Mindful Birding Summary for 10 June 2025
Dear Mindful Birders,
 
Three people met at Hummel Lake Preserve for a morning of truly mindful birding with long, admiring looks at "butterflies of the bird world" (and a Swallowtail butterfly!) and large raptors. We started in the parking area with glimpses of a male Black-headed Grosbeak foraging among the leaves and fruits of a tall cherry tree. On the walk to the lake, we heard an Olive-sided Flycatcher, but only saw him very distantly in poor light. Still, the humorous mnemonic of his call - "quick-3-beers" - was loud and clear. From the dock, we were treated to very fine views of male Common Yellowthroat and Yellow Warbler. The former carried a caterpillar for a few moments, disappeared, and reappeared without it. He stayed in the lower Douglas Spirea and willow shrubs, while the Yellow Warbler sang from high perches. Different groupings of Brown-headed Cowbirds - two males, males and a female, two females - displayed and perched in the dead limbs of willows. American Robins carried bright red salmonberries. A pair of Purple Martins, our largest swallow, swept by on long wings, one dipping for a brief drink. Two Bald Eagles perched high in firs on opposite sides of the lake and several Turkey Vultures soared overhead. Most exciting, a pair of Osprey flew in and proceeded to circle high over the lake. We were thrilled to watch one make dives, once aborted at the last minute, other plunges unsuccessful. A quietly exciting morning!
 
Other birds observed: Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Tree Swallow, Cedar Waxwing, Red-winged Blackbird, Song Sparrow, American Goldfinch, and Spotted Towhee.
 
CLICK ON THE UNDERLINED LINKS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH BIRD ON CORNELL'S ALL ABOUT BIRDS WEBSITE.
 
Places to follow-up: field guides, Cornell's All About Birds website (this excellent site will answer many of your questions about birds, such as whether or not they migrate or stay here year-round, what they eat, how they nest and much more!), or the Merlin app for deeper knowledge. You might also wish to record your observations on the Community Science Platform, eBird.org or in a journal (see The Naturalist's Notebook, below).
 
The next walks will be on Tuesdays, July 1 & 15. I may transition to more general Nature Walks (plants, insects, etc) if the birds become harder to see as they are busy raising young and staying more hidden. Walks are limited to 6 participants. Please sign up in the library, call (360-468-2265) or email Beth@LopezLibrary.org.
 
Have a bird question? You are welcome to email me at Beth@LopezLibrary.org or stop by the library.
 
Happy Birding,
Beth

Recommended Resources
National Geographic field guide to the birds of Western North America
by Jon L. Dunn

An up-to-date birding handbook provides identification tips, 3,500 full-color illustrations, six hundred locator and range maps, information on behavior and nesting, new plumage and species classification data, and other valuable facts about 750 North American birds found west of the Rocky Mountains. 
Peterson field guide to birds of western North America / : Includes Birds of Hawaii
by Roger Tory Peterson

"A new edition of the best-selling field guide, with 25 all-new plates covering the birds of Hawaii"
Sibley's Birds of the Pacific Northwest Coast
by David Allen Sibley

53 waterbirds commonly found in the region; migratory birds and year-round residents; shorebirds, gulls and terns; wading birds; ducks. Waterproof, accordion-style.

 
Sibley's Backyard Birds of the Pacific Northwest
by David Allen Sibley

69 land birds commonly found in the region; migratory species and year-round residents; songbirds, hawks, woodpeckers and more. Waterproof, accordion-style.
 

Lopez Island Library
2225 Fisherman Bay Rd
Lopez Island, Washington 98261
360-468-2265
www.lopezlibrary.org