Aggregate Ponds (Milepost 118)

About one mile west of the Goodell Creek Campground is the entrance road to these human-made ponds. Material dredged from this area was used in the construction of SR 20. Now the ponds are excellent birding areas. Keep in mind that these ponds are owned by Seattle City Light and vehicle access is not permitted. Park at least fifty feet from the gate and continue on foot.

In spring and early summer birdsong will be constant from dawn until midday. Neotropical migrants can be thick in tall cottonwood and alder trees along the road well before encountering the ponds. Warblers, vireos, flycatchers, tanagers, grosbeaks, and woodpeckers all vie for insect nourishment of which this area provides an abundance.

Check low shrubs for Spotted Towhees, Fox, Lincoln's, White-crowned, Golden-crowned and Chipping Sparrows. Varied and Swainson's Thrushes as well as an occasional Hermit Thrush can be found in spring. Common Yellowthroat Warblers, Song Sparrows and Winter Wrens usually scramble amongst dense understory vegetation. Listen for the birdlike vocalizations of Chickarees and Townsend's Chipmunks. These mammalian denizens can stop birders in their tracks, certain they've discovered a new avian species.

Follow the road straight ahead to parallel the highway. On the left flows an outwash channel lined with Vine Maple, elderberry and young cottonwoods. In spring this is excellent habitat for MaGillivray's and Yellow Warblers. Cassin's and Warbling Vireos make appearances to take advantage of insects cruising the waterway. Watch for waterfowl such as Wood Ducks, Buffleheads, Mallards and also Belted Kingfishers. American Dippers and Spotted Sandpipers can create quite a racket early to mid-morning. Male Rufous Hummingbirds perform flight displays hoping to catch the eye of seemingly uninterested females who inconspicuously perch close by. In early spring, Evening Grosbeaks, Red Crossbills and Townsend's Solitaires can be numerous throughout and Townsend's and Black-throated Gray Warblers seem to excel at all their varying song repertoires.

In late fall and winter check the channel for spawning Pink, Sockeye, Coho and Chum Salmon but be respectful of their space. Salmon at this point are stressed and focused on the end of their life cycle. Do not disturb their spawning areas.

Tall alder and cottonwood trees, along with lichen-draped Big-leaved Maples, separate SR 20 from this narrow track. Search these trees for Pileated, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers as well as Red-breasted, and occasionally, Red-naped Sapsuckers. Red-tailed and Sharp-shinned Hawks patrol this area hunting rodents and migrant and resident passerines. Continue on this road to enjoy limited views of the pond or backtrack to the first intersection and bear right. Shrubs and thickets border the road, and soon a large opening brings open sky and stunning views of Tee-Bone Ridge to the east. Seattle City Light uses this area, but nearby edge habitat usually has some interesting birdlife. Red Crossbills and Pine Siskins sometimes light in the very tops of border conifers, and Bald Eagles and other raptors can be seen in the open sky above. Western Meadowlarks, and flocks of American Pippits sometime congregate with Brewer's Blackbirds in the open field. Follow the road to the right to access the pond.

Approach the pond cautiously. Black and Vaux's Swifts, five species of swallows, Cedar Waxwings and Red Crossbills are all possible. A good selection of waterfowl including Barrow's and Common Goldeneyes, three species of Mergansers, Wood Ducks, and three species of grebes can usually be spotted rafting about in relative security. Belted Kingfishers, Red-winged Blackbirds, Great Blue Herons, Common Yellowthroat Warblers, Ruffed Grouse, Black-capped Chickadees and a wide assortment of resident and migrant species utilize this area from early spring to late fall, and an hour's visit can add to quite an impressive day list. Follow the road to view another pond to the left with equal chances of good birding opportunities. The little road terminates at the Skagit River and offers an excellent viewing spot for Bald Eagles, American Dippers, Red-breasted Mergansers and Spotted Sandpipers.

This area also hosts a variety of mammal species. Black Bear, Columbian Black-tailed Deer, Bobcat, River Otter, Raccoon, Beaver, and a variety of rodents have all been observed here. No hunting is allowed in this area.

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