Trip Report: Anacortes

Photo: Pelagic Cormorant by Mick Thompson

August 30, 2022

It was another warm, beautiful summer’s day, but the continuing heat made for few songbirds in the woods and little bird activity out on the water, even at usually reliable Rosario Beach. Bird of the day had to be some Red Crossbills flying over Washington Park. Other birds of note were a fly-by Black Oystercatcher, dozens of Double-crested and Pelagic Cormorants, a Cooper’s Hawk, plus some lingering Purple Martins at Ship Harbor.

47 species (approx. qty.)

Attendees: Virginia, Phil, Pam P., John E., Jeff, Rex, Rick, Frank, Teri, Jane, Pam T., Doug, Val, Denny, Dianna, Barry

CHECKLIST:

WATERFOWL: Canada Geese (2), Gadwall (6), Mallard (10), Surf Scoter (1), Hooded Merganser (3)

LOONS, GREBES: Common Loon (1)

PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Double-crested Cormorant (140), Pelagic Cormorant (30), Great Blue Heron (42)

VULTURE: Turkey Vulture (1)

RAPTORS: Osprey (2), Cooper’s Hawk (1), Red-tailed Hawk (2)

SHOREBIRDS: Killdeer (20), Black Oystercatcher (1), Least Sandpiper (40)

GULLS, TERNS: Short-billed Gull (15), Ring-billed Gull (12), California Gull (2), Glaucous-winged Gull (160), Caspian Tern (5)

ALCIDS, JAEGERS: Pigeon Guillemot (3)

DOVES, PIGEONS: Rock Pigeon (8), Eurasian Collared-Dove (3), Mourning Dove (1)

HUMMINGBIRDS: Anna’s Hummingbird (6)

KINGFISHER: Belted Kingfisher (6)

CORVIDS: American Crow (15), Common Raven (2)

LARKS, SWALLOWS: Purple Martin (8)

CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee {3), Chestnut-backed Chickadee (1)

NUTHATCHES, CREEPER: Red-breasted Nuthatch (1), Brown Creeper (1)

THRUSHES: American Robin (3)

MIMIDS, STARLINGS: European Starling (150)

WAXWINGS, PIPITS: Cedar Waxwing (2)

LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (2), Song Sparrow (3), White-crowned Sparrow (3), Dark-eyed Junco (1)

BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Brewer’s Blackbird (2), Brown-headed Cowbird (2)

FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: House Finch (6), Red Crossbill (8), American Goldfinch (1), House Sparrow (4)