La Conner Nature Cruise Field Trip (2/22/03) Highlights

We went north through the Swinomish Channel to Padilla Bay, west past Fidalgo Head to Bird Rocks, and back through Deception Pass, Williamson Rocks and the rock jetty at the south end of the channel.

Highlights were Brandt’s Cormorants with breeding plumes, good views of many Long-tailed Ducks, hundreds of Trumpeter Swans and thousands of Snow Geese on Fir Island Road, 14 Bald Eagles, 1 beautiful Rough-legged Hawk, many Black Oystercatchers, 40-50 Black Turnstones, Common Murre and Pigeon Guillemot. In addition to the birds, we saw California Sea Lion, Harbor Seals and a Coyote on an island. We all wondered how it got there.

 There were 38 birders and 38 species sighted.