Snow geese make for cool visit to Slavin trails
WILDLIFE -- Many hikers sense that this is prime time to hit the trails in the Slavin Conservation Area -- one of the open spaces preserved through the Spokane Conservation Futures Program. But they're not exactly sure why.
The trained eyes and ears of birder Jon Isacoff documented 45 species of birds this morning at Slavin, which is just south of Spokane off U.S. 195.
His observations and lists offer insight to the sights and sounds that tingle our senses during a visit.
Nice bright morning at Slavin Ranch. All the usual waterfowl was there. Highlight was 6 SNOW GEESE, generally tough to find in Spokane County. Other noteworthy recent arrivals (at location): CINAMMON TEAL and RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER. Was unable to locate the Northern Pygmy Owl reported at this location on eBird earlier this year.
Full checklist below.
Apr 2, 2014 9:35 AM - 11:56 AM
2.0 mile(s)
45 species
- Snow Goose 6
- Canada Goose 100
- Gadwall 50
- American Wigeon 150
- Mallard 50
- Cinnamon Teal 1
- Northern Shoveler 10
- Green-winged Teal (American) 30
- Redhead 50
- Ring-necked Duck 150
- Lesser Scaup 50
- Bufflehead 50
- Common Goldeneye 14
- Hooded Merganser 10
- Common Merganser 21
- Ruddy Duck 10
- California Quail 1
- Pied-billed Grebe 5
- Bald Eagle 1
- Red-tailed Hawk (Western) 5
- American Coot 50
- Killdeer 3
- Red-naped Sapsucker 1
- Downy Woodpecker 1
- Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 4
- Say's Phoebe 1
- Common Raven 3
- Tree Swallow 6
- Violet-green Swallow 6
- Black-capped Chickadee 7
- Mountain Chickadee 6
- White-breasted Nuthatch 2
- Pygmy Nuthatch 8
- Marsh Wren 1
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
- Western Bluebird 3
- American Robin 35
- European Starling 18
- Savannah Sparrow 5
- Song Sparrow 2
- Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) 18
- Red-winged Blackbird 10
- Western Meadowlark 2
- House Finch 1
- American Goldfinch 1