Photo: Red-breasted Merganser by Mick Thompson
March 28, 2023
It was a beautiful sunny spring day as we were taking off extra coats at the first stop. At Rosario Beach springtime was evident as the Horned Grebes were displaying their breeding colors. At Rosario and at West Beach we found many Pigeon Guillemots, and Red-breasted Mergansers. Also found the Black Oystercatchers, Harlequin Ducks and Brandt’s Cormorants. At Cranberry Lake we found our first Orange-crowned Warbler for the year plus chickadees, creepers, and other small birds. At Dugualla Bay the Canvasbacks were diving in the pond. Northern Pintails, Red-breasted Mergansers, Pigeon Guillemots, and goldeneyes were observed at many stops.
72 Species (approx. qty.)
Attendees: Victor, Wilma, Graham, John E, Pam P., Diana, Val, Judy, Pam T., Vicki, Marty, Maureen Z, Maureen T, Bev, Melinda, Amy, Reg, Ken, John H., Barry, Denny
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Canada Goose (81), Trumpeter Swan (6), Gadwall (3), American Wigeon (16), Mallard (47), Northern Pintail (311), Green-winged Teal (45), Canvasback (15), Ring-necked Duck (8), Greater Scaup (1), Lesser Scaup (29), Harlequin Duck (12), Surf Scoter (21), Bufflehead (133), Common Goldeneye (35), Barrow's Goldeneye (4), Hooded Merganser (8), Red-breasted Merganser (68), Ruddy Duck (15)
GALLINACEOUS BIRDS: California Quail (6)
LOONS, GREBES: Common Loon (6), Pied-billed Grebe (1), Horned Grebe (35), Red-necked Grebe (7)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Brandt’s Cormorant (32), Double-crested Cormorant (17), Pelagic Cormorant (10), Great Blue Heron (9)
RAPTORS: Bald Eagle (9), Cooper's Hawk (1), Red-tailed Hawk (3)
RAILS, CRANES: American Coot (18)
SHOREBIRDS: Killdeer (1), Black Oystercatcher (7), Greater Yellowlegs (10), Black Turnstone (2)
GULLS: Short-billed Gull (14), Glaucous-winged Gull (108)
ALCIDS: Common Murre (1), Pigeon Guillemot (37)
DOVES, PIGEONS: Rock Pigeon (25)
HUMMINGBIRDS: Anna's Hummingbird (1)
KINGFISHER: Belted Kingfisher (2)
WOODPECKERS: Northern Flicker (2), Pileated Woodpecker (1)
CORVIDS: American Crow (28), Common Raven (1)
LARKS, SWALLOWS: Tree Swallow (3), Violet-green Swallow (1)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (4), Chestnut-backed Chickadee (2)
NUTHATCHES, CREEPER: Red-breasted Nuthatch (1), Brown Creeper (2)
WRENS: Bewick's Wren (1), Pacific Wren (1)
KINGLETS: Golden-crowned Kinglet (2)
THRUSHES: American Robin (30)
STARLING: European Starling (216)
WARBLERS, CHATS: Orange-crowned Warbler (1), Yellow-rumped Warbler (7)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (2), Fox Sparrow (2), Song Sparrow (10), White-crowned Sparrow (6), Golden-crowned Sparrow (7), Dark-eyed Junco (11)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Red-winged Blackbird (16), Brewer's Blackbird (6)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: Purple Finch (2), House Finch (6), Red Crossbill (3), American Goldfinch (3)