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

EMPEROR GOOSE 1 on dredge-spoil islets, Padilla Bay from 12-14 throughout sighting period (GB); 1 in Padilla Bay on 1-9 (YH); 1 at Bingo Hall Lagoon, Padilla Bay on 1-13 (RW) RARE (found by GB)

Greater White-fronted Goose 1 in Lyman on 12-29 (GB) 

Cackling Goose 12 at Similk Beach on 1-1 (GB) 

Green-winged Teal x Eurasian intergrade 1 on Kiket Lagoon on 1-5 (GB)

Canvasback 1 at Bingo Hall Lagoon on 1-3 (GB)

Redhead 2 on Minkler Flats on 12-20, 22 & 23 (GB)

Barrow's Goldeneye 2 on Minkler Flats on 1-7 (GB) 

Ruddy Duck 1 on Samish Flats on 1-13 (YH)

SANDPIPERS and ALLIES

Wilson's Snipe 1 at Port Susan Nature Conservancy property on 1-15 (SAS)

Spotted Sandpiper 1 at Nichols Bar on 12-22 (GB)

ALCIDS

Ancient Murrelet 15 at Samish Island Public Beach on 1-7 (GB)

GULLS and TERNS

Bonaparte's Gull 5 off Kiket Island on 1-5 (GB)

LOONS 

Pacific Loon 15 at Samish Island Public Beach on 1-1 (GB) 

HERONS and ALLIES

American Bittern 1 at Port Susan Nature Conservancy property on 1-15 (SAS)

HAWKS, EAGLES and ALLIES

Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 on Colony Rd, Samish Flats on 1-5 (AW)

Cooper's Hawk 2 on Skagit flats on 1-5 (YH)

Red-tailed Hawk 1 ”Harlan’s” on Sullivan Rd, Samish Flats on 1-5 (AW)

Rough-legged Hawk 1 on Samish Flats on 1-13 (YH); 1 at Port Susan Nature Conservancy property on 1-15 (SAS)

OWLS

Great Horned Owl pair dueting in east Fidalgo yard on 1-1 (RW); 2 at east Stanwood yard on 1-2 (MS/JS)

Northern Saw-whet Owl 1 on Swinomish Reservation on 1-5 (GB)

WOODPECKERS

Red-breasted Sapsucker 1 in east Fidalgo yard on 12-22 (RW); 1 in Anacortes yard on 1-11 & 12 (YH)

FALCONS

American Kestrel 2 on Samish Flats on 1-13 (YH); 1 at Port Susan Nature Conservancy property on 1-15 (SAS)

Merlin 1 at corner Chuckanut & Bow Hill Rd, Samish Flats & 1 in Bayview on 1-5 (AW); 1 at Port Susan Nature Conservancy property on 1-15 (SAS)

Gyrfalcon 1 on dredge-spoil islets, Padilla Bay on 12-23 (GB)

Peregrine Falcon 1 on T-Loop Rd, Samish Flats on 1-5 (AW)

Prairie Falcon 1 on T-Loop Rd, Samish Flats on 1-5 (AW)

CORVIDS

California Scrub-Jay 1 in Burlington on 12-31 (GB

NUTHATCHES 

Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 at east Stanwood yard on 1-8 (MS)

CREEPERS

Brown Creeper 1 at east Stanwood home on 1-7 (MS)

WRENS

Marsh Wren 2 at SWAWS on 1-9 (JS)

THRUSHES

Hermit Thrush 1 in east Fidalgo yard on 12-22 (RW)

Varied Thrush 1 in Anacortes yard from 12-25 to 1-13 (YH); 3 at east Stanwood yard from 12-26-1-3 (MS/JS)

WAXWINGS  

Bohemian Waxwing 1 at SWAWS on 1-8 & 9 (GB); 1 at SWAWS on 1-9 (MS/JS)

FINCHES and ALLIES

Common Redpoll 1 at Padilla Bay Trail on 12-29 (GB) 

SPARROWS and ALLIES

American Tree Sparrow 1 at the West 90, Samish Flats on 12-16 (GB)

BLACKBIRDS and ORIOLES

Rusty Blackbird 1 in Conway on 1-9 (GB)

(GB) Gary Bletsch; (YH) Yvonne Houppermans; (JS) Jeff Sinker; (MS) Mary Sinker; (SAS) Skagit Audubon Society Field Trip; (SWAWS) Skagit Wildlife Area Wylie Slough; (AW) Andrea Warner; (RW) Regan Weeks