Washington: September Migration in the Pacific Northwest

Black-footed Albatross © Chuck Jensen/Macaulay Library

An early fall trip centers on autumn migration’s wealth of seabirds, shorebirds, and songbirds along Pacific Northwest shorelines and offshore, plus excellent mountain birding through stunning evergreen forests into the subalpine zone.

On this September trip, arranged exclusively for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Golden-wing Society, we’ll experience the joys of fall migration in the Pacific Northwest, one of the country’s most scenic regions.

September means superb birding in western Washington. Migration is underway in many habitats. Wandering Tattlers, Black Turnstones, and Surfbirds forage over rocky shorelines, and this is a good time of year to catch up with such rare or out of range species as Pacific Golden-Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Ruff, or Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. A full day in the beautiful Skagit Valley will be a delightful treat. The agricultural fields and tidal rivers hold ducks, raptors, and shorebirds.

Starting in Seattle, we bird the Puget Sound lowlands for such Northwest specialties as Red-breasted Sapsucker, Hutton’s Vireo, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, and Golden-crowned and “Sooty” Fox sparrows. Departing migrants may include Black-throated Gray Warbler and Violet-green Swallow among others. Sooty Grouse, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Varied Thrush, Gray Jay, and Red Crossbill are often seen on the Olympic Peninsula.

Post-breeding Harlequin Ducks and Red-necked Grebes have returned to the protected bays, as have scoters and mergansers, and Pacific and Red-throated loons are often seen. The Strait of Juan de Fuca shorelines promise Black Oystercatchers, Brandt’s and Pelagic cormorants, and Pigeon Guillemots. Thousands of migratory ducks are arriving, and Merlins and Peregrine Falcons can be a regular sight.

A pelagic trip on a private charter is a major bonus, a chance to visit offshore realms that host many thousands of seabirds in one of the most productive ocean areas in North America, and a great opportunity to study seabirds in their element. We should encounter scores of Black-footed Albatross, South Polar Skua, beautiful Sabine’s Gulls, three or four species of shearwaters (including Buller’s and Pink-footed), Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels, Northern Fulmars, Pomarine and Parasitic jaegers, and alcids including Cassin’s and Rhinoceros auklets. Laysan Albatross and Flesh-footed Shearwater are seen occasionally, and Tufted Puffin on most trips.

Our experiences in the field will be set against numerous and varied landscapes, from thick coastal forests to alpine tundra, and from the sparkling waters of Puget Sound to the nearshore waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Hosting this trip will be Erin Pierce and another member of the Lab. Guiding our outings will be Kevin Burke from Victor Emanuel Nature Tours, a respected organization with a long history of collaboration with the Lab. Together, we’ll experience great birds, food, and landscapes of the lovely Pacific Northwest.

Finally, it should be emphasized that our birding and natural history endeavors will be complemented with social time, time to learn about recent news from the Lab, and time simply to enjoy a great fall getaway.

While Cornell is pleased to facilitate travel opportunities for its alumni and friends with tour operators that specialize in high-quality educational travel, please be aware that Cornell does not conduct, manage or operate these travel experiences, or act as an agent for travelers interested in tours. Tour operators and travelers are responsible for making their own safety decisions concerning this travel, and, as a facilitator between travelers and the tour operators with whom travelers make arrangements for completing travel, Cornell’s role and liability are strictly limited.

Specific tour operator and national health and safety protocols will apply to each trip, and travelers should review all protocols and trip terms and conditions, including terms and conditions regarding cancellations, refunds, health and safety, and insurance prior to making a reservation. Cornell is not responsible for changes to trips or travel arrangements or for losses or additional expenses resulting from travel.

Very good to excellent accommodations and cuisine; 1–2 miles of steady, level walking on most days; one full-day pelagic trip; comfortably moderate weather conditions.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee © Melissa James/Macaulay Library