Trip Report: Sedro-Woolley to Newhalem

Photo: Red-breasted Sapsucker by Mick Thompson

June 21, 2022

A warm Spring day brought out a huge covey of birders (31), as we hit birding spots from Northern State Recreation Area in Sedro-Woolley to the Newhalem Ag Ponds in North Cascades National Park. The highlight of the day was an easy choice – three Barn Owls roosting in one of the old state hospital buildings at Northern State. However, we also heard a rare bird along Martin Rd. in Rockport – an Ash-throated Flycatcher. Lazuli Buntings, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Evening Grosbeaks, Red-breasted Sapsuckers and Red-eyed Vireos were other pleasant finds.

60 species (approx. qty.)

Attendees: Virginia, Phil, Graham, Ken, Doug, Rex, Karen, Judy Lo., Val, Linda, Norwin, Melinda, Bev, Rick, Dianna, Lianne, Junelle, Nancy, Merilee, Amy, Pam P., John E. John H., Jeff, Carlos, Ellen, Ann, Pam T., Maureen, Teri, Bruce

CHECKLIST:

WATERFOWL: Wood Duck (3), Gadwall (3), Mallard (6), Hooded Merganser (1), Common Merganser (1)

PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: American Bittern (1), Great Blue Heron (1)

VULTURE: Turkey Vulture (7)

RAPTORS: Bald Eagle (4), Red-tailed Hawk (2)

RAILS, CRANES: Virginia Rail (1)

DOVES, PIGEONS: Band-tailed Pigeon (14), Eurasian Collared-Dove (4), Mourning Dove (1)

OWLS: Barn Owl (3)

HUMMINGBIRDS: Rufous Hummingbird (2)

KINGFISHER: Belted Kingfisher (2)

WOODPECKERS: Red-breasted Sapsucker (5), Northern Flicker (3)

FLYCATCHERS: Western Wood-Pewee (3), Willow Flycatcher (9), Hammond’s Flycatcher (1), Pacific-slope Flycatcher (3), Ash-throated Flycatcher (1)

SHRIKES, VIREOS: Warbling Vireo (4), Red-eyed Vireo (5)

CORVIDS: Steller’s Jay (1), American Crow (6), Common Raven (2)

LARKS, SWALLOWS: Violet-green Swallow (3), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (1), Cliff Swallow (20), Barn Swallow (3)

CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (2), Chestnut-backed Chickadee (1)

NUTHATCHES, CREEPER: Brown Creeper (1)

WRENS: Marsh Wren (1)

THRUSHES: Swainson’s Thrush (10), American Robin (25)

STARLING: European Starling (1)

WAXWINGS, PIPITS: Cedar Waxwing (12)

WARBLERS, CHATS: MacGillivray’s Warbler (1), Common Yellowthroat (3), Yellow Warbler (2), Townsend’s Warbler (1)

LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (2), Savannah Sparrow (2), Song Sparrow (7), White-crowned Sparrow (6), Dark-eyed Junco (2)

TANAGERS, GROSBEAKS: Western Tanager (2), Black-headed Grosbeak (8), Lazuli Bunting (4)

BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Red-winged Blackbird (15), Brown-headed Cowbird (1)

FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: Purple Finch (4), Pine Siskin (8), American Goldfinch (8), Evening Grosbeak (3), House Sparrow (1)