Winter Washington & British Columbia: Feb 02—09, 2008

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Bob Sundstrom

Bob Sundstrom has led VENT tours since 1989 to destinations including Hawaii, Mexico, Belize, Trinidad and Tobago, Iceland, Pap...

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Snowy Owl — Photo: Brennan Mulrooney

A winter spectacle of myriad birds of prey (including Gyrfalcon), great diversity and numbers of waterfowl, and Northwest specialties set in stunning scenery and a relatively mild northern winter climate.

The temperate, maritime climate and rich food resources of the North Puget Sound region of Washington and British Columbia make it an especially attractive winter home for the birds of prey, diving birds, and waterfowl that return here each year.

Impressive arrays of raptors hunt the river deltas along the North Sound. Scores of Bald Eagles are seen on an average day, Peregrine Falcons and Merlins are to be expected, and this tour will make a special effort to track down at least one of the very small number of Gyrfalcons that typically winter here. Rough-legged Hawks, Red-tails of several color morphs, Northern Shrikes, and dozens of harriers keep watch over the open fields. The high peaks of the Olympic Mountains form a majestic backdrop and limit precipitation in the heart of this excellent birding area.

Short-eared Owls are almost a certainty, flying moth-like above the expansive river deltas. Snowy Owls are irruptive—present some winters in numbers and absent other years. Northern Saw-whet Owls are likely, usually on a day roost in the woods. Large flocks of Trumpeter and Tundra swans whiten the winter fields, and Eurasian Wigeons are sprinkled through nearly every large flock of American Wigeons. The deep bays host large rafts of sea ducks and Pacific Loons; the elusive Yellow-billed Loon is possible, and Harlequin Ducks, Barrow's Goldeneyes, and Long-tailed Ducks are up close and plentiful, among over 30 species of waterfowl typical in winter. Rocky shorebirds include flocks of Black Turnstones, often mixed with some Surfbirds, and a Black Oystercatcher or two.

Over ten years of tour sightings have included such rarities as Arctic Loon, Northern Hawk Owl, Great Gray Owl, Xantus's Hummingbird, Dusky Thrush, Falcated Teal, Tufted Duck, Emperor Goose, King Eider, Slaty-backed Gull, and Brambling.

Very good to excellent accommodations and cuisine; easy, non-strenuous walking; several ferry crossings on inshore waters; cool weather conditions, some precipitation possible.

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