Wednesday, January 25, 2023 – 9 am until 12:00 pm

Ala Spit and Dugualla Bay Preserve, Deception Pass Area; Trip Leader:  Alice Turner, aliceT2@msn.com

South of Deception Pass and toward the north end of Skagit Bay are two restoration sites that offer interesting birding. Ala Spit was restored as part of the Island County Salmon Recovery Program. A constantly changing, dynamic environment shaped by winter storms and tides, Ala Spit offers views of Hope Island Marine State Park, Skagit Island Marine State Park, Mt. Baker, and Mt. Erie. We may see eagles, great blue herons, scoters, grebes, loons, cormorants, mergansers, oystercatchers, turnstones , and more. Be prepared to walk about 1-mile round trip, plus walking over and around some logs.  

Dugualla Bay Preserve is managed by Whidbey Camano Land Trust. The preserve includes both fresh and saltwater marshes that attract a variety of migratory shorebirds and waterfowl. A small parking lot leads to a very short dike trail, and one can also walk along the saltwater shore.

Meet 9:00 at the Deception Pass State Park West Beach parking lot, where we can arrange carpools if wished. To get there, cross Deception Pass bridge, turn right to enter the state park, and follow the main road to the ocean. We can start the trip by looking for birds over the water by Deception Pass, then drive to Ala Spit.

Dress for the weather. This is not an accessible trip. To indicate you plan to attend and to provide contact information in case trip plans change, please sign up at:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CA5AA2EA7F8C61-alaspit#/.