Photo: Snow Geese by Philip Dickinson
February 6, 2024
Early morning fog gave way to sun and an enjoyable day of birding. Starting in the Cedardale area east of I-5, we saw dozens of Trumpeter Swan and Brewer’s Blackbird, and two Northern Harrier. American Kestrel, Bald Eagle, and Red-tailed and Cooper’s Hawks perched along Dike Rd., while many more swans fed in the fields. Songbirds along Mann Rd. included Black-capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet and Varied Thrush. We also found Eurasian Wigeon among the many ducks on Wylie Rd. With Wiley Slough still closed, we headed to Hayton Reserve and Jensen Access, where we watched murmurations of thousands of Dunlin and a few early swallows. At North Fork Access, highlights were a Short-eared Owl, Virginia Rail and our first of three Snow Goose flocks. After lunch, interior island roads added a Pine Siskin flock and several Tundra Swan. The Skagit Flats Great Egret was a no-show, but Channel Drive produced several more species, including Northern Shrike, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Downy Woodpecker, Red-breasted Merganser, Hooded Merganser and Common Goldeneye.
63 species (approx. qty.)
Attendees: Phil, Tari, Annie, Marcia, Pat, Dianne, Denny, Ken, Reg, Gary, Rick, Maureen Z., Jeff, Val, Judy Lo. Pam P., John E., Wilma, Amy, John H., Annie, Mike C.
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Snow Goose (12,000), Trumpeter Swan (1100), Tundra Swan (23), Gadwall (10), Eurasian Wigeon (2), American Wigeon (600), Mallard (1750), Northern Pintail (25), Green-winged Teal (41), Ring-necked Duck (1), Greater Scaup (11), Bufflehead (17), Common Goldeneye (2), Hooded Merganser (6), Red-breasted Merganser (2)
LOON, GREBES: Pied-necked Grebe (2)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Double-crested Cormorant (3), Great Blue Heron (8)
RAPTORS: Bald Eagle (43), Northern Harrier (8), Cooper’s Hawk (2), Sharp-shinned Hawk (1), Red-tailed Hawk (3), American Kestrel (3)
RAILS, CRANES: Virginia Rail (3), American Coot (1)
SHOREBIRDS: Dunlin (13,000)
GULLS, TERNS: Short-billed Gull (5), Glaucous-winged Gull (400)
DOVES, PIGEONS: Rock Pigeon (15), Eurasian Collared-Dove (3), Mourning Dove (4)
OWLS: Short-eared Owl (1)
HUMMINGBIRDS: Anna’s Hummingbird (3)
WOODPECKERS: Downy Woodpecker (1), Northern Flicker (4)
SHRIKES, VIREOS: Northern Shrike (1)
CORVIDS: Steller’s Jay (1), American Crow (9), Common Raven (2)
LARKS, SWALLOWS: Tree Swallow (3), Barn Swallow (7)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (2), Chestnut-backed Chickadee (1)
WRENS: Bewick’s Wren (2), Marsh Wren (1)
KINGLETS: Golden-crowned Kinglet (5)
THRUSHES: American Robin (55), Varied Thrush (2)
MIMIDS, STARLINGS: European Starling (430)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (1), Song Sparrow (7), White-crowned Sparrow (5), Golden-crowned Sparrow (6), Dark-eyed Junco (65)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Red-winged Blackbird (400), Western Meadowlark (14), Brewer’s Blackbird (150)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: House Finch (8), Pine Siskin (10), House Sparrow (3)
Looking for more local places to go birding?
Check out our newly revised, 3rd edition of Birding in Snohomish County & Camano Island, a field guide to the best birding locations in Snohomish County and Camano Island, Washington.
A full-color, updated and expanded 3rd edition of Philip Zalesky’s original book, Birding in Snohomish County and Camano Island, 3rd Edition is a celebration of the variety and bountiful birding locations in the area. With habitats ranging from marine to alpine, the diversity of species that can be found here are a birder’s dream.
This new edition covers more than 80 locations, noting general information about the sites and which birds are common at each. Philip Zalesky’s original site descriptions have been revised and updated, including new observations, recent sightings, and historical and natural history information. Our local birders have added their own interesting anecdotes, including the many ways things have changed since the 2nd edition was published in 2001. Local bird photographers have contributed over 100 full-color photographs showing the splendor of our local birds and the wondrous beauty of the birding habitats found in our area. A checklist includes all 355 species of birds ever sighted in Snohomish County and Camano Island.
We hope this book will guide you to new areas you haven’t explored yet, or give you an idea of where to start if you’re visiting Western Washington.
All proceeds will help fund local conservation efforts in Snohomish County and Camano Island.