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WildLookoutKnow where to go. Know when to photograph.

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WildLookout

Opportunity scores are planning aids, not sighting guarantees. How scoring works

Wildlife welfare comes before any photograph.

Sightings from eBird
Weather by Open-Meteo
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · Tiles by OpenFreeMap · Terrain from AWS Terrain Tiles

Raptor

Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

A fish-eating hawk that returns each April to lakes, rivers and bays across both counties, then leaves for Central and South America in September.

This species is sensitive to disturbance. WildLookout doesn't map nests, roosts or colonies.

Seasonality

Peaks across 4 months. Summer resident from early April to late September.

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Behavior

Hovers over the water before plunging feet-first after fish.
Carries fish head-first, lined up with its body, to cut drag.
Loud, whistled calls carry across the water when pairs interact.

Photography tips

Learn where birds fish regularly and pre-focus on that stretch of water for the dive.
Use 1/3200s or faster to freeze the spray as the bird lifts off the water.
Keep the sun behind you so light reaches the underwings and the fish.

Field ethics

Watch nests only from a distance, and never approach them or publish their locations.
If an osprey circles overhead calling at you, you are too close to its nest.

Where to look

Tennant LakeWhatcom County · Peaks across 4 months
Boulevard ParkWhatcom County · Peaks across 4 months
Skagit River at RockportSkagit County · Peaks across 4 months