Читать книгу Olympic Mountains Trail Guide - Robert Wood - Страница 19

According to ornithologists, 261 species of birds have been noted on the Olympic Peninsula and two dozen others are believed to be casual visitors, although no specimens have been taken. The coastal zones provide a suitable habitat for marine birds, but about half the species live inland— along rivers, on cutover uplands, in the mountain forests, and in the high meadows. No definite figures are available on the number of species that inhabit or visit the Olympic Mountains per se.

Bird life in the forests bordering the mountain streams is varied and includes wrens, sparrows, crows, woodpeckers, kingfishers, and dippers. Other species will be noted in the deep conifer forests on the lower slopes—hawks, owls, grouse, swifts, warblers, and jays.

The open country near timberline provides better viewing conditions. Here one is likely to see sparrows, finches, larks, bluebirds, and ravens. Hawks soar over the meadows, searching for small animals, because they are easier to find here than in the dense forests below. The perching birds are present in great variety. Most commonly one will see flycatchers, kinglets, chickadees, bluebirds, robins, and juncos.

Seeing humans as a source of food, the Canada jay can be found at almost any altitude except, perhaps, the heights above timberline. Hardly has one set up camp—or merely stopped to rest by the trail a few minutes—than a flock of these friendly “camp robbers” makes its appearance. Please keep all food secure and do not feed any birds or animals.

Throughout the Olympic forests, one is likely to first hear, then see, the “Mozart of the woods,” otherwise known as the Pacific wren. This little bit of feathered fluff with the big, happy voice flits about—along the trail, in the campgrounds, wherever the hiker happens to be—constantly trilling a lovely aria.

Other common birds include juncos and chickadees around campsites; crows cawing by the rivers before dawn; grouse drumming in the forest; pileated woodpeckers making a loud racket as they attack dead snags; and, at high lakes, ducks swooping over with a whooshing sound as they circle and come in to land upon the water.

Golden eagles are occasionally seen in the Olympics, gliding above the meadows while searching for dinner. Bald eagles frequent the coast of the peninsula, but they are rare in the mountains, although sometimes noted along the west-side rivers.