February 2024 Challenge

[Chris]

Our first signs of spring can start to be found towards the end of the month with the possible arrival of our first swallows. Some migrating gulls will likely make their way through our area towards the end of the month. Our feeders will also continue to be busy and wintering raptors will continue to be found. A fun activity, the Great Backyard Bird Count, occurs this month and runs from February 16-19.

Breakdown by year for February

2008 – 119 species recorded
2009 – 106 species recorded
2010 – 103 species recorded
2011 - 112 species recorded
2012 - 104 species recorded
2013 - 106 species recorded
2014 - 120 species recorded
2015 - 103 species recorded
2016 - 112 species recorded
2017 - 123 species recorded
2018 - 107 species recorded
2019 - 104 species recorded
2020 - 106 species recorded
2021 - 109 species recorded
2022 - 112 species recorded
2023 - 106 species recorded

Average species for February 110

Last updated February 29

Species seen to date 108


To view the missing species for the month please click here

Trumpeter Swan
Tundra Swan
Canada Goose
Cackling Goose
Greater White-fronted Goose
Snow Goose
Mallard
Wood Duck
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Gadwall
Bufflehead
Redhead
Canvasback
Lesser Scaup
Greater Scaup
Barrow's Goldeneye
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Horned Grebe
Pied-billed Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
American Bittern
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Northern Harrier
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
American Kestrel
American Coot
Dunlin
Wilson's Snipe
Killdeer
Short-billed Gull
California Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Iceland Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Glaucous Gull
Herring Gull
Barn Owl
Northern Pygmy Owl
Barred Owl
Great Horned Owl
Western Screech Owl
Anna's Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Northern Flicker
Hairy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
American Crow
Common Raven
Steller's Jay
California Scrub Jay
Canada Jay
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Pygmy Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bushtit
Pacific Wren
Bewick's Wren
American Dipper
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Varied Thrush
European Starling
Bohemian Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing
American Pipit
Dark-eyed Junco
Spotted Towhee
Harris' Sparrow
Lincoln Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
Brewer's Blackbird
House Finch
Common Redpoll
Pine Siskin
House Sparrow

[old coot]

I am happy to add that I have seen Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a Bewick's Wren, and Bushtits come to my suet feeder today along with pesky starlings and Varied Thrush come to my balcony for a drink. Klaus

[james]

I can add Barn Swallow, Northern Harrier, Ruddy Duck, and Common Teal from Willband today.

[old coot]

Before anyone else mentions it, I also get Stellar's Jays and Northern Flickers. Klaus

[Randy]

I can add from my place this morning:

Red-tailed Hawk
Merlin
Pileated Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-capped Chickadee
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Brown Creeper
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Spotted Towhee

[Harrier]

There was a Great-horned owl hootin’ it up near Sardis Library on Saturday night.

[Harrier]

This morning, there was a lone Northern Pintail on the pond on Banford just south of Prairie Central.

[Bentley]

Sumas Prairie - Snow Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Common Goldeneye, Tundra Swan, Short-billed Gull, Dunlin, American Kestrel, American Pipit
Chilliwack - Cackling Goose, Hooded Merganser, Iceland Gull, Rough-legged Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, California Scrub-Jay, Pine Siskin

[gabi]

An American Bittern at Willband today.

[kenneth2019]

Sumas Prairie
- Snow Goose
- Redhead
- American Kestrel

Harrison
- Canvasback
- Horned Grebe
- Red-necked Grebe

Sunshine Valley
- Barrow's Goldeneye


GBHNR
- Hooded Merganser

Nicomen Slough
- Double-crested Cormorant
- Red-winged Blackbird

Chehalis Flats
- Belted Kingfisher

Yard
- Red-breasted Nuthatch
- Pine Siskin

[Chris]

Some nice additions to the month. Gabi, nice Bittern. It's great to hear it's still hanging around even after that cold snap.

Also added Shrike which I had at Island 22 today.

[Dave]

Can add Greater White-fronted Goose from Seabird Island, Bohemian Waxwing along Prest between the tracks and Yale Rd, and a 1st year California Gull on Sumas Prairie.

[Chris]

Thanks, Dave for the additions.

Added Marsh Wren from Willband today. Also, had a Barn Owl a few days ago.

[kenneth2019]

Canada Jay at Manning Park Ski hill.

[Harrier]

I heard a Barred Owl near Seven Sisters this evening.