Bird-watching at Fir Island

Published 12:01 am Saturday, January 29, 2011

Skagit County’s Fir Island is populated with birds and popular with bird-watchers. Two local groups have scheduled walks in early February at the Skagit Wildlife Area.

The walk along a river dike on the south side of the island can deliver sightings of eagles (bald and golden), shrikes, merlins, harriers, red-tailed hawks, snow geese and trumpeter and tundra swans.

The Pilchuck Audubon Society is planning an outing Tuesday, led by Virginia Clark (360-435-3750). The group will gather at 8 a.m. in the Walmart parking lot at Quilceda Village west of Marysville. For more information, contact the leader or go to www.pilchuckaudubon.org.

The Snohomish Group of the Sierra Club will hit the trail from 3 to 6 p.m. Feb. 6. To sign up and get car-pooling information contact Tom Crisp at Tomsc@Crisp4.com or 425-737-0350. Nonmembers are welcome to join the free trip, Crisp said. More information about the local Sierra Club group may be found at tinyurl.com/48eysru.

A state Fish and Wildlife vehicle-use permit is required in the parking area.

Herald staff