Camano Island and Stanwood Field Trip (10/15/05) Highlights

Fox, Song, Savannah, White-crowned, and Golden-crowned Sparrows filled the bushes at Eide Road, where both Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, and Long-billed Dowitcher were scoped. A classic Hermit Thrush perched among the driftwood at Livingston Bay while Killdeer seemed to defend the beach.  From Ultsalady Road we could see hundreds of Western Grebe, a few Pigeon Guillemot, Surf and White-winged Scoter, and Horned Grebe.  Common Loons were plentiful at most water stops.

Triangle Cove initially seem bird-quiet until an immature Northern Shrike was spotted, giving everyone good looks at its streaked breast and lovely back. At Cavalaro County Park a breeding plummaged male Red-throated Loon kept getting farther and farther away but each birder eventually got scope-looks at the red throat.  On the way out from the park, a stop was made to see Downy Woodpecker and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. 

Snow Geese graced the skies above Iverson Spit where several hundred Green-winged Teal foraged in the mud.  Winter, Bewick's and Marsh Wren were seen near the marsh where a Virginia Rail called out.  A Western Meadowlark posed elegantly atop a power pole.  A stop at the Stanwood Treatment Ponds added Ruddy Duck, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Northern Shoveler and Bufflehead to the growing list of trip species.  A couple of Northern Harriers skirted the ponds.

Throughout the day several Bald Eagle and many Red-tailed Hawk were seen enjoying the fine fall day.  There were 9 birders and 69 species sighted.