Late migration season report

This year’s migration season brought some unusual avian visitors to Thurston County and elsewhere in Washington. I wonder if drought conditions in the interior of western North America have encouraged wetland-dependent birds to move further northwest for the summer.

Regular readers know about our historic, first ever visit to Nisqually of white-faced ibis. In recent weeks small ibis flocks have been seen in other Washington locations too. For 2026, this rare species seems to have found our state and county conditions to be suitable for summer adventuring.

Another unusual species, the white pelican, has been visiting Thurston County lately. Just last week there was a flock of 12 or so loafing on a log in south Capitol Lake, and earlier this spring these huge white birds were seen in the Nisqually area and elsewhere in the county. Usually, a birder has to drive to Eastern Washington to see white pelicans.

An olive-sided flycatcher.

Liam Hutcheson | For The JOLT

Here’s a personal bird migration story that doesn’t involve a rare species but is interesting nonetheless. On Monday, May 11, I was at home and outside when, at about 10 a.m., a migratory flock of olive-sided flycatchers started landing. These birds have a distinctive quick three beers call and within about 15 minutes there were 30 or more of them shouting their drink orders from the neighborhood treetops. The next morning all was quiet — the flock had moved on.

A black-headed grosbeak.

Liam Hutcheson | For The JOLT

As of this past weekend, one of my favorite spring migrants, the black-headed grosbeak, has arrived in my yard. This species winters throughout Mexico and arrives here for breeding in early to mid-May. Just by its name you know it has a large beak suited to seed-eating. It’s related to other seed-eating finches and sparrows but it’s bigger than they are. The male's black head, wings and tail contrast with its orange breast and sides, and there are obvious white marks on its wings. The female, like many sparrows and finches, is streaky brown but larger.

Black-headed Grosbeaks are well-known for their song, which they seem willing to sing off and on all day. To my ear it sounds something like a robin but with a distinctive loud warble. You can find these grosbeaks in the edges of deciduous forests. The male will sing out in the open — he’s not shy; the female is more retiring.

Another late-migrating species, the Swainson’s thrush, has begun its evening singing. This species winters from southern Mexico south into South America and typically returns and begins to sing about now. This song is one of my favorites and brings to mind warm summer evenings. The male's song is sung primarily in the early morning and late evening. It is a series of fluted notes that ascend in a spiral.

A Swainson's thrush.

Liam Hutcheson | For The JOLT

Swainson’s Thrushes are smaller than robins but similar in shape, and much less visible. Their head, back and wings are light brown and they have spots on their buffy breast; both sexes look alike. They are active on or near the ground, scratching up food. This species is fairly common in a wide variety of habitats but because they like to stay hidden in the bushes, they are rarely seen. They do have a locator call note, “whit,” that is often heard.

You will know Swainson’s thrushes are around because of that evening song. And you may not have to be near some wild area to hear it. These birds live right in our cities if there is a reasonably sized clump of good habitat nearby.

There’s a third bird singing now that is also common but seldom seen. This species is our only representative from a large songbird family found mostly in the tropics. They are smallish, and feed on insects and fruit. They are found high up conifer trees, where they both nest and feed, but might be seen elsewhere.

A western tanager.

Liam Hutcheson | For The JOLT

The male tanager has an orange-red head and yellow body and contrasting black back, wings and tail. He’s really a stunning bird. The female’s yellow body is duller, and her head is not reddish. Both sexes have yellow and white wing feathers that look like bars across their black wings. You are much more likely to hear their brief locater note than their song. It’s a distinct “pir-ditit,” with emphasis on the second syllable, and is called throughout the day. Once you learn it, you might be surprised to discover how often you hear it.

Using these clues and your binoculars and Merlin app, you may have success finding these summer visitors. They are among our most interesting and impressive of our bird neighbors.

George Walter is environmental program manager at the Nisqually Indian Tribe’s natural resources department; he also has a 45+ year interest in bird watching. He may be reached at george@theJOLTnews.com

Photos for this column are provided by Liam Hutcheson, a 18-year-old Olympia area birder and avid photographer.