Photo: Common Goldeneye by Mick Thompson
December 13, 2022
Conditions again were cloudy and chilly. Birds were scarce during an early tour of the flats, but we did find Norther Shrike, Common Goldeneye, and Bald Eagle. Our luck improved across from Lummi Island, where we encountered dozens of Black Turnstone, White-winged and Surf Scoter, plus 21 Long-tailed Duck and a few Barrow’s Goldeneye. In the afternoon, at Golf Course Slough we found Killdeer, Long-billed Dowitcher, and many Greater Scaup. Sandy Point yielded more Black Turnstone, Brant, Red-breasted Merganser, and Snow Goose, among others. At Lake Terrell, we added Ruddy Duck, Common Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, and American Coot. Bird-of-the-day was the last one: Short-eared Owl.
62 species (approx. qty.)
Attendees: Phil, Rex, Dianna, Judy Lo., Ed, Sue P., Denny, Wilma, Rick, Doug, Jane, Pam, Judy La., Kameron, Reg, Maureen T., Maureen Z., Ken, Teri, Graham
CHECKLIST:
Snow Goose (3), Brant (32), Canada Goose (57), Trumpeter Swan (4), American Wigeon (133), Mallard (84), Northern Shoveler (4), Northern Pintail (68), Green-winged Teal (8), Ring-necked Duck (30), Greater Scaup (445), Lesser Scaup (2), Surf Scoter (410), White-winged Scoter (48), Long-tailed Duck (21), Bufflehead (15), Common Goldeneye (24), Barrow’s Goldeneye (5), Hooded Merganser (2), Common Merganser (12), Red-breasted Merganser (1), Ruddy Duck (2)
LOON, GREBES: Common Loon (7), Pied-billed Grebe (2), Horned Grebe (12), Red-necked Grebe (4), Western Grebe (3)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Double-crested Cormorant (7), Pelagic Cormorant (2), Great Blue Heron (9)
RAPTORS: Bald Eagle (6), Northern Harrier (5), Cooper’s Hawk (2), Red-tailed Hawk (3)
RAILS, CRANES: American Coot (400)
SHOREBIRDS: Killdeer (19), Black Turnstone (80), Long-billed Dowitcher (10)
GULLS, TERNS: California Gull (1), Glaucous-winged Gull (40)
ALCIDS: Pigeon Guillemot (2)
DOVES, PIGEONS: Rock Pigeon (4), Eurasian Collared-Dove (16), Mourning Dove (1)
OWLS: Short-eared Owl (1)
WOODPECKERS: Northern Flicker (4)
SHRIKES, VIREOS: Northern Shrike (1)
CORVIDS: Steller’s Jay (2) American Crow (26), Common Raven (2)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (1)
WRENS: Marsh Wren (3)
THRUSHES: American Robin (1)
MIMIDS, STARLINGS: European Starling (36)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Song Sparrow (7), Golden-crowned Sparrow (1), Dark-eyed Junco (12)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: House Finch (8), House Sparrow (10)