Bird Watching

We have time for a short trip and with the tide peaking at about 3pm, we head across town to the Wheeler Marsh. It is peak bird migration and this is the time to see a variety of species as they stop for a breather in the marsh.

We put in at the refuge launch, saving us the trip back and forth on the river, as one of those stints will be against the tidal current.

We head straight across toward the bottom of Nell's Island.  This part of the marsh floods completely, appearing like open water during high tide, and becomes extensive mud flat at low tide. Birds often gather on the ever shrinking high spots. About 2/3 of the way to Nell's, I spot a flock of birds on one of the shrinking islands. The Black Bellied Plovers stand out, but there are probably other species.  S scopes them with binoculars while I zoom in with my camera.  It's Black Bellied Plovers and Short Billed Dowitchers, and one Yellow Legs. It totals about 75 birds, and they flush and make a big circle landing a bit farther out ahead of us. There are also loose flocks of Brants. We head to Nell's, passing a dozen Egrets and 2 young Night Herons.  

I take us into the maze - the center of Nell's where no one else seems to go.  I got lost in here on my last two trips, getting shunted off the island by making a wrong turn.  We find some Black Ducks, Mallards and a good number of Willets.  Nell's is one of the places in the marsh that is high enough to provide for ground nesters like the Willets. 

I make myself look smart by finding our way through the channels direct to the top of the island. 

Heading into Nell's channel, I spot a Long Tailed Duck and we take some time to observe.

Male Long Tailed Duck

As we weave through another channel. S spots a Yellow Crowned Night Heron, and as it flushes, two more pop up from nearby.  

We finish the route in the main outer channel because the gnats are doing a fine job of biting us.