Photo: American Kestrel by Mick Thompson
October 4, 2022
Morning fog made for minimal bird activity, but sightings increased as the gloom lifted at Port Susan Bay and the Stanwood Water Treatment Plant. It was a good day for raptors, including 8 American Kestrel, 5 Northern Harrier, 2 Cooper’s Hawk and a Peregrine Falcon. The treatment plant yielded Horned Grebe and Cinnamon Teal, plus numerous Long-billed Dowitchers and Pied-billed Grebe. We also saw Fox, Lincoln’s and Golden-crowned Sparrows, and 16 early Snow Geese. However, the bird-of-the-day was the last one - an American Bittern at Olsen Rd.
65 species (approx. qty.)
Attendees: Phil, Rex, Judy Lo. Dianna, Val, Bruce, Bev, Teri, Reg, Ken, Frank, Maureen T., Maureen Z., Karen, Wilma, Pam P., Amy, Norwyn, Lynda, Lianne
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Snow Goose (16), Gadwall (20), American Wigeon (20), Mallard (200), Cinnamon Teal (1), Northern Shoveler (8), Northern Pintail (50), Green-winged Teal (200), Ring-necked Duck (22), Lesser Scaup (4), Hooded Merganser (2), Ruddy Duck (10)
LOONS, GREBES: Pied-billed Grebe (20), Horned Grebe (1)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: American Bittern (1), Great Blue Heron (6)
RAPTORS: Bald Eagle (3), Northern Harrier (5), Cooper’s Hawk (2), Red-tailed Hawk (3), American Kestrel (8), Peregrine Falcon (1)
RAILS, CRANES: Virginia Rail (1), American Coot (2).
SHOREBIRDS: Killdeer (12), Greater Yellowlegs (6), Least Sandpiper (20), Dunlin (6), Long-billed Dowitcher (60)
GULLS, TERNS: Ring-billed Gull (2), Glaucous-winged Gull (10)
DOVES, PIGEONS: Rock Pigeon (150), Eurasian Collared-Dove (6), Mourning Dove (1)
HUMMINGBIRDS: Anna’s Hummingbird (6)
WOODPECKERS: Downy Woodpecker (1), Hairy Woodpecker (1) Northern Flicker (7)
CORVIDS: Steller’s Jay (3), American Crow (45), Common Raven (22)
LARKS, PIPITS, SWALLOWS: American Pipit (8)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee {2)
NUTHATCHES, CREEPER: Brown Creeper (1)
WRENS: Bewick’s Wren (4), Marsh Wren (6)
THRUSHES: American Robin (16)
MIMIDS, STARLINGS: European Starling (5000)
WARBLERS, CHATS: Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon’s) (5), Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) (1)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (2), Savannah Sparrow (4), Fox Sparrow (1), Song Sparrow (9), Lincoln’s Sparrow (2) White-crowned Sparrow (10), Golden-crowned Sparrow (2), Dark-eye Junco (1)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Red-winged Blackbird (700), Brewer’s Blackbird (350), Brown-headed Cowbird (1)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: House Finch (1), American Goldfinch (20), House Sparrow (3)