Beaks and Bills
by Joe Meche
I would be remiss if I didn’t at least mention the shock, disbelief, and sadness that I and many others experienced after the election on November 5. It appears that America has turned down a dark road and the aftershocks have yet to be felt. Without getting too deep into politics, I know that we have the resiliency to weather this storm. My biggest concern, however, is for the potential impacts on humanity and the natural world. The other side poses significant threats to every facet of our lives and the list has no end. I’m concerned about the harm to the ongoing progress we’ve made on climate change and protection of endangered species and sensitive habitats. It remains to be seen how widespread the damage will be.
Aside from the 60s and the Vietnam era, there has not been a more divisive time in my 81 years, but I can pledge to be alert and resist if necessary. I could fill this column with a long list of rants about one specific individual, but I will save it for another forum. Through the most recent turmoil and even in my earliest years, I turned to my own most effective means of meditation to get through the resulting chaos … birds and the natural world! There has been no other place that I could turn to for effective positivity more than nature. It’s interesting to think of the protective measures you carry with you throughout your life.
photo: Joe Meche
Short-eared owl
Stepping down from the podium now, I’m happy to report that the calendar has heralded the return of some of our favorite winter visitors. It’s good to see that thousands of snow geese have returned to the fields in Whatcom and Skagit counties after a spring and summer that showed significant declines in a number of species. Short-eared owls are back on the Lummi and Samish flats, along with the crowd of admirers with long lenses, waiting on the roadsides for the perfect shot. As a generally solo birder, I shy away from the crowds that create a shoulder-to-shoulder scene, similar to the eagle-watching legions on the bridge over North Fork of the Nooksack River at Welcome. But, it’s always about different strokes and as long as they’re happy … I’m happy for them.
From north to south, spanning the two counties from the Canadian border at Semiahmoo Bay to Fir Island at the mouth of the Skagit River, opportunities abound for winter bird-watching. A full day of birding will add significantly to your day list or even your life list if you’re dedicated to that pursuit. While the shoreline habitats along the way provide the best viewing, agricultural fields, city parks, as well as urban woodlots and backyards are also places to look. My personal recommendation is to follow the shorelines as much as you can. It’s a simple matter of seeing fewer humans and more birds.
Semiahmoo Bay and Drayton Harbor head the list of the original 53 Important Bird Areas in Washington state, and for good reason. Th is biologically rich area attracts thousands of birds of a variety of species from October through April. Diving birds are the big attraction in the variety of waterfowl that spends their winters here, along with shorebirds and raptors. From Marine Park in Blaine and around the perimeter of Drayton Harbor, there are accessible viewing locations to observe most of the birds. My two favorites are the Jorgensen Pier in Blaine harbor and the ferry dock at Tongue Point … the tip of Semiahmoo Spit.
Just down the road, Birch Bay and Birch Bay State Park offer a wide range of habitats, including the saltwater shoreline and the wooded upland area of the park. Sizable flocks of Pacific black brant and Bonaparte’s gulls are just a few of the birds that forage here, along with common loons, scoters, and other diving ducks. Owls are frequently heard in forest above the beach.
Northwest of Bellingham, the Lummi Flats covers the northeast quadrant of the Lummi Reservation and attracts a good mix of birds, especially raptors like bald eagles and red-tailed hawks. A real treat in winter is the influx of migratory birds of prey like shorteared owls and rough-legged hawks. Th e expansive fields off the North and South Red River Roads can be crowded with both trumpeter and tundra swans as well as the ever-expanding populations of wintering snow geese.
City parks and trails on the shores of Bellingham Bay provide numerous bird viewing locations as well as the luxury of nearby restaurants and coffee shops for essential refueling for the hard-charging birder. Large rafts of goldeneyes and scoters are often close to shoreline trails and access points, most of which are wheelchair accessible so no one is left out. Padden Lagoon in Fairhaven has had its share of rarities. Larrabee State Park is just a few miles south of Bellingham and offers another location with a mix of saltwater shorelines and upland forests and hiking trails.
After a scenic tour along the “world famous” Chuckanut Drive, you will begin to notice a variety of raptors as you travel through the small communities of Bow and Edison. After leaving Edison and crossing the Samish River, you’ll be in the heart of the Samish Flats. The popularity of this area has grown exponentially over the years for the competitive array of birds of prey, especially short-eared owls, northern harriers, and bald eagles.
After staying on the back roads and crossing the Skagit River bridge east of La Conner, your day will be complete on Fir Island. This unique island was created by the North and South Forks of the Skagit River as it flows into Skagit Bay, south of Mount Vernon. This one destination is good enough for a one-destination day, since the numbers of snow geese and swans alone will leave you a bit awestruck on good days. You will be in waterfowl heaven with an added mix of shorebirds and birds of prey.
As I look back to the somber opening of this column, I’m convinced there is light to be found in the coming years. Go to any of these places that I’ve mentioned and revel in the beauty of the sights and sounds of nature. And, to paraphrase an old song, accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative. I’ve made it my life’s work.
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Joe Meche is a past president of the North Cascades Audubon Society and was a member of the board of directors for 20 years. He has been watching birds for more than 60 years and photographing birds and landscapes for more than 40 years. He has written over 200 columns for Whatcom Watch.
