San Juan Islands Prime for Birding
SJI ’ S BEST BIRDING SPOT The American Camp on San Juan Island is considered one of the best birdwatching areas in the state of Washington .
I T I N E R A R Y | S H O R T H O P S
San Juan Islands Prime for Birding
The available number of birding opportunities throughout the San Juan Islands is enormous and there is leterally a cornucopia of different species found throughout the region . It is believed there are over 200 species of birds that inhabit the San Juan Islands throughout the year , many of which are migratory .
Goldfinch The Washington state bird , the American Goldfinch , is one of the most commonly recorded species amongst birders . Sometimes called the Willow Goldfinch or Wild Canary , the lemon yellow and black bird is about 5 inches long and fly in a what is commonly referred to as a roller coaster pattern . They are commonly found in open areas associated with grasses , weeds and thistles .
Kingfisher Belted kingfishers are commonly found in the wetlands near the shorelines surrounding the islands . Approximately 12 inches long and noteworthy of their blue and white breasted feathers and its crested head .
Blue Heron One of the islands more common species of birds , the Great Blue Heron is typically found near water , both fresh and salt . They are quite common along the shorelines in the San Juans . Ranging in height from 30 to 50 inches , Great Blue Herons hunt standing in water and eat primarily fish .
Bald Eagle The most distinguishable bird in the country , the American Bald Eagle is also the most recognizable . Its white head and tail , and a wingspan upwards of 6 ½ feet , make it easy to spot . Eagles are commonly seen at the American Camp National Historic Park
on San Juan Island .
Osprey Find a calm piece of water where fish are present and there ’ s a good chance an Osprey will be nearby . With a diet that consists of predominantly fish , the waters surrounding the islands , as well as many of the freshwater lakes , are natural homes for Ospreys . You ’ ll know one is nearby when you spy its nest , usually constructed out of twigs , large sticks and straw . The nests are easily spotted as they are often built on lone treetops .
Hawks Both the Coopers Hawk and Red-Tail Hawk are commonly birded on the islands , which speaks volumes about their numbers . With a diet consisting of small rodents red-tail hawks are typically found inland near open fields and prairies . Red-tail hawks have a distinguishable red tail . Coopers Hawks are often associated with dense forests .
Woodpecker The Pileated Woodpecker is one of the easiest birds to recognize thanks in part to its bright red head . More commonly spotted throughout the interior of the islands , the Pileated Woodpecker eats insects , berries and nuts . Using its sharp beak , it will hammer into a tree trunk looking for insects . They also nest in dead trees hollowing out nests with their beaks .
Trumpeter Swan Swans with their white body , long next and black bills are easy to spot as they are typically found in relatively shallow water ( less than 6 feet deep ) throughout the islands . They are primarily vegetarians relying on eelgrass . They are the largest waterfowl specie with a wingspan of six feet .
Warbler The yellow rumped warbler is one of the most common species of birds in the islands . They are migratory birds arriving in the San Juans in March and will spend most of the spring and summer foraging on insects . They will eventually migrate south to Mexico in the fall . They are beautiful birds with distinctive yellow patches on their rumps ( thus their name ) and on their breast .
Seabirds Beginning in early July it ’ s common to spot dozens of different seabirds at the American Camp . Look for black oystercatchers , surf scoters , black-bellied plovers , bufflehead ducks , Harlequin ducks , common loons , rhinoceros auklets , tufted puffins , pigeon guillemots , and by summer ’ s end , common murres , Cassin ’ s auklets and the occasional forktailed storm petrel .
SJI ’ S BEST BIRDING SPOT The American Camp on San Juan Island is considered one of the best birdwatching areas in the state of Washington .
IT NOT ONLY ALLOWS BIRDERS to spread out and explore different areas , but its location to the Salish Sea makes it an ideal spot for sea birds . The American Camp is located on San Juan Island at the south end of the island . There are several miles of trails that will access the South Beach , the longest public beach in the islands , as well as access to Mount Finlayson , Jakle ’ s Lagoon and 4th of July Beach . All of which give birdwatching access .
MORE INFORMATION Call the San Juan Island National Historic Park ( 360 ) 378-2240 or visit the National Park ’ s website at nps . gov .
20 explore : NW | The Official Magazine for kenmore air | Spring 2017