Record numbers participate, counted in local bird event

A record 152 people participated in the Everett-Marysville Christmas Bird Count, it was reported Monday.

There were 139 species and 39,357 birds counted total. A record high 143 bald eagles were counted.

Waterfowl between Marysville and Everett had its best showing ever, led by 4,500 geese.

In Marysville, there were 37 observers this year. Ron Hoppe, in the northwest area of the city, saw five band-tailed pigeons. Marysville had over 1,000 ring-necked ducks and 200 bushtits with increasing number of suets the reason.

Keith Warrick spotted a rare egret at the southern end of Jennings Park in Marysville. Tom Takano spotted five California scrub jays also near that park. Layle Haro reported seeing 16 woodpeckers in Marysville. Trish Whitworth saw a red-breasted sapsucker at her place near Lake Goodwin.

Dave Poortinga spotted 63 species in the Island Crossing-Arlington area.

Maxine Reid and Mike Bacon spotted 65 species in the Tulalip Bay area, including six cedar waxwings. Dan Olson and Karin Kersteter spotted 45 species in southeast Tulalip Reservation, including a spotted sandpiper.

Local results

•Area 1 (Tulalip to Lake Goodwin area) 53 species.

•Area 2 (Island Crossing area): 51 species, including four barn owls.

•Area 4 (Lakewood area): 54 species.

•Area 5 (Between 108th in Marysville and 172nd in Arlington) 54 species.

•Areas 7 (Northeast Tulalip): Number of species down, but a rare red-tailed hawk was seen.