Photo: Western Meadowlark by Mick Thompson
January 3, 2023
A new year began with a great rain-free trip through the Snoqualmie River Valley. Snow Geese, Trumpeter and Tundra Swans, and Western Meadowlarks kicked off our day at Lake Tye in Monroe, followed by our Bird-of-the-day Redhead and a Canvasback at nearby Lord’s Lake. We saw several Lincoln’s Sparrows and a Merlin at Crescent Lake WMA, but alas no Whooper Swan this year. Highlights at Tolt-McDonald Park in Carnation were an American Dipper and a pair of Brown Creepers. Finally, along the Snoqualmie Wildlife Trail, we watched a busy Red-breasted Sapsucker and got a brief view of a Ring-necked Pheasant.
57 species (approx. qty.)
Attendees: Phil, Rex, Dianna, Judy Lo., Ed, Sue P., Wilma, Doug, Jane, Reg, Ken, Pam T., Judy La., Kameron, Bruce, Maureen, Karen, Melinda, Bev, Robin, Frank, Peggy
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Snow Goose (60), Cackling Goose (1500), Trumpeter Swan (64), Tundra Swan (2), Gadwall (9), American Wigeon (71), Mallard (60), Northern Shoveler (5), Ring-necked Duck (26), Canvasback (1), Redhead (1), Bufflehead (1), Common Merganser (4)
LOON, GREBES: Pied-billed Grebe (2)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Double-crested Cormorant (6), Great Blue Heron (9)
RAPTORS: Bald Eagle (8), Northern Harrier (2), Cooper’s Hawk (1), Red-tailed Hawk (8), American Kestrel (3), Merlin (1)
RAILS, CRANES: American Coot (90)
GULLS, TERNS: Glaucous-winged Gull (10)
DOVES, PIGEONS: Rock Pigeon (3)
HUMMMINGBIRDS: Anna’s Hummingbird (1)
KINGFISHER: Belted Kingfisher (1)
WOODPECKERS: Red-breasted Sapsucker (1), Hairy Woodpecker (2), Northern Flicker (3)
CORVIDS: Steller’s Jay (2) American Crow (170), Common Raven (2)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (5), Bushtit (8)
NUTHATCHES, CREEPER: Brown Creeper (2)
WRENS: Bewick’s Wren (2), Pacific Wren (2), Marsh Wren (3)
KINGLETS: Golden-crowned Kinglet (4), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (3)
THRUSHES: American Robin (68)
MIMIDS, STARLINGS: European Starling (310)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (2), Fox Sparrow (5), Song Sparrow (10), Lincoln’s Sparrow (5), Golden-crowned Sparrow (1), Dark-eyed Junco (2)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Red-winged Blackbird (600), Western Meadowlark (12), Brewer’s Blackbird (150)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: Purple Finch (1), House Finch (1), American Goldfinch (1), House Sparrow (18)