Winter Birds

Joe Meche is a member of the board of directors of the North Cascades Audubon Society and is in his eighth year as editor of the chapter newsletter. Joe is also a member of the board of directors of the Washington Brant Foundation. He has been photographing birds and landscapes for over 30 years and has been watching birds for more than 50 years.

When winter comes roaring in, which it has been known to do, most people are apt to spend as much time as they can indoors and closer to the hearth, with visions of springtime and daffodils….dancing in their heads. There are more than a few among us, however, who seem to look forward to this time of year. Are these people ill or do they have a masochistic streak that borders on the eccentric? Actually, these are regular folks, just like you and me, who look forward to winter and the birds that always add a plethora of spice to cold weather outings.

If you prepare for the weather and plan ahead, birdwatching in winter can be as enjoyable as any other time of year. Regardless of the weather, it always comes back to the birds; and this part of Washington state is still one of the country’s finest settings for winter birdwatching. We know that the diversity of habitat in the northwest corner ranges from the glacier-clad slopes of Mount Baker and the North Cascades to the tidewater of numerous bays and estuaries. But what are the birds that are so special to winter bird watchers? Let’s have a look.

The most abundant of the birds that winter here are the waterfowl. The freshwater and estuarine habitats from the lower Canadian mainland to northern Skagit County can be crowd-ed with many species of duck-like birds that abound on the calm, protected bays and inlets, and on numerous lakes and ponds. Many of the birds that fit into the category of waterfowl are seen here only in winter. The largest of the waterfowl, the trumpeter swans, along with lesser numbers of tundra swans, create quite the spectacle in various locations around the area.

On the water, the impressive numbers of sea and bay ducks are often difficult to comprehend. The family of loons is well represented with large concentrations of Pacific, common and red-throated loons, with an occasional yellow-billed rewarding the diligent observer. Some of the birds on everyone’s checklist are common winter visitors locally and they include all three scoter species, long-tailed ducks, Barrow’s and common goldeneyes and the dramatic red-breasted mergansers. Drayton Harbor is a winter haven for thousands of beautiful northern pintails. If you take the time to scan the flocks of American wigeons, you’re sure to find the less common Eurasian variety.

Two of the most sought-after of wintering waterfowl are the dazzling harlequin ducks and the unique waterfowl species we know as brant, also known as the Pacific black brant. Harlequins breed and nest on fast-moving mountain streams and winter on saltwater, while brant stage one of the most spectacular migrations of all waterfowl, flying non-stop for as long as 50 hours from the Arctic to Baja, Mexico. Brant stage to feed and forage on local waters in late winter and into early spring, prior to the return trip to their breeding grounds.

The primary aerialists that we see locally are our resident glaucous-winged gulls. This common species is joined in winter by large to moderate numbers of mew, ring-billed and Bonaparte’s gulls. Keen observers are often treated to the occasional Thayer’s gull. Winter is one of the best times of the year to hone your identification skills on the family of gulls. Seasonal plumages and the ages of the various species provide an on-going challenge, even for seasoned birders.

When it comes to sensational and dramatic flights of large numbers of birds, few can compare with thousands of shorebirds spiraling above the tide flats and landing sporadically to feed and forage; all the while keeping a collective eye out for falcons and merlins. The majority of the shorebirds that perform in the area in winter are the dunlin, which can congregate in flocks numbering 10,000 or more. Along with dunlin, birders can also expect to find black-bellied plovers, greater and lesser yellowlegs and black turnstones.

Some of the most exciting and sought-after birds in winter are the raptors that come into the area to take advantage of the milder climate and available food sources. We have bald eagles in our backyard the year round but their numbers increase significantly in winter, coincidental to the late season salmon runs. Rough-legged hawks that breed in northern latitudes add a bit of flavor to the increased populations of red-tailed hawks and northern harriers.

Owls are easier to find in the winter and, already this year (early November), reports are beginning to come in with observations of snowy owls in the lower mainland of British Columbia. These magnificent creatures are diurnal and highlight any outing. One sure way to warm up on a cold winter day is to find a snowy in your field of view. Early reports sometimes portend that a significant number of snowy owls could winter here. Other owl species to look for in winter are the popular short-eared, long-eared, and saw-whets. Another prize, and sometimes harder to find than the snowy, is the northern hawk owl—another diurnal raptor.

For many birders, the most popular raptors in winter, however, are the falcons. With the large flocks of shorebirds and waterfowl that winter in the area, there are falcons that take advantage of this veritable buffet. On the Samish Flats in northern Skagit County, the big attraction is the potential to have a five-falcon day. The area around the West 90 (a well-known corner on the Sammish Island Road) can furnish the discerning birder with peregrine and prairie falcons, American kestrels, merlins, and the ultimate prize—a gyrfalcon.

Since winter is prime time for feeding birds, the multitude of good birds that show up at feeders is enough to keep birdwatchers busy. Mountain species such as varied thrushes, pine and evening grosbeaks, and chestnut-backed chickadees are delightful surprises at some feeders in the area. The spectacular, though sometimes nasty Steller’s jays enliven the scene and provide hours of entertainment for feeder watchers; especially those who might be unable to get out and suffer like the rest of us.

Winter birdwatching can be challenging, to say the least, but the expected and unexpected rewards are the birds that you’re likely to see on a cold, crisp outing from late November through February. Again, preparing properly and always planning for the worst-possible weather are essential to a good winter day in the field. Dress for the weather and take lots of food and drink. The birds of winter are exciting and numerous, and the unexpected rarities that sometimes show up are often cause for celebration.

**To get involved with winter birds for a good cause, contact your local Audubon chapter and participate in the annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC). Just like old-style football games, CBCs are not cancelled due to the weather. CBCs have the potential to be a masochist’s delight, but we have had wonderfully mild weather on occasion. If you’d like to join in the fun, phone me at 738-0641 or send an e-mail to joemeche@aol.com for details. If you’re in the field, look for me and we’ll compare notes on those winter birds. §