Photo: Steller’s Jay by Doug Kliewer, Audubon Photography Awards
November 2, 2021
Our trip along the roads of the Stillaguamish Valley started out well under albeit gloomy skies. However, Mother Nature opened her spigot when we reached the Port Susan Bay Conservancy, and we decided to pack it in about 1:00 p,m. However, our large group of 20 was still thrilled to see hundreds of newly arriving swans (including some Tundra Swans), a Northern Shrike, a Varied Thrush and several American Kestrels, plus one very large beaver.
55 Species (Approx. Qty.)
Attendees: Virginia, Phil, Jim, Graham, Teri, Ken, Pam, John, Dianne, Rick, Frank, Jeff H. Larry, Ann, Reg, Melinda, Sue, Victor, Bev, Rex, Amy
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Greater White-fronted Goose (2), Snow Goose (3,000), Cackling Goose (800), Canada Goose (30), Trumpeter Swan (400), Tundra Swan (30), Gadwall (20), Mallard (110), Green-winged Teal (20), Ring-necked Duck (1), Hooded Merganser (1)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Great Blue Heron (4)
RAPTORS: Bald Eagle (11), Northern Harrier (2), Cooper’s Hawk (1), Red-tailed Hawk (4), American Kestrel (5)
SHOREBIRDS: Killdeer (1), Dunlin (20)
GULLS, TERNS: Short-billed Gull (45), Ring-billed Gull (1), Glaucous-winged Gull (100)
DOVES, PIGEONS: Rock Pigeon (200), Mourning Dove (22)
HUMMINGBIRDS: Anna’s Hummingbird (1)
KINGFISHER: Belted Kingfisher (1)
WOODPECKERS: Downy Woodpecker (1), Northern Flicker (3)
CORVIDS: Steller’s Jay (5), American Crow (2), Common Raven (2)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (27), Bushtit (15)
NUTHATCHES, CREEPERS: Brown Creeper (2)
WRENS: Bewick’s Wren (2), Pacific Wren (1)
KINGLETS: Golden-crowned Kinglet (1), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2)
THRUSHES: Hermit Thrush (1), American Robin (15), Varied Thrush (1)
MIMIDS, STARLINGS: European Starling (500)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (2), Fox Sparrow (10), Song Sparrow (35), Lincoln’s Sparrow (3), White-crowned Sparrow (3), Dark-eyed Junco (32)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Red-winged Blackbird (50), Brewer’s Blackbird (150)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: Purple Finch (2), Pine Siskin (30), American Goldfinch (7)