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
Greater White-fronted Goose 3 at Pulver/Whitemarsh Rd on 2-5 (DH)
Eurasian Wigeon 6 on Samish Flats on 1-2, 2 on 1-22 & 2-11 (YH)
Redhead 1 at Green Road Pond on 1-26 (GB)
Ring-necked Duck 6 on Samish Flats on 2-4 (YH)
Harlequin Duck 3 at WA Park, Anacortes on 1-29 (SAS)
Long-tailed Duck 6 at SIPB on 1-21 (YH)
Common Goldeneye pair at Hope Island beach, La Conner on 1-7 (RWJ)
Barrow’s Goldeneye pair at Hope Island beach, La Conner on 1-17 (RWJ)
GREBES
Eared Grebe 1 at Similk Beach on 1-21 (GB)
SANDPIPERS and ALLIES
Dunlin 300 at West 90, Samish Flats on 1-23 (SAS)
Long-billed Dowitcher 4 at SWAWS on 1-28 (GB)
Wilson's Snipe 2 at Telegraph Slough on 2-1 (GB)
ALCIDS
Common Murre 43 at WA Park, Anacortes on 1-29 (SAS)
Marbled Murrelet 38 at WA Park, Anacortes on 1-29 (SAS)
Ancient Murrelet 53 at SIPB on 1-14 (GB)
Rhinoceros Auklet 19 at WA Park, Anacortes on 1-29 (SAS)
GULLS and TERNS
Glaucous Gull 1 in Sedro-Woolley on 1-26 (GB)
LOONS
Red-throated Loon 1 at Hope Island beach, La Conner on1-7 (RWJ); 2 at WA Park, Anacortes on 1-29 (SAS)
Common Loon 17 at WA Park, Anacortes on 1-29 (SAS)
HAWKS, EAGLES and ALLIES
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 in Anacortes yard on 1-19 & 1-26 (YH); 1 at east Stanwood yard on 2-1 & 2-8 (MS/JS); 1 in Hope Island area on 1-20 (RWJ); 1 or 2 in east Fidalgo yard throughout sighting period (RW)
Cooper's Hawk 1 daily at east Stanwood yard throughout sighting period (MS/JS); 1 at SWAWS on 1-17 & 1 on Samish Flats on 2-11 (YH); 1 or 2 at east Fidalgo yard throughout sighting period (RW)
Red-tailed Hawk 1 “light-morph Harlan’s” on Sullivan Rd on 1-15 (AW); 1 “light-morph Harlan’s” on Minkler Flats on 2-4 (GB); 1 “dark morph Harlan’s” on Samish Flats on 2-10 (AW)
Rough-legged Hawk 1 at West 90, Samish Flats on 1-23 (SAS); 1 “dark morph” on Samish Flats on 2-10 (AW); 1 “dark morph” on Samish Flats on 2-11 (YH)
OWLS
Great Horned Owl pair hooting regularly at east Stanwood home throughout sighting period (MS/JS); duet heard at east Fidalgo yard on 1-22 (RW)
Short-eared Owl 1 on Samish Flats on 1-16 (PP); 1 on Padilla Bay Trail on 1-26 (GB)
WOODPECKERS
Red-breasted Sapsucker 1 in Anacortes yard on 1-14, 1-24 & 1-25 (YH); 2 at east Fidalgo yard on 2-8 (RW)
Downy Woodpecker 1 at SWAWS on 1-14 (YH)
Hairy Woodpecker 1 at ACFL on 2-9 (YH)
Pileated Woodpecker 1 at Hope Island area, La Conner throughout sighting period (RWJ)
FALCONS
Merlin 1-6 seen 1-15 through 2-10 on Samish Flats (AW)
Gyrfalcon 1 on Samish Flats on 1-31 (GB); 1 on 2-3 & 2-6 on Samish Flats (AW)
Peregrine Falcon 1-6 seen 1-15 through 2-10 on Samish Flats (AW); 1 on Samish Flats on 1-22 & 2-11 (YH)
Prairie Falcon 1 on T-Loop Rd, Samish Flats on 1-15 & seen regularly on Samish Flats through 2-10 (AW); 1 on Samish Flats on 1-19 & 1-31 (GB); 1 on Samish Flats on 1-23 (YH); 1 at West 90, Samish Flats on 1-23 (SAS)
VIREOS
Hutton's Vireo 1 at Barnaby Slough on 1-23 (GB)
CORVIDS
California Scrub-Jay 1 in Sedro-Woolley on 1-17 (GB)
SWALLOWS
Tree Swallow 1 at slough north of SWAWS on 1-17 (YH)
Barn Swallow 2 at slough north of SWAWS on 1-17 (YH); 24 at SWAWS on1-19 (GB)
NUTHATCHES
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 at east Stanwood yard throughout sighting period (MS/JS)
WRENS
Pacific Wren 5 daily at east Stanwood yard throughout sighting period (MS/JS)
THRUSHES
Townsend's Solitaire 2 at WA Park, Anacortes on 1-21 (GB)
Varied Thrush 1 in Anacortes yard throughout sighting period (YH)
FINCHES and ALLIES
Common Redpoll 14 at SWAWS on 1-14 (GB); 23 at SWAWS on 1-14 (YH)
SPARROWS and ALLIES
White-throated Sparrow 1 at Debay Slough on 1-17 (GB)
BLACKBIRDS and ORIOLES
Western Meadowlark 1 at West 90, Samish Flats on 1-23 (SAS)
MAMMALS
Bobcat 1 at east Stanwood home on 2-8 (MS)
Coyote regularly “yipping” at east Fidalgo yard throughout sighting period (RW)
Elephant Seal 1 female and pup at Deception Pass State Park on 2-8 (RWJ)
Gray Whale 1 at Rosario Head on 2-8 (GB)
(ACFL) Anacortes Community Forest Lands; (GB) Gary Bletsch; (DH) Dianna Hoffman; (YH) Yvonne Houppermans; (RWJ) Rosi & Wes Jansen; (SIPB) Samish Island Public Beach; (PP) Pam Pritzl; (JS) Jeff Sinker; (MS) Mary Sinker; (SAS) Skagit Audubon Society Field Trip; (SWAWS) Skagit Wildlife Area Wylie Slough; (AW) Andrea Warner; (RW) Regan Weeks