Swans have long been part of folklore as inspiration for poets, musicians and farmers. The swan song of a dying swan was said to be the first and only time a swan could sing. Cygnus is the constellation that appears to fly down the Milky Way leading to Pegasus.
Cedar Waxwing
Black Turnstone
Rock Pigeon
Tundra Swan
Ruffed Grouse
Brown Pelican
Common Goldeneye
Greater White-fronted Goose
The Greater White-fronted Goose (GWFG) is about 28” long with a wingspan of 53” and a weight of 4.8 lb. (2200g). This about one-half the weight of the large common Canada Goose. The genus name Anser (AN-ser) is Latin for goose. The species name albifrons (AL-bih-frons) is from the Latin albus meaning white, and frons for forehead, hence, white-fronted for white front of face.
European Starling
Least Sandpiper
In the interior of North America the Least Sandpiper is the most common of the “peeps,” the small sandpipers in the genus Calidris. However, on the coast Least Sandpipers often associate with Western and Semipalmated Sandpipers and can be lost in their great numbers. Least Sandpipers generally travel in smaller flocks.
Northern Pygmy-Owl
The Northern Pygmy-Owl (NOPO) is about 6.75” long with a wingspan of 12” and weight is 2.5 oz (70g). The genus name, Glaucidium (glaw-SID-ih-um), is shared with the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl and is Latin from the Greek glaux, diminutive of glaukidion, meaning a kind of owl, so-called from its glaring eyes.
Virigina Rail
Northern Shoveler
Snow Goose
Snow Bunting
Pectoral Sandpiper
The Pectoral Sandpiper is uncommon in Western Washington but can usually be seen during fall migration. Adults begin passing through Washington in late July and juveniles show up from mid-August to late October. The juveniles will be in new plumage having completed their prejuvenile (or first prebasic) molt, which results in the change from downy feathers to their basic plumage.