This year our spring bird count scheduled for May 8, also included sightings on May 7 and 9. Due to COVID-19 it was again done mainly by individual birders.

Thanks goes out to the 24 participants who spotted 91 species! Special thanks to George Sirk who helped us sort out the unusual or rare species on Cortes Island at this time of year.

Species of note include Greater White-fronted Goose, Long-billed Dowitcher spotted in Manson’s Lagoon, Blue Grouse, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Purple Martin in Cortes Bay, Black-headed Grosbeak and American Goldfinch.

Attached is the list of species observed in 2021, as well as a multiyear record of all the Cortes Island Spring Bird Counts.

These results are also available on our website www.cortesmuseum.com/ bird-counting/.

Please note, on June 15 we are open on the summer schedule:
Main Gallery, 957 Beasley Road, with a new exhibit Listening to Bees, Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wild Cortes, 1255 Seaford Road, with a new exhibit The Big Three, Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m.