Coastal Field Trip Report

Submitted by Lisa Clark, Coeur d’Alene Audubon Chapter Member

Fourteen Coeur d’Alene Audubon members traveled to Washington’s northern Puget Sound region for two days of coastal birding during the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) on February 13-16, 2026. The group encountered variable winter conditions with rain, fog and sun, but we enjoyed mostly cold, sunny days for the two days we explored coastal habitats and bird activity.

Day One began with light rain that quickly cleared to sun as the group arrived at Birch Bay State Park. From Birch Bay, participants birded northward to Semiahmoo Spit and Tongue Point, then returned via Lummi Flats and Hale Passage. Shorebirds, waterfowl, and raptors were observed throughout the day. Lunch was taken at the Semiahmoo Store and Café next to the water. Our day concluded with an extended observation of two Short-eared Owls at Hale Passage, providing excellent scope views and study opportunities.

Day Two opened with dense fog that gave way to clear, sunny conditions. A stop in Bow at BreadFarm Bakery yielded an unexpected concentration of Snow Geese, large numbers of Green-winged Teal, and Trumpeter Swans flying overhead. A nearby roadside pond produced additional waterfowl and raptors, including over 70 Bald Eagles, offering valuable viewing for participants with spotting scopes and an excellent learning environment for newer birders. From this vantage point, we were able to observe more Snow Geese and enjoy their mass movement. Mt. Baker and the Northern Cascades were on full display throughout the day and absolutely spectacular.

Coeur d’Alene Audubon members observing at Deception Pass State Park.

The group continued to Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (visitor center closed), then to Bay View State Park for further estuarine observations. After lunch in Anacortes, stops at Deception Pass State Park (Rosario Beach and West Beach) provided additional seabird and shoreline sightings. Several members engaged with members of the public, offering scope views and discussing bird identification and migration.

Given the earlier sightings of Snow Geese, the group elected to forgo the longer drive to Fir Island. Instead, birding continued around Edison, the Skagit Flats, and Chuckanut Bay, including visits to wildlife areas and a private lands viewing site. Throughout the day, the region’s strong birding culture was evident, with large numbers of observers in the field taking advantage of favorable weather.

The weather was beautiful and perfect for birding on this cold February weekend.

The trip concluded in Bellingham at El Sueñito Brewing Company, where members met with North Cascades Audubon Society participants. The exchange provided useful regional insights and reinforced the value of inter-chapter collaboration.

Overall, the trip documented a high diversity of wintering waterfowl, raptors, and shorebirds across multiple habitats with 84 species observed. Favorable weather, shared equipment, and collaborative identification contributed to a productive outing, with several participants reporting life birds.

Bellingham 2026 Field Trip Species List

Arranged in phylogenetic order

Compilers: Ron and Pam Gomes; Ted and Heather Smith; Mark Launder; George and Katie Sayler

Snow Goose, Brant, Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Canvasback, Redhead, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Black Oystercatcher, Killdeer, Long-billed Dowitcher, Black Turnstone,  Dunlin, Pigeon Guillemot, Short-billed Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pied-billed Grebe, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Red-throated Loon, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Short-eared Owl, Belted Kingfisher, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, American Kestrel, American Crow, Common Raven, Black-capped Chickadee, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Marsh Wren, European Starling, American Robin, House Sparrow, House Finch, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Western Meadowlark, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer’s Blackbird.  

Species seen before the field trip or after the field trip and species seen enroute to and from the field trip.  Ron and Pam birded two days ahead of the trip and one day after the trip and Mark birded one day after the trip.

Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Anna’s Hummingbird, American Coot, Rough-legged Hawk, Steller’s Jay, California Scrub Jay, Black-billed Magpie,  Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, Pacific Wren, Varied Thrush. 

A special sighting of Snow Geese made for a memorable trip.