A Day Birding in the Fog

Snow geese after a quick Adobe "fix"

before the fix-note the fog

Monday I couldn't take it anymore; I had to get out. The week of thick fog nearly all day every day was taking its toll. I needed to go in search of the large numbers of raptors wintering in our river flats (Stillaguamish, Skagit, and Samish- areas near and at the mouths of the rivers). It still hadn't burned off by noon but I packed up the binoculars and camera gear, a couple of snacks, water, and some tea and off I went- in search of clarity. I didn't find it until 2:30 in the Samish Flats.

In the meantime, I could see the 1000s of snow geese and various other birds if I was close enough. Raptors were out all over- American kestrels, red-tailed hawks, rough-legged hawks and bald eagles. I didn't find any accipiters or falcons. Mostly because there was just no seeing into the distance and even if you could make out a lump in the trees it was difficult to see any color.

Samish Flats- two areas known as the West 90 and the East 90. I've been birding since 1980 (although much more sporadically in the last 15 years). I generally make a trip to the Skagit and Samish flats at least once during the winter months. This day was one of the most spectacular I have experienced (except maybe for the 5 falcon days). At East 90 in the westerly fields there was literally a raptor on every shrub and in every tree, perched on fence posts and signs, and sitting on the ground. Rough-legged hawks, ravens, red-tailed hawks, northern harriers, and best of all tons of short-eared owls. After counting around 30 I gave up. I'd read accounts of folks seeing 54+!

I saw more in the 2 hours of clearing in this area than I've seen in my life. Everywhere you could hear their raspy bark and various other calls. Then there was the clump of cottonwoods or red alder near the Samish River- full of 20+ bald eagles. The immature ones were flying close to my truck and all over the place chasing each other and pissing off the adults.

 I decided to go check out the West 90 which is generally the better spot but it was quiet close in. Farther out there was plenty of action. I didn't stray from the parking lot as I wasn't prepared to go for a hike. next time I will. Northern harriers came in close. A short-eared owl did, too but I didn't want to disturb it. They really didn't seem the least bit disturbed by the attention, though.

northern harrier

For such a short trip it was absolutely fantastic. I found myself spellbound by the activity and numbers of birds. Getting a photo was just the cherry on top. I'm so grateful to have been there at the right time. No- I didn't find the immature gyrfalcon or long-eared owl, yet I came away with an experience of the impelling spell of raptors in winter on the Samish Flats. And my spirits had lifted even as the thick fog rolled back in.

adult and juvenile snow geese amongst the 1000s

Bald eagles of Harrison Mills B.C.

On the last day of the year my friends, Paul and Lisa, and I went back up to British Columbia to try our luck at seeing the thousands of bald eagles that flock to the Fraser, Harrison, and Chehalis Rivers each winter. Last year we saw 300+ which was exciting. This year we saw 100. Disappointing in numbers yet exciting in close up encounters with several eagles and trumpeter swans.

The locals told us we were 3 weeks late. Back then 6,000 bald eagles were at the Chehalis River "estuary". The trail starts in the Eagle Point development next to the golf course. Yes, the habitat of one of the   largest (if not the largest) concentrations of eagles in North America has been developed. At least they didn't destroy the estuary and left a few trails for people to access the feeding areas. Unfortunately, it seems everyone in the development has a dog, many of them small, which means eagle bait. We were told that two cougars had been killed this past year because they were threatening people. I doubt they were threatening people, more likely they ate a small dog and the people who moved into their territory are afraid. Dropping housing developments into the middle of a rural area full of wildlife such as coyotes, bears, and cougars is just plain irresponsible.

Off the soap box. We explored different side roads along the waterways and found one with a number of trumpeter swans and other waterfowl feeding including pied-billed grebes, buffleheads, hooded mergansers, common mergansers, mallards, gadwalls, American wigeons, ring-necked ducks, Canada geese, and some double-crested cormorants. I was pleased with all of the hooded mergansers, although I never did get a great photo of one. I enjoy their feather crests and their antics when competing for females.

juvenile

We saw an exquisite pair of anatum peregrine falcons perched in a large deciduous tree in a field. I'm still working on those photos. The lighting was not the best. Once I get them looking better I'll post them. In the meantime I thought I'd share several eagle photos here.

immature

The end of the trip was spent taking a short hike to Bridal Veil Falls. There was a small amount of snow on the ground and it was definitely chilly out. The hike is a gentle uphill walk (boy am I out of shape) of about 1/4 mile, unless you include walking the road which is probably another 1/4 mile. What a magical waterfall that's so easily accessible! A great finale to a great day with friends.

Bridal Veil Falls

Frozen water drops over the stream