Photo: Rock Sandpiper and Surfbird by Philip Dickinson
March 12, 2024
Rain in the morning and wind in the afternoon, but it still was a productive day of birding. We picked up our first Northern Harrier and Killdeer of the day at Bingo Hall Lagoon. Rain hit us at Rosario Beach but not before we saw Harlequin Ducks, Black Oystercatchers, Pigeon Guillemots, Brandt’s Cormorants and a Varied Thrush. With the Deception Pass West Beach closed, we moved to Ala Spit. There we added American Wigeon, Belted Kingfisher, Black Turnstone and our only Common Loon. At Dugualla Bay, we had Greater Yellowlegs, Dunlin, Canvasbacks, Tree Swallows, our first Turkey Vulture of 2024 and a pair of Redheads. California Quail and Sanderlings were the highlights at our Rocky Point lunch stop. Wilson’s Snipe, Northern Shrike and Hooded Mergansers were among finds at nearby Bos Lake. Moving to Penn Cove and out of the wind, we located two Rock Sandpipers among the Surfbirds and Black Turnstones at Mueller Beach, where Barrow’s and Common Goldeneyes also were numerous. The Rock Sandpipers were life birds for many of the group. One car went home via March Point, where they observed a Rough-legged Hawk and a small raft of Brant geese.
73 species (approx. qty.)
Attendees: Phil, Dianne, Rex, Jeff, Doug C., Ken, Frank, Bruce, Pam T., Karen, Jane, Judy Lo., Val, Denny, Pat, Marcia, Wilma, Sue B., Pam P.
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Brant (25), Canada Goose (119), Trumpeter Swan (100), Gadwall (6), American Wigeon (62), Mallard (12), Northern Pintail (138), Green-winged Teal (54), Canvasback (36), Redhead (2), Greater Scaup (4), Lesser Scaup (1), Harlequin Duck (4), Surf Scoter (118), White-winged Scoter (2), Bufflehead (62), Common Goldeneye (33), Barrow’s Goldeneye (135), Hooded Merganser (4), Red-breasted Merganser (2), Ruddy Duck (3)
GALLINACEOUS BIRDS: California Quail (9)
LOON, GREBES: Common Loon (1), Pied-billed Grebe (2), Horned Grebe (10), Red-necked Grebe (5)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Brand’s Cormorant (2) Pelagic Cormorant (29), Double-crested Cormorant (3), Great Blue Heron (5)
VULTURE: Turkey Vulture (1)
RAPTORS: Northern Harrier (2), Bald Eagle (10), Red-tailed Hawk (7), Rough-Legged Hawk (1), American Kestrel (3)
RAILS, CRANES: American Coot (10)
SHOREBIRDS: Killdeer (7), Black Oystercatcher (7), Greater Yellowlegs (21), Black Turnstone (118), Surfbird (20), Rock Sandpiper (2), Sanderling (32), Dunlin (26), Wilson’s Snipe (1)
GULLS, TERNS: Short-billed Gull (4), Ring-billed Gull (4), Glaucous-winged Gull (140)
ALCIDS: Pigeon Guillemot (8)
DOVES, PIGEONS: Eurasian Collared-Dove (1)
HUMMINGBIRDS: Anna’s Hummingbird (1)
KINGFISHER: Belted Kingfisher (2)
WOODPECKERS: Downy Woodpecker (1), Northern Flicker (3)
SHRIKES, VIREOS: Northern Shrike (1)
CORVIDS: American Crow (12)
LARKS, SWALLOWS: Tree Swallow (10)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (2), Chestnut-backed Chickadee (2)
NUTHATCHES, CREEPER: Brown Creeper (3)
THRUSHES: American Robin (18), Varied Thrush (2)
MIMIDS, STARLING: European Starling (10)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Fox Sparrow (1), Song Sparrow (3), Golden-crowned Sparrow (4), Dark-eyed Junco (6)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Red-winged Blackbird (15), Brewer’s Blackbird (40)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: House Finch (2), House Sparrow (7)
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.