Our leucistic Dark-eyed (Oregon) junco is still around and I now assume that it will be with us through the winter. Here’s a better photo of the bird than I previously posted…

We have at least one male and one female Anna’s hummingbird visiting the yard. In addition to accessing the feeder from time to time they also visit the variety of salvia we have growing around the watercourse. The most robust salvia, and by far the hummingbirds’ favorite, seems to be the ‘Hot Lips’ variety with red-tipped white blooms. I’ve noticed that the hummingbirds seem to spend less time on each bloom later in the blooming season and d suspect that this is due to declining nectar production.

I had initially assumed that this next bird, (photographed on 10/6/2021) was a Ruby-crowned kinglet but on closer examination due to this posting I realized it was the very similar Hutton’s vireo.

Here’s a photo of a Ruby-crowned kinglet for comparison. Notice the shape of the bills.

Golden-crowned sparrows are also visiting the yard. A couple of days ago I counted six, at least two of which seemed to be the first juveniles I’ve ever noticed.

Venturing beyond the yard on 10/4/2021, this Lapland longspur was pointed out (and identified) by other birders at the Hayton Access. The bird was very difficult to see (and photograph) due to it feeding in the weeds, but after a lot of patience I finally managed a photograph as it skittered across a walking path.

On 10/7/2021 I visited the Seafarers Memorial area of the Cap Sante Marina and found a Common loon in transition to its winter plumage. The loon was relatively close to the shore but unfortunately I was shooting into the sun and glare on the water.

While there my attention was drawn to a very active bird that I didn’t recognize. I managed several good photos but had to rely on a friend to identify it as a Horned lark. This is a widely distributed bird but apparently rare here in the PacNW.

Finally, I birded the Cap Sante wetland area the same afternoon looking for a Barred owl that has been seen there multiple times in the last several weeks. No luck with the owl, but with the help of a little “pishing”, I did see: 

a Hermit thrush, three Song sparrows, a male Anna’s hummingbird, a Pacific wren, a Bewick’s wren and this Orange-crowned warbler…