Photo: Brewer’s Blackbird by Rex Guichard
February 21, 2023
When handed lemons, make lemonade! With morning ferries out of commission, we pivoted from our planned trip to Port Townsend and drove to the Stillaguamish Valley. In the morning, little birds were hiding, but we saw numerous Brewer’s Blackbird, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal and Bald Eagle. Later, along Boe Rd. some saw a Short-eared Owl and a Wilson’s Snipe, and all got good looks at Western Meadowlarks and Snow Geese. On Thomle Rd., a rare Harris’s Sparrow gave a great show. It was a life bird for several in the group. Other good sightings included Cooper’s Hawk, Northern Harrier and American Kestrel.
46 species (approx. qty.)
Attendees: Phil, Dianna, Jane, Pam T., Frank, Rick, Teri, John H., Marcia, Pat M.
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Snow Goose (3000), Canada Goose (2), Trumpeter Swan (883), Tundra Swan (2), American Wigeon (4000), Gadwall (32), Mallard (216), Northern Shoveler (6), Northern Pintail (72), Green-winged Teal (660), Common Merganser (3).
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Great Blue Heron (2)
RAPTORS: Northern Harrier (7), Bald Eagle (69), Cooper’s Hawk (2), Red-tailed Hawk (6), American Kestrel (5)
RAILS, CRANES: American Coot (5)
SHOREBIRDS: Killdeer (7), Dunlin (1000), Wilson’s Snipe (1)
GULLS, TERNS: Short-billed Gull (239), Glaucous-winged Gull (167)
DOVES, PIGEONS: Rock Pigeon (36), Eurasian Collared-Dove (20)
OWLS: Short-eared Owl (1)
WOODPECKERS: Downy Woodpecker (1), Northern Flicker (4)
CORVIDS: Steller’s Jay (3) American Crow (2), Common Raven (18)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (2)
WRENS: Bewick’s Wren (4), Pacific Wren (1)
THRUSHES: American Robin (202)
MIMIDS, STARLINGS: European Starling (235)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (3), Song Sparrow (7), Harris’s Sparrow (1), White-crowned Sparrow (15), Golden-crowned Sparrow (3), Dark-eyed Junco (1)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Red-winged Blackbird (140), Western Meadowlark (7), Brewer’s Blackbird (140)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: House Finch (3), House Sparrow (3)