Thinking about doing a Big Year? When it comes to birding, Whatcom County’s natural (and even not-so-natural) landscape provides habitat for both migrating and nesting bird species alike. To get started on a life list, the North Cascades Audubon Society provides a checklist of 329 recorded unique bird species sighted in Whatcom County alone. With the Washington Ornithological Society’s official Washington State checklist of birds totaling just over 500 species, birding at these Whatcom County hotspots will kick you off to a good start.
Semiahmoo Spit
A great place to start your big year, Semiahmoo Spit could easily be considered the number one birding spot in Whatcom County. If you show up on January 1 with a warm coat and binoculars, odds are good that you won’t be alone. A variety of birds can be seen walking the rocky shore along Drayton Harbor. On either side of the spit, small flocks gather in the ocean just offshore. Cormorants can often be seen on the long dock before the marina, while loons dip in and out between docked boats, often creating a commotion when they land in the water. Eagles commonly frequent the area, sometimes perching on the bare tree installations, sailboat masts or condo chimneys. In the warmer months, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, catching the Historic Plover Ferry from Semiahmoo will take you right by cormorants nesting on the rocky wall at Blaine Harbor. While the majority of these fowl are seabirds, don’t forget to check by the brush or look in the pine trees by the APA Museum for some additional sightings.
Birch Bay State Park
Birch Bay State Park is a tremendous area for birdwatching due to Terrell Creek expanding into marsh land and finding its way through the parks as a creek until it connects to the saltwater bay. This saltwater and freshwater estuary creates a special habitat for birds. Ducks can be seen sleeping on the edge of the creek with herons close by. Migrating birds can also be seen in the saltwater all along the bay when tide is high. Look up and you’ll spot bald eagles flying overhead. For close-up birding, walk along the shore and follow Birch Bay Road, staying close to the creek. Bridges pass over the creek in several spots to enter the park. Heading into the park, look up into the trees. The Terrell Marsh loop trail offers forested habitat with a viewing area about halfway through that overlooks the marsh itself.
Tennant Lake
If you want to get out into the swampy marsh with the birds but don’t feel like getting wet, Tennant Lake provides a boardwalk loop trail that offers that exact experience. Benches and viewpoints along the way provide excellent birding opportunities. For a bird’s eye view, try the tower. At 50 feet, you can enjoy unobstructed views of the lake and marsh. If you arrive at Tennant Lake and find the gates closed due to waterfowl hunting season, don’t be dismayed. Walking down the Hovander Homestead trail a short distance can provide some surprisingly up close bird sightings.
Lake Terrell
One of the more curious places to bird is Lake Terrell. Considered to be manmade, Lake Terrell was originally formed through the damming of Terrell Creek. Dedicated to wild game production, half the lake is a protected waterfowl reserve. Next to the main road is a trail that parallels the edge of the lake. Here birds can be seen paddling near wild rice and around little islands. A fishing pier that stretches out into the lake has benches for restful birding. A soft symphony of birds can be heard following the trail that leads into the forest. When you have explored the whole area by foot, keep in mind that much of the lake that can’t be seen from shore can be explored by kayak. Between March and June, the southern islands are closed to protect nesting season. This area is open to hunting several times a year. Remember to take caution while birding and use discretion to determine a genuine bird sighting isn’t a well-designed decoy.
Sandy Point
Overlooking Lummi Bay, Sandy Point offers excellent viewing opportunities. Cormorants perch just off shore and seabirds tuck onto the rocks at the end of the point. With private property signs and private roads throughout the point, it can be difficult to know where to publicly park. Favorability to birding may depend on who owns surrounding property at the time. For the determined birder, however, it’s going to be worth the visit. Make sure to be respectful and use discretion. Also, take some time to explore the wetlands across the road from Agate Lake for additional sightings.
Notably wherever you are outdoors in Whatcom County, you are going to see some great birds. Even more highly populated parks such as Boulevard Park offer phenomenal birding opportunities that can capture the attention of serious birders and casual observers alike.
For help on identifying birds, www.birdweb.org offers photographs and sound recordings of birds found in our area along with a list of rare to common sightings.
