Trip Report: Deception Pass

Photo: Whimbrel by Mick Thompson

May 10, 2022

We had an excellent birding day on a beautiful day at one of the most beautiful places in the world. And, we got to share it with Phil and Joyce, two former Tuesday birders visiting from Arizona. Waterbirds were the draw, and we were rewarded with Harlequin Ducks, Marbled Murrelets, Black Oystercatchers, Whimbrels, Western Grebes, a Virginia Rail in flight and many of the usual suspects. However, we also saw five warbler species, five swallow species and not one, but two, uncommon House Wrens.

80 Species (Approx. Qty.)

Attendees: Virginia, Phil D., Graham, Judy L., Dianna, Rick, Rex, Reg, Jeff H., Karen, Carlos, Victor, Phil B. Joyce, Sue, Linda, Norwin, Leeann, Val, John H. Pam, John E., Junelle, Nancy, Merilee, Robin

CHECKLIST:

WATERFOWL: Canada Goose (29), Gadwall (2), Mallard (20), Northern Pintail (220), Green-winged Teal (3), Lesser Scaup (2), Harlequin Duck (3), Surf Scoter (35), Bufflehead (11), Hooded Merganser (1), Red-breasted Merganser (3), Ruddy Duck (12)

LOONS, GREBES: Pacific Loon (1), Common Loon (3), Red-necked Grebe (5), Western Grebe 15)

PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Brandt’s Cormorant (1), Double-crested Cormorant (3), Pelagic Cormorant (30), Great Blue Heron (13)

RAPTORS: Osprey (2), Bald Eagle (3), Red-tailed Hawk (4)

RAILS, CRANES: Virginia Rail (3)

SHOREBIRDS: Killdeer (2), Black Oystercatcher (3), Spotted Sandpiper (1) Greater Yellowlegs (1), Whimbrel (5), Least Sandpiper (5), Western Sandpiper (4), Long-billed Dowitcher (2)

GULLS, TERNS: Glaucous-winged Gull (12), Caspian Tern (1)

ALCIDS, JAEGERS: Pigeon Guillemot (30), Marbled Murrelet (2) Rhinoceros Auklet (18)

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

HUMMINGBIRDS: Anna’s Hummingbird (2), Rufous Hummingbird (1)

KINGFISHER: Belted Kingfisher (1)

WOODPECKERS: Northern Flicker (1)

CORVIDS: American Crow (3), Common Raven (1)

LARKS, SWALLOWS: Tree Swallow (40), Violet-green Swallow (24), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (2), Cliff Swallow (6), Barn Swallow (3)

CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (1), Chestnut-backed Chickadee (2)

WRENS: Bewick’s Wren (2), House Wren (2), Pacific Wren (1), Marsh Wren (4)

THRUSHES: American Robin (11),

MIMIDS, STARLINGS: European Starling (15)

WARBLERS, CHATS: Orange-crowned Warbler (2), Common Yellowthroat (3), Yellow Warbler (1), Yellow-rumped Warbler (5), Wilson’s Warbler (2)

LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (2), Savannah Sparrow (1), Song Sparrow (10), White-crowned Sparrow (13), Golden-crowned Sparrow (1), Dark-eyed Junco (2)

BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Red-winged Blackbird (12), Brewer’s Blackbird (9), Brown-headed Cowbird (2)

FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: Purple Finch (4), House Finch (9), Pine Siskin (1) American Goldfinch (4), House Sparrow (5)