Birding in Neighborhoods - North Report

On February 12, five hardy birders donned appropriate clothing and braved the cold to walk the Windjammer Park shoreline to Flintstone Park. We were rewarded with a gorgeous blue sky and more than 1,000 American Wigeons (by Denise’s count) grazing on the lawn and swimming in the lagoon and in the harbor. It was the most thrilling sight and sound (!) when the Wigeons took flight all around us. 

Among the wigeons and scoters in the harbor were Greater Scaup, Common Goldeneye and several flocks of Surf Scoters performing duck choreography for us. The Scoters would bunch into dense groups then spread out in long lines parallel to shore. Then, like synchronized swimmers, they would twirl and turn this way and that, each one following the others in unison. It was so much fun to watch!

We identified Dunlin, Sanderling and Killdeer at the shoreline but could not arrive at a firm ID on a larger pair. After that we decided to warm our fingers around a cup of coffee at Whidbey Coffee and talk about what we saw. In all we identified 17 species.

Birding in Neighborhoods North outings are on the second Wednesday of the month at 9:00 a.m. The location changes each month. Contact Denise Marion or Nancy Luenn.