Photo: Brewer’s Blackbird by Rex Guichard
October 26, 2021
“Bomb Cyclone” wind forecasts did not deter 19 birders from an outing to Fidalgo Island and Deception Pass, and their optimism was rewarded with tolerable breezes, quite a bit of sunshine, only a single 10-minute rain squall, and an excellent species count. Highlight birds included Red-throated and Common Loons, Common Murres, a posing Black Oystercatcher, a Merlin and an active pair of Red-breasted Sapsuckers.
71 Species (Approx. Qty.)
Attendees: Virginia, Phil, Graham, Judy L., Teri, Ken, Dianne, Rick, Rex, Jeff H., Eileen, Anne, Karen, Carlos, Judy B., Jo, Heidi, Cameron and Judy
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Cackling Goose (50), Canada Goose (14), Gadwall (1), American Wigeon (40), Mallard (5), Northern Shoveler (60), Northern Pintail (50), Green-winged Teal (12), Ring-necked Duck (12), Greater Scaup (13), Lesser Scaup (2), Surf Scoter (12), Bufflehead (17), Hooded Merganser (8), Red-breasted Merganser (2), Ruddy Duck (2)
LOONS, GREBES: Red-throated Loon (2), Common Loon (8), Pied-billed Grebe (9), Horned Grebe (3), Red-necked Grebe (6)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Brandt’s Cormorant (8), Double-crested Cormorant (10), Pelagic Cormorant (85), Great Blue Heron (7)
RAPTORS: Bald Eagle (5), Northern Harrier (2), Cooper’s Hawk (1), Red-tailed Hawk (2), American Kestrel (1), Merlin (1)
SHOREBIRDS: Greater Yellowlegs (5), Black Turnstone (6), Dunlin (25)
GULLS, TERNS: Bonaparte’s Gull (12), Heerman’s Gull (19), Short-billed Gull (35), California Gull (3), Glaucous-winged Gull (32)
ALCIDS, JAEGERS: Common Murre (6), Pigeon Guillemot (22), Rhinoceros Auklet (1)
DOVES, PIGEONS: Eurasian Collared-Dove (5)
HUMMINGBIRDS: Anna’s Hummingbird (4)
KINGFISHER: Belted Kingfisher (3)
WOODPECKERS: Red-breasted Sapsucker (2), Downy Woodpecker (3), Northern Flicker (2), Pileated Woodpecker (1)
CORVIDS: American Crow (5), Common Raven (1)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (1), Chestnut-backed Chickadee (1)
NUTHATCHES, CREEPERS: Red-breasted Nuthatch (1), Brown Creeper (1)
WRENS: Bewick’s Wren (2), Pacific Wren (1)
KINGLETS: Golden-crowned Kinglet (3), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1)
THRUSHES: American Robin (3),
MIMIDS, STARLINGS: European Starling (105)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (23, Fox Sparrow (3), Song Sparrow (6), White-crowned Sparrow (5), Golden-crowned Sparrow (5), Dark-eyed Junco (37)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Red-winged Blackbird (2), Brewer’s Blackbird (200)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: Purple Finch (1)