I took advantage of the beautiful weather we had today and drove over to Fir Island to see what I could find.  I didn’t have a very good start, but eventually found this Black-capped chickadee (and its mate) excavating a cavity in a tree limb about 20′ off the ground.  I watched as the bird threw several mouthfuls of wood out of the cavity, and it finally gathered a really big beakfull and flew away.  I don’t think this work is progressing in earnest now, but it might be that these birds, like several others, develop several nesting sites and then choose one in which to nest.

Black-capped chickadee excavating nest cavity.

My next acquisition was a Marsh wren at the Rawlins Road access.  The bird announced its presence to anyone listening, and I spent about an hour and a half patiently waiting for the opportunity to photograph it.   Unfortunately the sun was harsh and the photo didn’t come out that well, but just getting any photo of one of these birds can be an accomplishment.

Marsh wren.

My next significant bird was what I’m calling the season’s first Savannah sparrow, photographed at the Jensen access.  There appeared to be only one in the area and I obtained a photo of it.  As the spring progresses this will be a favorite location for these birds.

First Savannah sparrow of the year for me!

I drove down Channel Drive on the way back and found a Golden-crowned sparrow eating parts of the blossoms on what I think was a Salmonberry bush.

Golden-crowned sparrow eating blossoms.

At the beginning of my trip out I had seen a Pied-billed grebe (first one this year for me) at the Cap Sante Marina, but I didn’t stop for photos.  On the way back I swung by the marina and the grebe was gone but a Common loon was in evidence.

Common Loon.