Recently I posted the list of missing mammals. I am happy to report we now have out first sighting of a Townsend’s Big-eared Bat. The sighting was made May 9th by @eedrin
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/45421293
The bats have returned to the county. Lets get out there and find them, explorers.
Today a lone Marbled Murrelet was found by longtime birder Stefan Schlick, at Henry Hagg Lake, outside Forest Grove. Among the birders who flocked to the lake hoping to spot the bird were @insectology and @susankirkbride both of whom were able to successfully photograph the bird. For those unfamiliar with the species, it nests in old growth forest, usually along the coast. Other vagrants have been found before, farther inland, but this was a first for Washington County.
For more on Marbled Murrelets
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/4531-Brachyramphus-marmoratus
Happy exploring in these wet and somewhat cloudy days
