Photo: Heerman’s Gull by Kenneth Trease
September 14, 2021
Sixteen birders boarded the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry for a tour of birding hotspots in the southern half of Whidbey Island. We had many interesting finds, including an out-of-season Trumpeter Swan, several Parasitic Jaegers, fishing Ospreys, an early Red-breasted Merganser, American White Pelicans, three Merlins, a Harlequin Duck and a pair of Marbled Murrelets.
76 Species (Approx. Qty.)
Attendees: Virginia, Phil, Teri, Ken, Rick, Ray, Lauren, Diane, Jim, Allen, Jo, Trish, Russell, Trudi, Joe, and Sandy
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Greater White-fronted Goose (1) , Canada Goose (150), Trumpeter Swan (1) Wood Duck (2), Gadwall (3), American Wigeon (200), Mallard 60, Northern Shoveler (12), Northern Pintail (50), Green-winged Teal (10), Harlequin Duck (1), Surf Scoter (25), White-winged Scoter (1), Red-breasted Merganser (1), Ruddy Duck (1)
LOONS, GREBES: Pacific Loon (1), Common Loon (8), Pied-billed Grebe (4), Horned Grebe (30), Red-necked Grebe (50) Western Grebe (15)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Brandt’s Cormorant (2), Double-crested Cormorant (20), Pelagic Cormorant (15), American White Pelican (29), Great Blue Heron (16)
RAPTORS: Osprey (8), Bald Eagle (1), Northern Harrier (2), Cooper’s Hawk (2), Red-tailed Hawk (3), American Kestrel (2), Merlin (3)I
RAILS, CRANES: Virginia Rail (1)
SHOREBIRDS: Killdeer (1), Greater Yellowlegs (3), Lesser Yellowlegs (2), Western Sandpiper (10), Least Sandpiper (3), Short-billed Dowitcher (6), Wilson’s Snipe (2)
GULLS, TERNS: Heerman’s Gull (55), Short-billed Gull (100), Ring-billed Gull (30), California Gull (20), Glaucous-winged Gull (25), Caspian ern (32), Parasitic Jaeger (5)
ALCIDS: Common Murre (2), Pigeon Guillemot (75), Marbled Murrelet (2) Rhinoceros Auklet (4)
DOVES, PIGEONS: Rock Pigeon (22), Eurasian Collared-Dove (6), Mourning Dove (2)
HUMMINGBIRDS: Anna’s Hummingbird (3)
KINGFISHER: Belted Kingfisher (4)
CORVIDS: Steller’s Jay (3), American Crow (20), Common Raven (1)
LARKS, SWALLOWS: Violet-Green Swallow (2), Barn Swallow (50)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (2), Chestnut-backed Chickadee (1)
THRUSHES: American Robin (4)
STARLINGS: European Starling (300)
LONGSPURS, WARBLERS: Yellow-rumped Warbler (8)
SPARROWS, TANAGERS: Spotted Towhee (2), Fox Sparrow (1), Song Sparrow (2), White-crowned Sparrow (7)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Red-winged Blackbird (12), Brewer’s Blackbird (1)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: House Finch (2), American Goldfinch (1), House Sparrow (1)