Photo: Emperor Goose by Lynne Murphy / Great Backyard Bird Count
January 11, 2022
A half day of great birding is better than none, especially when a rarity like an Emperor Goose is involved. Before hitting the Samish Flats our group stopped behind the Swinomish Casino to see this bird that has been hanging out with Brants for a few weeks – a life bird for many of our crew. There was a massive flock of Snow Geese on Padilla Bay, lots of ducks and eagles on the very wet flats, plus a Rough-legged Hawk at the West 90. A mid-day stop on Samish Island featured Long-tailed Ducks and a few songbirds before the rain finally arrived. There was not much chance for a Short-eared Owl on the East 90 in the rain; we tried but were unsuccessful.
48 Species (Approx. Qty.)
Attendees: Phil, Jim, Graham, Dianna, Joe, Sandy, Ken, Reg, Rick, Frank, Melinda, Teri, Jane, Pam, John, Jan, Arnie
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Emperor Goose (1), Snow Goose (15,000), Brant (80), Trumpeter Swan (300), Eurasian Wigeon (1), American Wigeon (1000), Mallard (2000), Northern Shoveler (1), Northern Pintail (200), Green-winged Teal (12), Greater Scaup (500), Surf Scoter (20), Long-tailed Duck (3), Bufflehead (10), Red-breasted Merganser (8)
LOONS, GREBES: Red-throated Loon (2), Common Loon (4)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Double-crested Cormorant (10), Great Blue Heron (6)
RAPTORS: Bald Eagle (28), Northern Harrier (3), Cooper’s Hawk (1), Red-tailed Hawk (6), Rough-legged Hawk (1)
RAILS, CRANES: Virginia Rail (2), Sora (1), American Coot (5)
SHOREBIRDS: Greater Yellowlegs (13), Dunlin (500)
GULLS, TERNS: Short-billed Gull (100), Ring-billed Gull (4), Glaucous-winged Gull (200)
DOVES, PIGEONS: Eurasian Collared-Dove (1)
WOODPECKERS: Downy Woodpecker (1), Northern Flicker (5)
CORVIDS: American Crow (2), Common Raven (5)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (3), Chestnut-backed Chickadee (4)
THRUSHES: American Robin (2)
MIMIDS, STARLINGS: European Starling (300)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (2), Fox Sparrow (1), White-crowned Sparrow (1), Golden-crowned Sparrow (1), Dark-eyed Junco (2)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: House Finch (1), Pine Siskin (20), House Sparrow (5)