Rosario Head Field Trip at Deception Pass State Park

By Lyla Biddle, Deception Pass State Park AmeriCorps Interpretive Naturalist 

On April 4th, 23 field trip attendees enjoyed a stunning spring day at Rosario Beach. The morning began with trip leader Madrone Ruggiero providing some hands-on learning in the form of several sleepy moths, a valuable food source for a variety of bird species found in the park. After an introduction to scoping for several new attendees, we set out into the field by the Rosario shelter, where a juvenile Bald Eagle was spotted soaring among the conifers, along with several Red-breasted Robins and Song Sparrows.

Next, the birdwatchers moved towards the South side of the tambala, where Madrone set the scope on a group of five male Surf Scoters. The troop seemed to be enjoying themselves, splashing about in the sparkling emerald waters. Several Double-crested Cormorants were also seen sunning themselves further out among the rocks towards Bowman Bay. 

Following a brief stop by the Rosario Maiden to view several high-flying adult Bald Eagles, along with a Common Merganser diving by the tidepools, our group set out to the final destination, Rosario Head. Conditions by the cliffs were perfect to view iridescent Violet-green Swallows, a male Anna’s Hummingbird, and a Golden Crowned Sparrow. Attendees also had the chance to learn about several plant species local to the unique bluff ecosystem, courtesy of Madrone.