This column reports submitted sightings. Any rare sightings should be accompanied by detailed written documentation and if possible a photograph. A second person to verify rare sightings is extremely helpful. Do not hesitate to call any observer to help document unusual sightings. Also do not hesitate to call if you need clarification on locations.

Please submit your sightings to Pam Pritzl ppritzl@frontier.com or 360-387-7024.

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WATERFOWL
Cinnamon Teal 1 at Skagit Game Range on 3-25 (JB, MB)
Canvasback 1 at Judy Reservoir on 3-15 (GB)
Ring-necked Duck 2 females on Little Beaver Lake near Anacortes on 3-28 (CT)
Black Scoter 1 drake at March Point on 3-31 (GB)
Greater White-fronted Goose, 100+ flying north, just west of Mount Vernon on 4-18 (BC)

GALLINACEOUS BIRDS
Ruffed Grouse 1 at Bacon Creek on 4-13 (GB)
Sooty Grouse 1 at Bacon Creek on 4-13 (GB)

LOONS
Yellow-billed Loon 1 at Samish Public Beach on 4-13 (GB)

HERONS
Green Heron back at inner city Gages Slough in Burlington during sighting period (PLE)

VULTURES
Turkey Vulture 1 in Sedro-Woolley on 3-21 (GB); 1 at Deception Pass SP on 3-23 (RH)

RAPTORS
Osprey 1 at Lake Erie on 4-6 (GB)
Merlin 1 in Lincoln Hill neighborhood, Mount Vernon, throughout period (TM)
Peregrine Falcon 1 at Barney Lake on 4-14 (TM)

SHOREBIRDS
Greater Yellowlegs 65 at the Skagit Game Range on 3-31 (GB)
Least Sandpiper 50+ on west side March Point on 4-8 (JB, MB)

GULLS
Bonaparte's Gull 140 at Samish Island Public Beach on 3-23 (GB)
California Gull 4 at Cockreham Island on 3-29 (GB)

TERNS
Caspian Tern 2 at March Point on 3-31 (GB)

OWLS
Northern Pygmy-Owl 1 at Caskey Lake on 3-31 (GB)

SWIFTS
Vaux’s Swift 5 at Old Northern State Hospital on 4-12 (TM)

HUMMINGBIRDS
Anna's Hummingbird 1 at Beaver Lake on 3-31 (GB)

VIREOS
Hutton's Vireo 2 on Sauk Mountain on 4-1 (GB)

SWALLOWS
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1 at Corkindale on 4-4 (GB)
Cliff Swallow 1 at Beaver Lake on 3-23 (GB)
Barn Swallow 1 at West Edison on 4-13 (GB); 1 at Cama Beach SP on 4-16 (PP)

THRUSHES
Townsend's Solitaire 1 at Corkindale on 3-30 and 1 on 4-13 (GB); 1 near Hillcrest Park on 4-15 (BC, TM)
Hermit Thrush 1 in Burlington yard during sighting period (PLE)

WARBLERS
Orange-crowned Warbler 1 on Cockreham Island on 3-29 (GB)

SPARROWS
White-crowned Sparrow 2 seen earlier this month in Burlington yard (PLE)
Golden-crowned Sparrow 2 pair regularly seen this month in Burlington yard (PLE)


(JB) Joan Bird; (MB) Mitch Blanton; (GB) Gary Bletsch; (BC) Brenda Cunningham; (PLE) Pat & Larry Edwards; (RH) Ramona Hammerly; (TM) Tim Manns; (PP) Pam Pritzl;  (CT) Charles Talman


Hotline to Report Dead, Sick or Injured Swans 

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has re-established a hotline to report dead, sick or injured swans in three northwest Washington counties as part of its ongoing effort to assess the impact of lead poisoning on trumpeter swans. People can call (360) 466-4345, ext. 266, to report dead, sick or injured swans in Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties.

Callers should be prepared to leave a message including their name and phone number, and the location and condition of the swans. The hotline is available 24 hours a day through the end of March. Some Trumpeter Swans in those three counties, and in southwestern British Columbia, die each winter from lead poisoning after ingesting lead shot in areas where they feed. Lead shot has been banned for waterfowl hunting in Washington and British Columbia for more than a decade.

But swans can still pick up and ingest lead shot while foraging in shallow underwater areas in fields and roosts where lead shot is still present. “People who observe dead, sick or injured swans are advised not to handle or collect the birds,” said Chris Danilson, WDFW wildlife biologist for Skagit and Whatcom counties. “Instead, people should call the hotline,” he said. WDFW and Puget Sound Energy employees, as well as volunteers from the Trumpeter Swan Society, will pick up the birds.

People can call (360) 466-4345, ext. 266, to report dead, sick or injured swans in Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties.