Photo: Lesser Scaup by Philip Dickinson
November 28, 2023
Our day began with a Northern Hawk Owl in the parking lot, beautifully carved by Rex Guichard. We proceeded to survey Blackmans Lake and Ferguson Park, with some notable birds including Ruddy Duck, Common Merganser, Greater Scaup, Bufflehead on the water and Varied Thrush, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Fox Sparrow and Steller’s Jay landside. At Riverview Wildlife Refuge and the Snohomish treatment plant, we added Eurasian Wigeon, Wood Duck, Lesser Scaup, Gadwall, Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and American Goldfinch. Bob Heirman Wildlife Preserve provided Trumpeter Swan and Tundra Swan, Snow Goose, Common Goldeneye, Pied-billed Grebe, Common Raven, Hooded Merganser and Green-winged Teal. Penny Creek Natural Area was a new place to most of the group and did not disappoint with Cinnamon Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Green Heron and a leucistic Spotted Towhee.
51 species (approx. qty.)
Attendees: Phil, Dianna, Judy Lo., Mary, Doug C., Doug E., Carlos, Sherry, Ken, Reg, Rick, Pam T., Karen, Bruce, Wilma, Graham, Sue B., Pam P., John E., Pat, Marcia, John H., Tari, Lisa, Denny, Ellen, Etta, Bev W.
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Snow Goose (1), Canada Goose (24), Trumpeter Swan (50), Tundra Swan (1), Wood Duck (7), Cinnamon Teal (2), Northern Shoveler (36), Gadwall (50), Eurasian Wigeon (1), American Wigeon (19), Mallard (350), Green-winged Teal (412), Ring-necked Duck (56 ), Greater Scaup (1), Lesser Scaup (175), Bufflehead (50), Common Goldeneye (1), Hooded Merganser (19), Common Merganser (15), Ruddy Duck (21)
LOONS, GREBES: Pied-billed Grebe (9)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Double-crested Cormorant (32), Great Blue Heron (6), Green Heron (1)
RAPTORS: Bald Eagle (2), Red-tailed Hawk (3)
RAILS, CRANES: American Coot (57)
GULLS, TERNS: Short-billed Gull (3), Ring-billed Gull (1), Glaucous-winged Gull (20)
KINGFISHER: Belted Kingfisher (3)
WOODPECKERS: Downy Woodpecker (1), Northern Flicker (4)
CORVIDS: Steller’s Jay (7), American Crow (80), Common Raven (1)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (12), Chestnut-backed Chickadee (1)
NUTHATCHES, CREEPER: Red-breasted Nuthatch (2)
WRENS: Bewick’s Wren (2)
KINGLETS: Ruby-crowned Kinglet (5)
THRUSHES: American Robin (6), Varied Thrush (3)
MIMIDS, STARLINGS: European Starling (23)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (3), Fox Sparrow (3), Song Sparrow (7), Golden-crowned Sparrow (1), Dark-eyed Junco (4)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: House Finch (2), American Goldfinch (2)