[Tweeters] Edmonds Roundup - August 2022

[Carol Riddell]

Hi Tweets,

We have ended August with 172 species on our Edmonds year list. These are the first reliable sightings:

American Kestrel (code 4), marsh, 8-5-22. An adult female that was seen perched on the utility lines and hunting in the marsh grasses over a couple of days.

Baird’s Sandpiper (code 3), Water St., 8-14-22. This sighting was followed by one in the marsh about 5 days later.

Nazca Booby (code 5), Puget Sound, 8-17-22. This bird was first reported at Seattle’s Discovery Park (West Point). Following that report, birders reported the bird from Point Edwards, the public pier, and Water Street. The booby was riding a barge being pulled by a tug from Puget Sound to a harbor in British Columbia. This will be a new species for the Edmonds checklist.

Whimbrel (code 3), waterfront, 8-17-22. There have been other sightings of single birds flying offshore.

Leach’s Storm-Petrel (code 5), waterfront, 8-18-22. Seen just offshore at Marina Beach.

Red-necked Phalarope (code 3), waterfront, 8-25-22. Multiple subsequent sightings as these shorebirds are passing through.

Parasitic Jaeger (code 3), waterfront 8-30-22. Two birds were harassing gulls offshore.

Tufted Puffin (code 5), waterfront, 8-31-22.  

Other Activity: A Great Horned Owl (code 4) was calling in a north Edmonds neighborhood on the evening of 8-25-22. One Brown Pelican (code 4) has been continuing in Edmonds, almost daily. It can be seen at rest on the marina’s south breakwater. A juvenile Green Heron (code 3) was on the beach quite near the Baird's Sandpiper on 8-14-22.

There was a recent Tweeters post about four Pectoral Sandpipers (code 3) in the marsh on two different days. Unfortunately it contained no description of the sighting/field marks and no link to photos. No eBirders have entered reports of that species yet so we will not be adding it to the city year list at this time. We are continuing not to list Ring-billed Gull (code 3). Reports of this very uncommon Edmonds species abound with no description of field marks or no photo.

As always, I appreciate it when birders get in touch with me to share sightings, photos, or audio. It helps us build our collective year list. If you would like a copy of our 2022 city checklist, please request it from checklistedmonds at gmail dot com. If eBirders will use the details field for unusual Edmonds birds, it will help us build the city year list. Photographs or recordings are also helpful. The 2022 checklist is posted in the bird information box at the Visitor Station at the base of the public pier and is up to date through August.

Good birding,

Carol Riddell
Edmonds, WA

Abundance codes: (1) Common, (2) Uncommon, (3) Harder to find, usually seen annually, (4) Rare, 5+ records, (5) Fewer than 5 records