Posted by Ryan Askren on December 6, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Hey everyone,
I'm an Iowa boy heading out to Marysville, WA area for a couple of days right after Christmas. I was wandering if anybody could offer any could locations to check out for ducks. I was hoping to get some shots of harlequins or scoter but am open to any suggestions on any species of waterfowl. I am already aware of Skagit but was hoping some one could suggest a lesser known locale. Please e-mail me at nerksa_nayr52@yahoo.com if you are willing to share the spot but don't want to put it out there for everyone to hear. Thank you in advance, I appreciate any help I can get.
Sorry, no one has replied. Can't give you tips on ducks but don't miss the Snow Geese and Tundra Swans in Skagit Valley. Best viewing is west of I-5 Conway exit on Fir Island. Enter "Fir Island, WA" in maps.google.com.
Here is a sample of what you might see: Click Here
Posted by John Williams on December 10, 2009 at 9:28 AM
Sorry Ryan, I don't know that northern area very well for waterfowl. If you want to drive south let me know. If not, post on Tweeters and I'll bet you get a lot of help!
Posted by Larry Raisch on December 12, 2009 at 1:48 AM
I live about 10 miles from Marysville, but I can think of only a few locations that have more than the occasional duck.
The Skagit flats and the DeBay Island swan reserve would be the first places to try for swans and snow geese. Other than that, you might try the Bob Heirman Wildlife preserve at Thomas Eddy. When you walk down the hill, turn right to go to Robin"s pond. I have seen bittern and various ducks and geese here.
The best choice, if you can get permission, would be the Nature Conservancy's location out at Port Susan.
Posted by Philip McCrain on December 14, 2009 at 8:31 PM
Ryan,
The advice to check out Tweeters is good. Here is a posting from today about Harlequin ducks off the shores near Seatte.
Yes Harlequin Ducks and Black Scoters, incidentally are both regular along the stretch of water that runs from the southern edge of Discovery Park, parallels Perkins Lane, passes by the Magnolia Tidelands and ends up at Smith Cove. Both ducks tend to favour shallower water. Incidentally Perkins Lane is rather a birdy place in winter. Have done the Seattle CBC there for several years. It faces SW, is protected from northern weather, has lots of feeders and friendly neighbours.
Discussion
4 repliesI'm an Iowa boy heading out to Marysville, WA area for a couple of days right after Christmas. I was wandering if anybody could offer any could locations to check out for ducks. I was hoping to get some shots of harlequins or scoter but am open to any suggestions on any species of waterfowl. I am already aware of Skagit but was hoping some one could suggest a lesser known locale. Please e-mail me at nerksa_nayr52@yahoo.com if you are willing to share the spot but don't want to put it out there for everyone to hear. Thank you in advance, I appreciate any help I can get.
Here is a sample of what you might see: Click Here
The Skagit flats and the DeBay Island swan reserve would be the first places to try for swans and snow geese. Other than that, you might try the Bob Heirman Wildlife preserve at Thomas Eddy. When you walk down the hill, turn right to go to Robin"s pond. I have seen bittern and various ducks and geese here.
The best choice, if you can get permission, would be the Nature Conservancy's location out at Port Susan.
The advice to check out Tweeters is good. Here is a posting from today about Harlequin ducks off the shores near Seatte.
Yes Harlequin Ducks and Black Scoters, incidentally are both regular along the stretch of water that runs from the southern edge of Discovery Park, parallels Perkins Lane, passes by the Magnolia Tidelands and ends up at Smith Cove. Both ducks tend to favour shallower water. Incidentally Perkins Lane is rather a birdy place in winter. Have done the Seattle CBC there for several years. It faces SW, is protected from northern weather, has lots of feeders and friendly neighbours.