August Bird Blog:
August is our hottest and driest month of the year. You may have noticed fewer birds in your back yard or
at your feeder. August is a month of transition. Birds begin their migration process. Many, but not all of our
northwest birds migrate to southern climes, and those birds north of us may come to spend the winter.
The American Robin that you have in your winter yard is not the same American Robin that nested during
the summer. We do find many birds that stay the winter. My Black-capped Chickadees, Red-breasted
Nuthatch, Northern Flicker, Steller’s Jay, Pileated Woodpecker all seem to overwinter—-or I like to think
they do. My Steller’s Jay has his upper mandible broken off—a good marker for me to see. He/she has
been in the yard three years now and has successful nests in our bamboo. The young Bald Eagles have
flown to winter grounds leaving their parents behind. I like to anthropomorphize and believe that the
parents took their young up to the Skagit where the ducks and salmon are plentiful. In the spring, the
young return—-a joyous reunion with the parents who are by then on another set of eggs. You might be
lucky to see the mature and young eagles vocalizing, flying in circles, clasping talons—-something to look
forward to. Late August and September is a good time to go to the coast to view migrating shorebirds.
Thousands of Western Sandpipers group up on their way south. On a recent trip to Ocean Shores we
saw a pair of rare Stilt Sandpipers among the dowitchers, and yellowlegs. Stilt Sandpipers are more
common on the East coast. Birding is exciting!
August is our hottest and driest month of the year. You may have noticed fewer birds in your back yard or
at your feeder. August is a month of transition. Birds begin their migration process. Many, but not all of our
northwest birds migrate to southern climes, and those birds north of us may come to spend the winter.
The American Robin that you have in your winter yard is not the same American Robin that nested during
the summer. We do find many birds that stay the winter. My Black-capped Chickadees, Red-breasted
Nuthatch, Northern Flicker, Steller’s Jay, Pileated Woodpecker all seem to overwinter—-or I like to think
they do. My Steller’s Jay has his upper mandible broken off—a good marker for me to see. He/she has
been in the yard three years now and has successful nests in our bamboo. The young Bald Eagles have
flown to winter grounds leaving their parents behind. I like to anthropomorphize and believe that the
parents took their young up to the Skagit where the ducks and salmon are plentiful. In the spring, the
young return—-a joyous reunion with the parents who are by then on another set of eggs. You might be
lucky to see the mature and young eagles vocalizing, flying in circles, clasping talons—-something to look
forward to. Late August and September is a good time to go to the coast to view migrating shorebirds.
Thousands of Western Sandpipers group up on their way south. On a recent trip to Ocean Shores we
saw a pair of rare Stilt Sandpipers among the dowitchers, and yellowlegs. Stilt Sandpipers are more
common on the East coast. Birding is exciting!
Things to do in your yard to help wintering birds might include fluffing up your brush pile, adding suet to
their diet, and providing water.
At Luther Burbank Park this August , Sue Stewart and I found Hammond’s Flycatcher, Black-headed
Grosbeak, American Goldfinch, among the usual Bushtit, Black-capped Chickadee, Anna’s Hummingbird,
Cedar Waxwing, and American Robin.
Good Birding!
Judith Roan
their diet, and providing water.
At Luther Burbank Park this August , Sue Stewart and I found Hammond’s Flycatcher, Black-headed
Grosbeak, American Goldfinch, among the usual Bushtit, Black-capped Chickadee, Anna’s Hummingbird,
Cedar Waxwing, and American Robin.
Good Birding!
Judith Roan