By Victor Burgett
I have only lived in Whatcom County for for about a year and a half (as of June 2003), and consider myself very lucky to be here. This a beautiful area, with a great diversity of opportunities for watching birds, and other nature oriented activities. The people of Whatcom County value the natural beauty of the area, and place a great deal of emphasis upon its preservation and protection. Thus, there are numerous trails, parks, beaches, and other areas to explore and enjoy. How many other places offer beautiful, clear saltwater bays, deciduous woodlands, tall coniferous forests, lakes, rivers, and high alpine habitats complete with tundra and glaciers, all within such a close distance? I love watching birds here (and photographing birds here) whenever possible, and enjoy leading field trips for the N.C.A.S. -
Bird-wise, Whatcom County offers an exciting mix. "Specialty" birds of the Pacific Northwest include the Glacucous-winged Gull, Marbled Murrelet, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Rufous Hummingbird, Chesnut-backed Chickadee, Varied Thrush, Cassin's Vireo, "Sooty" Fox Sparrow, and the Golden-crowned Sparrow. The Pacific Northwest also has more Bald Eagles than any other region of the lower 48 states, and it is wonderful that these magnificent raptors are a familiar sight here in Whatcom County. Some of our waterbirds, common here in the winter months, are exciting finds for people from many parts of the country: birds such as Red-throated and Pacific Loons, Red-necked Grebe, Harlequin Duck, Black Scoter, Barrow's Goldeneye, Long-tailed Duck, Eurasian Wigeon, Brant, Trumpeter and Tundra Swans, Black Turnstone, Black Oystercatcher, and more! The agricultural flatlands of Whatcom County (and neigboring B.C. and Skagit Counties) are the winter hunting grounds for large numbers of birds of prey - and some years this area can be the best place in the lower 48 states to find a Snowy Owl or even a Gyrfalcon! Up in the Cascade Mountains one can search for several elusive species which are often "most-wanted" birds on a birder's life list. These include White-tailed Ptarmigan, Three-toed Woodpecker, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Grey-crowned Rosy Finch (while more widespread species include Blue Grouse and Grey Jay).
But even more casual birding in the county always yeilds something exciting. It could be a Rough-legged Hawk or Short-eared Owl hunting over the Lummi Flats on a misty February afternoon, or several thousand Western Grebes feeding on herring in Bellingham Bay. It could be the haunting call of a Common Loon heard across Drayton Harbor, or the cheerful chatter of Marsh Wrens and Common Yellowthroats eminating from the reeds at Tenant Lake. But, as they say, "The worst day birding is better than the best day working." Birding in Whatcom County is always worthwhile!
