On Sunday afternoon when we were in Stanwood, we decided to take a drive to the Stillaguamish River mouth only 3 miles to the south, and discovered the Port Susan Bay preserve owned and managed by the Nature Conservancy. We should have visited during a guided trip or by prior position, but instead left a voicemail with the preserve manager and walked through quietly on our own to see what was there. It was very lovely.

We are amateurs and not 100% effective in our bird identification, however we believe we saw: ~6 Long billed dowitchers, 2 Yellowlegs (Greater, we think), a few Western Sandpipers, 2 plover-like birds that were either a Killdeer (we both recall two breast stripes) or a Turnstone (the dark markings on the face are a strong recollection)... unfortunately we blew this identification. Two Northern Harriers having a fight/altercation mid-air, GBH, adult Bald Eagle crossing overhead... a very nice trip indeed.

About the preserve:
http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/washington/preserves/art6837.html

Rebecca Laszlo and Sara Intriligator