Getting To San Juan Island

96 NORTHWEST

SAN JUAN ISLANDS FERRY

   Birding from the ferry is best in fall, winter, and spring. Most common marine species can be seen on this trip, though some are much scarcer or absent in summer. Expected are Pacific and Common Loons, Horned, Red-necked, and Western Grebes, Brandis (less common in spring, abundant otherwise), Double-crested and Pelagic Cormorants, Surf and White-winged Scoters, Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Mew and Glaucous-winged Gulls, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, Marbled and Ancient (fairly common to common November-February) Murrelets, and Rhinoceros Auklet (common March-September, fairly common to uncommon fall-winter). Many other species occur in smaller numbers or less predictably, among them Red- throated and Yellow-billed Loons. Notable rarities recorded in these waters include King Eider (February and October), Black-headed Gull (September), Thick-billed Murre (December), Long-billed (August) and Kittiwake's (January) Murrelets, and Horned Puffin (July).

   The ferry heads westward across broad Rosario (pronounced roe-ZERRY-oh) Strait. Search here for diving birds, especially alcids. The route then passes among the islands, through narrow channels—sometimes with fast-moving water—and quiet bays. Check calm waters where birds shelter during windy weather. Look along tidal rips or lines on the water for concentrations of feeding birds ("bird balls"), especially cormorants. Red-necked Phalaropes, gulls, and alcids in spring and fall. Northern and California Sea Lions and Harbor Seals fish these areas, too. Bald Eagles and Peregrine Falcons perch in the trees along the shoreline. On the way from Friday Harbor to Sidney, Spieden Channel can host large bird balls, especially at the tide change. Haro Strait marks the international boundary. During the summer look for Killer Whales feeding on migrating salmon. Before reaching Sidney check the channels and bays for flocks of Brant, Harlequin Ducks, and Common Goldeneyes.