Photo: Barrow’s Goldeneyes by Philip Dickinson
February 13, 2024
We could not have asked for better weather for our winter trip to Port Townsend. Even before departing Edmonds, we saw all three local cormorants on the pilings along with several Pigeon Guillemot, Horned Grebe and Red-necked Grebe. Highlight of the ferry trip itself were about 30 Brant. The Port Ludlow Marina was very active, including Barrow’s and Common Goldeneye, Hooded, Common and Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Belted Kingfisher and an Anna’s Hummingbird on territory. Nice additions at Oak Bay Park were Gadwall, Greater Scaup, Short-billed Gull, Common Loon and Red-throated Loon. We did not see many songbirds on the trip, but we did find Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Fox Sparrow at Indian Island County Park and Bushtit and Golden-crowned Kinglet at Mystery Bay. At Indian Island we also spotted Harlequin Duck and Black Turnstone. We spent extra time at Fort Flagler because of all the shorebirds: Dunlin, Sanderling, Surfbird, Black-bellied Plover, Greater Yellowlegs and more Black Turnstone, but alas no Rock Sandpiper. Point Wilson was our last stop, where several alcid species streamed by: Common Murre, Ancient and Marbled Murrelet, and Rhinoceros Auklet. Killdeer and Western Meadowlark on the lighthouse grounds also attracted our attention.
62 species (approx. qty.)
Attendees: Phil, Mary, Dianne, Denny, Graham, Wilma, Sue B., Frank, Ken, Pam T., Rick, Reg, Melinda, Jane, Maureen Z., Karen, Judy B. Tari, Judy Lo., Val, Pat, Marcia, John H., Annie, Hans
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Brant (65), Canada Goose (6), Gadwall (5), Northern Shoveler (3), American Wigeon (3), Mallard (25), Green-winged Teal (4), Greater Scaup (14), Harlequin Duck (8), Surf Scoter (67), Bufflehead (30), Common Goldeneye (17), Barrow’s Goldeneye (7), Hooded Merganser (8), Common Merganser (4), Red-breasted Merganser (18)
LOON, GREBES: Red-throated Loon (2), Pacific Loon (3), Common Loon (5), Horned Grebe (31), Red-necked Grebe (6), Western Grebe (1)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Brandt’s Cormorant (1), Double-crested Cormorant (12), Great Blue Heron (2)
RAPTORS: Bald Eagle (3), Red-tailed Hawk (2), American Kestrel (1)
SHOREBIRDS: Black-bellied Plover (14), Killdeer (2), Greater Yellowlegs (3), Black Turnstone (20), Surfbird (3), Sanderling (6), Dunlin (150)
GULLS, TERNS: Bonaparte’s Gull (1), Short-billed Gull (100), Glaucous-winged Gull (100)
ALCIDS, JAEGERS: Common Murre (20), Pigeon Guillemot (37), Marbled Murrelet (9), Ancient Murrelet (8), Rhinoceros Auklet (2)
DOVES, PIGEONS: Rock Pigeon (2)
HUMMINGBIRDS: Anna’s Hummingbird (3)
KINGFISHER: Belted Kingfisher (3)
WOODPECKERS: Northern Flicker (4)
CORVIDS: Steller’s Jay (1), American Crow (33), Common Raven (2)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (1), Bushtit (6)
KINGLETS: Golden-crowned Kinglet (2), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (6)
THRUSHES: American Robin (3)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (1), Song Sparrow (7), Fox Sparrow (7), Dark-eyed Junco (4)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Western Meadowlark (2)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: House Finch (14), House Sparrow (6)
Looking for more local places to go birding?
Check out our newly revised, 3rd edition of Birding in Snohomish County & Camano Island, a field guide to the best birding locations in Snohomish County and Camano Island, Washington.
A full-color, updated and expanded 3rd edition of Philip Zalesky’s original book, Birding in Snohomish County and Camano Island, 3rd Edition is a celebration of the variety and bountiful birding locations in the area. With habitats ranging from marine to alpine, the diversity of species that can be found here are a birder’s dream.
This new edition covers more than 80 locations, noting general information about the sites and which birds are common at each. Philip Zalesky’s original site descriptions have been revised and updated, including new observations, recent sightings, and historical and natural history information. Our local birders have added their own interesting anecdotes, including the many ways things have changed since the 2nd edition was published in 2001. Local bird photographers have contributed over 100 full-color photographs showing the splendor of our local birds and the wondrous beauty of the birding habitats found in our area. A checklist includes all 355 species of birds ever sighted in Snohomish County and Camano Island.
We hope this book will guide you to new areas you haven’t explored yet, or give you an idea of where to start if you’re visiting Western Washington.
All proceeds will help fund local conservation efforts in Snohomish County and Camano Island.