Photo: White-throated Sparrow by Philip Dickinson
March 19, 2024
We traveled across the border to Surrey, B.C. on a beautiful first day of Spring. Along the Boundary Bay dike trail, we could not find any owls but did see Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Northern Shrike, Tree Swallow, Marbled Godwit, Black-bellied Plover and thousands of Dunlin. At North 40 Lands Park, everyone had close looks at probably a White-throated Sparrow. This was a life bird for some in our group. The park also provided great views of Varied Thrush, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow and Bewick’s Wren, plus several more eagles. Our walk around Elgin Heritage Park added American Goldfinch, Bushtit, Belted Kingfisher, Greater Yellowlegs, Common Loon and several duck species, including American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Tea, Hooded Merganser, Common Goldeneye and Wood Duck. Blackie Spit was beautiful as usual with its mountain-framed view of downtown Vancouver. We also saw Surf Scoter, Common and Red-breasted Merganser, Greater Scaup and another Marbled Godwit. One more trip note: so nice to visit places where you must look hard to find trash.
58 species (approx. qty.)
Attendees: Phil, Dianne, Rex, Jeff, Ken, Bruce, Pam T., Karen, Teri, Rick, Reg, Jane, Maureen Z., Judy Lo., Denny, Pat, Marcia, Wilma, Sue B., Judy B.
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Canada Goose (2), Wood Duck (1), Northern Shoveler (4), Gadwall (6), American Wigeon (43), Mallard (88), Northern Pintail (1), Green-winged Teal (81), Greater Scaup (100), Harlequin Duck (1), Surf Scoter (12), Bufflehead (3), Common Goldeneye (5), Hooded Merganser (3), Common Merganser (3), Red-breasted Merganser (35)
LOON, GREBES: Common Loon (1), Red-necked Grebe (1)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Double-crested Cormorant (5), Great Blue Heron (11)
RAPTORS: Northern Harrier (2), Bald Eagle (26), Red-tailed Hawk (3)
SHOREBIRDS: Black-bellied Plover (10), Greater Yellowlegs (7), Marbled Godwit (2), Dunlin (25,000)
GULLS, TERNS: Short-billed Gull (12), Glaucous-winged Gull (125)
DOVES, PIGEONS: Eurasian Collared-Dove (3)
HUMMINGBIRDS: Anna’s Hummingbird (1)
KINGFISHER: Belted Kingfisher (2)
WOODPECKERS: Northern Flicker (5)
SHRIKES, VIREOS: Northern Shrike (1)
CORVIDS: American Crow (51)
LARKS, SWALLOWS: Tree Swallow (5)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (9), Bushtit (7)
NUTHATCHES, CREEPER: Red-breasted Nuthatch (1)
WRENS: Bewick’s Wren (2)
THRUSHES: American Robin (17), Varied Thrush (1)
MIMIDS, STARLING: European Starling (80)
WARBLERS: Yellow-rumped Warbler (1)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (4), Fox Sparrow (4), Song Sparrow (18), White-crowned Sparrow (1), Golden-crowned Sparrow (14), White-throated Sparrow (1), Dark-eyed Junco (1)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Red-winged Blackbird (22)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: House Finch (3), American Goldfinch (6), House Sparrow (1)
Looking for more local places to go birding?
Check out our newly revised, 3rd edition of Birding in Snohomish County & Camano Island, a field guide to the best birding locations in Snohomish County and Camano Island, Washington.
A full-color, updated and expanded 3rd edition of Philip Zalesky’s original book, Birding in Snohomish County and Camano Island, 3rd Edition is a celebration of the variety and bountiful birding locations in the area. With habitats ranging from marine to alpine, the diversity of species that can be found here are a birder’s dream.
This new edition covers more than 80 locations, noting general information about the sites and which birds are common at each. Philip Zalesky’s original site descriptions have been revised and updated, including new observations, recent sightings, and historical and natural history information. Our local birders have added their own interesting anecdotes, including the many ways things have changed since the 2nd edition was published in 2001. Local bird photographers have contributed over 100 full-color photographs showing the splendor of our local birds and the wondrous beauty of the birding habitats found in our area. A checklist includes all 355 species of birds ever sighted in Snohomish County and Camano Island.
We hope this book will guide you to new areas you haven’t explored yet, or give you an idea of where to start if you’re visiting Western Washington.
All proceeds will help fund local conservation efforts in Snohomish County and Camano Island.