Clark County Journal

Howdy! I figured people might have cracked the county code and landed on this page. I birded Clark County in 2023 as part of a plan to see 150 species in Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania, and Wahkiakum Counties, all in the calendar year. That year is documented at www.southwestwashingtonbirding.blogspot.com. 

But what if someone landed here because they specifically wanted to see entries about birding in Clark County??

So here, chronologically, are those entries: 

January 2 - Big Winter Day in Wahkiakum 

(This day ended with my first arrival in Clark County on the evening of the 2nd. All I had was European Starlings, but in the spirit of completion. . . there's day one!)

January 3 - Steigerwald and Woodland Bottoms

Steigerwald is in Clark County, Woodland Bottoms is not. A nice start in Clark, at any rate, with 50 species found with some good local birders.

February 6th and 7th - A Start in Skamania

Just a plug for Trap Door Brewing in Washougal, which provided me with my dinner for the evening. 

February 8th - Cowlitz and Clark

A trip to Ridgefield NWR sandwiched by some birding in Cowlitz County. Birds 50-64 were added, including some shorebirds, and Red-shouldered Hawk.

March 12th - Clearly not Merry Weather (Clark)

A soggy but very productive day of birding in the Vancouver Lowlands. Too many stops to list. Northern Shrike, lots of geese, Barn and Short-eared Owls. I finished with a trip to the Vancouver Waterfront and ended the day with 91 species for the year in Clark. 

March 13th - Smart Enough to Come in out of the Rain? (Skamania County)

The very end of this blog includes a drive up Washougal River Road on the way home. (American Dipper)

April 21st - Great Escape, Day 3

A stop at Steigerwald on my way from Skamania to Cowlitz. Up to 102 birds.

May 29th - I'll take towns that start with Y, Alex

Starting in Cowlitz County, but then I explored the NE corner of Clark, including a little hike near Yacolt. A few more species on my way up to the Grouse Vista Trailhead. 

May 30th - Grouse Vista Trail, Clark County

Great hike and I did find the grouse that were promised. Up to 124 species after this trip, and even added a Skamania Bird at the end of the hike where the trail approached Silver Star Mountain. Still a little snow on the ground near the end.

July 26th - Clark County Hotspotting

Ridgefield and Shillapoo Lake were my stops, hoping mostly to grab some of the breeding birds I'd missed. Mission accomplished.

September 5th - Skamania and Clark

This included a stop at Shillapoo, where I picked up some good shorebirds, and a few other random birds to get me within spitting distance of 150 year birds.

October 29th - November trip, Day 1

A quick stop on the Columbia at Marine Park. 

October 31st - November trip, Day 3

On my way home, an early stop at Steigerwald to pick up birds 149 and 150!

A snapshot of the yearlist, as well as birds missed can be found at this helpful link as well.