Photo: Hooded Merganser by Philip Dickinson
March 14, 2023
This trip was rescheduled after a ferry problem in February. We enjoyed sunny skies, although there was a stiff breeze off the water during the morning. Hooded mergansers and an Anna’s Hummingbird entertained us at Port Ludlow. After watching Black Turnstones and Harlequin Ducks at Indian Island, we headed to Marrowstone Island and Fort Flagler. Highlights there were Black-bellied Plovers, Sanderlings, Brants, and Black Oystercatchers. At Point Wilson, hundreds of Rhinoceros Auklets gathered on the water, while Common Murres, Ancient Murrelets and Marbled Murrelets also moved through the channel. Overall, it was a nice day of birding.
64 species (approx. qty.)
Attendees: Phil, Dianna, Denny, Jane, Pat M., Judy Lo., Maureen Z., Ken, Reg, Wilma, Pam P. Carol, Frank, Bev, Bruce, Val, John H. Karen, Graham, Sue B. Betty, Jamie
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Brant (150), Canada Goose (14), American Wigeon (165), Mallard (15), Northern Pintail (38), Green-winged Teal (33), Greater Scaup (200), Harlequin Duck (8), Surf Scoter (6), Bufflehead (48), Common Goldeneye (20), Hooded Merganser (3), Common Merganser (4), Red-breasted Merganser (5)
LOONS, GREBES: Pacific Loon (1), Common Loon (5), Horned Grebe (11), Red-necked Grebe (9)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Double-crested Cormorant (39), Pelagic Cormorant (25), Brandt’s Cormorant (2), Great Blue Heron (8)
RAPTORS: Northern Harrier (1), Bald Eagle (4), Red-tailed Hawk (2)
SHOREBIRDS: Black-bellied Plover (35), Killdeer (6), Black Oystercatcher (2), Greater Yellowlegs (3), Black Turnstone (17), Sanderling (10), Dunlin (20)
GULLS, TERNS: Short-billed Gull (85), Glaucous-winged Gull (23)
ALCIDS: Common Murre (100), Pigeon Guillemot (16), Marbled Murrelet (12), Ancient Murrelet (20), Rhinoceros Auklet (400)
DOVES, PIGEONS: Rock Pigeon (10), Mourning Dove (2)
HUMMINGBIRDS: Anna’s Hummingbird (1)
KINGFISHER: Belted Kingfisher (6)
WOODPECKERS: Hairy Woodpecker (1), Northern Flicker (1)
CORVIDS: Steller’s Jay (3), American Crow (19), Common Raven (3)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (1)
NUTHATCHES, CREEPER: Red-breasted Nuthatch (3)
WRENS: Bewick’s Wren (1), Pacific Wren (2)
KINGLETS: Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1)
THRUSHES: American Robin (27)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (4), Fox Sparrow (15), Song Sparrow (9), White-crowned Sparrow (2), Golden-crowned Sparrow (2), Dark-eyed Junco (7)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Western Meadowlark (2)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: Purple Finch (2), House Finch (4)