By Pam Pritzl
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 birdsightings@skagitaudubon.org or 360-387-7024.
Here is the ABA Tweeters : WEB Site
Ebird for Skagit County : Ebird List
To download the Audubon Bird Guide, go to: www.audubon.org/apps
WATERFOWL
Snow Goose 58 foraging in a field on Cockreham Island on 11-9 (GB)
Greater White-fronted Goose 55 flying over Skagit Wildlife Area, Wylie Slough on 11-8 (RH)
Cackling Goose 200 in Burlington farm field on 11-13 (JH)
Trumpeter Swan 1 on Little Cranberry Lake, Anacortes Community Forest Lands on 11-7 (RH); 3 (first of season) on Livingston Bay on 11-10 (SRP)
Canvasback 6 at Similk Bay on 11-10 (GB)
GALLINACEOUS BIRDS
Ruffed Grouse 1 in Bow on 11-4 (KR)
GREBES
Eared Grebe 2 at Samish Island Public Park on 10-27 (GB); 2 on Dugualla Bay on 11-10 (SAS)
CRANES
Sandhill Crane 29 flying over Mount Vernon on 11-5 (TM)
OYSTERCATCHERS
Black Oystercatcher 40 at West Beach, Deception Pass State Park on 11-10 (SAS)
SANDPIPERS and ALLIES
Long-billed Curlew 1 at Hayton Reserve on 11-4 (GB)
ALCIDS
Common Murre 3 at Rosario Head, Deception Pass State Park on 10-27 (SAS)
Marbled Murrelet 5 at Rosario Head, Deception Pass State Park on 10-27 (SAS)
Ancient Murrelet 1 off March Point on 11-12 (GB)
HAWKS, EAGLES and ALLIES
Northern Harrier 4 males at the West 90, Samish Flats on 11-12 (KR)
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 at east Stanwood home on 11-13 (MS)
Rough-legged Hawk 1 at Hayton Reserve on 11-12 (MS); 1 at the East 90, Samish Flats on 11-12 (MS)
OWLS
Short-eared Owl 3 at the West 90, Samish Flats on 11-12 (KR)
Northern Saw-whet Owl 2 at Lake Shannon Boat Launch on 11-11 (GB)
WOODPECKERS
Pileated Woodpecker 1 at Skagit Wildlife Area, Wylie Slough on 11-12 (MS)
FALCONS
American Kestrel 1 on the Padilla Bay Shore Trail on 11-6 (KR); 1 at the East 90, Samish Flats on 11-12 (MS)
FLYCATCHERS
Black Phoebe 1 at Skagit Wildlife Area, Wylie Slough on 11-12 (MS)
Tropical Kingbird 1 (found by Mike Nelson) at Hayton Reserve on 11-4 (GB)
SHRIKES
Northern Shrike 1 on Thomas Road, Samish Flats on 11-13 (JH)
CORVIDS
California Scrub-Jay 1 on Samish Island on 11-8 (HA)
NUTHATCHES
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 at east Stanwood home on 11-11 (MS)
WRENS
Pacific Wren daily at east Stanwood home (MS)
Bewick's Wren 1 at Skagit Wildlife Area, Wylie Slough on 11-12 (MS)
THRUSHES
Varied Thrush first of season at east Stanwood home on 11-10 (MS)
STARLINGS
European Starling a roosting murmuration of 14,000 at Big Indian Slough at dusk on 11-4 (GB)
FINCHES and ALLIES
American Goldfinch 200 on Minkler Flats on 11-3 (GB)
LONGSPURS and BUNTINGS
Snow Bunting 3 (found by Mike Nelson) at Hayton Reserve on 11-2 and 2 birds still there on 11-4 (GB)
SPARROWS and ALLIES
American Tree Sparrow 1 at Sauk Prairie on 11-11 (GB)
Savannah Sparrow flock at the West 90, Samish Flats on 11-12 (KR)
Swamp Sparrow 1 each at Clear Lake Boat Launch, Thillburg Road, and Lindgren Road on 11-9 (GB)
Harris's Sparrow 1 near Cockreham Island on 10-29 (GB)
BLACKBIRDS and ORIOLES
Western Meadowlark flock on the Samish Flats on 11-8 (KR)
Rusty Blackbird 1 at the West 90, Samish Flats on 10-27 (GB)
WARBLERS
Northern Waterthrush 1 at Skagit Wildlife Area, Wylie Slough on 11-12 (JS)
(THA) Thais & Howard Armstrong; (GB) Gary Bletsch; (JH) Joe Halton; (RH) Ramona Hammerly; (TM) Tim Manns; (SRP) Sheila & Ron Pera; (KR) Kerry Rye; (JS) Jeff Sinker (MS) Mary Sinker; (SAS) Skagit Audubon Society Field Trip