Usually, I do not write a full post about any one day birding excursion, but this day was quite special so it warrants more details.
This trip was my first time going up Giveout Creek Road so I was quite surprised when I found this great spot to bird right out my back door! Although this beautiful area has been heavily logged, there is still a lot of wildlife. On the first few kilometers of the road there was minimal bird action but as we made a stop at a pullout the action picked up. We had come across a large mixed species flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers, Black-capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, two Townsend's Warblers, and one Orange-crowned Warbler. We went off on a side road called Gold Creek Road, but that was pretty quiet until we reached the top. We stopped at a fork in the road where we found my lifer Spruce Grouse, but not just one, six!
Spruce Grouse
Spruce Grouse
Spruce Grouse
At that same stop we saw a late Hermit Thrush and a flock of Evening Grosbeaks. As we continued along I was surprised to see a flock of American Pipits and Savanna Sparrows.
American Pipit
On our way back down we saw a rare Broad-winged Hawk which is usually only seen at a hawkwatch.
Broad-winged Hawk
It was a very good day, especially since it was so close to home.