Photo: Barred Owl by Graham Hutchison
January 16, 2024
In sub-freezing temperatures, Graham Hutchison led hearty birders around several sites on northern Camano Island. At Smith Lake, sightings included Gadwall, Ring-necked Duck, Red-breasted Sapsucker and Golden-crowned Kinglet. A highlight at popular Barnum Point Preserve was a Barred Owl, but the group also saw both Common and Barrow’s Goldeneye, Surf Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser and Horned Grebe on the water and Brown Creeper, Varied Thrush and Fox Sparrow in the woods. A Northern Harrier and five dozen Trumpeter Swan also showed nearby along Sunrise Boulevard. Fox Trot Way was productive with waterfowl including American and Eurasian Wigeon, Greater Yellowlegs, hundreds of Northern Pintail and thousands of Dunlin. Finally, Iverson Point featured 10 Long-tailed Duck, Red-throated Loon, Virginia Rail and Wilson’s Snipe.
52 species (approx. qty.)
Attendees: Graham, Phil, Dianne, John H., Pam T., Rick, Teri, Reg, Tari, Doug C. Ray, Carlos, Judy Lo., Denny
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Trumpeter Swan (62), Northern Shoveler (1), Gadwall (2), Eurasian Wigeon (1), American Wigeon (500), Mallard (15), Northern Pintail (1000), Green-winged Teal (3), Ring-necked Duck (25), Greater Scaup (50), Surf Scoter (115), Long-tailed Duck (10), Bufflehead (15), Common Goldeneye (5), Barrow’s Goldeneye (3), Hooded Merganser (1), Red-breasted Merganser (8)
LOON, GREBES: Red-throated Loon (3), Horned Grebe (9)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Double-crested Cormorant (8), Great Blue Heron (2)
RAPTORS: Bald Eagle (4), Northern Harrier (2)
RAILS, CRANES: Virginia Rail (1), American Coot (5)
SHOREBIRDS: Greater Yellowlegs (2), Dunlin (3000), Wilson’s Snipe (1)
GULLS, TERNS: Short-billed Gull (20), Ring-billed Gull (77), Glaucous-winged Gull (17)
OWLS: Barred Owl (1)
KINGFISHER: Belted Kingfisher (1)
WOODPECKERS: Red-breasted Sapsucker (2), Downy Woodpecker (1), Northern Flicker (4)
CORVIDS: American Crow (1)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (1), Chestnut-backed Chickadee (1)
NUTHATCHES, CREEPER: Brown Creeper (1)
WRENS: Bewick’s Wren (1), Pacific Wren (1)
KINGLETS: Golden-crowned Kinglet (4), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2)
THRUSHES: American Robin (45), Varied Thrush (8)
MIMIDS, STARLINGS: European Starling (2)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (12), Song Sparrow (11), Fox Sparrow (8), Dark-eyed Junco (6)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Red-winged Blackbird (3)