Birding in Neighborhoods - North: Windjammer and Flintstone Parks

By Nancy Luenn

January 14: The view from Windjammer Park resembled a watercolor painting. Smooth silvery water below and thick fog above. The still water made it easy to find seabirds. Species identified included Surf Scoters, a White-winged Scoter, Common Goldeneyes, Buffleheads and Scaup. Close to shore we saw American Widgeons and Mallards.

Posts in the water provided perches for a variety of birds: Bald Eagles, a Great Blue Heron, Double-crested Cormorants and a Belted Kingfisher. Across the harbor we saw a pair of Bald Eagles on Maylor Point and wondered if they are the pair that nests above the Maylor Point trail.

Photo credit: Nancy Luenn

Along the narrow beach in Windjammer Park, we spotted a large flock of shorebirds. Most were Dunlin, but several pale gray shorebirds were with them. We speculated about what they might be. A Killdeer standing on the shore of the lagoon was easy to identify. We heard, but didn’t see, a Long-billed Dowitcher.

As the morning progressed, the fog slowly retreated, providing a wider view. Across the water were two rafts of cormorants drying their wings.

As we returned to our starting point at Flintstone Park, we had the pleasure of spotting a pair of Hooded Mergansers. After admiring them, the group moved on to Whidbey Coffee for hot drinks and conversation.

Total species: 20

Birding in Neighborhoods North (BIN North) outings are on the second Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. We meet in the parking area of the month’s destination. To be added to (or removed from) the monthly outing reminders email Nancy Luenn