Tally Lake Campout 2021 Recap

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June 8 through 10, 2021

by Mike and Jill Fanning

Wettest campout ever! After a mellow evening around the campfire, the rain began. In spite of that, about 20 people went on a birding walk at 7 AM in the pouring rain. It was unusually beautiful with silver light on the lake and shrubs in glorious bloom. Many of the birds stayed home in the bushes until afternoon when the rain stopped and the sun came out. Most people had gone home by then, but the few that stayed had a good time of wonderful birding and shared good food but no one stayed the second night.

We had visitors from as far away as Georgia, Alaska, Washington and Wyoming. Among our local attendees were three very talented young birders from the Donaldson family. The eldest, Bridger Donaldson, compiled a bird list shown below. Fifty-five species were posted to the list, somewhat less than in years past, but there were more Western Tanagers than ever before. The first evening ended with a low fly by of a Merlin with an unidentified bird in tow, flapping vigorously to gain altitude. 

Altogether those of us who stayed found it extremely worthwhile. 

  1. Mallard 
  2. Common Goldeneye
  3. Hooded Merganser
  4. Common Merganser
  5. Ruffed Grouse
  6. Common Nighthawk
  7. Rufous Hummingbird
  8. Spotted Sandpiper
  9. Common Loon
  10. Turkey Vulture
  11. Osprey
  12. Sharp-shinned/Cooper’s Hawk
  13. Bald Eagle
  14. Red-naped Sapsucker
  15. Downy Woodpecker
  16. Hairy Woodpecker
  17. Pileated Woodpecker
  18. Merlin
  19. Willow Flycatcher
  20. Hammond’s Flycatcher
  21. Dusky Flycatcher
  22. Eastern Kingbird
  23. Cassin’s Vireo
  24. Warbling Vireo
  25. Common Raven
  26. Black-capped Chickadee
  27. Chestnut-backed Chickadee
  28. Tree Swallow
  29. Violet-green Swallow
  30. Golden-crowned Kinglet
  31. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
  32. American Dipper
  33. Red-breasted Nuthatch
  34. Gray Catbird
  35. Swainson’s Thrush
  36. American Robin
  37. Cedar Waxwing
  38. Pine Siskin
  39. Chipping Sparrow
  40. Fox Sparrow
  41. Dark-eyed Junco
  42. Song Sparrow
  43. Lincoln’s Sparrow
  44. Brown-headed Cowbird
  45. Northern Waterthrush
  46. Orange-crowned Warbler
  47. MacGillivray’s Warbler
  48. Common Yellowthroat
  49. American Redstart
  50. Yellow Warbler
  51. Yellow-rumped Warbler
  52. Wilson’s Warbler
  53. Western Tanager
  54. Black-headed Grosbeak
  55. Lazuli Bunting