Date: 1/25/25 7:59 am From: via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Skagit "Survey" (State of the County)
Hi,
I did a -very- informal birding-while-driving trip to many of my favorite locations on Thursday - with one long stop and hike at Rosario. I left the house about 10:30 and got back about 4. Here are the results:
1) Lots of Trumpeter Swans - everywhere, in both large (near I-5 and Cook Rd) and small groups (in the fields out on the Samish Flats). Especially in the Samish Flats and Butler Flats but also in the Skagit Flats and on Fir Island. 2) Lots of Bald Eagles - mostly roosting in trees or on poles (digesting?) If there is a tree with a nest in it ... there usually is a pair (or one of a pair?) in the vicinity. I have not seen "sitting on eggs" behaviors ... yet. 3) Lots of Red-tailed hawks ... again everywhere. I am not seeing many other hawks/falcons such as Rough-legged, Merlin, etc. - but others are reporting them so this is probably a result of my methods. There seem to be at least as many and perhaps more Kestrels. 4) A "normal" amount of all the usual suspects of ducks - anywhere there is standing water and often in unflooded fields (especially Mallards). 5) Very few "shore birds" - even at Channel Drive. 6) A few but not lots of passerines. But pretty much anywhere there is a bush. 7) The SEOWs continue to delight at the East 90. As well as Harriers (there and many other locations). 8) Of note, at least to me, was zero Snow Geese. 9) Rosario was pretty normal for this time of year - which means it is a consistent good spot for birding year round. I did see a couple of Robins and several mergansers. I spent almost 2 hours at Rosario. Cormorants, gulls, Harlequins, Sparrows, Juncos, scoters, etc. Did not see an otter this time. Did hear a Bald Eagle calling several times but never found it. 10) A 'nice find' was no less than 3 Belted Kingfishers ... at 3 different locations. (Samish Island Rd., Rosario, and Channel Drive)
- that's it for now ... see you again in March - Jim in Skagit
P.S. Sorry, I did not get to Ship or further up river than Burlington/Mt. Vernon.
