Photo: Short-eared Owl by Philip Dickinson
January 23, 2024
Once again, the weather defied a rainy forecast, and we got off to a good start at Little Indian Slough with our first Short-eared Owl, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier and Hooded Merganser. At Bay View State Park, a Merlin kept the woods quiet, but a huge raft of Snow Geese floated in Padilla Bay along with Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser. Highlights along Sullivan Rd. were hundreds of Mallard, American Wigeon and Dunlin, three Eurasian Wigeon and 21 Black-bellied Plover. At the West 90, a Rough-legged Hawk accompanied several Red-tailed Hawk and Western Meadowlark. The waterfowl off Samish Island were far away but included Long-tailed Duck, Brant, Pacific and Red-throated Loon, Common Murre and White-winged Scoter. The raptor show at East 90 met the hype with another Rough-legged Hawk, several Bald Eagle and seven Short-eared Owl. We ended the day with a Great Egret, thousands of Snow Geese and dozens of Tundra Swan along Calhoun Rd.
59 species (approx. qty.)
Attendees: Phil, Dianne, Graham, Wilma, Frank, Ken, Pam T., Rick, Reg, Melinda, Bruce, Jon, Karen, Robin, Tari, Doug C., Judy Lo., Denny, Val, Pat, Marcia, Gary, Lloyd, Lorraine, Hans
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Snow Goose (14,000), Brant (20), Trumpeter Swan (500), Tundra Swan (60), Northern Shoveler (3), Eurasian Wigeon (3), American Wigeon (1500), Mallard (3125), Northern Pintail (155), Green-winged Teal (16), Greater Scaup (100), Surf Scoter (2), White-winged Scoter (3), Long-tailed Duck (4), Bufflehead (26), Common Goldeneye (32), Hooded Merganser (9), Red-breasted Merganser (4)
LOON, GREBES: Red-throated Loon (1), Pacific Loon (1), Common Loon (2), Red-necked Grebe (1)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Double-crested Cormorant (8), Great Blue Heron (7)
RAPTORS: Bald Eagle (39), Northern Harrier (5), Rough-legged Hawk (2), Red-tailed Hawk (11), American Kestrel (2), Merlin (2)
RAILS, CRANES: American Coot (1)
SHOREBIRDS: Black-bellied Plover (21), Dunlin (1200)
GULLS, TERNS: Short-billed Gull (300), Ring-billed Gull (1), Glaucous-winged Gull (6)
ALCIDS, JAEGERS: Common Murre (1), Pigeon Guillemot (1)
DOVES, PIGEONS: Eurasian Collared-Dove (6), Mourning Dove (1)
OWLS: Short-eared Owl (7)
HUMMINGBIRDS: Anna’s Hummingbird (1)
WOODPECKERS: Northern Flicker (1)
CORVIDS: Steller’s Jay (2), American Crow (2), Common Raven (2)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (1)
WRENS: Bewick’s Wren (1)
THRUSHES: American Robin (1)
MIMIDS, STARLINGS: European Starling (2000)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (4), Song Sparrow (6), Fox Sparrow (4), Golden-crowned Sparrow (27), Dark-eyed Junco (3)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Red-winged Blackbird (860), Western Meadowlark (14), Brewer’s Blackbird (25)
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.