairly numerous during the winter while Pied-billed Grebes, Eared Grebes, and Western Grebes are certainly around but not as common.

The white flank feathers jump out at you on this breeding Pelagic Cormorant that is pictured in flight

Cormorants: What fun Olympic Peninsula birds to identify as they roost together on pilings, rocks, boats, and docks! I love it when Olympic Peninsula birds just stand there for you to observe in your spotting scope - how cooperative. We have Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, and Brandt’s Cormorant all year and they breed here from roughly June to September. Their breeding plumage is quite spectacular to observe in a spotting scope. Double-crested and Pelagic Cormorants are more common in the Port Angeles harbor but Brandt's Cormorant can be numerous locally around the Peninsula.

Two Brant looking regal with their white necklaces in the Strait of Juan de Fuca

Brant: These beautiful small geese with necklaces winter exclusively on coastal habitat that includes Dungeness Spit in Sequim. I often observe them on Ediz Hook in Port Angeles as well. North American populations are experiencing long-term decline causing my friend who has researched birds in Alaska to say, "Brant: The goose with a problem." Although they can be viewed in good numbers in winter from roughly October to February, they are in highest numbers during spring migration in March and April.

A Greater White-fronted Goose is captured flying moments before landing in Neah Bay, Washington

Greater White-fronted Goose: This is another arctic breeder that will winter on the Olympic Peninsula. It can be found grazing in fields but is more strongly tied to the coast. I have seen flocks of these gray geese from the Old World grazing in agricultural fields in Sequim, sometimes mixed in with Canada Geese. Although you can find these Olympic Peninsula birds singly all winter, look for medium to large sized flocks during migration in May and September.

Two Trumpeter Swans seen at a distance in agricultural fields full of blooming yellow flowers near the Dungeness River on the Olympic Peninsula

Other Geese and Swans: The largest of native North American waterfowl, Trumpeter Swan populations appear to be increasing in North America and thus we are more likely to see them during the winter. Unlike Brant that are generally only seen on or near the Strait of Juan de Fuca, it is common to find Trumpeter Swans grazing slightly inland in agricultural fields around Sequim. Like Brant, Trumpeter Swans are generally seen on the Olympic Peninsula from about November to April. It is also possible to see Tundra Swans. Wintering Canada Geese behave similarly to wintering swans and mixed in with these flocks you might find an Emperor Goose or Snow Goose.

Two diving Harlequin Ducks in basic plummage allowing you to see how they quickly dive underwater with their wings outstretched

Harlequin Duck: We are lucky to have this amazing diving duck year-round and Port Angeles is one of the best places to see them on the Olympic Peninsula! During the summer, pairs breed on the Elwha River and can be observed there from roughly April to August. Harlequins can also be found on Ediz Hook year-round.

Close-up of a male Surf Scoter with bulbous orange, red, and black patterned bill, black body, and red feet

Scoters: Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, and Black Scoter can be viewed in greatest numbers from roughly October to April. Surf Scoter is most common, followed by White-winged Scoter, and then Black Scoter, when viewing them in the Port Angeles harbor. I have seen Black Scoter in large numbers in Neah Bay in January and February and on the Kalaloch Beaches in December and January.

A male long-tailed duck is pictured here with its head cocked potentially listening for an answer to it's call

Long-tailed Duck: Another winter resident on the Olympic Peninsula, these beauties dive together and love to socialize when they are not underwater. They stick around from October to April and are pretty reliably seen on Ediz Hook and the Port Angeles harbor. I really look forward to seeing them each winter!

A pair of Common Merganser are pictured swimming down an Olympic National Park river

Common Merganser: I include this “common” Olympic National Park bird because they breed here and are found all year in the Port Angeles harbor and Elwha River mouth. Common Mergansers nest in large tree cavities (and other possible locations) on the Elwha River and breeding pairs can be observed on the Elwha river from about April to August.

A stunning male Northern Shoveler with a bright green head and long black spoon-like bill shows off its red belly as it stretches its wings on an Olympic Peninsula pond

Wintering Ducks: October to March on the Olympic Peninsula has good diversity in ducks and includes Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Canvasback, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, and Ruddy Duck. Protected harbors, drainage fields, estuaries, and ephemeral ponds from winter flooding are all good locations to look for wintering ducks on the Olympic Peninsula.

This juvenile bald eagle appears to have both some features of first and second year, for example its head appears buffy (2nd year) but its beak looks dark gray (1st year)

Eagles: Whenever the gulls get vocal outside my house in Port Angeles, I look for a Bald Eagle. Their populations seem to be doing quite well and it is common to see them near the Strait of Juan de Fuca or Pacific Ocean. Dead marine mammals are especially popular sites for Bald Eagles. I have only seen Golden Eagles at a distance in the Olympic Mountains, usually soaring either high above me or far below me. Eagles can be viewed at all times of the year.

This Peregrine Falcon is the subspecies Pealei and is strongly barred and the largest of the peregrine subspecies

Other Raptors: All the raptors discussed breed here and can be seen year-round, with the exception of the Turkey Vulture that is absent during the winter. Red-tailed hawk is pretty common over much of the Olympic Peninsula. Northern Harriers can be seen in Sequim and at Hurricane Ridge. Turkey vultures form kettles during both spring and fall migration as they cross over the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Both Sharp-Shinned and Cooper’s Hawks are found in higher numbers during fall migration and Sharpies are also found in higher numbers during spring migration in March and April. Northern Goshawk, American Kestrel, Merlin, and Peregrine Falcon are uncommon but also breed here. I was pleased to recently add Osprey to my yard list as they are generally uncommon.

Closeup of the face and upper body of a Sooty Grouse peeking through tall tan grass

Grouse: I have seen a male sooty grouse displaying on snow in the Hurricane Ridge area in early spring – so amazing! Their breeding season starts as early as March. Your best chances of viewing grouse is during the late summer when female sooty grouse can be observed with chicks at Hurricane Ridge. When the female is on nest in early summer, they are practically impossible to find. Ruffed grouse are restricted to lower elevations and easily flush when you are hiking (seemingly much more so than Sooty). The drumming of the Ruffed Grouse is something that you can feel in your chest like the bass on a car stereo.

Close up of Black Oystercatcher with its stunning bright orange bill and eye ring

Black Oystercatcher: These sassy Olympic Peninsula birds are generally very vocal and easy to view. I wish I could understand what they are saying to each other! Black Oystercatchers are generally more numerous on the coast but also populate the Strait of Juan de Fuca. They can be viewed all year long and breed on the Olympic Peninsula. I once watched a Black Oystercatcher aerial mobbing a perched Bald Eagle while backpacking on the coast and this behavior continued for who knows how long as I hiked away.

Closeup of a Spotted Sandpiper standing on large woody debris with a defined spotted chest and bicolored red bill with a black tip

Spotted Sandpiper: I love watching this North American bird when wintering in Central America – it seemed like Spotties were in just about every habitat near water. They can be found near the coast or the Strait of Juan de Fuca during migration. During the summer, they breed on Olympic National Park rivers like the Elwha at almost any elevation. Although they arrive around April, their breeding season is roughly May to July. Look for their fluffy little chicks foraging along rivers in August.

The Black Turnstone is a black pigeon-shaped shorebird with bold white wing markings and a white belly

Wintering Shorebirds: Black-bellied Plover, Black Turnstone (with a Ruddy Turnstone often mixed in), Surfbird, Sanderling, and Dunlin all winter here from roughly August/September to April. Ediz Hook is a pretty reliable place for close views but it’s hard to compete with Dungeness for sheer numbers. It will be interesting to note if the sand spit that is forming at the mouth of the Elwha River will result in restored habitat for shorebirds.

Close-up of a transitional black-bellied plover pictured during fall migration that still has some remnant black on its belly

Shorebird Migration: April, late August, and early September are good times to catch migrating shorebirds on the Olympic Peninsula. Olympic Peninsula rare shoebirds have included both Hudsonian and Bar-tailed Godwit in Sequim at Dungeness. Ediz Hook can be a good location for watching shorebirds but if you are willing to travel a bit farther, Ocean Shores is amazing.

A mixed flock of Dunlin and other shorebird show off their breeding plumage while flying during spring migration on the Olympic Peninsula

An Olympic Gull which is a large hybrid pink-legged gull sits on its nest on an abandoned dock

Olympic Gull: The ubiquitous gull that nests on the rooftops of houses around me is the hybrid Glaucous-winged Gull x Western Gull that lives year-round on the Olympic Peninsula. Some birders on the Olympic Peninsula like to speculate on genetic percentages of hybrids.

Heermanns Gull is a smaller dark gray gull with a striking red bill when compared to the larger pink-legged gulls standing to the right in the image

Heermann’s Gull: I love this gull because it is so easy to pick out in large hordes of gulls, such as those that can be found at the mouth of the Elwha River. Heermann’s Gulls visit us here on the Olympic Peninsula in high numbers from about July to October. Interestingly enough, Heermann’s Gulls actually breed south of the Olympic Peninsula and then visit us here after breeding but typically can not be found here at all from about January to May.

The Ring-billed Gull has a more clearly defined black ring around its bill as well as clear light eyes

Other Gulls: California Gulls and Ring-billed Gulls are found on the Olympic Peninsula year-round but in largest numbers during their breeding season in the summer. Bonaparte’s Gull is found uncommonly year-round but in larger numbers during spring migration in April and May and fall migration in August to October.

The Adult Mew Gull pictured has a short plain yellow bill and it is a small petite gull

Wintering Gulls: Mew Gulls, Herring Gulls, and Thayer’s Gulls all winter on the Olympic Peninsula but arrive and leave on slightly different schedules (with the Mew Gulls sticking around for the longest time). If you want to potentially catch all of these wintering Olympic Peninsula birds: then December, January, or February are probably your best winter months. The mouth of the Elwha River is a great place to see a large assortment of gulls though the changing sand spit that is forming there from the release of colossal amounts of sediment due to Elwha Dam removal. River mouths on coastal beaches are great place for large mixed flocks of wintering gulls.

Six Caspian Terns flying over a sandy beach with blue water in the background

Terns: Caspian Tern breeds on the Olympic Peninsula from about July to September and can be found starting in about April to November. Common Tern is most numerous during migration in April and September. Arctic Tern is most numerous in May and August/September.

Basic plumage Marbled Murrelet is a small black and white bird with a white collar that sits like a football on the water

Marbled Murrelet: If any Olympic National Park bird is going to compete with the beloved Tufted Puffins it would have to be this indicator of old-growth – the Marbled Murrelet. I especially like them because I probably live in one of the best places to view them. Ediz Hook and the Port Angeles harbor are great locations for viewing Marbled Murrelets year-round. However, I have found that it is easier to view Marbled Murrelets in pairs during the winter when they are not busy caring for young in the tops of old-growth conifer trees in Olympic National Park. Marbled Murrelets often have to fly long distances to find their preferred nesting tree branches and you can hear them flying overhead around dawn. Ancient Murrelet do not breed on the Olympic Peninsula and can therefore only be viewed during the winter in small numbers.

Tufted Puffin are shaped like footballs and have a white face when breeding and large bulbous orange bill

Tufted Puffin: Tufted Puffins are easily everyone’s favorite Olympic Peninsula bird and who doesn’t want to hang out all day long watching them. During the winter, Tufted Puffins move offshore so it is important that you plan your visit during breeding when you can view them in the near shore. Although a few breed on Protection Island, more breed on Tatoosh Island, therefore the platform at the end of the Cape Flattery trail is probably the easiest place to sit and try to find them from about late April to early September. The Cape Flattery trail is in Neah Bay and you want to make sure you purchase a Makah Recreation Permit ($10) in town before venturing out to the trail. You should also take some time out from birding and check out the Makah Museum while you are in Neah Bay.

Four Pigeon Guillemots swimming in a line in breeding plumage are all black birds with a white wing patch

Pigeon Guillemot: Unlike the other alcids that generally demand your spotting scope, the name “pigeon” is accurate because these Olympic Peninsula birds are literally everywhere all year round and stick close to land. Non-birders always ask me about Pigeon Guillemots because they are so striking with their red feet and the white spot on their wing. You don’t really need any advice on where to see them, just look in the water.

Basic Plumage Rhinoceros Auklet is an all gray bird with a lighter belly and stout yellow bill

Rhinoceros Auklet: I would highly recommend taking the shoestring birder pelagic trip (at $3.15 one-way passenger fare) from Port Townsend to Coopville as many times as it takes to get into a sea of auklets (best in the spring and fall). You have to get lucky with tides and currents. Rhinoceros Auklet sightings are good near Protection Island where they breed in large numbers. Ediz Hook usually gets at least a few good Rhinoceros Auklet sightings as well.

Close to ten Common Murre are shown swimming in the water and look quite a bit like penguins of the north

Common Murre: Common Murres also breed on the Olympic Peninsula, specifically on Tatoosh Island. So while you are looking for Tufted Puffin at the end of the Cape Flattery trail, you can also look for Common Murres. These alcids also can be found off Ediz Hook in the winter. During the summer you really need to get closer to the offshore coastal island locations where they are breeding.

A Male Northern Spotted Owl emerging from its nesting cavity and showing its spotted breast

Owls: While hiking in the Elwha, I am always delighted to hear a Northern Pygmy Owl. Sadly, Barred Owls are the easiest owls to hear and view on the Olympic Peninsula. Unlike in California where they have only recently invaded, Barred Owls have been inching out the Spotted Owls for the past couple of decades here on the Olympic Peninsula. Friends who work on the Spotted Owl monitoring crew tragically report that they are documenting the extinction of a species.

Profile of a Band-Tailed Pigeon showing its characteristic yellow bill and feet

Band-tailed Pigeon: One has to be very careful to not make assumptions about flocks of pigeons/doves especially as you head further west on the Olympic Peninsula. I have found that it is prudent to check ground feeding flocks of pigeons near human habitation on the west-end. Although Eurasian Collared Doves are generally around human habitation, once you get further into the wilderness you tend to only see Band-tailed Pigeons.

Closeup of the back of an Immature Rufous hummingbird showing an upper bill deformity

Rufous Hummingbird: Rufous Hummingbirds are present on the Olympic Peninsula from about April to October and populate forested sites so if you see a hummer in the forest (not around human habitation), it is probably a Rufous Hummingbird. Anna’s hummingbirds are generally tied to humans and they will stick around all winter thanks to hummingbird feeders.

Although best identified by its distinctive vocalizations, this flying Common Nighthawk shows a forked tail and white wing bar

Nighthawk and Swifts: Common Nighthawk and Swifts are only found on the Olympic Peninsula during breeding season and you should be able to view all of them from June to August. I love the first Common Nighthawk vocalization and sighting of the season: they tend to show up in May. They are best viewed in late afternoon and dusk and although the Elwha River is a great place to watch them, I often hear them and then see them flying overhead in Port Angeles. Although Vaux’s Swifts are much more common, there are some locations on the Olympic Peninsula where you can also find Black Swifts.

This Red-Breasted Sapsucker with its bright red head and black and white body has one talon resting in one of its small diameter holes

Woodpeckers: Our woodpeckers are here all year and breed here as well. The Hurricane Ridge area is an excellent location to view Northern Flicker. Old-growth forests are great locations for viewing Hairy Woodpecker. Red-breasted sapsucker can be viewed reliably in certain lowland habitats. Pileated are very shy and difficult to observe in the forests of the Olympic Penisula - I have had better luck with them in urban parks in Victoria and Seattle.

Vireos: Warbling Vireo is the most numerous breeding vireo but Cassin’s Vireo, Hutton’s Vireo, and Red-eyed Vireo also breed in small numbers on the Olympic Peninsula. As with the flycatchers, it is generally easier to make your identification of these Olympic National Park birds by ear so study up beforehand.

Closeup of the head of Common Raven, where you can appreciate its beautiful black neck feathers

Corvids: Hurricane Ridge is a great location for watching Common Ravens and Gray Jays. I once turned my back on a Common Raven at Hurricane Ridge and then had to watch it caching my "Chunks of Energy" in the nearby meadow. On two separate occasions, a Gray Jay has taken food out of my hand as it was headed to my mouth. Clarks' Nutcracker are found rarely. American/NW Crow and Steller's Jay are generally found at lower elevations and Western Scrub Jay will likely become a future yard bird on the Olympic Peninsula.

Close up shot of a Willow Flycatcher with its long bill, brown wing markings, and moderate wing projection

Flycatchers: There are excellent breeding flycatcher species visible from about May to August including Olive-sided Flycatcher, Western Wood-Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, Hammond’s Flycatcher, and Pacific-slope Flycatcher. I love birding by bike on the Discovery Trail in May and listening for songbirds like flycatchers since they are so easy to identify by ear. Sequim is a great place for blowing in rarities like kingbirds.

Closeup of the back of a Chesnut-Backed Chickadee with raindrops clinging to its feathers

Chestnut-backed Chickadee: Chestnut-backed Chickadees breed in the coniferous forests on the Olympic Peninsula but you can also view them at feeders as well. They not only seem to be the ringleaders of winter feeding flocks but I have also seen them leading up mixed-flocks of Olympic National Park birds feeding on Pine White Butterfly (Neophasia menapia) in late summer on the Elwha River.

Breeding Male Horned Lark caught in the midst of displaying and vocalizing to a female that is nearby but not pictured

Horned Lark: The Hurricane Ridge area is an excellent location to view breeding Horned Lark and I have enjoyed watching them sing, perform courtship, hunt and feed nestlings and fledglings, and take dust bathes in disturbed soil next to the trail.

Close up of an alert Pacific Wren with its short stumpy tail raised on driftwood next to the Salish Sea

Pacific Wren: The Pacific Wren is an Olympic National Park bird I selected for the Experience Olympic logo because I adore them and they are residents on the Olympic Peninsula. When someone asks me about my favorite North American bird, I have to consider all species of chickadees and wrens. The Pacific Wren is just this amazing little bundle of energy that is constantly scolding you when you hike by and weirdly can be heard singing at all times of the year. Their song is so lovely and evolved to penetrate deep into the thick rainforest.

A male Golden-Crowned Kinglet perched on a Subalpine Fir with its crown raised showing off its black and yellow border and orange center

Kinglets: Flocks of Golden-crowned Kinglets are very common year-round on the Olympic Peninsula and are often high in the conifer canopies. Ruby-crowned kinglets are more common in mixed flocks, at eye-level, and don't seem as strongly tied to conifers. Vocalizations are important because of their diminutive size and habit of staying busy gleaning from leaves.

Closeup of an alert American Dipper on driftwood with food in its bill

American Dipper: This is a great Olympic National Park bird to view and its status as an important riparian indicator species means that it has been getting a lot of attention from researchers due to Elwha Dam Removal.

Close up of the back of a Hermit Thrush showing its reddish rump taking a break from feeding on berries

Thrushes: Varied Thrush is easiest to see while overwintering and during migration because when they are breeding, they seem to disappear deep into the Olympic forest. Their very-easy-to-identify haunting whistles start up in early spring. Swainson’s Thrush and Hermit Thrush also breed here but can usually only be found from about May to August. Hermit Thrush also overwinter in the lowlands on the Olympic Peninsula.

Close-up of a Tree Swallow sitting on some woody railing

Swallows: Sequim is a great location to pick up all the breeding swallow species from about May to August, which includes Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Violet-Green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, and Cliff Swallow.

Brilliant male Audubon's Yellow-Rumped Warbler showing off his broken white eye-ring and yellow head, throat, and sides

Warblers: Olympic Peninsula warblers are easiest to observe when they are moving through during spring migration because many of these North American birds will continue moving further North. Warblers congregate in wooded areas along the northern Salish Sea in order to wait for the right conditions to cross to Vancouver Island. Even the smallest little woodlot in Port Angeles can be literally dripping with warblers under the right conditions in May.

You can almost make out the orange crown on this Orange-crowned Warbler, which is often difficult to view

Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler, Hermit Warbler, MacGillvray’s Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, and Wilson’s Warbler all breed on the Olympic Peninsula and will stay until about August/September. Small numbers of warblers winter in Port Angeles include Myrtle and Audubon's Yellow-rumped, Townsend's, and Orange-Crowned. I even had a Nashville Warbler in my backyard one winter. It is also good to work on birding by ear for these good-looking songbirds but have fun figuring out those in the genus Setophaga apart.

This drabber female American Pipit has food in her bill that she waited patiently to deliver to her young until I have moved on

American Pipit: It is exciting to watch the aerial courtship display of the male in spring at Hurricane Ridge. Although American Pipit will overwinter here and I have seen them in lower elevations during migration, it is fun to see them in their high elevation breeding habitat from about May to August.

A male Western Tanager with its red head and yellow and black body perches on a branch in Big-Leaf Maple tree

Grosbeak and Tanager: Black-headed Grosbeak tends to be very vocal when they are breeding on the Olympic Peninsula from about May to July. During spring migration in May, there can be huge numbers of them moving through making biking on the Olympic Discovery Trail a great birding ride. Western Tanager also breeds on the Olympic Peninsula and will congregate in woodlots along the Salish Sea during migration.

A male Evening Grosbeak flies to a higher perch showing its large white wing patches, bright yellow eyebrows, and colorful body

Finches: Thanks to tracts of mature climax conifers, we have excellent Olympic Peninsula finch diversity (though it could be better minus the timber industry). All of the Olympic Peninsula finches breed here and most are found all year round. However, conifers do not produce seeds with regularity each year and this creates temporal variance in finch observations.

A male Red Crossbill sits on a Douglas Fir Tree with a close enough view that you can make out the end of the bill

Gray-crowned Rosy Finch, Pine Grosbeak, and Evening Grosbeak are not found in high numbers but you can certainly find them, especially during the winter when they can be seen at low elevation. Purple Finch, Red Crossbill, and Pine Siskin are in fairly large numbers during the summer. Pine Siskins will visit feeders in the winter. Study the flight calls of Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin as they tend to travel in sizeable flocks and this might be your only shot at seeing them.

Closeup of a Savannah Sparrow showing its bicolored pink and black bill and yellow eyebrow eating a dandelion seed

Wintering Sparrows: Winter is actually a great time to see sparrows on the Olympic Peninsula (especially because of the ease of watching them at Olympic Peninsula bird feeders). One winter, I watched all four species of Zonotrichia on the same day at a Sequim bird feeder (thank you Denny!). In addition to the four Zonotrichia species, Fox Sparrow can be found in higher numbers on the Olympic Peninsula during the winter. Additionally, Olympic Peninsula breeding species like Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, and Dark-eyed Junco can be found at the bird feeders too. Savannah Sparrow also breeds on the Olympic Peninsula and can be found during the winter as well (though not at bird feeders).

Experience Olympic Tour Rates

A birder stands on the Cape Flattery platform with Tatoosh Island and the lighthouse in the background

Birding Trip Review

by John Stump

June 13 - 15

Summing up my Olympic Experience

By all intents and measures, including reasonable rates, this was a most successful venture and shall remain as a model for future birding expectations. I can proudly announce 12 new life birds, many of them endemic to the northwest Pacific coast. This also resulted in a trip list of 76 species in all, although our goal was to find birds on my target list and not to compile a comprehensive list of all species which might be present.

A striking black, white, red, and blue male Harlequin and the muted brown female Harlequin Duck swimming side by side

I should also mention that Carolyn’s conversational ability and extensive knowledge of local history, all things flora and fauna, and a wide range of other subjects added much more to our travels across the Peninsula than her birding expertise alone. As an added bonus, Carolyn also worked patiently with me to memorialize the experience by setting me up on an eBird account.

This basic (winter) plumage Common Murre that is swimming shows more white on its head then it does during breeding

Preparing for my Olympic Experience

A great opportunity to sample birding and pursue Alcids and other coastal endemics for my life list in the far northwest U.S. came when my wife, Perla, signed up for a 3-day workshop for fiber artists on Washington State’s Whidbey Island north of Seattle. Long overdue for a birding adventure in a very special place, it didn’t take me long to decide to tag along for a birding expedition while she perfected some new felting techniques for wearable art.

The stark black and white of the basic plumage Marbled Murrelet is usually what one observes in winter

Our plans included arrival at the Blue Goose B&B in Coupeville via airport shuttle from Seattle on June 12, my departure for a birding adventure the 13^th, and returning to the B&B on June 15 for next day shuttle to Seattle and flight back to Denver with Perla. To make all of this possible in just 3 days, I needed make arrangements ahead of time with a birding professional willing to serve as my personal guide in order to find a dozen or so must-find species.

Pigeon Guillemot in breeding plumage: an all black bird with a white wing patch

From a web search of Whidbey and other birding groups I was fortunate to find the perfect guide in Carolyn Wilcox of Experience Olympic in Port Angeles, offering wildlife guiding and ecotours across the famous and scenic Olympic Peninsula. Carolyn was extremely helpful in assessing the chance of finding various species in the Alcids family (also referred to as auks) which are only found on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts and were entirely missing from my life list. We also discussed other life bird priorities for my June visit by email and telephone, from which Carolyn designed a made-to-order itinerary giving me comfort in knowing we were going to see a good share of about 12 species on my target list.

This Common Murre is a sleek black alcid with a torpedo-shaped boy and contrasting white belly

It came as a great relief that I would not have to rent a car since we would be traveling in the Experience Olympic van. I also appreciated Carolyn’s attention to details including keeping track of ferry schedules to and from the mainland, supplying lunches, advising on hotel options in Port Angeles, and making sure the walks and hikes were within my range of physical endurance. Other than a taxi ride from the B&B to the ferry landing and hotel reservation in Port Angeles, I had no further worries.

Adult Bald Eagle with a white head and tail flying past at eye level

This was my first time in the Puget Sound and Olympic Peninsula area, which was in itself a great experience for me. The beauty of different trees and flora supported by a wetter climate stood in stark contrast to my high and dry home in the southern Rockies, and temperatures in the 60’s in contrast to the 80’s and 90’s when we left Denver was refreshing. However, I was glad I did bring along a raincoat with a hood, long-sleeved shirts, and a down vest when needed. Carolyn warned me about the wet climate effect on cotton shirts and pants, and I left them at home.

Close-up of a Red-throated Loon on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State

Finding Birds and New Lifers

Day 1- June 13

Good thing Carolyn met me at the Townsend-Keystone ferry landing because I needed to learn the ropes on how to pay, negotiate the turnstiles, and access the best viewing platforms. Alcids including Pigeon Guillemot immediately showed up around the docking structures, and soon we began to see small bunches of Rhinoceros Auklet flying and diving in the path of the ferry as it crossed Admiralty Inlet.

Pigeon Guillemot in breeding plumage: an all black bird with a white wing patch

Gulls were ever-present in most places throughout our journeys, and included Glaucous-winged, California, and an endemic hybrid Glaucous-winged x Western called the “Olympic Gull” --- good enough for me to lifelist.

These California Gulls are medium-size gulls with greenish yellow legs, black wing tips, and adults have both a red and black spot on the bill

Other birds included Pelagic Cormorant dominant over Double-crested, Caspian Tern, Barn and Violet-green Swallows, and a surprise pair of Purple Martins nesting in some metal holes in the landing structures.

The Double-Crested Cormorant is a large cormorant with a heavy bill and gular skin that is yellow or orange

Boarding the company van on arrival in Port Townsend, we ventured west to the Dungeness Recreation Area, a superb birding spot where I found the forest quite different than Colorado with trees much taller, understory much denser, and a greater diversity of plant cover. Barred Owls are present here, and the park supervisor and friend of Carolyn reported one sitting on a fence by the entrance a few minutes before we arrived. Prior to a trip to Florida last year, this was my nemesis bird. Why it shows up in a completely different climate at Dungeness and not a trace of it in the Colorado Rockies is a total mystery to me.

This adult Song Sparrow with dark blurry stripes that make a diffuse black center spot is captured perched on a cat-tail singing

Our main quest here was to find my lifer Pacific Wren, but I was curious about all species we might discover in this unfamiliar habitat, and content to bird by ear. In particular, it was interesting for me to compare the species mix we were finding here with birds back home, and to note any differences between similar species in the coastal forest to those in the Colorado Rockies.

This Dark-eyed Junco is captured with its wings spread and tail fanned so you can appreciate it colorful pink side in contrast to a black head and brown back

A few selected observations may be worth sharing. I noted Golden-crowned Kinglets dominating the coastal forest canopy vs. Ruby-crowned in my part of the Rockies. In other comparisons Purple Finch replacing Cassin’s; Oregon Junco vs. Gray-headed; Swainson’s Thrush vs. Hermit; Rufous Hummingbird vs. Broad-tailed; and Pacific-slope Flycatcher told apart from its Rocky Mountain cousin by a single note tweet vs a two-syllable tee-SEET in the Cordilleran. Totally unknown to me was a coastal tribe of Hutton’s Vireo identified by Carolyn from call notes and only seen before by me in New Mexico.

Male hummingbird displaying his brilliant orange throat in the sunshine

Song variations also distinguished coastal sub-species from the interior including different songs from Spotted Towhee, Wilson’s Warbler, and other warblers. It was also nice to see Chestnut-backed Chickadee close-up, and California Quail. Other birds were the same in all respects but totally at home in completely different settings such as Savannah Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Bushtit, Orange-crowned Warbler, and Common Yellowthroat.

This male Audubon Yellow-rumped Warbler has yellow markings on its rump, sides, throat, and head

Pacific Wren, split from the more interior Winter Wren, was identified by its totally un-wrenlike series of high-pitched squeaks and song snipets. They were fairly common here and close to the trail, but near impossible to see. Not content with a heard confirmation, I was finally able to make one out as an apple-sized brown bouncing ball hopping down from a tree branch. Quite a contrast to a House Wren in the cottonwoods back home performing its territorial song with an operatic flare and in full view.

Closeup of a male Harlequin Duck in breeding plumage showing off his striking red, blue, black, and white coloring

Further on to Salt Creek County Park, Carolyn knew I would tally my life bird Harlequin Duck which was high on my wishlist, and I could not have imagined having such a dazzling view. After getting my fill of the Harlequins, we moved on to Port Angeles where I was given several price options for two night’s lodging. I do not regret reserving a second-floor room at the Red Lion Inn facing the Strait of Juan de Fuca in a classic harbor setting complete with active shipping port. A resident flock of Surf Scoters cruising the protected harbor waters was an added bonus.

Closeup of 2 black and white male Surf Scoters with bulbous red, orange, black, and white bills and a comparatively drab brown female Surf Scoter swimming in the Salish Sea

After some R&R time at the hotel, Carolyn returned in the evening for some good looks in the Cherry Street neighborhood of Port Angeles for Vaux’s Swift, which I missed on a California trip years ago. Still with plenty of evening light, we proceeded to a miles-long jetty called Ediz Hook separating the harbor from open waters. Here we saw a large numbers of gulls, Great Blue Herons, and other water birds settling in for the night, and Carolyn helped me focus in on two tiny Marbled Murrelets as lifers on the windy side along with a Red-throated Loon.

The drab brown of the breeding Marbled Murrelet pictured makes it appear like a football floating on the water

Day 2 - June 14

Very early next morning it was time for the long ride to Neah Bay and Cape Flattery at the far west end of the peninsula bordering the Pacific Ocean, marking the northwest-most point of land in the continuous 48 states. All of this area is part of a reservation managed by the Makah Indian tribe and is truly a birding Mecca. On our way there, we passed through the Wa’ atch River Valley with some open areas bordering the forest where flocks of unexpected Black Swifts were feeding on an insect hatch.

Frontal view of a male Rufous Hummingbird showing off its metallic orange gorget

Finding a calm day at the Neah Bay village harbor, Carolyn set up the scope at a beachside vantage point and was able to sort out White-winged Scoter and Red-necked Grebe --- two species which avoided me on other occasions and were added to my life list. Carolyn also assured me I could safely count the visibly smaller crows passing by under the watchful eyes of Bald Eagles as Northwestern Crow. The shores of Neah Bay village also produced other species including Common Loon and Barrow’s Goldeneye.

Basic plumage Common Loon is a bulky loon with a large bill held straight out and a partial collar

Egos high with three lifers so early on, there would be much more to come and we moved on to keep our appointment with Cape Flattery. Numerous Robins with some Varied Thrushes mixed in were spooking up along the road to the parking area and trailhead. The trail fortified by carefully placed wooden steps required a walking stick and descended a half mile or so ending up on a shelf protruding out over the ocean. Although I am several or more decades her senior, I am always up for the rigors of birding, and I assured Carolyn this was no challenge at all compared with trails encountered on past birding trips to Peru and Ecuador.

Closeup of a male Varied Thrush skulking around our yard with its striking orange and black plumage

The scene from our safe and comfortable perch above the Pacific at the Cape overlook was something out of National Geographic, and the highlight of my birding trip. The cliffs and rock fissures surrounding us were teeming with nesting colonies of seabirds, dominated by the echoing squawks of Pelagic Cormorants from their nests deep in the rock ledges. Far off a half-mile or so was Totoosh Island protecting an even bigger colony of nesters and more species diversity.

The crashing waves, rugged shoreline, sea stacks, and islands teeming with seabirds are shown here with participant standing on the Cape Flattery platform

With the scope trained on the choppy waters off Tatoosh, Carolyn spotted a raft of Common Murres as my next lifer, and she soon had some distance views of Tufted Puffins on the rocks. Needless to say I was ecstatic about what I considered the best bird of my trip, but as we munched custom-prepared sandwiches from the stash in Carolyn’s backpack I spotted a pair of Tufted Puffins directly below us among a covey of Pigeon Guillemots. Seeing the Puffin behavior at fairly close quarters demonstrated to me just how closely the Alcid family was filling an ecological niche similar to Penguins in the Southern Hemisphere.

View of a Tufted Puffin looking over its shoulder in the Pacific Ocean

Marine mammals also began to appear. No Gray Whales today, but a family of Sea Otters was entertaining to watch, and we also saw a Harbor Seal and a distant Steller’s Sea Lion on Tatoosh. Satisfied we had seen most species, we trekked up the stairway to the van and traced our route back on the tree-lined highways to Port Angeles. Carolyn dropped me off at the Red Lion for an evening of relaxation, some excellent local crab and seafood at the Kokopelli, and a good night’s sleep for my last day of birding tomorrow.

Three Sea Otters are shown in the water at Cape Flattery busily eating urchins

Day 3 - June 15

Thanks to Carolyn Wilcox and her professional guiding ability, I now had 12 life birds representing all but Sooty Grouse on my target list. I checked out of the Red Lion and met Carolyn with the van at 5:00 AM for our grouse quest in the mountainous terrain of Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park just south of Port Angeles. Landscape here was heavily forested and reminded me of places back home in the Rio Grande Forest before the beetles and fire, but was much denser, steeper, and less rocky. Forest birds at elevation in the much wetter Olympic habitat was home to Townsend’s Warbler --- a fall migrant in Colorado. A few of the species found here same as Colorado included Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Hammond’s Flycatcher.

This closeup of a male Bushtit clings to a shrub showing off its dark eyes, small bill, and proportionately long-tail

As we proceeded on the drive up the ridge it began to look more and more like prime grouse cover, and we expected one to pop up at any minute. But story short, the scenery was spectacular and I wouldn’t have missed this leg of the trip for anything, but Carolyn had warned me that we were gambling on the chance of finding our target bird at a time of year when grouse are nesting and not as frequent along the road. I am also familiar with the random and unpredictable nature of the Sooty’s Dusky Grouse cousin in the Rockies, and totally empathetic to the challenges of our quest.

This male red-shafted Northern Flicker allowed me closely approach for a close view of its black chest patch and spotted breast

We headed all the way up to the historic visitor center at the top of the ridge where patches of snow still remained. On the way back down we stopped at Morse Creek Overlook where Carolyn spotted flocks of Band-tailed Pigeons moving higher up on the mountainsides --- always a nice find. Not finding the grouse in no way compromised our success on this 3-day trip with other species including 5 Alcids, and I was looking forward to exploring more of Carolyn’s birding spots near Sequim and other areas on the way back east to Port Townsend.

A band-tailed pigeon with yellow bill and feet and a white line on the back of the neck is perched at the top of a conifer

At Dungeness Landing Park, where the Dungeness River meets the bay next to private land, large numbers of Great Blue Herons were gathering on a sand spit out in the bay, and a passing flock of Caspian Terns filled the sky with birds. A place like this could always produce some unexpected results, and that’s exactly what happened when we finally noticed a small group of Whimbrels feeding close by in the mudflats.

This perched immature Bald Eagle is mostly brown and is lacking the white that will further define it as it ages

Another birdy spot in the same area called Three Crabs gave us a different vantage point with plovers and Gadwalls. While Mallards are numerous in my home in the San Luis Valley of Colorado, one would expect to find some here along with the Gadwalls as well, but we never saw a single one on our Peninsula journeys. Scope views of the distant bunch of plovers revealed one Black-bellied Plover, but the rest were not distinguishable or in transitional plumage, giving us some speculation about Golden Plover.

The Black Oystercatcher pictured is feeding and you can clearly see its bright orange bill and eye ring

Arriving at the ferry landing back in Port Townsend, we were greeted with strong winds and rough seas. Fortunately, we were told the ferry would proceed on schedule, and my great 3-day birding adventure was coming to an end. Again I appreciated Carolyn’s assistance on the ferry boarding, and expressed my sincere thanks and gratitude for all her careful planning, fabulous company, and ability to give personal attention to all my birding targets.

A drabber female Harlequin appears to the left on a log boom and the brighter male appears to the right

During its passage across this neck of Puget Sound from Port Townsend to the Keystone landing, the ferry plowed through rough seas without a tilt and I watched flock after flock of Rhinoceros Auklets from windows inside the main cabin foredeck. Back on shore I had a cab waiting for me for the 4 miles to the B&B, where I teamed up with Perla for a great dinner at the Ciao across the street and flight to DIA next day.

Two Rhinoceros Auklets are in the midst of diving but the remaining one shows off its horn and white plumes

Birding Guide Carolyn Wilcox just started ebirding in earnest in 2017 and still has a lot of historical data to input (back to the late 90s when she first starting bird watching). Carolyn has input historical data for Clallam County and a 2017 trip to Nicaragua has been recorded in eBird along with many photos (with ID help from some fabulous Central American eBirders) . Follow Carolyn Wilcox on eBird - it's not a social media platform so you can't really "follow her" but Carolyn realized that posting natural history information on Facebook was just not how she wanted to spend her time. Carolyn is constantly learning about birds when interfacing with Ebird.

eBird Trip List June 13-15

Canada Goose

Gadwall

Harlequin Duck - LIFER!

Surf Scoter

White-winged Scoter - LIFER!

Barrow's Goldeneye

California Quail

Red-throated Loon

Common Loon

Red-necked Grebe - LIFER!

Pelagic Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Black Oystercatcher

Killdeer

Whimbrel

Common Murre - LIFER!

Pigeon Guillemot - LIFER!

Marbled Murrelet - LIFER!

Rhinoceros Auklet - LIFER!

Tufted Puffin - LIFER!

California Gull

Glaucous-winged Gull

Caspian Tern

Rock Pigeon

Band-tailed Pigeon

Eurasian Collared-Dove

Mourning Dove

Black Swift

Vaux's Swift - LIFER!

Rufous Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Flicker

Hammond's Flycatcher

Pacific-slope Flycatcher

Hutton's Vireo

Warbling Vireo

Northwestern Crow - LIFER!

Common Raven

Purple Martin

Tree Swallow

Violet-green Swallow

Barn Swallow

Cliff Swallow

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bushtit

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Pacific Wren - LIFER!

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Townsend's Solitaire

Swainson's Thrush

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

Varied Thrush

European Starling

Cedar Waxwing

Orange-crowned Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Townsend's Warbler

Wilson's Warbler

Dark-eyed Junco

White-crowned Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Spotted Towhee

Western Tanager

Black-headed Grosbeak

Brewer's Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

Purple Finch

Red Crossbill

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

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Olympic Peninsula Birding Tours from Port Angeles, Washington in the Pacific Northwest