Let’s go birding! Have a Pacific Northwest birding experience! Get to know a dozen beautiful, remarkable species in their natural habitat. birchbaychamber.com | 360-371-5004 Blaine and Semiahmoo Birch BayLet’s go birding!Winter at Birch Bay, Semiahmoo, and Blaine presents some of the finest bird watching opportunities to be had in the world. Birds traveling the Pacific Flyway (a major migration route) find a unique haven in this area with its abundant food and moderate climate. The sheer number of birds—in terms of both quantity and variety—that winter in these waters is truly spectacular. Your field notebook is an ideal way to keep track of the birds you see on each visit to a particular area. A spiral bound Rite in the Rain notebook is ideal. Making notes from your observations of specific behavior is the best way to get to know the birds. Consider your notebook as a learning tool, and whether you’re new to birding or an old hand, the notes you take will be invaluable as a confidence builder in field identification. If you take notes or keep an active journal, you’ll increase your awareness and enjoyment of the surroundings and the wildlife you encounter.Plan ahead by wearing appro- priate clothing and footwear that can protect you from rain, sun, and cold. A hat can help shade your eyes but should not interfere with binoculars, which, ideally, everyone in your birding party should have (sharing binoculars doesn’t work!). Optional elements include a field notebook, a field guide, maps, snacks, first aid kit, and water. Leave the headphones at home. Here are a few guidelines to create a safe, fun, and friendly birding experience for everyone—human and bird alike. 9 Keep dogs on a leash, unless in specified off-leash areas. Take time to clean up after your dog and do not allow your dog to chase birds. 9 Respect private property and stay on established routes. 9 Do not disturb or pick up any birds, especially young birds. 9 Camp and park only in designated areas. 9 Resist the urge to feed birds. They do quite well on their own. 9 Use artificial light sparingly for filming or photography, especially for close-ups. 9 Keep groups to a size that limits impact on the environment and does not interfere with others using the same area. being a good birder4 5 55 Your big dayA “big year” is a competition among birders to see who can observe or hear the largest number of bird species within a year. This book challenges you to have a “big day” by identifying all of the species listed below in a 24-hour period. Your best bet is to journey to a handful of the bird hotspots identified on the map. Successful or not, you’re bound to have a great day of local birding. Have fun! Bald Eagle page 6 Barrow’s Goldeneye page 8 Black Oystercatcher page 10 Brant page 12 Common Loon page 14 Dunlin page 16 Great Blue Heron page 18 Harlequin Duck page 20 Long-tailed Duck page 22 Pigeon Guillemot page 24 Western Grebe page 26 Wood Duck page 28 There are numerous places in the northwest corner of Whatcom County to see birds, and all are accessible to everyone (including handicapped individuals). Check tide tables for the area you plan to visit.6 LISTEN FOR: a harsh, creaking crackle “kleek- kik-ik-ik-ik” THESE BIRDS ... …are often found near water. …steal fish or carrion from other birds. …mate for life and have spectacular aerial courtships of diving and locking talons. …were once endangered due to the widespread use of pesticides. …build huge nests that are added to every year. Powerful, cunning and opportunistic, Bald Eagles subsist primarily on fish. Their keen eyes can spot prey up to one mile away and they can dive at speeds of up to one hundred miles an hour. left: Few things in nature are as inspirational as a Bald Eagle in flight. opposite: Adult eagle displays a sharp bill and fierce eye, typical of predatory birds. With a wingspan of almost seven feet, Bald Eagles command a respect- ful presence throughout their range. They feed primarily on fish and waterfowl and are capable of capturing prey in flight with amazing agility for a bird its size. Bald Eagles are present throughout the year in Whatcom County and more than 500 individuals feed on the late fall and winter salmon runs. Several pairs that nest near Birch Bay and Semiahmoo often survey the area from a few favorite perches along the water. Young birds often pirate food from other birds but rarely from adults. Adult plumage is acquired after four years. Bald Eagle LOOK FOR: white head and tail and a powerful yellow bill78 Barrow’s Goldeneye LISTEN FOR: loud whistling from their wings in flight LOOK FOR: bright-yellow eyes on both male and female birds THESE BIRDS ... …fly over the mountains in springtime to reach their breeding grounds. …nest on freshwater lakes and ponds. …will utilize man-made nesting boxes. …lay their eggs in other birds’nests when nesting sites are scarce. …named after the English statesman, Sir John Barrow. These sea ducks are very active during the day and are common throughout the winter. The males are quite handsome with a crescent-shaped swoosh on their cheeks. right: Goldeneye munches a freshly caught crustacean. opposite: Three male goldeneyes accompany a lone female. Goldeneyes prefer cold water and travel together in small flocks. They spend winter months on saltwater where they rest and forage for mollusks and crustaceans. At low tide goldeneyes browse and pry exposed mussels from pilings to supplement their diets. Fidelity to wintering sites is very strong and pair bonding can last over successive years. Breeding does not begin until the second year and females often return to the same nesting sites as the year before. Like several other duck species, the males desert the incubating females. Unlike some birds, goldeneyes prefer to dive or swim away from danger instead of taking flight.Next >