Blaine / Birch Bay / Semiahmoo
Whatcom County
Drayton Harbor/Semiahmoo
Spit GPS coordinates: 48.98698, -122.77256
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A Winter Birder’s Delight
by Joe Meche
Whatcom County contains a wide range of habitat types
that host a remarkable variety of bird species. From tidewater and the
western lowlands to the alpine habitats of the North Cascades, Whatcom
County offers birding for all seasons. Although birding is good
throughout the year, late fall through spring is the prime time for
birding. The numbers of birds that winter in the marine habitats just
south of the Canadian border can be mind-boggling, even for seasoned
birders.
Wintering Ducks on Birch Bay
In the large estuarine environments of Drayton Harbor,
Semiahmoo Bay, and Birch Bay can be found some of the largest concentrations of birds on the
Pacific Coast. This largely pristine natural area provides food
and shelter for a variety of species throughout the winter months and
during migration. The area of Drayton Harbor and Semiahmoo Bay has been
designated as one of 53 Important Bird Areas in the state. This area
also anchors the first loop of the Great Washington State Birding
Trail, Audubon Washington’s first entry into the nationwide effort to
promote birdwatching and conservation of areas that are essential to healthy bird populations. Marine
Park in Blaine is a shining example of what can be done locally to
ensure that birds have ample sites for resting and feeding during the
long winter months, prior to returning to their breeding grounds in
spring.
To get there: Drive north on Interstate 5, to the
last exit before the international border, at Blaine. Go under the
freeway and west across the railroad tracks to begin your tour at the
bird- and birder-friendly Marine Park. There is always ample parking on
both sides of Marine Drive and, along the trail in Marine Park, there
are four covered shelters that overlook the extensive tidal flats
of Semiahmoo Bay.
Large numbers of shorebirds gather here and rarities
such as Hudsonian and Bar-tailed godwits have been observed along with
Marbled Godwits, Whimbrels, and Long-billed Curlews. Black-bellied
Plovers, Dunlin, and Black Turnstones are regulars along with
a variety of other peeps. Large flocks of Caspian and Common terns have
been observed along with Bonaparte's, Glaucous-winged, Ring-billed, and
Mew gulls. Keep an eye out for the Peregrine Falcons that frequent the
area.
From Marine Park, explore the Blaine waterfront
on foot.
There are restrooms and restaurants available when you need
them. The visitor information center is well-equipped with birding maps
and checklists for the birds in the area from Blaine and Semiahmoo to
Birch Bay. The Blaine-Birch Bay Birding Committee is putting together
a new birding brochure, as well.
At the end of Marine Drive, a public pier
affords scoping opportunities of the northern reaches of Drayton Harbor and the Semiahmoo Spit. The deep-water
channel between the spit and White Rock, BC, attracts incredible numbers
of loons and other diving birds in winter and early spring. When the
schools of herring move in and out of Drayton Harbor through the narrow
channel, the activity can be frenetic.
In late February and early March, 20,000 to 30,000 birds can
be seen on the water on both sides of the spit. Among the species that
have been observed are more than 1,500 loons of three species, three
scoter species, gulls, cormorants, and as many as 300 Red-breasted
Mergansers. Northern Pintails and other ducks gather by the thousands in the protected
inner waters of Drayton Harbor for two weeks of incredible feeding
activity. The first week of March, 2,000 Brant can be seen feeding on
the eelgrass beds as the tide goes out. The Wings Over Water/Northwest Birding
Festival is
held annually to celebrate Brant, a little-known "sea goose," and to educate the public about the need
for protection of the essential habitat necessary for the health of the
Brant and many other species.
After birding at Marine Park and the Blaine
Harbor, drive around the perimeter of Drayton Harbor to the Semiahmoo Spit, and check the estuaries of Dakota
and California Creeks along the way. There are many pullouts along the
drive that provide opportunities for shorebirds, numerous Great Blue
Herons, and Bald Eagles. From the county park to the resort, large
numbers of birds are visible on both sides of the spit.
After Semiahmoo,
follow the road south to the expanse of Birch Bay. On the southern
boundary, at Birch Bay State Park, usually in mid-April, you can observe
the annual spectacle of thousands of scoters, Harlequin Ducks,
cormorants, and gulls feeding on the herring spawn. Large numbers
of Brant also join in this feeding frenzy.
Make plans now to drive up to northern Whatcom County
during the fall and winter to enjoy some of Washington state’s
finest birding.
Back to Birding Locations
Washington Ornithological Society. 12345
Lake City Way NE, #215. Seattle, WA 98125.
Information@WOS.org
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