A Rainy Day of Impromptu Birding

Yesterday afternoon I saw an email posted to the Whatcom County listserv that there was an American White Pelican in Fairhaven. I had a few hours with nothing planned, so I decided to pack a bag and take a short bus ride down to Fairhaven.

When I arrived it was drizzling, but not raining too hard. I walked down to Padden Lagoon, which is nearby the boat launch where the pelican had last been seen. As I scanned the lagoon, which was full of Canada Geese and Mallards, I spotted a pair of river otter swimming towards me. Then, across the lagoon, I spotted a huge, white bird. It was the pelican! 

I walked towards that end of the pond and as I got closer, a train rushed by and the pelican quickly swam away from the train and towards me. I crouched down and took some photos. 

After hanging out with the pelican for a bit, I walked through the woods along Padden Creek. I saw both species of kinglet, Brown Creepers, Varied Thrushes, tons of Bewick's Wrens, and some Juncos. Then, near where I had recently seen a Barred Owl, I saw a small grey bird in the stream. It was an American Dipper! This was a bird I had only seen a few times before, and not one I expected to see in Fairhaven, so it was an awesome surprise. 

After this encounter it started raining pretty hard, so I moved quickly. I saw my first Buffleheads of the season, as well as some Lesser Scaups, a Belted Kingfisher, and two Common Loons.

Despite the rain, this turned out to be a very successful improvised birding walk.

eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S97757955