[Tweeters] Edmonds Roundup - January 2025

[Carol Riddell via Tweeters]

Hi Tweeters,

There were 99 species with reliable reports in Edmonds in January 2025. In contrast, we ended January 2024 with 109 species. Some rarer species were not seen this January.

Most expected waterfowl were reported in January. The only rarer species reported was Cackling Goose (code 3). We rejected a report of two Eurasian Wigeons (code 3) in the marsh for two reasons. First, they were in a checklist that did not include American Wigeon, which is seen regularly in the marsh. There actually were two reports of American Wigeons that same day. Second, there were no details of field marks and nothing to separate them from hybrids, which are increasing in numbers. This was most likely a data entry error in an eBird checklist.

Among the pigeons and doves, Rock Pigeon, Band-tailed Pigeon, and Eurasian Collared-Dove (code 3) were seen in January.

Among the rails and cranes, only Virginia Rail (code 2) in the marsh was reported.

Shorebird sightings included Killdeer, Black Turnstone (code 3), and Surfbird (code 3). The expected winter alcids were reported: Rhinoceros Auklet, Pigeon Guillemot, Common Murre, and Ancient Murrelet (code 3). Two eBird checklists contained one Marbled Murrelet each, one of them being placed inside the Edmonds marina. Neither birder is known to us, there were no details of the sightings, and confusion with immature Pigeon Guillemots cannot be ruled out. We will wait to add this species when there are more complete reports.

Along with the expected species gulls and hybrid gulls, there was one adult Ring-billed Gull (code 3) at Lake Ballinger and one adult Western Gull (code 4) reported on the waterfront. An immature Iceland Gull (Thayer’s) (code 4) was reported at Water Street.

The expected grebes were Pied-billed, Horned, Red-necked, and Western.

All threeexpected loon species (Red-throated, Pacific, Common) were reported at various sites along the Edmonds shoreline. All three cormorant species (Brandt’s, Pelagic, Double-crested) were reported. Among the pelicans and herons, only Great Blue Heron was reported.

Birds of prey included Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks, Bald Eagle, and Red-tailed Hawk. Barred Owl (code 2) was reported at Hutt and Pine Ridge Parks, as was a Great Horned Owl (code 4) at Southwest County Park. There were two subsequent reports of Great Horned Owl at Chase Lake Elementary School. For the falcons, there were several reports of Merlin at Pine Ridge Park, the marsh, and in several neighborhoods.

All of the expected woodpeckers were seen in January: Northern Flicker, as well as Hairy, Downy, and Pileated Woodpeckers. We missed Red-breasted Sapsucker.

Hutton’s Vireo was heard several times during the month at Yost Park and once at the marsh. Steller’s Jay, American Crow, and Common Raven (code 3) were all reported.

All of the expected smaller birds were reported: chickadees, kinglets, nuthatch, creeper, and wrens. American Robin and Varied Thrush were the most frequently reported thrushes in January. Hermit Thrush was reported several times at Yost Park and in the vicinity of the marsh. Cedar Waxwings were reported several times around the marsh/waterfront and in the Lake Ballinger neighborhood.

January reports of finches included House Finch, Red Crossbill (code 3), Pine Siskin, and American Goldfinch. The adult male Lesser Goldfinch (code 5) continued intermittently at the feeders where it was first reported in late November. All of the expected sparrows appeared, including White-throated Sparrow (code 3). There were no reports of Lincoln’s Sparrow (code 3).

Red-winged Blackbirds have been reported at Pine Ridge Park, the marsh, the waterfront, and the Edmonds Lake Ballinger area. There were no reports of Brewer’s Blackbird or Brown-headed Cowbird.

Among the warblers there were reports of Orange-crowned Warbler (code 1) at the waterfront and near the upper part of Main Street. Townsend’s Warblers (code 2) were reported at Pine Ride and Yost Parks, as well as at the marsh. Yellow-rumped Warblers (code 1) were at multiple locations throughout the month.

Please be careful with gulls. There are pretty high numbers of Glaucous-winged Gulls being reported in eBird checklists, one as high as 60. Most of these are probably the much more common Western x Glaucous-winged hybrids. I was once advised by an eBird reviewer that large white-headed gulls seen at a distance or in flight are best reported as Western/Glaucous-winged Gulls. These are situations in which it would be nearly impossible to separate Glaucous-winged from hybrid gulls. Western, Herring, and Iceland Gulls are code 4 species, difficult to find in Edmonds. There are documented reports of one each of Western and Iceland Gulls. Ring-billed Gull is a challenging code 3 species in Edmonds, seen annually but sometimes only a single bird. This gull does not favor exposed shorelines such as Edmonds, particularly in winter. The most promising winter location in Edmonds is the Edmonds portion of Lake Ballinger. Early cycle Short-billed Gulls get mistaken for Ring-billed Gulls in winter when a birder only notes a ring on the bill. We would not add any of these gulls to our year list without documentation of multiple field marks or a photo. We look for evidence-based sightings. Remember that just because a species is on a county basic checklist, it does not suggest even distribution throughout the county or even particularly high numbers.

As always, I appreciate it when birders get in touch with me to share sightings, photos, or recordings. It helps us build our collective year list. If you would like a copy of our 2025 city checklist, please request it from checklistedmonds at gmail dot com. The 2025 checklist with January sightings is in the bird information box at the Olympic Beach Visitor Station at the base of the public pier.

Good birding,

Carol Riddell
Edmonds, WA
cariddellwa at gmail dot com

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