Photo: Whooper Swan by Phil Dickinson
February 8, 2022
A Whooper Swan clearly was the highlight among highlights during our tour of sites from Lake Tye in Monroe to Tolt-McDonald Park in Carnation. When Rex Guichard discovered this Eurasian swan species near the Monroe prison farm pond, it was only the second recorded sighting in Washington (the first was 15 years ago). Dozens of birders have been able to enjoy this bird in the following days. Two male Redheads at Lord’s Lake, Merlin on a post next to our cars on Tualco Loop Rd., Black Phoebe at Crescent Lake WMA and Short-eared Owl at Sikes Lake were other uncommon species seen during our trip.
Whooper Swan, in the middle with the yellow and black bill.
66 Species (Approx. Qty.)
Attendees: Phil, Virginia, Graham, Valerie, Victor, Dianna, Rick, Reg, Judy Lo., Rex, Judy La., Kameron, Doug, Karen, Joe, Sandy
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Cackling Goose (154), Canada Goose (109), Whooper Swan (1), Trumpeter Swan (400), Tundra Swan (10), Wood Duck (1), Gadwall (2), Eurasian Wigeon (1), American Wigeon (300), Mallard (250), Northern Shoveler (3), Northern Pintail (200), Green-winged Teal (58), Ring-necked Duck (40), Redhead (2), Greater Scaup (1), Lesser Scaup (1), Bufflehead (12), Common Goldeneye (1), Hooded Merganser (4), Common Merganser (4)
LOON, GREBES: Pied-billed Grebe (6)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Double-crested Cormorant (2), Great Blue Heron (5)
RAPTORS: Bald Eagle (14), Northern Harrier (4), Sharp-shinned Hawk (1), Red-tailed Hawk (5), American Kestrel (4), Merlin (1), Peregrine Falcon (1)
SHOREBIRDS: Wilson’s Snipe (2)
GULLS, TERNS: Glaucous-winged Gull (12)
DOVES, PIGEONS: Rock Pigeon (4), Eurasian Collared-Dove (4), Mourning Dove (20)
OWLS: Short-eared Owl (1)
HUMMMINGBIRDS: Anna’s Hummingbird (2)
KINGFISHER: Belted Kingfisher (1)
WOODPECKERS: Red-breasted Sapsucker (1), Downy Woodpecker (2), Northern Flicker (1), Pileated Woodpecker (1)
FLYCATCHERS: Black Phoebe (1)
CORVIDS: Steller’s Jay (1) American Crow (315), Common Raven (30)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (6), Chestnut-backed Chickadee (3)
WRENS: Bewick’s Wren (1), Marsh Wren (2)
KINGLETS: Golden-crowned Kinglet (2), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (6)
THRUSHES: American Robin (4)
MIMIDS, STARLINGS: European Starling (200)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (1), Song Sparrow (11), Lincoln’s Sparrow (1), White-crowned Sparrow (2), Golden-crowned Sparrow (6), Dark-eyed Junco (4)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Red-winged Blackbird (58), Brewer’s Blackbird (150),
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: Pine Siskin (30), House Sparrow (1)