Photo: Red-winged Blackbird by Philip Dickinson
June 6, 2023
Virginia Clark was in our thoughts on her birthday, while we proceeded along one of her favorite Tuesday itineraries along WA 20 from Sedro-Woolley all the way to North Cascades National Park. At Hansen Creek, we missed American Bittern but saw Virginia Rail and Cooper’s Hawk. Next door at Northern State Recreation Area, highlights were several Lazuli Bunting and Willow Flycatcher, plus a rare Yellow-breasted Chat. Nichols Bar produced nesting Red-breasted Sapsucker, Warbling Vireo and Band-tailed Pigeon. A Black-throated Gray Warbler sang for us all during lunch at Rasar State Park. Then at Martin Road, we found Red-eyed Vireo, Common Merganser, American Dipper and Spotted Sandpiper. Finally, at the Newhalem Agg Ponds, the group was thrilled to see at least two American Redstarts and several more Red-eyed Vireo.
59 species (approx. qty.)
Attendees: Phil, Diane, Victor, Carol, Judy B., Jeff, Merilee, Val, Tari, Pam P., John E., Lynda, Norwyn, Lianne, Sue B., Judy L., Rex, Rick, Robin, Catha, Marcia,
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Common Merganser (3)
HERONS: Great Blue Heron (1)
VULTURE: Turkey Vulture (5)
RAPTORS: Bald Eagle (1), Cooper’s Hawk (1), Red-tailed Hawk (3)
RAILS, CRANES: Virginia Rail (2)
SHOREBIRDS: Spotted Sandpiper (1)
DOVES, PIGEONS: Band-tailed Pigeon (1), Eurasian Collared-Dove (3)
NIGHTHAWKS, SWIFTS: Vaux Swift (1)
KINGFISHER: Belted Kingfisher (1)
WOODPECKERS: Red-breasted Sapsucker (5), Hairy Woodpecker (1), Pileated Woodpecker (1)
FLYCATCHERS: Olive-sided Woodpecker (1), Western Wood- Pewee (1), Willow Flycatcher (6), Hammond’s Flycatcher (1), Pacific-slope Flycatcher (2)
SHRIKES, VIREOS: Cassin’s Vireo (1), Warbling Vireo (6), Red-eyed Vireo (6)
CORVIDS: Steller’s Jay (2), American Crow (15), Common Raven (3)
LARKS, SWALLOWS: Tree Swallow (6), Violet-Green Swallow (13), Barn Swallow (1), Cliff Swallow (20)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (2)
NUTHATCHES, CREEPER: Brown Creeper (1)
WRENS: Bewick’s Wren (2), Pacific Wren (1)
THRUSHES: Swainson’s Thrush (17), American Robin (40)
MIMIDS, STARLINGS: European Starling (42)
WAXWINGS, PIPITS: Cedar Waxwing (9)
WARBLERS, CHATS: Common Yellowthroat (7), American Redstart (2), Yellow Warbler (1), Yellow-rumped Warbler (1), Black-throated Gray Warbler (3), Yellow-breasted Chat (1)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (2), Song Sparrow (7), White-crowned Sparrow (3)
TANAGERS, GROSBEAKS: Western Tanager (1), Black-headed Grosbeak (12), Lazuli Bunting (4)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Red-winged Blackbird (4), Brown-headed Cowbird (3), Bullock’s Oriole (1)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: Purple Finch (2), American Goldfinch (5), House Sparrow (3)