Date: 12/25/24 11:29 pm From: Dan Reiff via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Bald eagle is officially America's bird, with Biden's signature - CBS News
Date: 12/25/24 4:37 pm From: Dan Reiff via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] BBC WILDLIFE MAGAZINE: This poisonous bird is the world's most toxic bird - able to exude some of the most powerful poisons in nature
Date: 12/25/24 2:40 pm From: Tom and Carol Stoner via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Cedar Waxwings update
At lunchtime today, the cedar waxwings had at least doubled their numbers and were joined by maybe 25 Am Robins and one Varied Thrush. They all moved south together in one huge flock.
And a couple of Anna's Hummingbirds appear to be courting. Flying within a foot of each other for several minutes.
Date: 12/25/24 11:45 am From: Elaine Chuang via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Fwd: Bald Eagle Pair Perching on the PI Globe Eagle: NEST QUEST
Happy Christmas, all. The nest search connected to the pair of BAEA (Bald Eagle) favoring the top of the P-I Globe continues. Stacey, thank you for pointing us to the BAEA nest near the Magnolia/Perkins Lane shoreline. I also have an additional one to report, thanks to Douglas M. This is a large, well-established nest at the edge of the SW Queen Anne Greenbelt, just off Elliott Ave, one long block north of the Fuji Bakery. It’s high up in a tall Big Leaf Maple which makes it awfully easy to see in winter. Yesterday at about noon for at least an hour, one adult BAEA sat close to the nest (my guess it was the female by size and bill / beak depth), apparently unperturbed by the staff demonstrating outside Starbucks. A bit more documentation has been added:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/154614679@N02/albums/72177720322758176 <https://www.flickr.com/photos/154614679@N02/albums/72177720322758176>
Turning back to the P-I Globe, today mid-Christmas morning, one BAEA was perched there, on the Left Wing (well,yes, it would have been the Right Wing if seen from the other side). There were none at the Mt. Pleasant nest about 10 miintes later. This SWQA Greenbelt nest is 0.94 miles from the Globe. Stacey’s Magnolia/Perkins Lane nest is 2.7 miles away. To recap the other known nearby nests, the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery nest is 1.9 miles from the Globe and the ones that Larry Hubbell curates near the UW and the Montlake Cut would be about 3.3 miles away (all “flying" miles).
Maybe to others as well, this is topic evokes more than a bit of symbolism: no matter how one may feel about the Bald Eagle: don’t you find yourself appreciating more or less mating for life? And thinking back to a time when "the news was fit to print” and smiling that yesterday (what the timing!) Prez Biden officially declared Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Bald Eagle) our national bird?
When you’re in the area, do take a safe (if you’re driving) glance at the top of the historic landmark, the Post-Iintelligencer Globe with its Art Deco eagle, and maybe one or two really magnificent ones as well.
Lois Lane a.k.a. Elaine Chuang
Seattle
elc at uw dot edu
From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces...> on behalf of Stacey T via Tweeters <tweeters...>
Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2024 1:16 PM
To: <tweeters...> <tweeters...>
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Bald Eagle Pair - Perching on Eagle on PI Globe
Hi Melissa and Tweets,
In addition to the nest that Elaine described, there is also a known bald eagle nest along the southwest shoreline in Magnolia. The nest is on private property, but can be viewed from the road along Perkins Lane. In past years, the property owners have put up large posters with info about the nest and hatchlings. I’ve seen two eagles coming to and from the nest location often; there are good views of their comings and goings from the bluff along the south meadow in Discovery Park. I’ve seen them carrying large sticks in the direction of their nest as recently as a few weeks ago, so I imagine it’s in use now. So that’s another possibility: the Magnolia pair.
Best,
Stacey
Magnolia, Seattle
(TKO107130 at gmail)
From: Elaine Chuang <elc...>
Subject: Bald Eagle Pair - Perching on Eagle on PI Globe
Date: December 23, 2024 at 10:52:25 PM PST
To: <tweeters...>
Melissa kindly contacted Tweeters Admin about 5 days ago (about the same time others on social media seemed to note) regarding discovery of this iconic … well, icon-upon-icon view on the Seattle Waterfront. The print-paper Post Intelligencer (P-I, founded in 1863) was widely beloved, and many were saddened when it shut down in 2009. I bet I’m not the only one who'll enjoy the symbolism carried by the presence of two adult Bald Eagles (BAEA) atop the P-I's familiar Eagle-Atop-the Globe Emblem! When Melissa let me know this afternoon that the pair was currently perched there (somehow, perched seems too thin a word for what they do), I headed over to take a look (standing at Western and 2nd Ave West).
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/154614679@N02/albums/72177720322758176 <https://www.flickr.com/photos/154614679@N02/albums/72177720322758176>
After about an hour, both birds took off to the northwest. There is a known BAEA nest on the west edge of the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery so I headed there, and about 15 minutes after the pair had departed the P-I Globe, two adult BAEA passed quite close to that nest, continuing east. Five minutes later, an adult brought a small branch to the nest, then repeated that behavior twice more, cheered on by some crows. So, Melissa, that’s one possibility: the Mt. Pleasant nest is 1.9 miles from the P-I Globe (flying miles). West Point at Discovery Park = 4.6 miles. Montlake Cut = 3.3 miles. There could be nest sites along the Magnolia shore. To find out which nest for sure, next time they’re at the P-I, perhaps we can station someone to signal "Eagles Aloft” and have observers stationed at these nests! Thanks again, Melissa, for picking up and passing along something quite special, just right for the Holidays. Best wishes to Tweets, All!
Elaine Chuang
Seattle
elc at uw dot edu
From: ... on behalf of M. Nakamura via Tweeters <tweeters...> <mailto:<tweeters...>> Sent: Monday, December 23, 2024 1:12 PM
To: <tweeters...> <mailto:<tweeters...> <tweeters...> <mailto:<tweeters...>> Subject: [Tweeters] Bald Eagle Pair - Perching on Eagle on PI Globe
My coworkers and I have been noticing a pair of adult Bald Eagles perched on top of the wings of the eagle on the P-I globe on the waterfront in Seattle. We first noticed them on 12/16 - late morning (10 a.m.); they flew off but returned in the afternoon, 3 p.m. or so. No shows on 12/17 (rainy) but we saw one again on Wednesday in the afternoon, and today again (12/23) at lunchtime, both birds on top of the eagle's wings. We are curious if there are any knowledgeable birders out there who know if this pair may be living in the area right now?
We haven't been able to take any good photos (our office on lower Queen Anne on Denny isn't that close and none of us have good equipment).
Date: 12/25/24 11:09 am From: Tom and Carol Stoner via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Cedar Waxwings
Woke up this morning to a flock of 34 Cedar Waxwings resting in a nearby tree. They've been harvesting berries from the neighborhood trees and needed time to digest. Lovely Christmas sight!
Date: 12/24/24 1:19 pm From: Stacey T via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Bald Eagle Pair - Perching on Eagle on PI Globe
Hi Melissa and Tweets,
In addition to the nest that Elaine described, there is also a known bald eagle nest along the southwest shoreline in Magnolia. The nest is on private property, but can be viewed from the road along Perkins Lane. In past years, the property owners have put up large posters with info about the nest and hatchlings. I’ve seen two eagles coming to and from the nest location often; there are good views of their comings and goings from the bluff along the south meadow in Discovery Park. I’ve seen them carrying large sticks in the direction of their nest as recently as a few weeks ago, so I imagine it’s in use now. So that’s another possibility: the Magnolia pair.
Date: 12/24/24 1:00 pm From: Dennis Paulson via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Dock Drama
Brown Pelicans are known to swallow young Common Murres on Oregon coastal islands. And Great White Pelicans in Africa take young birds from nests. Unfledged young in one Namibian colony ate eggs and young of Cape Cormorants, their neighbors in the colony! Pelican throats are very expansible.
Dennis Paulson
Seattle
> On Dec 24, 2024, at 12:43 PM, Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> WOW! It makes you wonder what other non-fishy items are on a pelicans menu! I remember watching them fishing as a team, dipping their bills in unison at Bear River NWR in Utah.
>
> Hans Feddern
> Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA
> <thefedderns...> <mailto:<thefedderns...> >
>
> On Tue, Dec 24, 2024 at 12:35 PM Vincent Lucas via Tweeters <tweeters...> <mailto:<tweeters...>> wrote:
> You haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen an American White Pelican swallow a coot whole like I witnessed when I lived in Florida.
>
> Vincent Lucas
> Port Angeles, WA
>
> Sent from Gmail Mobile ʚϊɞ ʚϊɞ ʚϊɞ
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...> <mailto:<Tweeters...> > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters <http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters> > _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 12/24/24 12:48 pm From: Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Dock Drama
WOW! It makes you wonder what other non-fishy items are on a pelicans menu!
I remember watching them fishing as a team, dipping their bills in unison
at Bear River NWR in Utah.
*Hans Feddern*
Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA
<thefedderns...>
On Tue, Dec 24, 2024 at 12:35 PM Vincent Lucas via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> You haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen an American White Pelican
> swallow a coot whole like I witnessed when I lived in Florida.
>
> Vincent Lucas
> Port Angeles, WA
>
> Sent from Gmail Mobile ʚϊɞ ʚϊɞ ʚϊɞ
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 12/24/24 7:54 am From: Dennis Paulson via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Congratulations to The 253 Club new inductees for 2024 in Pierce County
Well, I’ll bet there are a lot of people with 206 birds or more on their King County list! Where do we go for the Celebratory Beverages?
Dennis Paulson
Seattle
> On Dec 23, 2024, at 5:50 PM, Marcus Roening via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> Hi Tweets,
>
> Congratulations to our newest members of the 253 Club, here in Pierce County - Area Code 253. By achieving this lofty milestone, all 253 new members are entitled to a Celebratory beverage of their choice from yours truly! (And I still believe I have a couple of outstanding beverages to provide :-))
>
> Linnaea Wright had been waiting for just the right bird to be her #253. While she could have chased down a Black Phoebe in the Orting valley, she waited until number 253 came to her! A Red-shouldered Hawk flew over her house on July 14, 2024 and was the magical bird. One heck of a yard bird.
>
> Michael Hobbs went from 251 species to #253 with a double tick of Whimbrel and Long-billed Curlew at the mouth of the Puyallup River on October 14, 2024. He also has the distinction of being the first person not residing in Pierce County to achieve #253 in Pierce County.
>
>
> Our newest Metro city park, Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance Park had 3 new birds in 2024, for a Hot Spot total of 226 species. New species added were Manx Shearwater, Acorn Woodpecker and a juvenile Little Gull. This park near Point Ruston has a sweeping view to Des Moines to the Northeast, Commencement Bay to the East and Dalco Passage to the Northwest. The number of sightings of uncommon waterbirds and migrants has increased considerably and you can usually find a couple people there most mornings during migration. This is now the #1 eBird Hotspot in Pierce County with 226 species seen in just 5 years, thanks to the keen eyes of Charlie Wright and Will Brooks leading the way. Sadly for birders, the 5 Mile Drive that went around the tip of Point Defiance has been closed to cars due to severe erosion of the bluffs. It is still a wonderful place to bike and walk, but without car access, it is a bit too far to haul a scope out to the Point on a regular basis.
>
> And for completeness, here's the current list of 253 Club members as divined by a combination of eBird and WA Birder records. Any additions welcome.
>
> <2007 Patrick Sullivan
>
> 2011 Charlie Wright
>
> 2014 Bruce LaBar
>
> 2016 Marcus Roening
>
> 2017 Michael Charest, Ed Pullen
>
> 2021 Heather Ballash, Tom Mansfield, Wayne Sladek, Heather Voboril, Peter Wimberger
>
> 2022 Will Brooks
>
> 2023 Bryan Hansen, Craig Miller, Scott Saunders
>
> 2024 Michael Hobbs, Linnaea Wright
>
> Good birding to all in the New Year!
>
> Marcus Roening Tacoma WA - Pierce County Area Code 253!
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 12/24/24 7:35 am From: Faye McAdams Hands via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Bald Eagle Pair - Perching on Eagle on PI Globe
Thank You Elaine!
Now I have some solid photos to cement the mental image of Eagles perched on the PI Eagle!
Happy Holidays and Happy Birding,
Faye Hands
Belfair, WA
Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________
From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces...> on behalf of Elaine Chuang via Tweeters <tweeters...>
Sent: Monday, December 23, 2024 10:52:25 PM
To: <tweeters...> <tweeters...>
Subject: [Tweeters] Bald Eagle Pair - Perching on Eagle on PI Globe
Melissa kindly contacted Tweeters Admin about 5 days ago (about the same time others on social media seemed to note) regarding discovery of this iconic well, icon-upon-icon view on the Seattle Waterfront. The print-paper Post Intelligencer (P.I., founded in 1863) was widely beloved, and many were saddened when it shut down in 2009. I bet Im not the only one who'll enjoy the symbolism carried by the presence of two adult Bald Eagles (BAEA) atop the PI's familiar Eagle-Atop-the Globe Emblem! When Melissa let me know this afternoon that the pair was currently perched (somehow, perched seems too thin a word for what they do), I headed over to take a look (standing at Western and 2nd Ave West).
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/154614679@N02/albums/72177720322758176 After about an hour, both birds took off to the northwest. There is a known BAEA nest on the west edge of the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery so I headed there, and about 15 minutes after the pair had departed the PI Globe, two adult BAEA passed quite close to that nest, continuing east. Five minutes later, an adult brought a small branch to the nest, then repeated that behavior twice more, cheered on by some crows. So, Melissa, thats one possibility: the Mt. Pleasant nest is 1.9 miles from the PI Globe (flying miles). West Point at Discovery Park = 4..6 miles. Montlake Cut = 3.3 miles. There could be nest sites along the Magnolia shore. To find out for sure, next time theyre at the PI, perhaps we can station someone to signal "Eagles Aloft and have observers stationed at these nests! Thanks again, Melissa, for picking up and passing along something quite special, just right for the Holidays. Best wishes to Tweets, All!
Elaine
Seattle
elc at uw dot edu
From: ... on behalf of M. Nakamura via Tweeters <tweeters...><mailto:<tweeters...>> Sent: Monday, December 23, 2024 1:12 PM
To: <tweeters...><mailto:<tweeters...> <tweeters...><mailto:<tweeters...>> Subject: [Tweeters] Bald Eagle Pair - Perching on Eagle on PI Globe
My coworkers and I have been noticing a pair of adult Bald Eagles perched on top of the wings of the eagle on the P-I globe on the waterfront in Seattle. We first noticed them on 12/16 - late morning (10 a.m.); they flew off but returned in the afternoon, 3 p.m. or so. No shows on 12/17 (rainy) but we saw one again on Wednesday in the afternoon, and today again (12/23) at lunchtime, both birds on top of the eagle's wings. We are curious if there are any knowledgeable birders out there who know if this pair may be living in the area right now?
We haven't been able to take any good photos (our office on lower Queen Anne on Denny isn't that close and none of us have good equipment).
Date: 12/24/24 6:57 am From: Tom Mansfield via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Congratulations to The 253 Club new inductees for 2024 in Pierce County
Marcus – Not to take anything away from my friend the esteemed Michael Hobbs but in the interest of accuracy, I believe I was the first non-Pierce resident to become a member in 2021. Happy Holidays, Tom Mansfield in Seattle.
From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces...> On Behalf Of Marcus Roening via Tweeters
Sent: Monday, December 23, 2024 5:50 PM
To: <tweeters...>
Subject: [Tweeters] Congratulations to The 253 Club new inductees for 2024 in Pierce County
Hi Tweets,
Congratulations to our newest members of the 253 Club, here in Pierce County - Area Code 253. By achieving this lofty milestone, all 253 new members are entitled to a Celebratory beverage of their choice from yours truly! (And I still believe I have a couple of outstanding beverages to provide :-))
Linnaea Wright had been waiting for just the right bird to be her #253. While she could have chased down a Black Phoebe in the Orting valley, she waited until number 253 came to her! A Red-shouldered Hawk flew over her house on July 14, 2024 and was the magical bird. One heck of a yard bird.
Michael Hobbs went from 251 species to #253 with a double tick of Whimbrel and Long-billed Curlew at the mouth of the Puyallup River on October 14, 2024. He also has the distinction of being the first person not residing in Pierce County to achieve #253 in Pierce County.
Our newest Metro city park, Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance Park had 3 new birds in 2024, for a Hot Spot total of 226 species. New species added were Manx Shearwater, Acorn Woodpecker and a juvenile Little Gull. This park near Point Ruston has a sweeping view to Des Moines to the Northeast, Commencement Bay to the East and Dalco Passage to the Northwest. The number of sightings of uncommon waterbirds and migrants has increased considerably and you can usually find a couple people there most mornings during migration. This is now the #1 eBird Hotspot in Pierce County with 226 species seen in just 5 years, thanks to the keen eyes of Charlie Wright and Will Brooks leading the way. Sadly for birders, the 5 Mile Drive that went around the tip of Point Defiance has been closed to cars due to severe erosion of the bluffs. It is still a wonderful place to bike and walk, but without car access, it is a bit too far to haul a scope out to the Point on a regular basis.
And for completeness, here's the current list of 253 Club members as divined by a combination of eBird and WA Birder records. Any additions welcome.
<2007 Patrick Sullivan
2011 Charlie Wright
2014 Bruce LaBar
2016 Marcus Roening
2017 Michael Charest, Ed Pullen
2021 Heather Ballash, Tom Mansfield, Wayne Sladek, Heather Voboril, Peter Wimberger
2022 Will Brooks
2023 Bryan Hansen, Craig Miller, Scott Saunders
2024 Michael Hobbs, Linnaea Wright
Good birding to all in the New Year!
Marcus Roening Tacoma WA - Pierce County Area Code 253!
_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 12/23/24 10:55 pm From: Elaine Chuang via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Bald Eagle Pair - Perching on Eagle on PI Globe
Melissa kindly contacted Tweeters Admin about 5 days ago (about the same time others on social media seemed to note) regarding discovery of this iconic … well, icon-upon-icon view on the Seattle Waterfront. The print-paper Post Intelligencer (P.I., founded in 1863) was widely beloved, and many were saddened when it shut down in 2009. I bet I’m not the only one who'll enjoy the symbolism carried by the presence of two adult Bald Eagles (BAEA) atop the PI's familiar Eagle-Atop-the Globe Emblem! When Melissa let me know this afternoon that the pair was currently perched (somehow, perched seems too thin a word for what they do), I headed over to take a look (standing at Western and 2nd Ave West).
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/154614679@N02/albums/72177720322758176 After about an hour, both birds took off to the northwest. There is a known BAEA nest on the west edge of the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery so I headed there, and about 15 minutes after the pair had departed the PI Globe, two adult BAEA passed quite close to that nest, continuing east. Five minutes later, an adult brought a small branch to the nest, then repeated that behavior twice more, cheered on by some crows. So, Melissa, that’s one possibility: the Mt. Pleasant nest is 1.9 miles from the PI Globe (flying miles). West Point at Discovery Park = 4..6 miles. Montlake Cut = 3.3 miles. There could be nest sites along the Magnolia shore. To find out for sure, next time they’re at the PI, perhaps we can station someone to signal "Eagles Aloft” and have observers stationed at these nests! Thanks again, Melissa, for picking up and passing along something quite special, just right for the Holidays. Best wishes to Tweets, All!
Elaine
Seattle
elc at uw dot edu
From: ... on behalf of M. Nakamura via Tweeters <tweeters...>
Sent: Monday, December 23, 2024 1:12 PM
To: <tweeters...> <tweeters...>
Subject: [Tweeters] Bald Eagle Pair - Perching on Eagle on PI Globe
My coworkers and I have been noticing a pair of adult Bald Eagles perched on top of the wings of the eagle on the P-I globe on the waterfront in Seattle. We first noticed them on 12/16 - late morning (10 a.m.); they flew off but returned in the afternoon, 3 p.m. or so. No shows on 12/17 (rainy) but we saw one again on Wednesday in the afternoon, and today again (12/23) at lunchtime, both birds on top of the eagle's wings. We are curious if there are any knowledgeable birders out there who know if this pair may be living in the area right now?
We haven't been able to take any good photos (our office on lower Queen Anne on Denny isn't that close and none of us have good equipment).
Date: 12/23/24 8:53 pm From: via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] WOS Monthly Meeting, January 6, 2025
The Washington Ornithological Society (WOS) is pleased to announce our next Monthly Meeting: on Monday, January 6, Joshua Morris will present, “THUD: What birders need to know (and do) about window collisions.” Globally, billions of birds are killed each year after colliding with windows. That makes glass one of the greatest human-related impacts that directly kills birds. Seattle’s built environment contributes to this, with up to 80,000 birds killed during migration periods alone. The good news is that effective solutions for reducing collision risk are widely available, though implementation is complicated. Joshua Morris, Urban Conservation Manager at Birds Connect Seattle (formerly Seattle Audubon) is leader of the Seattle Bird Collision Monitoring Project, and will share everything that birders need to know about bird-window collisions, including opportunities to get involved in local community science, advocacy, and direct action. In 2021, Josh launched the Seattle Bird Collision Monitoring Project, a community science initiative that seeks to understand and prevent bird-window collisions. Over the last four years, 200 volunteers have conducted nearly 5,000 surveys at more than 150 buildings in the Seattle area.
This meeting will be conducted virtually, via Zoom (no in-person attendance). Sign-in will begin at 7:15 pm, and the meeting commences at 7:30 pm. Please go to the WOS Monthly Meetings page: https://wos.org/monthly-meetings/ for instructions on participation and to get the Zoom link.
When joining the meeting, we ask that you mute your device and make certain that your camera is turned off.
This meeting is open to all as WOS invites everyone in the wider birding community to attend. Thanks to the generosity of our presenters, recordings of past programs are available at the following link to the WOS YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@washingtonornithologicalso7839/videos
If you are not yet a member of WOS, we hope you will consider becoming one at https://wos.org
Date: 12/23/24 5:58 pm From: Marcus Roening via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Congratulations to The 253 Club new inductees for 2024 in Pierce County
Hi Tweets,
Congratulations to our newest members of the 253 Club, here in Pierce County - Area Code 253. By achieving this lofty milestone, all 253 new members are entitled to a Celebratory beverage of their choice from yours truly! (And I still believe I have a couple of outstanding beverages to provide :/-))/
Linnaea Wright had been waiting for just the right bird to be her #253. While she could have chased down a Black Phoebe in the Orting valley, she waited until number 253 came to her! A Red-shouldered Hawk flew over her house on July 14, 2024 and was the magical bird. One heck of a yard bird.
Michael Hobbs went from 251 species to #253 with a double tick of Whimbrel and Long-billed Curlew at the mouth of the Puyallup River on October 14, 2024. He also has the distinction of being the first person not residing in Pierce County to achieve #253 in Pierce County.
Our newest Metro city park, Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance Park had 3 new birds in 2024, for a Hot Spot total of 226 species. New species added were Manx Shearwater, Acorn Woodpecker and a juvenile Little Gull. This park near Point Ruston has a sweeping view to Des Moines to the Northeast, Commencement Bay to the East and Dalco Passage to the Northwest. The number of sightings of uncommon waterbirds and migrants has increased considerably and you can usually find a couple people there most mornings during migration. This is now the #1 eBird Hotspot in Pierce County with 226 species seen in just 5 years, thanks to the keen eyes of Charlie Wright and Will Brooks leading the way. Sadly for birders, the 5 Mile Drive that went around the tip of Point Defiance has been closed to cars due to severe erosion of the bluffs. It is still a wonderful place to bike and walk, but without car access, it is a bit too far to haul a scope out to the Point on a regular basis.
And for completeness, here's the current list of 253 Club members as divined by a combination of eBird and WA Birder records. Any additions welcome.
<2007 Patrick Sullivan
2011 Charlie Wright
2014 Bruce LaBar
2016 Marcus Roening
2017 Michael Charest, Ed Pullen
2021 Heather Ballash, Tom Mansfield, Wayne Sladek, Heather Voboril, Peter Wimberger
Date: 12/23/24 5:49 pm From: HAL MICHAEL via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] dock drama
Although they often "appear" dumb, I have found coots to be really quick learners. Back when I was much younger, I hunted them some. They were, generally, difficult to get to flush. They would hold in cattails and sedge as tightly as a rooster pheasant
Hal Michael
Board of Directors, Ecologists Without Borders http://ecowb.org/ Olympia WA
360-459-4005
360-791-7702 (C)
<ucd880...>
> On 12/23/2024 4:13 PM PST Dennis Paulson via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>
>
> Alan, I’m glad to hear that coots actually have a brain in those little heads! I once saw an eagle fly over a big (>100) spread-out flock of coots on Lake Washington and had them all amazingly rapidly assemble into a single long line. Not sure what the strategy was there, but it was obvious and interesting.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> > On Dec 23, 2024, at 1:28 PM, pan via Tweeters <tweeters...> mailto:<tweeters...> wrote:
> > Tweets,
> >
> > I, too, have seen eagles hunting coots and other diving birds on Lake Washington. A few times, though, I've seen the prey outfox the eagles at Magnuson Park. When an eagle was working a coot flock, the coots would move under the swim/dive dock on short supports off shore, and mill in the middle until the eagle gave up and danger passed.
> >
> > Alan Grenon
> > Seattle
> >
> > panmail AT mailfence period com
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Sent with https://mailfence.com > > Secure and private email
> > _______________________________________________
> > Tweeters mailing list
> > <Tweeters...> mailto:<Tweeters...> > > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > >
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 12/23/24 5:30 pm From: Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Another Eagle versus Prey story
Many, many moons ago when Cackling Geese were still a subspecies of Canada
Goose, I was parked next to the big puddle at the Damon Point Marina and
across the Ocean Shores Nature Center. This was before the fence went up
and you could still look for birds inside the marina. It was the end of a
long day of great birding on the shore and I was adding a few more species
to the days list, when I noticed that something had scared all the gulls
and a flock of Marbled Godwits into the air. Thinking that it had to be an
eagle or a Peregrine, I got out of the car to see what spooked them. To my
surprise a small goose - now Cackling - came zooming by closely chased by
an adult Bald Eagle. Every time just before the eagle could sinks its
talons in the goose’s back, the bird’s rear defensive radar would tell it
to cut in the afterburner! That last burst of energy saved its life several
times, but it was getting tired.
The chase went on around the marina and came back towards me. I can still
see the eagle’s tongue hanging out! Now there is a motel across the street
and there are power - and telephone lines in front of it. Below those lines
there is heavy cable drooping from pole to pole. In desperation the goose
dove under the drooping cable. The eagle just realized the obstacle at the
last second and had to pull straight up like a fighter plane after a
bombing run! The goose was long gone and the eagle went hungry!
As Dennis said, I was rooting for the prey!
*Hans Feddern*
Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA
<thefedderns...>
Date: 12/23/24 5:21 pm From: Ronda Stark via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Bald Eagle Pair - Perching on Eagle on PI Globe
Hi Melissa,
There are definitely eagles living in Discovery Park -- and it's a short
flight.
Ronda
On Mon, Dec 23, 2024 at 1:12 PM M. Nakamura via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> My coworkers and I have been noticing a pair of adult Bald Eagles perched
> on top of the wings of the eagle on the P-I globe on the waterfront in
> Seattle. We first noticed them on 12/16 - late morning (10 a.m.); they
> flew off but returned in the afternoon, 3 p.m. or so. No shows on 12/17
> (rainy) but we saw one again on Wednesday in the afternoon, and today again
> (12/23) at lunchtime, both birds on top of the eagle's wings. We are
> curious if there are any knowledgeable birders out there who know if this
> pair may be living in the area right now?
> We haven't been able to take any good photos (our office on lower Queen
> Anne on Denny isn't that close and none of us have good equipment).
>
> Melissa N
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 12/23/24 4:33 pm From: Thomas Dorrance via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] dock drama
Alan,
I'm pleased to see your report because on the many occasions I've observed
eagles hunting near Sheridan Beach (Lake Forest Park) I've wondered why on
earth the coots don't immediately head for cover under the docks, of which
there are many. Perhaps this is newly learned behavior?
For what it's worth, often enough the eagles tire of dive bombing and
return to their perches empty handed, so to speak. This drama also plays
out regularly in Andrews Bay (near Seward Park), where there are no docks.
Tom Dorrance
On Mon, Dec 23, 2024 at 1:28 PM pan via Tweeters <tweeters...>
wrote:
> Tweets,
>
> I, too, have seen eagles hunting coots and other diving birds on Lake
> Washington. A few times, though, I've seen the prey outfox the eagles at
> Magnuson Park. When an eagle was working a coot flock, the coots would
> move under the swim/dive dock on short supports off shore, and mill in the
> middle until the eagle gave up and danger passed.
>
> Alan Grenon
> Seattle
>
> panmail AT mailfence period com
>
>
>
> --
> Sent with https://mailfence.com > Secure and private email
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 12/23/24 4:16 pm From: Dennis Paulson via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] dock drama
Alan, I’m glad to hear that coots actually have a brain in those little heads! I once saw an eagle fly over a big (>100) spread-out flock of coots on Lake Washington and had them all amazingly rapidly assemble into a single long line. Not sure what the strategy was there, but it was obvious and interesting.
Dennis
> On Dec 23, 2024, at 1:28 PM, pan via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> Tweets,
>
> I, too, have seen eagles hunting coots and other diving birds on Lake Washington. A few times, though, I've seen the prey outfox the eagles at Magnuson Park. When an eagle was working a coot flock, the coots would move under the swim/dive dock on short supports off shore, and mill in the middle until the eagle gave up and danger passed.
>
> Alan Grenon
> Seattle
>
> panmail AT mailfence period com
>
>
>
> --
> Sent with https://mailfence.com > Secure and private email
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 12/23/24 1:30 pm From: pan via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] dock drama
Tweets,
I, too, have seen eagles hunting coots and other diving birds on Lake Washington. A few times, though, I've seen the prey outfox the eagles at Magnuson Park. When an eagle was working a coot flock, the coots would move under the swim/dive dock on short supports off shore, and mill in the middle until the eagle gave up and danger passed.
Date: 12/23/24 1:15 pm From: M. Nakamura via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Bald Eagle Pair - Perching on Eagle on PI Globe
My coworkers and I have been noticing a pair of adult Bald Eagles perched on top of the wings of the eagle on the P-I globe on the waterfront in Seattle. We first noticed them on 12/16 - late morning (10 a.m.); they flew off but returned in the afternoon, 3 p.m. or so. No shows on 12/17 (rainy) but we saw one again on Wednesday in the afternoon, and today again (12/23) at lunchtime, both birds on top of the eagle's wings. We are curious if there are any knowledgeable birders out there who know if this pair may be living in the area right now?We haven't been able to take any good photos (our office on lower Queen Anne on Denny isn't that close and none of us have good equipment).
Melissa N
Date: 12/23/24 11:47 am From: Andy McCormick via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Jay with red ribbon
Hello Tweets.
I am looking for some help with a natural experiment.
About two years ago a Steller's Jay appeared at my feeder. We have a group that comes around, but this one was unique. It had a red ribbon of about 8 inches in length attached to its leg. I think it came last year, but it is back this year and I've seen it about every one to two weeks beginning in October. It's amazing to see it flying with this ribbon attached and if you see it, you'll know immediately.
It is not often we can identify a unique Steller's Jay, and I am curious about how it got the ribbon, where it goes when it is not here, and how many other people have seen it and when. It would be fun to track this bird, and I would appreciate information on any observations by other people. We have a natural experiment to see what the range of this bird might be.
I live in Northtown Bellevue near Bellevue Way halfway between downtown and SR 520. It is probably more likely in this neighborhood. However, since it arrives in fall it may have dropped down from higher elevation to the lowlands with the season. Any information is appreciated.
Date: 12/23/24 11:40 am From: Mason Flint via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Drama on the Dock
One of my favorite stories was watching two eagles taking turns swooping over Lake Sammamish while a coot repeatedly dove.
Eventually one of the eagles got the timing right and grabbed the coot. As it flew toward a big fir tree next to our house, the eagle accidentally dropped its prey which then bounced off our roof and landed at our feet, deceased.
My son looked down at the dead coot and then up at me and said “Well, I guess that happens.”
Wise beyond his years. 😀
Mason Flint
Bellevue, WA
________________________________
From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces...> on behalf of Dennis Paulson via Tweeters <tweeters...>
Sent: Monday, December 23, 2024 6:50:50 AM
To: TWEETERS tweeters <tweeters...>
Cc: Jon Houghton <jonbirder...>
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Drama on the Dock
Bald Eagles hunt diving birds everywhere. I’ve seen them after grebes and ducks and especially coots in Lake Washington. I think they can see them underwater, although unlike Ospreys, they’re not good at hovering, so they have to pass over the spot again and again until they get lucky.
I love seeing predation interactions in nature, but I’ll admit that when I see an eagle after a bird like that, I’m usually rooting for the prey. And sometimes the eagle goes away without a meal.
Dennis Paulson
Seattle
On Dec 23, 2024, at 8:24 AM, HAL MICHAEL via Tweeters <tweeters...><mailto:<tweeters...>> wrote:
It's also possible that the eagle could see where the duck was swimming; they do have excellent eyesight.
Hal Michael
Board of Directors, Ecologists Without Borders<http://ecowb.org/> Olympia WA
360-459-4005
360-791-7702 (C)
<ucd880...><mailto:<ucd880...>
On 12/22/2024 9:15 PM PST Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters <tweeters...><mailto:<tweeters...>> wrote:
We once watched an adult Bald Eagle at the park just north of Steilacoom trying to to catch a female Common Goldeneye. Whenever the eagle swooped in for the kill, the goldeneye would dive. Unfortunately she would always surface within a small circle and the eagle knew this and was right on her. If she would have only resurfaced with some distance, the eagle would have not known where to attack next. The duck eventually tired and stayed on the surface a little too long and the eagle got her. Here again the eagle was unable to lift off the water with it’s prey and ended up “rowing” with a lot of wing flapping about a 100 yards to shore where it started plucking the hard earned lunch.
On Sun, Dec 22, 2024 at 5:03 PM Jon Houghton via Tweeters <tweeters...><mailto:<tweeters...>> wrote:
Hi Tweets - Last week we witnessed an interesting look at how nature and Bald Eagles work. We were on the end of the Edmonds fishing pier watching an adult eagle make repeated low passes at a specific point in the water, extending its legs and talons into the water at the nadir of each pass. On about the fourth pass, we noticed a quick appearance at the surface by Red-necked Grebe which had been the target all along, unseen by us, but obviously seen by the eagle each time it approached the surface for a breath. On that last pass, the eagle nailed it and held it underwater, with the eagle's body about half underwater itself. The eagle then did a breast stroke, using its wings in a rotating motion, to drag its still unseen prey to the breakwater where he hauled it out and devoured it. I've seen eagles do this before when they capture a salmon too large to fly with. Happy Birding!
Date: 12/23/24 9:11 am From: jonbirder via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Drama on the Dock
Yes! I had the distinct impression that the eagle was watching the grebe as it swam underwater and was grabbing at it each time it approached the surface, forcing it back down until finally, it just had to surface for air. A little like tactics used against diesel submarines in WW II. - JonSent from my T-Mobile 5G Device -------- Original message --------From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson...> Date: 12/23/24 8:51 AM (GMT-08:00) To: TWEETERS tweeters <tweeters...> Cc: Hans-Joachim Feddern <thefedderns...>, Jon Houghton <jonbirder...>, Hal Michael <ucd880...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Drama on the Dock Bald Eagles hunt diving birds everywhere. I’ve seen them after grebes and ducks and especially coots in Lake Washington. I think they can see them underwater, although unlike Ospreys, they’re not good at hovering, so they have to pass over the spot again and again until they get lucky. I love seeing predation interactions in nature, but I’ll admit that when I see an eagle after a bird like that, I’m usually rooting for the prey. And sometimes the eagle goes away without a meal.Dennis PaulsonSeattleOn Dec 23, 2024, at 8:24 AM, HAL MICHAEL via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
It's also possible that the eagle could see where the duck was swimming; they do have excellent eyesight.
Hal MichaelBoard of Directors, Ecologists Without Borders
Olympia WA360-459-4005360-791-7702 (C)<ucd880...>
On 12/22/2024 9:15 PM PST Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
We once watched an adult Bald Eagle at the park just north of Steilacoom trying to to catch a female Common Goldeneye. Whenever the eagle swooped in for the kill, the goldeneye would dive. Unfortunately she would always surface within a small circle and the eagle knew this and was right on her. If she would have only resurfaced with some distance, the eagle would have not known where to attack next. The duck eventually tired and stayed on the surface a little too long and the eagle got her. Here again the eagle was unable to lift off the water with it’s prey and ended up “rowing” with a lot of wing flapping about a 100 yards to shore where it started plucking the hard earned lunch.
Hans Feddern Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA <thefedderns...>
On Sun, Dec 22, 2024 at 5:03 PM Jon Houghton via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
Hi Tweets - Last week we witnessed an interesting look at how nature and Bald Eagles work. We were on the end of the Edmonds fishing pier watching an adult eagle make repeated low passes at a specific point in the water, extending its legs and talons into the water at the nadir of each pass. On about the fourth pass, we noticed a quick appearance at the surface by Red-necked Grebe which had been the target all along, unseen by us, but obviously seen by the eagle each time it approached the surface for a breath. On that last pass, the eagle nailed it and held it underwater, with the eagle's body about half underwater itself. The eagle then did a breast stroke, using its wings in a rotating motion, to drag its still unseen prey to the breakwater where he hauled it out and devoured it. I've seen eagles do this before when they capture a salmon too large to fly with. Happy Birding!
Date: 12/23/24 8:56 am From: Dennis Paulson via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Drama on the Dock
Bald Eagles hunt diving birds everywhere. I’ve seen them after grebes and ducks and especially coots in Lake Washington. I think they can see them underwater, although unlike Ospreys, they’re not good at hovering, so they have to pass over the spot again and again until they get lucky.
I love seeing predation interactions in nature, but I’ll admit that when I see an eagle after a bird like that, I’m usually rooting for the prey. And sometimes the eagle goes away without a meal.
Dennis Paulson
Seattle
> On Dec 23, 2024, at 8:24 AM, HAL MICHAEL via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> It's also possible that the eagle could see where the duck was swimming; they do have excellent eyesight.
>
> Hal Michael
> Board of Directors, Ecologists Without Borders <http://ecowb.org/> > Olympia WA
> 360-459-4005
> 360-791-7702 (C)
> <ucd880...>
>
>
>> On 12/22/2024 9:15 PM PST Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> We once watched an adult Bald Eagle at the park just north of Steilacoom trying to to catch a female Common Goldeneye. Whenever the eagle swooped in for the kill, the goldeneye would dive. Unfortunately she would always surface within a small circle and the eagle knew this and was right on her. If she would have only resurfaced with some distance, the eagle would have not known where to attack next. The duck eventually tired and stayed on the surface a little too long and the eagle got her. Here again the eagle was unable to lift off the water with it’s prey and ended up “rowing” with a lot of wing flapping about a 100 yards to shore where it started plucking the hard earned lunch.
>>
>> Hans Feddern
>> Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA
>> <thefedderns...> <mailto:<thefedderns...> >>
>>
>> On Sun, Dec 22, 2024 at 5:03 PM Jon Houghton via Tweeters <tweeters...> <mailto:<tweeters...>> wrote:
>> Hi Tweets - Last week we witnessed an interesting look at how nature and Bald Eagles work. We were on the end of the Edmonds fishing pier watching an adult eagle make repeated low passes at a specific point in the water, extending its legs and talons into the water at the nadir of each pass. On about the fourth pass, we noticed a quick appearance at the surface by Red-necked Grebe which had been the target all along, unseen by us, but obviously seen by the eagle each time it approached the surface for a breath. On that last pass, the eagle nailed it and held it underwater, with the eagle's body about half underwater itself. The eagle then did a breast stroke, using its wings in a rotating motion, to drag its still unseen prey to the breakwater where he hauled it out and devoured it. I've seen eagles do this before when they capture a salmon too large to fly with. Happy Birding!
>>
>> Jon Houghton, Edmonds
>> _______________________________________________
>> Tweeters mailing list
>> <Tweeters...> <mailto:<Tweeters...> >> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters <http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters>_______________________________________________ >> Tweeters mailing list
>> <Tweeters...>
>> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 12/23/24 8:42 am From: Patty Cheek via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Whidbey Audubon presents Connie Sidles - Go Fish!
Christmas gift for any birder!
Go Fish! is a wonderful class on the great different types of birds fishing. Connie Sidles is an engaging, wonderful teacher who is fascinated by the different fishing styles of birds - plungers, pickers, snatchers, stalkers, chasers and scoopers. She will talk about her favorites, the pelicans — and who doesn’t want a class that includes pelicans! Don’t miss this class. Remember this would be a sensational gift to a birder as well as yourself. Each class lasts 1 1/2 hrs and the total cost is only $100.
Zoom classes on Jan. 7,14, 21, and 28 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. All recorded classes will be available for a month following the class.
Date: 12/23/24 8:27 am From: HAL MICHAEL via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Drama on the Dock
It's also possible that the eagle could see where the duck was swimming; they do have excellent eyesight.
Hal Michael
Board of Directors, Ecologists Without Borders http://ecowb.org/ Olympia WA
360-459-4005
360-791-7702 (C)
<ucd880...>
> On 12/22/2024 9:15 PM PST Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>
>
> We once watched an adult Bald Eagle at the park just north of Steilacoom trying to to catch a female Common Goldeneye. Whenever the eagle swooped in for the kill, the goldeneye would dive. Unfortunately she would always surface within a small circle and the eagle knew this and was right on her. If she would have only resurfaced with some distance, the eagle would have not known where to attack next. The duck eventually tired and stayed on the surface a little too long and the eagle got her. Here again the eagle was unable to lift off the water with it’s prey and ended up “rowing” with a lot of wing flapping about a 100 yards to shore where it started plucking the hard earned lunch.
>
> Hans Feddern
> Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA
> <thefedderns...> mailto:<thefedderns...> >
>
> On Sun, Dec 22, 2024 at 5:03 PM Jon Houghton via Tweeters <tweeters...> mailto:<tweeters...> wrote:
>
> > Hi Tweets - Last week we witnessed an interesting look at how nature and Bald Eagles work. We were on the end of the Edmonds fishing pier watching an adult eagle make repeated low passes at a specific point in the water, extending its legs and talons into the water at the nadir of each pass. On about the fourth pass, we noticed a quick appearance at the surface by Red-necked Grebe which had been the target all along, unseen by us, but obviously seen by the eagle each time it approached the surface for a breath. On that last pass, the eagle nailed it and held it underwater, with the eagle's body about half underwater itself. The eagle then did a breast stroke, using its wings in a rotating motion, to drag its still unseen prey to the breakwater where he hauled it out and devoured it. I've seen eagles do this before when they capture a salmon too large to fly with. Happy Birding!
> >
> > Jon Houghton, Edmonds
> > _______________________________________________
> > Tweeters mailing list
> > <Tweeters...> mailto:<Tweeters...> > > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > >
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 12/22/24 9:18 pm From: Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Drama on the Dock
We once watched an adult Bald Eagle at the park just north of Steilacoom
trying to to catch a female Common Goldeneye. Whenever the eagle swooped in
for the kill, the goldeneye would dive. Unfortunately she would always
surface within a small circle and the eagle knew this and was right on her.
If she would have only resurfaced with some distance, the eagle would have
not known where to attack next. The duck eventually tired and stayed on the
surface a little too long and the eagle got her. Here again the eagle was
unable to lift off the water with it’s prey and ended up “rowing” with a
lot of wing flapping about a 100 yards to shore where it started plucking
the hard earned lunch.
*Hans Feddern*
Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA
<thefedderns...>
On Sun, Dec 22, 2024 at 5:03 PM Jon Houghton via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> Hi Tweets - Last week we witnessed an interesting look at how nature and
> Bald Eagles work. We were on the end of the Edmonds fishing pier watching
> an adult eagle make repeated low passes at a specific point in the water,
> extending its legs and talons into the water at the nadir of each pass. On
> about the fourth pass, we noticed a quick appearance at the surface by
> Red-necked Grebe which had been the target all along, unseen by us, but
> obviously seen by the eagle each time it approached the surface for a
> breath. On that last pass, the eagle nailed it and held it underwater, with
> the eagle's body about half underwater itself. The eagle then did a breast
> stroke, using its wings in a rotating motion, to drag its still unseen prey
> to the breakwater where he hauled it out and devoured it. I've seen eagles
> do this before when they capture a salmon too large to fly with. Happy
> Birding!
>
> Jon Houghton, Edmonds
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 12/22/24 6:44 pm From: Jon Houghton via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Okanogan trip, Dec. 19 - 21 (long)
Hi Tweets - This week we made our traditional December trip through the Waterville Plateau to Omak, and the Okanogan Highlands in a final effort to boost my meager Washington list for the year. There was some good news and some less good news. Stevens Pass was bare and wet so driving was easy and scenery was nice with pretty complete, though thin snow cover all the way to Omak. We started with a brief stop at Debbie S's feeders in Cashmere where I hoped to catch a glimpse of the Evening Grosbeak she'd reported. No luck. Heading up Badger Mt., we saw just two Horned Larks, and going over the mountain and down the Waterville side - pretty much nothing. The house with many feeders on Route 2 in Waterville seems to have changed hands with a new fenced yard and no feeders. East of town along Rt. 2 there were the usual flocks of larks but none the birds we could get in the bins were anything different. We went into Moses Coulee about a mile and played a lot of Canyon Wren calls ! near good looking rock scree slopes w/o response. We turned north on H Rd up to 1st and turned east through areas where past winters have had Gray Partridge and Snowy Owls. None of them, but we did find a nicely perched up Prairie Falcon. Nothing much around Atkins Lake. Heritage/Woods Rd north was untracked so we went east on Rt. 2 to 17 north to Simms Corner and then west on 172 towards Mansfield. Ravens, magpies, an occasional Rough-legged Hawk and lots of larks were there. Approaching Mansfield, a large lark flock stayed on the road in front of us long enough to pick out one lone Snow Bunting; finally, a FOY! The trip down Bridgeport Hill Rd was, as expected, bleak and mostly bird free since the big fire took our all the good grouse habitat. We skipped Bridgeport SP owling since I had just seen a Saw-whet in the Everett CBC. There were NO birds in the orchard at the jct of Rt 17 and 97 where Bohemian Waxwings have been seen in previous years. That ended Day 1. Side ! note: Rancho Chico in Omak is closed indefinitely for a report! ed health violation. We (and the WOS trips) always enjoyed our meals there so hope they'll be back in biz soon!
The next day we headed north to Tonasket and up Havilla Rd. to Fancher Rd. A Golden Eagle was perched in the usual place on the cliff side. There were no Chukar down at the farm but they were heard on the hillside above. We then circled back down past the stock yards (many Mallards) to Siwash Cr. Rd. The hills around Siwash canyon had minimal snow with bare spots under most of the sage so we had little hope for Sharp-tailed Grouse and there were none to be seen in the creek-side shrubs all the way up. Chickadees (2 spp.) and Red-breasted Nuthatches responded to most of my Pygmy Owl tooting, along with one flock of Red Crossbills. That was pretty much the case all the way up and over No, Siwash to Havilla Rd. At one area of large ponderosa with some good snags, Merlin picked up all three spp. of nuthatches but we still only saw Red-breasted. At that place we had a great scene of a Pileated WP and a White-headed WP in the same tree. We had a very unbirdy trip up Havilla Rd! . to Nealy Rd. (one RLHA - better than last January!) and along (foggy, 28 degree) Nealy to the feeders which were bird free as far as we could tell from the road. Few birds (ravens, magpies) from there to Chesaw for hot lunch at the Chesaw Tav. (rumor is it may be sold!). Not many birds around Chesaw, out Bolster Rd., or up to the Chesaw Cemetery. A couple of flocks of Pine Siskins did not seem to include any redpolls. After lunch, in cold (28 degree) light rain, we headed up Mary Ann Creek Rd. where we found a No. Shrike and No. Pygmy Owl, each on the top of a tall tree, higher than we've ever seen either species (!?). Nothing new or very exciting to be seen in Molson although we didn't go all the way to the lake. We then went back east on Chesaw Rd to Havilla Rd., and back to the Sno Park without any new birds (4 Rough-legs in the Highlands for the day - much better than last January). We hit the Sno Park at early dusk, perfect time for Great Grays to be out and about ! - alas, no repeat of our great encounters there in past years.! Also, we saw no owls on poles or rock piles all the way back to Tonasket. - No FOYs for the day (even a Pygmy Nuthatch would have been a FOY!).
Day 3 dawned foggy and cool (28 degrees) in Omak with ice on the car and pavement in the parking lot. We skipped our usual trip up to Conconully, and went straight to Cameron Lake Rd. We ascended up out of the fog but into light, cold (30 degree) rain on the Cameron Lake Loop Rd. Again, no Pygmy Nuthatch (or any other birds) could be found in the few ponderosa that escaped the inferno of 2 years ago. No birds were seen in the 4-5 miles to the place, about 1/2 mi. north of Timentwa Rd., where the only reliable flowing water crosses the road. Wetlands up and downstream of the road were almost totally burned in the fire but their skeletons, and cattails continue to provide wintering habitat for a few Song Sparrows and American Tree Sparrows. On Timentwa Road, at the first farm (house burned, family now in a trailer), we hit the jackpot with several flocks of Gray Partridge (FOY!) at various locations among the cattle, taking advantage of the forage provided for and by the cattl! e. Very large flocks of larks were also present but, again, none of the hundreds of Snow Buntings we used to see here. That's about it...many more larks along the rest of Cameron Lk Rd. but the only unusual bird was a lone Bald Eagle, a long way from the river.
Anyway, sorry about the length above, but hope this may aid in your decisions about heading up there. The scenery is always worth the trip for this snow-starved West-Sider but I think some more winter-like weather with some greater snow cover is needed to make for a more memorable birding trip, especially to get those chickens down where we can see them! Happy Birding AND Happy Holidays and New Year. - Jon Houghton, Edmonds _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 12/22/24 5:06 pm From: Jon Houghton via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Drama on the Dock
Hi Tweets - Last week we witnessed an interesting look at how nature and Bald Eagles work. We were on the end of the Edmonds fishing pier watching an adult eagle make repeated low passes at a specific point in the water, extending its legs and talons into the water at the nadir of each pass. On about the fourth pass, we noticed a quick appearance at the surface by Red-necked Grebe which had been the target all along, unseen by us, but obviously seen by the eagle each time it approached the surface for a breath. On that last pass, the eagle nailed it and held it underwater, with the eagle's body about half underwater itself. The eagle then did a breast stroke, using its wings in a rotating motion, to drag its still unseen prey to the breakwater where he hauled it out and devoured it. I've seen eagles do this before when they capture a salmon too large to fly with. Happy Birding!
Date: 12/22/24 3:13 pm From: Scott Atkinson via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Everett-Marysville CBC next Saturday (Dec. 28th) seeks experienced observer(s), sea-watch and Hat Island
Tweeters:
The Everett-Marysville CBC is next Saturday, and we just had a last-minute cancellation of the lead pair of birders and seek someone experienced to undertake open salt-water coverage in route and then on-foot island coverage of Hat Island.
The 32' motorized sailboat, the Isola, leaves close to dawn next Saturday from the North Everett marina, running from the north Everett marina out to Hat Island; there is a quick drop-off at Jetty I. and then onto Hat, the boat trip takes about 30 min or so (5 miles). There, a very friendly group of islanders awaits, eager to help us out and even let us use the golf course clubhouse for lunch.
We've only been doing regular on-foot coverage for about 5 years, and thus far the island appears to be very good for upland birds, with Conwell Park, the south end loop road, and other spots being noteworthy. We will have about 4-5 hours to cover the island; there is enough for two parties, but we've done it with one as well.
We are considering a circular survey route on Possession Soundeither after the Hat Island drop-off or before it--heading northwest toward the south tip of Camano and then east back towards Jetty I., before coming back to Hat. Last year this proved productive.
Please let me know as soon as possible if interested. First come, first served. By the way, this is our 50th Anniversary Count50 years to the day since we began this CBC.
Scott Atkinson, Compiler
Everett-Marysville CBC
<scottratkinson...>
(425) 210-2716 M
Date: 12/22/24 9:39 am From: Steve Hampton via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Port Townsend CBC Summary
The 47th Port Townsend Christmas Bird Count, held on December 14, 2024,
came in howling. A front moved through at dawn, producing gusts of 60 mph,
though rain quickly turned to sunshine. The winds didn’t relax until after
noon, making birding difficult. The boat was cancelled, owling was nearly
impossible, and many birds were difficult to locate.
Nevertheless, the count ended up with 124 species, just one shy of last
year’s all-time high. Moreover, participation was through the roof, with
104 participants, a number that includes an amazing 22 feeder watchers. The
previous high was 78 participants, set last year. The field teams put in
140 party hours, second only to last year.
We added two new species for the count: the continuing Rough-legged Hawk
just north of Short Farm, and a Short-tailed Shearwater, picked out by Bob
Boekelheide during a brave two-hour seawatch from Pt Wilson as the front
moved through.
Brian Ellis negotiated limited access to Indian Island, which yielded two
Yellow-billed Loons (sorry, not chaseable). Other highlights included the
continuing Rock Sandpiper at Flagler, two Western Meadowlarks at Pt Wilson,
and two Orange-crowned Warblers and 10 Townsend’s Warblers (both tying high
counts), reported from multiple teams. California Scrub-Jays were reported
from three different parties, a new high. With no freezing temps along the
water yet this winter, berries were plentiful. The 183 waxwings (an
undercount based on what I'm seeing out my window right now as I type) was
the 2nd highest ever.
In addition to the 124 species, we just missed five more: Western
Sandpiper, Barn Owl, Peregrine Falcon, Red-breasted Sapsucker, and Canada
Jay. These will go down as “count week” birds, as they were seen within
three days of the count in either direction.
Record high counts were set for 7 species. These were:
Canada Goose (583 > 520)
Mourning Dove (143 > 141)
Black-capped Chickadee (282 > 259 last year)
Red-breasted Nuthatch (122 > 96 last year)
Brown Creeper (24 > 19)
Savannah Sparrow (6 > 5)
Purple Finch (77 > 67)
The feeder watchers provided the margin of difference for the chickadee,
nuthatch, and finch.
Several species tied previous high counts: Yellow-billed Loon (2),
Sharp-shinned Hawk (7, matching last year), Rock Sandpiper (1),
Great-horned Owl (2), Orange-crowned Warbler (2), and Townsend’s Warbler
(10). There were no record low counts, though many were below average – and
even more so when adjusted to birds per party hour. Remarkably, given the
weather, there were no notable misses.
We also capped the day with the return of the Compilation Potluck, where we
all added Great-horned Owl, which was hooting behind building! Thanks to
all the area leaders and participants! In 2025, we hope to add more
opportunities for part-day routes.
Date: 12/21/24 2:04 pm From: Dan Reiff via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Can’t top this: “An owl came down a family's chimney and perched on their Christmas tree: See the video - CBS News”
Date: 12/20/24 10:05 pm From: Lee Jaszlics via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] crows and lawns
They're probably going after European chafer beetle grubs. The beetle is
newly introduced, spreading fast, and apparently delicious.
On Fri, 20 Dec 2024, 07:31 Constance Sidles via Tweeters, <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> Hey tweets, in answer to David's question, the lawn chews are most
> probably being caused by an invasive beetle, the European chafer beetle.
> The larvae feed on grass roots underground, loosening divots of grass
> clumps. The crows then move in and turn over the loose divots to eat the
> beetle larvae. So the crows are helping, not hurting! What surprises me is
> the sheer immensity of the beetles' activity. At Montlake Fill, large areas
> of the IMA fields are torn up. There must be thousands of beetle grubs at
> work. We need more hungry crows, and what about the gulls? They should get
> busy too. - Connie, Seattle
>
> On Dec 19, 2024, at 1:26 PM, David B. Williams via Tweeters <
> <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> Greetings all. I apologize if this was previous asked and I missed the
> answer.
>
> I assume that people have noticed all of the lawns and green grassy areas
> that look roughed up, as if someone was digging in the grass looking for
> something. I am pretty sure it’s crows but I don’t remember this behavior
> being so widespread and common.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Thanks kindly,
> David Williams
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 12/20/24 8:51 pm From: via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] 50 best photos of 2024
Hello Tweeters,
For several years I have shared an end-of-the-year album on Flickr with our year's best Washington bird photos. This usually ran to over 100 photos. For this year's retrospective I decided to limit myself to just 50 photos that I thought were reasonably good quality and possibly had some artistic merit. So that's what is in the Flickr link below. The photos are all Washington state birds, from all over the place, but a surprising number from our back yard. They are not in taxonomic order, but sort of grouped by type of bird.
I wish you all a restful holiday season and an excellent New Year.
Date: 12/20/24 8:06 pm From: Dee Dee via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] crows and lawns
Our yard has evolved over the last 10 years from primarily grass and moss, to become it’s own eclectic mix of grass, moss, clovers, and what-have-you. This is no doubt aided by the wind, as well as contributions by passing birds and other critters. We don’t treat the yard with anything and figured some of its bad areas, many of which were there when we bought the house 15 years ago, were due to damage by larvae of cranefly, 10-lined June beetle, and others.
During the day we of course observed excavation-foraging by different bird species, and when I had to occasionally tamp dirt and grass back into place in the lawn, I assumed birds were making the holes. It wasn’t until we installed exterior Ring cameras that we discovered that raccoons are frequent, methodical and focused excavators in our lawn, and not always quartering the yard singly. So now I know that a good number of the torn up spots are their work.
Since we some years ago embraced the concept of our backyard as a more diverse ecosystem rather than just a lawn, we enjoy reviewing video clips in the morning to see who happened to be foraging in the yard overnight…besides the blasted rabbits….
The main point behind all the narrative being, to keep in mind that crows, flickers, and robins, etc. aren’t the only ones who can create surprisingly large and numerous holes in one’s yard and garden.
Date: 12/20/24 3:54 pm From: Tom and Carol Stoner via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Does weather influence bird behavior?
Since Tweeters is the source of much reliable information, I wonder if there are any studies suggesting weather prediction in birds. I ask because the last couple big storms that have been predicted for the Puget Sound/Seattle area seem to have been preceded by serious, somewhat frenzied, feeding behavior from my local birds: D-E Juncos, Y-R Warblers, Bushtits, Am Goldfinches, Pine Siskins. Both the suet and seed feeders have hosted jostling, rowdy bird crowds.
Are they sensing barometric pressure changes? Other weather change markers? Or is it just me anthropomorphizing? Conflating correlation with causation?
Date: 12/20/24 1:27 pm From: Kenneth Brown via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Eagle's Pride walk
A dozen of us met up at the driving range shed without Denis DeSilvis, the founder and leader of this monthly walk. Hopefully he is finding Australia as fascinating as it seems from afar. Here it was overcast but warm, for mid-December, almost the Winter Solstice. The sun broke through, the walk was beautiful and the company enjoyable.
The most numerous species was Pine Siskin. Varied Thrush were seen and heard throughout the walk. A pair of Bald Eagles flew south over us, a bit unusual for this walk, despite the place name. More California Scrub-jays than usual were making a racket along the northern perimeter road, we searched but never found the object of their agitation. Our most obvious misses, beside Denis, were: no Red-tailed Hawk, no warblers of any kind, no Hummingbird, no Pied-billed Grebe on Hodges Lake. We hope for better luck in the new year, next month. See the checklist below.
Eagles Pride GC, Pierce, Washington, US
Dec 19, 2024 8:48 AM - 12:07 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.2 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Monthly Bird Walk on Third Thursday. Overcast and 47° at the start, with sun breaks and 50° F at the end.
29 species (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose 1
American Wigeon 7
Mallard 24
Bufflehead 8
Mourning Dove 2
Western x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid) 1
Bald Eagle 2
Downy Woodpecker (Pacific) 1
Northern Flicker 3
Steller's Jay (Coastal) 7
California Scrub-Jay 5
American Crow 30
Common Raven 5
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 16
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 22
Red-breasted Nuthatch 16
Brown Creeper 1
Pacific Wren 4
Varied Thrush 15
American Robin 17
Red Crossbill 13
Pine Siskin 115
Fox Sparrow (Sooty) 3
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) 22
Golden-crowned Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow (rufina Group) 5
Spotted Towhee (oregonus Group) 4
Red-winged Blackbird 3
Date: 12/20/24 7:34 am From: Constance Sidles via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] crows and lawns
Hey tweets, in answer to David's question, the lawn chews are most probably being caused by an invasive beetle, the European chafer beetle. The larvae feed on grass roots underground, loosening divots of grass clumps. The crows then move in and turn over the loose divots to eat the beetle larvae. So the crows are helping, not hurting! What surprises me is the sheer immensity of the beetles' activity. At Montlake Fill, large areas of the IMA fields are torn up. There must be thousands of beetle grubs at work. We need more hungry crows, and what about the gulls? They should get busy too. - Connie, Seattle
> On Dec 19, 2024, at 1:26 PM, David B. Williams via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> Greetings all. I apologize if this was previous asked and I missed the answer.
>
> I assume that people have noticed all of the lawns and green grassy areas that look roughed up, as if someone was digging in the grass looking for something. I am pretty sure it’s crows but I don’t remember this behavior being so widespread and common.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Thanks kindly,
> David Williams
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 12/19/24 10:05 pm From: Kenneth Brown via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Nisqually Wednesday
After the deluge. The talk in the morning was about who lost power, for how long, and how many inches of rain fell at my house last night. (generally 3" or so) Ellen told of arriving when it was still dark seeing a Barred Owl illuminated by her headlights in the middle of the entrance road. She went to the Twin Barn Overlook and was soon met there by Ed and two Barn Owls, in that order. Only a few Mallards showed on the Visitor Center Pond as we congregated to begin.
In the south parking lot we found a Downy Woodpecker, creepers, a couple Dark-eyed Juncos, both Kinglet species, and Black-capped Chickadees. A stream of Crows flew westerly overhead, singly, in pairs, and larger groups but constantly crossing the sky above. The play area, the orchard, and side road to the Maintenance compound were unusually quiet.
A few typical ducks and a pair of Wilson's Snipe underpopulated the two ponds in the flooded fields south of the service road and we wondered where the birds were. We found them in the ponds west of the service road. Hundreds of Cackling Geese shared space with Mallards, American Wigeon and a Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, a few Buffleheads, a couple Gadwall, and a single male Ring-necked Duck. In addition to the waterfowl were a few American Coots and several Great Blue Herons. Thirty plus Greater Yellow legs clustered on the south edge of the pond and a few Long billed Dowitchers mingled with the ducks in the middle. The shorebirds were likely in this freshwater environment because the 15 foot tide left them no saltwater mud to feed in. A Northern Harrier made low passes over the swampy ground and a Red-tailed Hawk crossed over the field and the road to perch in a fir tree on the east side of the Visitor Center pond.
Golden-Crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Fox Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Brown Creepers, Spotted Towhees, Black-capped Chickadees, Pacific, Marsh, and Bewick's Wrens, all made their presence known along the west side of the loop trail. At the Twin Barns observation platform among the ducks a few more Long-billed Dowitchers were found. House Sparrows flew into the Blackberry bramble and looking north over the bramble, in short bare trees just north of the dike road,
we saw Western Meadowlarks, their black triangular bibs contrasting with bright yellow breasts.
Here we departed from our usual routine. Eric having left the group to finish the loop trail, called to ask for someone with a scope to meet him on the east side of the loop. He had another Owl. We converged on Eric and were directed to a difficult obstructed view of a Great-horned Owl. When asked how he was able to spot the bird Eric said he was lucky. He gets "lucky" pretty often.
Lincoln's, Gold-crowned and White-crowned Sparrows were found in the brush out along the dike. A couple Northern Harriers worked the grasses on both sides, Red-winged Blackbirds and Marsh Wrens, a calling Virginia Rail a couple Hooded Mergansers were on the freshwater side. Four continuing Snow Geese and couple dozen Greater White-fronted Geese waddled on the dike. Hundreds of ducks ignored the flocks of Dunlin, with a few Western and Least Sandpipers on the salt water side.
Out on the estuary boardwalk, the tide had dropped to mid level. Common Goldeneye, Surf Scoters, American Wigeon and another Eurasian Wigeon (drake) steered away from the Sea Lions and Harbor Seals feeding on Chum Salmon. A Spotted Sandpiper and several more Greater Yellowlegs worked the waters edge. From the north end we saw Red-breasted Mergansers, Surf Scoters, Bufflehead, Common Loons, a Horned Grebe, Brant and Double-crested Cormorants, and a Peregrine Falcon perched in one of the skeletal remnants of a willow along the old outer dike location.
At the Nisqually River overlook another Sea lion was feeding on Salmon, a few Common Goldeneye were at the bend in the river, a Double-crested Cormorant on a snag in the water dried its wings in the air. Walking south along the east side of the loop trail we relocated the Great Horned Owl. Reaching Owl saturation, we complete the loop and the penultimate 2024 Wednesday walk. See the complete checklist as follows:
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR, Thurston, Washington, US
Dec 18, 2024 8:00 AM - 4:09 PM
Protocol: Traveling
5.83 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Wednesday Walk. High clouds in the morning soon gave way to clear skies for most of the walk, although a light rain shower came through at 2:30 p.m. Temperatures ranged from 49-54º F, with a light 0-8 knot southerly breeze. There was a +15.18-foot high tide at 8:38 a.m., ebbing to a +7.89-foot low water at 2:24 p.m. Mammals seen included eastern grey squirrel, Columbian black-tailed deer, Harbor seals in the estuary and the River, and a several California Sea Lions foraging on winter chum salmon in McAllister Creek and the River.
65 species (+4 other taxa)
Snow Goose 4 continuing adult with 3 immature birds
Greater White-fronted Goose 28
Cackling Goose (minima) 1150
Cackling Goose (Taverner's) 35
Canada Goose (moffitti/maxima) 40
Northern Shoveler 70
Gadwall 22
Eurasian Wigeon 3 Three drakes seen; surely there must be females in the flocks
American Wigeon 1175
Mallard 175
Northern Pintail 415
Green-winged Teal 675
Ring-necked Duck 1
Surf Scoter 65
Bufflehead 110
Common Goldeneye 70
Hooded Merganser 4
Red-breasted Merganser 85
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 48
Virginia Rail 1 Vocalizing from cattail marsh
American Coot 34
Long-billed Dowitcher 11
Wilson's Snipe 3
Spotted Sandpiper 2 West bank of McAllister Creek
Greater Yellowlegs 45
Dunlin 450
Least Sandpiper 36
Western Sandpiper 7 * Flagged for high count. Continuing with Dunlin flocks; these 7 were counted in a flock of 185 Dunlin
Short-billed Gull 120
Ring-billed Gull 45
Western x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid) 5
Western/Glaucous-winged Gull 12
Larus sp. 225 Too far out on reach to identify accurately
Horned Grebe 1
Common Loon 3 Seen from north end of estuary boardwalk in Nisqually Reach
Brandt's Cormorant 11 Nisqually Reach channel marker
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Great Blue Heron 22
Northern Harrier 3
Bald Eagle 18
Red-tailed Hawk (calurus/alascensis) 1 Adult
American Barn Owl 2 Twin Barns at 7:15 a m
Great Horned Owl 1 Found by Eric just west of the "Beaver Deceiver"
Barred Owl 1 Near Visitors' Centre at 6:50 a m
Belted Kingfisher 3 Two along McAllister Creek; one on Nisqually River
Downy Woodpecker (Pacific) 2 One male, one female
Northern Flicker 2
Peregrine Falcon 1
American Crow 215
Black-capped Chickadee 15
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 17
Golden-crowned Kinglet 16
Brown Creeper 5
Pacific Wren 3
Marsh Wren 4
Bewick's Wren 6
European Starling 25
American Robin 13
House Finch 4 Twin Barns overlook
Purple Finch 2 Feeding in Crab-apple along north dike
Pine Siskin 105
Fox Sparrow (Sooty) 2
White-crowned Sparrow (pugetensis) 2
Golden-crowned Sparrow 24
Song Sparrow (rufina Group) 14
Lincoln's Sparrow 3
Spotted Towhee (oregonus Group) 4
Western Meadowlark 8
Red-winged Blackbird 12
Date: 12/19/24 3:19 pm From: Maggie Baumann via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Eagles pride GC
I am looking at my photos from the walk at Eagles pride and I believe I have not one, but two owls in a tree! How do I send you a photo? It’s not on the ebird list…YET!
Date: 12/19/24 2:38 pm From: Michael Hobbs via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co.) 2024-12-19
Tweets - Ridiculously nice weather today, with temps in the high 40's and HITTING 50! High overcast, and only a little mizzle now and then. No wind or fog. How can this be the weather in late December? It was a pleasant day, with a couple of surprises.
Highlights: Canvasback - Male seen out from the Lake Platform; First in over two years (FOY) Horned Grebe - Two seen from Lake Platform Four Woodpeckers - Including a heard-only Pileated Woodpecker at the Rowing Club Northern Shrike - Seen at two different locations looking across the slough MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE - Probably the same individual seen in November, high in a tree west of the mansion
As I left the park, I saw our only RED-TAILED HAWK, and was able to locate the two CALIFORNIA SCRUB-JAYS that seem resident near the eastern maintenance building near the park's east entrance.
Mammals were also around, including AMERICAN BEAVER and COYOTE pre-dawn, and two RIVER OTTERS seen from the Lake Platform.
Misses today included Green-winged Teal, American Coot, Cooper's Hawk, Purple Finch, American Goldfinch (might have heard), and Lincoln's Sparrow.
For the day, 57 species.
= Michael Hobbs = <BirdMarymoor...> = www.marymoor.org/birding.htm
Date: 12/19/24 1:29 pm From: David B. Williams via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] crows and lawns
Greetings all. I apologize if this was previous asked and I missed the answer.
I assume that people have noticed all of the lawns and green grassy areas that look roughed up, as if someone was digging in the grass looking for something. I am pretty sure it’s crows but I don’t remember this behavior being so widespread and common.
Hello, They were all there in a nice flock, hanging out in my crabapple tree and focusing on the sunflower seeds. Female Hairy, Ruby Crowned Kinglet, red breasted nuthatch and chestnut sided chickadees were also present. I did a swan count in my area, with only 34 swans, in one location, no one else seems to be showing up in the Enumclaw through Sumner valley, unless I missed an EBird report. Happy Holidays, Vicki Biltz Bonney Lake, WA
Date: 12/17/24 8:55 pm From: Larry Schwitters via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] First ever WA State Dec. Vaux'a
A couple days ago Scott Carpenter and Tara Nemesis photo documented 4 Vaux’s Swift at Ridgefield NWR. Tomorrow Will Clemons
hopes to catch then using a suspected hollow roost tree. As far as eBird knows this is a first for Washington and would be only the second for Oregon.
Date: 12/17/24 3:51 pm From: Richard James via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Lightroom Keywords
On 2024-12-17 12:05 p.m., via Tweeters wrote: > Message: 11 Date: Tue, 17 Dec 2024 11:57:48 -0800 From: Jim Betz via > Tweeters<tweeters...> To: via > Tweeters<tweeters...> > Subject: [Tweeters] Lightroom > Classic Message-ID:<9cf0bb34-37da-4be9- > <ad38-286e5148f731...> Content-Type: text/plain; > charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
Jim,
> ? I am just learning Lightroom Classic.? LrC has a feature called > "keywords" which you can assign to the individual images and then > use later to make finding prior images both easier and quicker.?
Keywords are a great tool for finding what/where/when.
> ? My photos are currently in folders arranged by place and date > (month and year).
Good. If you use YYYY-MM-dd + place you can easily find folders by date.
It is also critical to keep a unique identifier for each image and all derivatives of it. Also, keep them all in the same folder.
My identifier is Camera - prefix - serial no
Camera, for example is "D85" (D850), Prefix is a 2-digit prefix as the camera will only got 9999 before recycling (many utils can do a batch rename, LR unfortunately is not flexible enough for me). And serial no is the no assigned by the camera (don't reset it).
This gives for example: D85-120753 this prefixes all derivatives that have a "what I did" suffix.
> And I add the bird ID to that info in my captions.? So, for example, > a recent image I worked on is captioned "Yellow-winged Cacique - > Puerto Vallarta 2022" and is in a folder called /Lumix/Puerto > Vallarta 2022/.? Would you recommend that I just keep/reuse that > same kind of hierarchy for my keywords?
For keywords it is best to use a hierarchy, minimum is place and species.
So:
a Location might be: National Parks/Pacific Rim/Tofino and Species might be: Birds/Sandpiper/Marbelled Godwit
Or Birds/Godwit/Marbelled
So long as you are absolutely consistent this gives you the ability to filter by Date/Place/Species.
-- From an Island in the Pacific, Richard James, Victoria, BC
Date: 12/17/24 3:36 pm From: Richard James via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Cameras...
On 2024-12-17 12:05 p.m., via Tweeters wrote: > Message: 7 > Date: Tue, 17 Dec 2024 07:26:51 -0800 > From: Mark Walton via Tweeters<tweeters...> > To: TWEETERS tweeters<tweeters...> > Subject: Re: [Tweeters] bridge camera > Message-ID: > <CAKwQLSOzWUPULVDj3hGSTX=bzqniwRay_V82m4d-C8=<b-qQKPw...> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > Hello Gary, > > I've been following this discussion with great interest. I currently use a > Nikon D850 with a Tamron 150-600 mm lens. I've generally been fairly happy > with it but, as I get older, my back becomes progressively unhappy about me > walking long distances with a super-heavy camera around my neck. This > camera has lasted through > 3000 birding trips over the last several years > so I am well aware that it could die a sudden death at any time. So I've > begun to think about a replacement.
Mark, the solution to the weight issue is the "Cotton Carrier", a harness that takes the weight off the neck strap.
I add broad generic words upon import, like location, birds, fog, snow and I apply my copyright in the metadata. I rename files with date_myname_anything extra I want (like location). When I cull I add more specific keywords in batches where appropriate.
You can also create collections based on your ratings each year so you can quickly access your best images per year.
You should just use whatever hierarchy makes sense to you.
Nancy
"Images for the imagination."
www.crowellphotography.com
________________________________
From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces...> on behalf of Jay via Tweeters <tweeters...>
Sent: Tuesday, December 17, 2024 1:42:43 PM
To: <tweeters...> <tweeters...>
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Subject: Lightroom Classic
Hi Jim - I've used LrC for years and do extensive keywording and also rename my files. When I import images into LrC, I set the keywords to the year and location. I add species name and other keywords after the import. On a recent trip to Africa, the keywords during the import were 2024, location (Serengeti NP), Tanzania, and then I add the details such as species name after I have culled the images. I know some people who do even more extensive keywording.
For the filename, I use the location and sometimes the state, e.g., Nisqually NWR_Washington, along with the capture date. After the import I will cull the images to keep my favorites, then rename the files to include the species common name, e.g., Northern Pintail_Nisqually NWR_December 17, 2024_sequence#.
I also use Smart Collections where the logic is based on the keywords. The images are imported into folders but I don't search the folders after the import. E.g., I can find an image of an American Bittern taken at Ridgefield NWR in 2014 in about 10 seconds. This may be more work than some people want to do, but I enjoy the process.
Date: 12/17/24 1:45 pm From: Jay via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Subject: Lightroom Classic
Hi Jim - I've used LrC for years and do extensive keywording and also rename my files. When I import images into LrC, I set the keywords to the year and location. I add species name and other keywords after the import. On a recent trip to Africa, the keywords during the import were 2024, location (Serengeti NP), Tanzania, and then I add the details such as species name after I have culled the images. I know some people who do even more extensive keywording.
For the filename, I use the location and sometimes the state, e.g., Nisqually NWR_Washington, along with the capture date. After the import I will cull the images to keep my favorites, then rename the files to include the species common name, e.g., Northern Pintail_Nisqually NWR_December 17, 2024_sequence#.
I also use Smart Collections where the logic is based on the keywords. The images are imported into folders but I don't search the folders after the import. E.g., I can find an image of an American Bittern taken at Ridgefield NWR in 2014 in about 10 seconds. This may be more work than some people want to do, but I enjoy the process.
Date: 12/17/24 1:28 pm From: Tom Benedict via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Lightroom Classic
So have you been naming your files in a way that includes enough information so that the “Everything” program can find what you’re looking for?
Tom Benedict
Seahurst, WA
> On Dec 17, 2024, at 12:31, Robert O'Brien via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> Actually, the program 'Everything' finds any filename on your computer, image, pdf, doc, etc. literally everything, as fast as you can type in the name of what you're looking for. Free download; incredibly useful. You can set it to search only for images, folders, or just set it to find Everything/
> I have several million files accumulated on my computer since when computers started. Without this program I would literally be 'up the creek'
> Bob OBrien Portland.
>
> On Tue, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:58 AM Jim Betz via Tweeters <tweeters...> <mailto:<tweeters...>> wrote:
>> Hi all,
>>
>> The following is about birding photography rather than about birding in
>>
>> general or recent sightings ... if you aren't interested in it just skip.
>>
>>
>> I am just learning Lightroom Classic. LrC has a feature called
>> "keywords"
>>
>> which you can assign to the individual images and then use later to make
>>
>> finding prior images both easier and quicker. If you've assigned a keyword
>>
>> "puffins" you can search and see only the images you have of puffins.
>>
>> The Keywords can also be in a hierarchy. Although it would be easy
>> to just
>>
>> say "I use the taxonomy for my hierarchy" I am not going there.
>>
>>
>> ===> So I'm interested in what you use for keywords ... ?
>>
>>
>> My photos are currently in folders arranged by place and date (month
>> and year).
>>
>> And I add the bird ID to that info in my captions. So, for example, a
>> recent image
>>
>> I worked on is captioned "Yellow-winged Cacique - Puerto Vallarta 2022"
>> and is in a
>>
>> folder called /Lumix/Puerto Vallarta 2022/. Would you recommend that I just
>>
>> keep/reuse that same kind of hierarchy for my keywords?
>>
>> - Jim in Burlington
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Tweeters mailing list
>> <Tweeters...> <mailto:<Tweeters...> >> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 12/17/24 12:45 pm From: Stan Bezimienny via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Conifer in Juanita Bay
Hank,
There is a large cedar (*true* cedar - many other conifers are called in the US “cedar” - ie Cedrus sp. I am not sure if it is C. deodara or C. atlantica) growing W of the restrooms in Juanita Bay. Many of them planted in the area, notably in older neighborhoods of Seattle etc. Nice, large, upright cones.
Stan _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 12/17/24 12:34 pm From: Robert O'Brien via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Lightroom Classic
Actually, the program 'Everything' finds any filename on your computer,
image, pdf, doc, etc. literally everything, as fast as you can type in the
name of what you're looking for. Free download; incredibly useful. You
can set it to search only for images, folders, or just set it to find
Everything/
I have several million files accumulated on my computer since when
computers started. Without this program I would literally be 'up the creek'
Bob OBrien Portland.
On Tue, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:58 AM Jim Betz via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> The following is about birding photography rather than about birding in
>
> general or recent sightings ... if you aren't interested in it just skip.
>
>
> I am just learning Lightroom Classic. LrC has a feature called
> "keywords"
>
> which you can assign to the individual images and then use later to make
>
> finding prior images both easier and quicker. If you've assigned a keyword
>
> "puffins" you can search and see only the images you have of puffins.
>
> The Keywords can also be in a hierarchy. Although it would be easy
> to just
>
> say "I use the taxonomy for my hierarchy" I am not going there.
>
>
> ===> So I'm interested in what you use for keywords ... ?
>
>
> My photos are currently in folders arranged by place and date (month
> and year).
>
> And I add the bird ID to that info in my captions. So, for example, a
> recent image
>
> I worked on is captioned "Yellow-winged Cacique - Puerto Vallarta 2022"
> and is in a
>
> folder called /Lumix/Puerto Vallarta 2022/. Would you recommend that I
> just
>
> keep/reuse that same kind of hierarchy for my keywords?
>
> - Jim in Burlington
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 12/17/24 12:32 pm From: Barbara Mandula via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Golden-crowned kinglet Madrona Woods
While walking on a path in Madrona Woods, I noticed a quick motion. I immediately stood still, and watched a golden crowned kinglet move among nearby twigs and branches for five minutes. Best views ever. Also, pine siskin flock continuing to visit seed feeders.
Date: 12/17/24 9:52 am From: Hank Heiberg via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Kinglet Encounters
Sunday we birded at Juanita Bay Park in Kirkland. We were about to walk past the large conifer just west of the restroom building when something dropped straight down from the conifer. That something turned out to be a Golden-crowned Kinglet. Then we realized that there were 4 Golden-crowned Kinglets on the ground near us. They were unaware of us. So we stood and watched them for a long time. Two kinglets got within a foot or two of us. Here is a photo of one of them.
Earlier in December we had similar encounters with Golden-crowned Kinglets at Marymoor Park in Redmond. One encounter was in the lawn north of the mansion. The second encounter was along the slough when kinglets landed in a tree a couple of feet from us. Here’s a photo from the slough encounter.
Date: 12/17/24 8:19 am From: Elston Hill via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Tell us what you think about unleashed dogs at Seattle parks | The Seattle Times
Please send your comments to The Seattle Times which is preparing an article on unleashed dogs in Seattle Parks. My own personal experience is that dog owners are treating the wilder areas in our parks as a place to unleash their dogs.
>
> https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/tell-us-what-you-think-about-unleashed-dogs-at-seattle-parks/ >
> Tell us what you think about unleashed dogs at Seattle parks
> Greg Kim <https://www.seattletimes.com/author/greg-kim/>Dec. 16, 2024 at 1:16 pm
> By
> Seattle Times staff reporter
>
> Seattle is famously a dog city <https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/data/seattle-area-ranks-no-1-for-child-free-couples-with-dogs-or-cats/>. If you go to any of its parks, there’s a good chance you’ll see one running around with other dogs or playing fetch with its owners.
>
> Increasingly, those dogs might be unleashed in areas where the city says they shouldn’t be.
>
> The Seattle Times wants to know whether Seattle residents have noticed this trend — or if they care. Do you bring your dogs to parks unleashed? Do you walk your dogs on-leash at parks? Do you use the park for other reasons?
>
> Greg Kim: 206-464-2532 or <grkim...> <mailto:<grkim...>. Greg Kim is a reporter covering homelessness for The Seattle Times.
Date: 12/17/24 7:41 am From: Nancy Crowell via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] bridge camera
Probably Sony - which also have white lenses. Super lightweight.
By the way, you can reprogram your shutter release on most Nikons. I routinely change mine to back button focus. Just read your camera manual and you should come across a custom buttons section that will explain.
Nancy
"Images for the imagination."
www.crowellphotography.com
________________________________
From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces...> on behalf of Mark Walton via Tweeters <tweeters...>
Sent: Tuesday, December 17, 2024 7:26:51 AM
To: TWEETERS tweeters <tweeters...>
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] bridge camera
Hello Gary,
I've been following this discussion with great interest. I currently use a Nikon D850 with a Tamron 150-600 mm lens. I've generally been fairly happy with it but, as I get older, my back becomes progressively unhappy about me walking long distances with a super-heavy camera around my neck. This camera has lasted through > 3000 birding trips over the last several years so I am well aware that it could die a sudden death at any time. So I've begun to think about a replacement.
I also have a Nikon D1000, which is nice when I want to document a rarity that is super far away and that is helpfully just standing around. The main drawback I see is that focusing requires pushing the button halfway down and then pushing it the rest of the way down to snap the photo. This doesn't work well for me in the far more common situation where I'm trying to photograph a flyover rarity, or a passerine that pauses on a branch for no more than one Planck Time.
For my next camera I gave serious thought to a Panasonic Lumix FZ80D -- except that it seems that this is another camera that requires that you push the button halfway down to focus. I just don't do well with that because, when a nice rarity is flying over, I am usually so frantic to get a quick photo that I mess that up.
I've noticed that a lot of the skilled birders have some sort of Canon camera with a long, white lens. No idea what model the camera and lens are but it looks *FAR* lighter than my current backbreaker camera. Does anyone know what kind of camera that is? Any other suggestions are welcome -- I will never be a competent photographer. I just want to document rarities and get photos that show the field marks of hard-to-identify birds.
Mark
Ar Mirt 17 Noll 2024 ag 06:15, scrobh Gary Bletsch via Tweeters <tweeters...><mailto:<tweeters...>>: Dear Tweeters,
A few weeks ago, I wrote to Tweeters in regard to bridge cameras. My trusty Canon SX50 HS had gone kaputt, so I needed a replacement.
I then spent a few weeks reading up on various cameras. Thanks to all of the Tweeters who wrote to me with recommendations and disrecommendations and such.
In between lake-effect blizzards, I drove the 63 miles to Buffalo; Delaware Camera up there is the only camera store within a hundred miles of where I live. I got there early and was glad that I did, as they soon got pretty busy--hardly surprising, when they are the only brick-and-mortar camera store in the entire region, not counting Canada. Luckily, I had the only old guy in the store helping me, which is just what I wanted!
Long story short, I ended up buying a Nikon Coolpix P950. This camera is roughly as good as was the Canon SX50 HS, better in some ways, worse in others. Here is a breakdown comparison between the two cameras. I would add that the Canon SX70 would be roughly comparable to the older SX50, so that one could probably compare the P950 to the SX70 and get a fairly similar result to that between the P950 and SX50.
By the by, Lillian Stokes did not recommend the Canon SX60 when that camera came out as the replacement for the SX50. I don't see any commentary on the Stokes website in regard to the SX70, but some birders have told me that they likewise preferred the older SX50 to the SX70. I am still considering having my old SX50 repaired, if Canon can do that for a reasonable price. It's probably just some little chip that went bad.
The Nikon P950 is better than the Canon as far as focus goes; the Canon had no useable manual focus. The P950 does indeed have a manual focus that is fairly easy to use.
The P950 costs about a third more than a new Canon SX70, a little over $900 compared to $699. I am sure that I could have bought the P950 online and saved a few dollars, but I always prefer buying in person, and don't mind paying a bit more for the superior shopping experience one gets in a real store.
The P950 is big. I do not ever want to have a camera slung around my waist, or have a foot-long lens hanging down my side. I want to keep my camera stashed away under my birding vest, ready to photograph rarities and hard-to-ID individuals, and otherwise stay out of sight and out of mind. The size and weight of the P950 places it at the extreme high end of the range of cameras that can be stowed in this manner. It weighs over a kilogram, nearly double the weight of the SX50. Over the past week and a half, I have had to adjust to having such a cinderblock bulging out my vest, but it is workable, even when I'm wearing the bulky parka and layers that one must wear here this time of year.
The zoom on the P950 is good. I am not sure if it is any better than the remarkable zoom on the SX50, but I can get photos of distant waterfowl out on the ice. I am not yet certain whether the P950's zoom is as good as the one on the SX50; sometimes the images I get with the zoom all the way out do seem a bit dimmer than the ones I was used to before. Time will tell.
At times, the Canon SX50 could be infuriatingly slow. That came and went. It almost seemed as if the SX50 had mood swings like a person's, sometimes "deciding" that it would take its sweet time about turning on, or zooming in on something. By comparison, the Nikon P950 does seem a bit slow to respond, but it is consistent, not moody--if that makes sense!
I don't really care about "features" as much as most people do. The much newer P950 is loaded with features that the Canon SX50 did not have. Maybe the engineers had not yet invented those features when the SX50 came out. For example, one can obtain software for the Nikon, and use that to connect the camera to a phone or maybe to a computer, via Bluetooth. So far, I have just uploaded my photos by means of a cable, which is fine by me. My eyes start swimming when I start to read up on all of the other features, so I can't say anything about them. Buried in the menus of the P950, there are all sorts of capabilities that I have not explored. I might never get around to doing so.
There is actually a "bird" mode in this camera, but I have not tried it. Maybe I'll try it today; all one needs to do is turn the mode dial to the little "bird" icon, so it shouldn't be too hard to do!
Thanks again to all of the Tweeters who responded to my original enquiry.
Date: 12/17/24 7:29 am From: Mark Walton via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] bridge camera
Hello Gary,
I've been following this discussion with great interest. I currently use a
Nikon D850 with a Tamron 150-600 mm lens. I've generally been fairly happy
with it but, as I get older, my back becomes progressively unhappy about me
walking long distances with a super-heavy camera around my neck. This
camera has lasted through > 3000 birding trips over the last several years
so I am well aware that it could die a sudden death at any time. So I've
begun to think about a replacement.
I also have a Nikon D1000, which is nice when I want to document a rarity
that is super far away and that is helpfully just standing around. The main
drawback I see is that focusing requires pushing the button halfway down
and then pushing it the rest of the way down to snap the photo. This
doesn't work well for me in the far more common situation where I'm trying
to photograph a flyover rarity, or a passerine that pauses on a branch for
no more than one Planck Time.
For my next camera I gave serious thought to a Panasonic Lumix FZ80D --
except that it seems that this is another camera that requires that you
push the button halfway down to focus. I just don't do well with that
because, when a nice rarity is flying over, I am usually so frantic to get
a quick photo that I mess that up.
I've noticed that a lot of the skilled birders have some sort of Canon
camera with a long, white lens. No idea what model the camera and lens are
but it looks *FAR* lighter than my current backbreaker camera. Does anyone
know what kind of camera that is? Any other suggestions are welcome -- I
will never be a competent photographer. I just want to document rarities
and get photos that show the field marks of hard-to-identify birds.
Mark
Ar Máirt 17 Noll 2024 ag 06:15, scríobh Gary Bletsch via Tweeters <
<tweeters...>:
> Dear Tweeters,
>
> A few weeks ago, I wrote to Tweeters in regard to bridge cameras. My
> trusty Canon SX50 HS had gone kaputt, so I needed a replacement.
>
> I then spent a few weeks reading up on various cameras. Thanks to all of
> the Tweeters who wrote to me with recommendations and disrecommendations
> and such.
>
> In between lake-effect blizzards, I drove the 63 miles to Buffalo;
> Delaware Camera up there is the only camera store within a hundred miles of
> where I live. I got there early and was glad that I did, as they soon got
> pretty busy--hardly surprising, when they are the only brick-and-mortar
> camera store in the entire region, not counting Canada. Luckily, I had the
> only old guy in the store helping me, which is just what I wanted!
>
> Long story short, I ended up buying a Nikon Coolpix P950. This camera is
> roughly as good as was the Canon SX50 HS, better in some ways, worse in
> others. Here is a breakdown comparison between the two cameras. I would add
> that the Canon SX70 would be roughly comparable to the older SX50, so that
> one could probably compare the P950 to the SX70 and get a fairly similar
> result to that between the P950 and SX50.
>
> By the by, Lillian Stokes did not recommend the Canon SX60 when that
> camera came out as the replacement for the SX50. I don't see any commentary
> on the Stokes website in regard to the SX70, but some birders have told me
> that they likewise preferred the older SX50 to the SX70. I am still
> considering having my old SX50 repaired, if Canon can do that for a
> reasonable price. It's probably just some little chip that went bad.
>
> The Nikon P950 is better than the Canon as far as focus goes; the Canon
> had no useable manual focus. The P950 does indeed have a manual focus that
> is fairly easy to use.
>
> The P950 costs about a third more than a new Canon SX70, a little over
> $900 compared to $699. I am sure that I could have bought the P950 online
> and saved a few dollars, but I always prefer buying in person, and don't
> mind paying a bit more for the superior shopping experience one gets in a
> real store.
>
> The P950 is big. I do not ever want to have a camera slung around my
> waist, or have a foot-long lens hanging down my side. I want to keep my
> camera stashed away under my birding vest, ready to photograph rarities and
> hard-to-ID individuals, and otherwise stay out of sight and out of mind.
> The size and weight of the P950 places it at the extreme high end of the
> range of cameras that can be stowed in this manner. It weighs over a
> kilogram, nearly double the weight of the SX50. Over the past week and a
> half, I have had to adjust to having such a cinderblock bulging out my
> vest, but it is workable, even when I'm wearing the bulky parka and layers
> that one must wear here this time of year.
>
> The zoom on the P950 is good. I am not sure if it is any better than the
> remarkable zoom on the SX50, but I can get photos of distant waterfowl out
> on the ice. I am not yet certain whether the P950's zoom is as good as the
> one on the SX50; sometimes the images I get with the zoom all the way out
> do seem a bit dimmer than the ones I was used to before. Time will tell.
>
> At times, the Canon SX50 could be infuriatingly slow. That came and went.
> It almost seemed as if the SX50 had mood swings like a person's, sometimes
> "deciding" that it would take its sweet time about turning on, or zooming
> in on something. By comparison, the Nikon P950 does seem a bit slow to
> respond, but it is consistent, not moody--if that makes sense!
>
> I don't really care about "features" as much as most people do. The much
> newer P950 is loaded with features that the Canon SX50 did not have. Maybe
> the engineers had not yet invented those features when the SX50 came out.
> For example, one can obtain software for the Nikon, and use that to connect
> the camera to a phone or maybe to a computer, via Bluetooth. So far, I have
> just uploaded my photos by means of a cable, which is fine by me. My eyes
> start swimming when I start to read up on all of the other features, so I
> can't say anything about them. Buried in the menus of the P950, there are
> all sorts of capabilities that I have not explored. I might never get
> around to doing so.
>
> There is actually a "bird" mode in this camera, but I have not tried it.
> Maybe I'll try it today; all one needs to do is turn the mode dial to the
> little "bird" icon, so it shouldn't be too hard to do!
>
> Thanks again to all of the Tweeters who responded to my original enquiry.
>
> Yours truly,
>
> Gary Bletsch
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 12/17/24 6:17 am From: Gary Bletsch via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] bridge camera
Dear Tweeters,
A few weeks ago, I wrote to Tweeters in regard to bridge cameras. My trusty Canon SX50 HS had gone kaputt, so I needed a replacement.
I then spent a few weeks reading up on various cameras. Thanks to all of the Tweeters who wrote to me with recommendations and disrecommendations and such.
In between lake-effect blizzards, I drove the 63 miles to Buffalo; Delaware Camera up there is the only camera store within a hundred miles of where I live. I got there early and was glad that I did, as they soon got pretty busy--hardly surprising, when they are the only brick-and-mortar camera store in the entire region, not counting Canada. Luckily, I had the only old guy in the store helping me, which is just what I wanted!
Long story short, I ended up buying a Nikon Coolpix P950. This camera is roughly as good as was the Canon SX50 HS, better in some ways, worse in others. Here is a breakdown comparison between the two cameras. I would add that the Canon SX70 would be roughly comparable to the older SX50, so that one could probably compare the P950 to the SX70 and get a fairly similar result to that between the P950 and SX50.
By the by, Lillian Stokes did not recommend the Canon SX60 when that camera came out as the replacement for the SX50. I don't see any commentary on the Stokes website in regard to the SX70, but some birders have told me that they likewise preferred the older SX50 to the SX70. I am still considering having my old SX50 repaired, if Canon can do that for a reasonable price. It's probably just some little chip that went bad.
The Nikon P950 is better than the Canon as far as focus goes; the Canon had no useable manual focus. The P950 does indeed have a manual focus that is fairly easy to use.
The P950 costs about a third more than a new Canon SX70, a little over $900 compared to $699. I am sure that I could have bought the P950 online and saved a few dollars, but I always prefer buying in person, and don't mind paying a bit more for the superior shopping experience one gets in a real store.
The P950 is big. I do not ever want to have a camera slung around my waist, or have a foot-long lens hanging down my side. I want to keep my camera stashed away under my birding vest, ready to photograph rarities and hard-to-ID individuals, and otherwise stay out of sight and out of mind. The size and weight of the P950 places it at the extreme high end of the range of cameras that can be stowed in this manner. It weighs over a kilogram, nearly double the weight of the SX50. Over the past week and a half, I have had to adjust to having such a cinderblock bulging out my vest, but it is workable, even when I'm wearing the bulky parka and layers that one must wear here this time of year.
The zoom on the P950 is good. I am not sure if it is any better than the remarkable zoom on the SX50, but I can get photos of distant waterfowl out on the ice. I am not yet certain whether the P950's zoom is as good as the one on the SX50; sometimes the images I get with the zoom all the way out do seem a bit dimmer than the ones I was used to before. Time will tell.
At times, the Canon SX50 could be infuriatingly slow. That came and went. It almost seemed as if the SX50 had mood swings like a person's, sometimes "deciding" that it would take its sweet time about turning on, or zooming in on something. By comparison, the Nikon P950 does seem a bit slow to respond, but it is consistent, not moody--if that makes sense!
I don't really care about "features" as much as most people do. The much newer P950 is loaded with features that the Canon SX50 did not have. Maybe the engineers had not yet invented those features when the SX50 came out. For example, one can obtain software for the Nikon, and use that to connect the camera to a phone or maybe to a computer, via Bluetooth. So far, I have just uploaded my photos by means of a cable, which is fine by me. My eyes start swimming when I start to read up on all of the other features, so I can't say anything about them. Buried in the menus of the P950, there are all sorts of capabilities that I have not explored. I might never get around to doing so.
There is actually a "bird" mode in this camera, but I have not tried it. Maybe I'll try it today; all one needs to do is turn the mode dial to the little "bird" icon, so it shouldn't be too hard to do!
Thanks again to all of the Tweeters who responded to my original enquiry.
Yours truly,
Gary Bletsch
_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 12/16/24 7:28 pm From: Mike & MerryLynn via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Walla Walla CBC results
Count was held on the 14th - our 52nd. One of our warmest count days ever with temp 48 to 54, sunshine in the morning then rain after 2:45. We had a Milberts Tortoiseshell Butterfly up Blue Creek - definitely our first ever on a CBC.
Found an average 85 species plus two count week birds - but 2 FIRST for our count - a TURKEY VULTURE and a RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER.
HARRIS'S SPARROW, AMERICAN PIPIT, and AMERICAN GOSHAWK were uncommon finds.
Broke a couple records - 24 Common Goldeneye beating our previous 13 and 94 Red-breasted Nuthatch beating 56 back in 1994.
CALIFORNIA SCRUB-JAY - our first were 3 in 2022, only one last year but a total of 6 were found this year - this species is now regular in Burbank, Touchet, College Place, Walla Walla and Prescott.
Ruddy Duck and Pied-billed Grebe - only our 3rd ever.
VERY LOW numbers of Robins and Varied Thrush - despite abundant apple and berry crop.
Enjoy all those Christmas Bird Counts - Mike & MerryLynn Denny
-- Mike & MerryLynn Denny Birding the Beautiful Walla Walla Valley "If you haven't gone birding, you haven't lived"
Date: 12/16/24 3:59 pm From: Kenneth Brown via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] JBLM Eagles Pride walk.
Tweeters,
The Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) Eagles Pride Golf Course (GC) monthly bird walk is scheduled for Thursday, December 19. The customary leader, Denis DeSilvis, is off on an extended adventure but we will muddle on without his expert eyes and ears.
The walk will begin at 9:00 am at the Driving Range building, Eagle’s Pride Golf Course, I-5 Exit 116, Mounts Road Exit. When you drop down the entrance ramp, take an immediate left at the bottom and continue to the Driving Range shed on the left. Though the golf course is part of JBLM, it is open to the public, no need for a pass or to show ID.
We're usually done by noon, current weather forecast is 42-50 deg F with some showers before and after the scheduled walk, cloudy during, but this is the PNW, be prepared for rain.
Date: 12/16/24 3:14 pm From: Zora Monster via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Bird Range Maps on Merlin
Hi, Jim. Did you try swiping the map left? You’ll be able to see the full range map if you do.
Kind regards,
Zora Dermer
Seattle
Sent from my iPhone
> On Dec 16, 2024, at 3:05 PM, Jim Betz via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> A friend in Japan sent me a photo of a Northern Pintail. I went to Merlin to
>
> check the range map and found it only covered North American. How do we
>
> see the world wide range of birds? Is it a setting in Merlin? The Northern
>
> Pintail, as just one example, seems to go down both sides of the Pacific in its
>
> Southerly migration.
>
> --
> Jim
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 12/13/24 12:12 pm From: Carol Riddell via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Edmonds Roundup - November 2024
Hi Tweeters,
With November additions we have reached 195 species for our Edmonds 2024 list. In taxonomic order, the new species are:
Ruddy Duck (code 3): 4 in the Edmonds section of Lake Ballinger, 11-24-24.
Cassin’s Auklet (code 4): at the waterfront (critical field marks described), 11-5-24.
Leach’s Storm-Petrel (code 5): 1 at waterfront, 11-5-2024.
Lesser Goldfinch (code 5): 1 at feeders on Puget Drive (photo ID), 11-21 and 11-27-2024. (This is a new species for Edmonds, the 283rd that we have confirmed in the city.)
Of Interest: We added Swamp Sparrow (code 5) to the 2024 list last February, based on an eBird-confirmed sighting. There was a second Swamp Sparrow at Edmonds marsh 11-1-24, both seen and heard.
As always, I appreciate it when birders get in touch with me to share sightings, photos, or recordings. It helps us build our collective year list. If you would like a copy of our 2024 city checklist, with 281 species, please request it from checklistedmonds at gmail dot com. The 2024 checklist, with sightings through November, is in the bird information box at the Olympic Beach Visitor Station at the base of the public pier.
Season’s Greetings and Good birding,
Carol Riddell
Edmonds, WA
cariddellwa at gmail dot com
Abundance codes: (1) Common, (2) Uncommon, (3) Harder to find, usually seen annually, (4) Rare, 5+ records, (5) Fewer than 5 records
_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 12/12/24 11:43 pm From: Dan Reiff via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] ‘Blob’ heat wave killed millions of seabirds—and they haven’t bounced back | Science | AAAS
Date: 12/12/24 11:37 pm From: Dan Reiff via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] THE WASHINGTON POST: Scientists just confirmed the largest bird-killing event in modern history
Date: 12/12/24 6:04 pm From: Kenneth Brown via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Wednesday on Thursday.
Fellow Tweeters,
The weekly Wednesday Walk at the Billy Frank J. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge occurs every Wednesday, rain or shine, beginning at 8:00 am at the Visitor's Center. The rare exception to this otherwise inflexible policy is when Christmas and New Years day fall on Wednesday. Such is the case this holiday season. This year Wednesday will be on Thursday, 12/26/2025 and 1/02/2025. Shep Thorp should be back from his Antarctic adventure and in attendance on the 2nd. Hope to see you there and Happy Holidays!
Date: 12/12/24 5:28 pm From: Kenneth Brown via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Wednesday at Nisqually
The vagaries of birding are part of what makes the avocation so captivating. You go to the same location, at the same time of day, week after week, and while there are constants, it's a different experience every time. It was cold, like last week. Foggy at the start but it dissipated swiftly. A recent constant, Steve again trekked out to the barns before daybreak and saw two Barn Owls as they returned to their roost. He heard them "scream" at each other in greeting. A fine way to start his day of birding. Mallards, a female Bufflehead, and a pair of Hooded Mergansers occupied the Visitor Center Pond.
The birds were quiet as we started our usual route, most prominent were Crows overhead, most flying westerly as expected when they leave their roost. Some of us got a quick glimpse of a silent Barred Owl as it flew behind the Education Center and out of sight. A solo Raven watched from the top of a bare tree near the Maintenance compound. The play area and the orchard had much less bird activity than last week, though the visibility was much better.
The flooded fields were much the same as last week, with Cackling Geese, Mallards, American Wigeon, Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, a few Gadwall, three Wilson's Snipe, an American Coot, and a hunting Northern Harrier making low passes over the grass. A Bald Eagle passed overhead inciting a brief flurry of airborne anxiety among the waterfowl that settled back to ground quickly when the instigator moved on. From the service road, Ellen spotted a Pileated Woodpecker that landed in a big maple and went to work hammering a dead limb more than long enough for us all to get great scope views.
The west half of the loop trail produced Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Black-capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Spotted Towhee, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned, Fox, Song, and Lincoln's Sparrows. Also, Bushtits, Bewick's and Pacific Wrens, Downy Woodpecker, and Northern Flicker. In the maple grove at the Twin Barns were a single Hairy Woodpecker and Red-breasted Sapsucker, plus European Starlings, more Creepers, Chickadees and Kinglets along with Orange-crowned Warblers. From the Twin Barns platform along with the expected duck species, Jason pointed out Long-billed Dowitchers mingling with the Pintail, Jon found a young Northern Shrike in the top of an Alder, the first Shrike of the season for this walk. A small flock of Purple finch competed with larger numbers of Pine Siskin for space in the Alders north of the platform.
On the dike appeared a couple more Lincoln's Sparrows, a small flock of House Finch, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, Red-winged Blackbirds, Song Sparrows, and Marsh Wrens. The same four Snow Geese hung out on the dike, separate from Cackling Geese. A coot, a female Hooded Merganser, and a Eurasian Wigeon were found among the other ducks, and a Virginia Rail called from the cattails. On the surge plain were numerous ducks, flocks of Dunlin and Least Sandpipers, a couple of Western Sandpipers and Greater Yellowlegs scattered singly or in small groups.
We started out on the estuary boardwalk near peak high tide. At 14.8 ' above MSL, no mud was visible, only the boardwalk was dry. American Wigeon were the most numerous species, they were joined by Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, and Surf Scoters. Our attention was quickly drawn to a lot of thrashing and splashing in the creek, we watched California Sea Lions and Harbor Seals catching and eating Chum Salmon in several places along the creek. Flurries of gulls circled over each site and dipped to the waters surface to snatch untended chunks. Farther out we found 2 Spotted Sandpipers on the far shore. From the gated end we located Common Loons, Horned Grebes, Red-breasted Mergansers, more Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, and Surf Scoters. Double-crested and Brant's Cormorants were also seen as well as a small flock of Bonaparte's Gulls. When we started back towards the dike, the tide had turned and the water had receded enough to expose shore line very near the boardwalk. Splashing on the waters edge drew us to a strange sight, what looked at first glance like wings slapping the water were in fact the pectoral fins of a Spotted Ratfish, normally a deep water species. It had large eyes that appeared in the ambient light to be a luminescent green. Closer in on the west side we saw a large healthy looking Chum Salmon trapped in a shallow pool apparently stranded as the tide receded, probably having run to the shallow water to avoid the marauding pinnipeds. (I had to look that up).
At the Nisqually River overlook were more Sea Lions and Harbor Seals after more salmon, a couple Common Mergansers, and a Great Blue Heron perched high in a tree on the far shore. The sun had gone below the horizon and the chill in the air deepened as we walked the east half of the loop trail, mostly bird free, and returned to the Visitors Center Deck to go over the day's tally. While we talked the little birds fell silent as a Sharp-shinned hawk landed in at tree on the north side. A punctuation mark to end another Wednesday Walk. See the following checklist:
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR, Thurston, Washington, US
Dec 11, 2024 7:55 AM - 4:19 PM
Protocol: Traveling
5.54 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Wednesday Walk. Light fog and thin high clouds in morning soon gave way to clear skies for the remainder of the walk, with temperatures ranging from 34-46º F, with light 0-5 knot southerly breeze. There was a +5.7-foot low tide at 7:23 a.m., flooding to a +14.9-foot high water at 1:20 p.m. Mammals seen included eastern grey squirrel, Columbian black-tailed deer, Harbor seals in the estuary and the River, and a several California Sea Lions foraging on winter chum salmon in McAllister Creek and the River. Of interest was a chum salmon stranded by the tide along the Estuary Boardwalk and a lethargic Spotted Ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei) also seen from the Estuary Boardwalk.
71 species (+6 other taxa)
Snow Goose 4 Continuing; Adult with 3 immature birds
Cackling Goose 175
Cackling Goose (minima) 625 No Taverner's Cacklers identified today
Northern Shoveler 195
Gadwall 32
Eurasian Wigeon 3
American Wigeon 1465
Mallard 145
Northern Pintail 715
Green-winged Teal 1100
Surf Scoter 65 About 12 in McAllister Creek; remainder in Nisqually Reach
Bufflehead 175
Common Goldeneye 58
Hooded Merganser 3
Common Merganser 2 Nisqually River Overlook
Red-breasted Merganser 35
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 7
Virginia Rail 1 Vocalizing from cattail marsh
American Coot 2
Long-billed Dowitcher 12
Wilson's Snipe 3
Spotted Sandpiper 2 West bank of McAllister Creek
Greater Yellowlegs 45
Dunlin 1150
Least Sandpiper 95
Western Sandpiper 2
Bonaparte's Gull 16 Flying north over Nisqually Reach near mouth of river
Short-billed Gull 35
Ring-billed Gull 55
Western x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid) 65
Western/Glaucous-winged Gull 40
Larus sp. 40
Horned Grebe 2 Nisqually Reach
Common Loon 2 Nisqually Reach
Brandt's Cormorant 11 Nisqually Reach Channel marker
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Great Blue Heron 22
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Passing view in morning. Perched at Visitors' Center at dusk
Cooper's Hawk 1
Northern Harrier 3
Bald Eagle 12 Several 'courtship' flights by at least 3 pairs
Red-tailed Hawk (calurus/alascensis) 3
American Barn Owl 2 Seen by Steve M & Jason Z at 7:08 at the South Barn
Barred Owl 1 Behind the Environmental Ed Center
Red-breasted Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker (Pacific) 4
Hairy Woodpecker (Pacific) 2
Pileated Woodpecker 1 Female at the eagle nest tree near the Twin Barns
Northern Flicker 3
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 2
Northern Shrike 1 Immature seen in willow tree southwest from Twin Barns overlook
American Crow 115
Common Raven 2 One perched in cottonwood along entrance road seen from Orchard; the other heard vocalizing from timber west of McAllister Creek
Black-capped Chickadee 12
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 2
Bushtit (Pacific) 33 Flocks of 12; 21
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 19
Golden-crowned Kinglet 35
Brown Creeper 7
Pacific Wren 4
Marsh Wren 4
Bewick's Wren 5
European Starling 45
American Robin 10
House Finch 6
Purple Finch (Western) 7 Seen from Twin Barns overlook
Pine Siskin 140
Fox Sparrow (Sooty) 2
White-crowned Sparrow (pugetensis) 1
Golden-crowned Sparrow 39
Song Sparrow (rufina Group) 21
Lincoln's Sparrow 4
Spotted Towhee (oregonus Group) 7
Red-winged Blackbird 28
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Orange-crowned Warbler (lutescens) 1
Townsend's Warbler 2
Date: 12/12/24 3:41 pm From: Michael Hobbs via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co.) 2024-12-12
Tweets - A bit mizzly this morning, maybe even getting to drizzle for a minute or two, though more often merely gray. Not too cold, with just a touch of frost pre-dawn. Not tremendously birdy, but not bad.
Highlights: Greater White-fronted Goose - Four with Cacklers, first in 6 weeks Cackling Goose - After several weeks with few-to-none, a flock of 1000-1500 today Wilson's Snipe - One posed quite patiently for us below the weir Common Loon - First of Fall (FOF); we were loonless during October/November, which is the peak time for fall/winter sightings Northern Shrike - On the far side of the slough in a birch
Northeast of the mansion, there were large numbers of American Robin, Dark-eyed Junco, and Golden-crowned Kinglets on the ground, as well as a few chickadees. Alas, there was no repeat of the Mountain Chickadee which was seen in a very similar flock two weeks ago.
Tony reported TEN (10) AMERICAN BEAVER from the Lake Platform pre-dawn!
Misses today included Green-winged Teal, Killdeer, Bushtit, Purple Finch, American Goldfinch, Lincoln's Sparrow, and Red-winged Blackbird.
Despite those misses, we did manage to find 53 species today.
= Michael Hobbs = <BirdMarymoor...> = www.marymoor.org/birding.htm
Date: 12/12/24 9:36 am From: Steve Loitz via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Townsend's Warblers
Linda,
Over the past 38 years, I have seen dozens, some years hundreds, of TOWAs
each year from May through September during my travels in WA's mountains,
i.e., Cascades, Olympics, Kettle Range, Selkirks and Blue Mountains, and
some in lower hills, e.g., Tiger, N side of Manastash Ridge, Table Mountain
(Kittitas Co.). Based on my informal observations, TOWA populations in WA's
mountains have appeared relatively stable. I did not notice any unusually
high numbers in 2024.
I have encountered more Townsend's x Hermit Warbler hybrids in the past few
years, e.g., in summer 2023, we saw TOWA x HEWA hybrids in two different
spots several miles apart in the Indian Heaven Wilderness Area, a few on
the Tumac Plateau and one near Chinook Pass. It is possible that I just
started noticing TOWA x HEWA hybrids in the past few years and/or that my
eyes are getting use to IDing them (which can be tricky). It is also
possible that HEWA range is expanding northward and thus we may see more
TOWA x HEWA hybrids in the future.
Steve Loitz
Ellensburg
On Wed, Dec 11, 2024 at 4:31 PM Linda Phillips via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
>
>
> Typically, I consider myself blessed if I see one Townsend's Warbler a
> year.
> I think they must have had a particularly good breeding season this past
> year.
> Since October I have been seeing 1 or 2 on a regular basis at Wallace
> Swamp Creek Park.
> I have high expectations that they will make an appearance for the CBC
> this Saturday. I have seen them 3 times in the past 10 days.
> Anyone else seeing TOWA more often than usual this fall?
>
> Linda Phillips
> Kenmore
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 12/12/24 8:57 am From: Char via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Townsend's Warblers
Hi Linda,
In which area of Wallace Swamp Creek Park do they usually hang out?
In case I head over there I'd like to narrow down my search. :D
I've never seen one before!
Thanks,
Charlene
On Wed, Dec 11, 2024 at 4:35 PM Louise via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> I still haven't seen them in my yard this winter. They usually put in a
> showing from early-mid December, or in a milder year, sometimes not until
> January. But last winter was the first time in 18 years I didn't see them
> at all, so I'm hoping this year won't be a repeat of that.
>
> Louise Rutter
> Juanita, Kirkland
>
> On Wed, Dec 11, 2024 at 4:31 PM Linda Phillips via Tweeters <
> <tweeters...> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> Typically, I consider myself blessed if I see one Townsend's Warbler a
>> year.
>> I think they must have had a particularly good breeding season this past
>> year.
>> Since October I have been seeing 1 or 2 on a regular basis at Wallace
>> Swamp Creek Park.
>> I have high expectations that they will make an appearance for the CBC
>> this Saturday. I have seen them 3 times in the past 10 days.
>> Anyone else seeing TOWA more often than usual this fall?
>>
>> Linda Phillips
>> Kenmore
>> _______________________________________________
>> Tweeters mailing list
>> <Tweeters...>
>> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 12/11/24 4:51 pm From: Diane Yorgason-Quinn via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] a new bird game
That game looks like it was stolen from Dennis' "Stump the Chumps" game that he runs at WOS conferences.
Diane Yorgason-Quinn
Gig Harbor, WA
<Avosetta...>
________________________________
From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces...> on behalf of Todd Sahl via Tweeters <tweeters...>
Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2024 4:03 PM
To: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson...>
Cc: tweeters TWEETERS <tweeters...>
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] a new bird game
Having flashbacks to Master Birder class PTSD. Thanks Dennis!
Date: 12/11/24 4:41 pm From: Louise via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Townsend's Warblers
I still haven't seen them in my yard this winter. They usually put in a
showing from early-mid December, or in a milder year, sometimes not until
January. But last winter was the first time in 18 years I didn't see them
at all, so I'm hoping this year won't be a repeat of that.
Louise Rutter
Juanita, Kirkland
On Wed, Dec 11, 2024 at 4:31 PM Linda Phillips via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
>
>
> Typically, I consider myself blessed if I see one Townsend's Warbler a
> year.
> I think they must have had a particularly good breeding season this past
> year.
> Since October I have been seeing 1 or 2 on a regular basis at Wallace
> Swamp Creek Park.
> I have high expectations that they will make an appearance for the CBC
> this Saturday. I have seen them 3 times in the past 10 days.
> Anyone else seeing TOWA more often than usual this fall?
>
> Linda Phillips
> Kenmore
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 12/11/24 4:33 pm From: Linda Phillips via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Townsend's Warblers
Typically, I consider myself blessed if I see one Townsend's Warbler a year.
I think they must have had a particularly good breeding season this past year.
Since October I have been seeing 1 or 2 on a regular basis at Wallace Swamp Creek Park.
I have high expectations that they will make an appearance for the CBC this Saturday. I have seen them 3 times in the past 10 days.
Anyone else seeing TOWA more often than usual this fall?
Date: 12/11/24 4:06 pm From: Todd Sahl via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] a new bird game
Having flashbacks to Master Birder class PTSD. Thanks Dennis!
Todd Sahl
Orrville, Ohio
Sent from my iPhone
> On Dec 11, 2024, at 6:24 PM, Dennis Paulson via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> Hello, tweets.
>
> Maybe many of you know about this, but I just learned about it yesterday. There is a new bird game that is not only fun (why most people play games, right?) but educational. It may not be for everyone, but it’s worth a look.
>
> https://birdiegame.net/ >
> Dennis Paulson
> Seattle
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 12/11/24 3:25 pm From: Dennis Paulson via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] a new bird game
Hello, tweets.
Maybe many of you know about this, but I just learned about it yesterday. There is a new bird game that is not only fun (why most people play games, right?) but educational. It may not be for everyone, but it’s worth a look.
Date: 12/9/24 11:52 pm From: Dee Dee via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Lesser Goldfinch yardbird, 3rd time in 2.5 weeks
I had thought a 2nd visit to my yard within a week (on November 27th) by a Lesser Goldfinch was quite surprising and special, hence my sharing it in Tweeters back then. But Monday morning (December 9th) after seeing a dark green back in the apple tree along with the usual not-as-green American goldfinches, I was holding my breath as I grabbed the binoculars…not really believing it was what I hoped it might be—but it WAS! A very unexpected male Lesser Goldfinch! Unfortunately, though my camera has capabilities far beyond point-and-shoot, I do not, so the result was one truly decent shot (and quite a few mediocre) of the handsome little guy as he perched in amongst the branches. Since one good shot (and a few mediocre) are enough to make a valid ID and submit an eBird checklist I was stoked.
I am, however not letting the Lesser Goldfinch visits overshadow my delight that a beautiful White-throated Sparrow has been putting in appearances pretty much every day since first seen in November.
Wishing birding delights, whether familiar or unfamiliar, to all in this holiday season.
Danene (Dee W)
Edmonds
Date: 12/9/24 7:20 pm From: Rob Faucett via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] How do I get off this mailing list !!
Just ask for help.
You need to send an email to the LISTSERV not to TWEETERS. Hold on I’ll try to help.
—
Rob Faucett
+1(206) 619-5569
<robfaucett...>
Seattle, WA 98105
> On Dec 9, 2024, at 7:08 PM, Rick Forsman via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
For Liam. I have a D500 you can borrow and possibly then sell you if you’re interested. I’m in Port Townsend. _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 12/9/24 11:33 am From: Nagi Aboulenein via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] D500
I’ll second the LensRentals recommendation - I have rented gear from them many times, and always had excellent experiences.
Good luck.
On Dec 9, 2024 at 11:02 -0800, John Suciu via Tweeters <tweeters...>, wrote:
> You can rent a D500 for 86 dollars a week from Lens Rentals. https://www.lensrentals.com/rent/nikon-d500 >
> You pick the equipment you want, they ship it to you in a secure Pelican case. When you're done, they give you all of the things that you need to return the shipment. I've found the process to be pretty straightforward and I find their prices to be reasonable.
>
> --John
>
> On Sun, Dec 8, 2024 at 11:31 AM Liam Joaquin Wallace via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
> > Hi Tweets,
> >
> > I am planning on getting a D500 to replace my D7200 in the near future and would like to test the D500 in the field for a few days before I do so. I live in Seattle and the only camera rental place here is a place called Glazer's which charges ridiculous prices for their rentals. Because of this, I was wondering if anyone in the Seattle area would be willing to let me borrow a D500 for a couple days like next weekend? I know it's a big ask but get back to me if it's a possibility.
> >
> > Best,
> >
> > Liam Wallace
> > _______________________________________________
> > Tweeters mailing list
> > <Tweeters...>
> > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
You pick the equipment you want, they ship it to you in a secure Pelican
case. When you're done, they give you all of the things that you need to
return the shipment. I've found the process to be pretty straightforward
and I find their prices to be reasonable.
--John
On Sun, Dec 8, 2024 at 11:31 AM Liam Joaquin Wallace via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> Hi Tweets,
>
> I am planning on getting a D500 to replace my D7200 in the near future and
> would like to test the D500 in the field for a few days before I do so. I
> live in Seattle and the only camera rental place here is a place called
> Glazer's which charges ridiculous prices for their rentals. Because of
> this, I was wondering if anyone in the Seattle area would be willing to let
> me borrow a D500 for a couple days like next weekend? I know it's a big ask
> but get back to me if it's a possibility.
>
> Best,
>
> Liam Wallace
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 12/9/24 10:13 am From: Nathan Wall via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Zeiss & Leica Binoculars For Sale
Hello all,
Due to a recent upgrade I am hoping to rehome a few pairs of my binoculars. I would be delighted if these binoculars remained in our local birding community before surrendering them on eBay or otherwise. All binoculars have been well cared for and are in good working order. Located in NE Seattle, the units are as follows:
Zeiss Victory SF 8x42 binoculars with original box, caps, new eye cups, case, etc - $1850 OBO.
Zeiss 10x25 B compact travel or backpacking binoculars with original Zeiss case - $225 OBO.
Leica Trinovid BCA 8x20 compact travel or backpacking binoculars with original Leica case - $275 OBO.
Thanks for looking and good birding to all!
Also, here are Craigslist links with photos of each set:
Date: 12/9/24 9:45 am From: Patty Cheek via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Whidbey Audubon Society Go Fish! Connie Sidles
Whidbey Audubon Society is offering a 4-part Zoom class called Go Fish! with Connie Sidles starting Jan. 7. It’s exploring all the different ways birds have devised to catch fish. Connie is an engaging, wonderful teacher and we are so lucky that she has agreed to offer this course. I hope you will sign up for this interesting online course that will be on Zoom Jan. 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 7:00-8:30 pm. It’s only $100 for all four classes. What a way to start the new year by diving into fishing like a bird.
Date: 12/8/24 5:16 pm From: Jill Rain via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Avocet on Lopez
A lone American avocet has been hanging out in a shallow brackish pond on Lopez Island for the past week. It’s been actively foraging, seems to be doing fine.
Date: 12/8/24 4:22 pm From: Dan Reiff via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Very important guidance regarding how to handle sick or injured birds to decrease risk of contracting bird flu: “How to handle influx of birds falling from the sky over KC metro”
Hello Tweeters,
Very important guidance regarding how to handle sick or injured birds to decrease risk of contracting bird flu:
Date: 12/8/24 12:21 pm From: Norman via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] D500
Liam, Unfortunately I can’t help with a D500 to borrow, but I had one that I bought when they were first released until 2 years ago. Mine was a workhorse that I absolutely loved. It traveled to the Philippines and Africa shooting mostly wildlife (especially birds). It is a great camera. I traded my D500 and D850 in on two Z9’s for my job as a pro rugby team photographer. If the Z9’s hadn’t come out I would still be shooting my D500. I highly recommend it. Hope this helps.
Sent from my iPhone
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Date: 12/8/24 12:21 pm From: Norman via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] D500
Liam, Unfortunately I can’t help with a D500 to borrow, but I had one that I bought when they were first released until 2 years ago. Mine was a workhorse that I absolutely loved. It traveled to the Philippines and Africa shooting mostly wildlife (especially birds). It is a great camera. I traded my D500 and D850 in on two Z9’s for my job as a pro rugby team photographer. If the Z9’s hadn’t come out I would still be shooting my D500. I highly recommend it. Hope this helps.
Sent from my iPhone
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Date: 12/8/24 11:34 am From: Liam Joaquin Wallace via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] D500
Hi Tweets,
I am planning on getting a D500 to replace my D7200 in the near future and would like to test the D500 in the field for a few days before I do so. I live in Seattle and the only camera rental place here is a place called Glazer's which charges ridiculous prices for their rentals. Because of this, I was wondering if anyone in the Seattle area would be willing to let me borrow a D500 for a couple days like next weekend? I know it's a big ask but get back to me if it's a possibility.
Date: 12/6/24 11:05 am From: Nagi Aboulenein via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Microphone
We’ve had good luck with the Cubilux lovelier directional mics on Amazon. Relatively inexpensive and seem to perform well.
—
Nagi Aboulenein
> On Friday, Dec 06, 2024 at 10:50, thomas gergen via Tweeters <tweeters...> (mailto:<tweeters...>)> wrote:
> Hi Tweeters,
>
> I've started seeing birders with little microphones plugged into their phones. Anyone have suggestions on a one that works well?
>
> <Tgergen7...> (mailto:<Tgergen7...>) _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 12/6/24 1:30 am From: Dan Reiff via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Biologists identify traits correlating with all bird extinctions since 1500
Date: 12/5/24 4:02 pm From: Kenneth Brown via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Wednesday at Nisqually
It was cold in the early morning, just above freezing. Heavy fog limited visibility and somewhat muffled the sound of constant I-5 traffic. A few Mallards, Bufflehead, and a female Ring-necked duck shared the Visitor’s Center Pond with a River Otter, a V-shaped wake trailing its progress across the pond. Steve Meyer cheerfully described his sighting (at the south barn) of two Barn Owls at first light to the 30 or so envious birders assembled on the deck to start our tour.
In the trees adjacent to the south parking lot, we encountered a mixed flock of Black-capped Chickadees, Golden-crowned Kinglets and Brown Creepers. In the play area and orchard, we saw Dark-eyed Juncos, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Spotted Towhee, Varied Thrush, American Robin, and Northern Flicker. Pine Siskins flash mobbed a bare Alder. Near the Land Trust office, a Red-breasted Sapsucker tended its accustomed harvest trees. Both Kinglet species, and both Chickadees flitted in the alders south of the side road. A Sharp-shinned Hawk swooped through the treetops, attempting to snatch a meal and having failed, disappeared in imagined embarrassment.
From the roads, what was visible of the foggy flooded fields collectively yielded Mallards, Northern Shovelers, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintails, a few Gadwall, hundreds of Cackling Geese, a single Wilson’s Snipe, a Downy Woodpecker and a Northern Harrier hunting low over the grass.
A Merlin was spotted near the North parking lot, a solo Mourning Dove watched us from a Willow above the SW entrance to the loop trail. Fox Sparrows, and Song Sparrows announced their presence along the trail. At the Twin Barns Overlook, a variety of the familiar duck species were scanned closely and a few birders provided snacks, including Rob’s Snow Goose sausage. The circle of life.
Out on the dike, visibility still limited, among a few Cananda Geese a bright white adult Snow Goose supervised 3 gray juveniles. (no mention our snack was made) On the freshwater side A Virginia Rail called, a couple of American Coots hung out with the ducks, and a pair of Lincoln’s Sparrows used the cattails as cover. Another Harrier searched the marsh for prey. Hundreds of American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal and Northern Pintail occupied the surge plain, along with smaller numbers of other expected species and a single Lesser Scaup. A large flock of Dunlin allowed a few Western and Least Sandpipers, including one Western with a bad leg or foot hopping on its good leg as it fed along the shoreline. Two Long-billed Dowitchers feeding nearby showed no empathy.
When we reached the boardwalk along McAllister Creek the fog began to lift and we could see the forested far shore though not the top of the ridge. Whisps of fog clung to the water’s surface and eddied with the current. Scanning a raft of American Wigeon produced one Eurasian Wigeon. Bufflehead, Surf Scoters, Common Goldeneye, Red-Breasted Merganser, a Horned Grebe and a pair of Hooded Mergansers mixed with Harbor Seals in the creek. Several Greater Yellowlegs and a Spotted Sandpiper patrolled its shores. From the gated end of the boardwalk, we saw several more Surf Scoters, and Red-breasted Mergansers, and another Horned Grebe, along with a group of California Sea Lions. Bald Eagles, Double-crested and Brant’s Cormorants and perched Peregrine Falcon were also seen.
Returning to the dike the fog continued to lift and a partial blue sky appeared. We felt the warmth of the sun for the first time. A large flock of Pine Siskins swarmed the closest Alders as we approached the treeline. At the Nisqually River Overlook was a Common Merganser and another Harbor Seal. We're near the end and this report is already far too long, please see the checklist that follows.
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR, Thurston, Washington, US
Dec 4, 2024 7:50 AM - 4:15 PM
Protocol: Traveling
5.63 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Wednesday Walk. Heavy fog in morning limited visibility across the fields, burning off after 12:30 p.m. Temperatures ranged from 28-36º F, with light 0-5 knot east breeze. There was a 14.6-foot high tide at 8:34 a.m., ebbing to a +8.77-foot low water at 2:09 p.m. Mammals seen included an otter at the Visitors' Center pond in the morning and a muskrat there in the afternoon, also: Townsend's Chipmunk, eastern grey squirrel, eastern cottontail, Columbian black-tailed deer, a coyote, Harbor seals in the estuary and the River, and a group of California Sea Lions in Nisqually Reach.
72 species (+7 other taxa)
Snow Goose 4 Adult with 3 immature birds
Greater White-fronted Goose (Western) 26
Cackling Goose 350
Cackling Goose (minima) 865
Cackling Goose (Taverner's) 35
Canada Goose 7
Trumpeter Swan 2
Northern Shoveler 165
Gadwall 24
Eurasian Wigeon 1 Drake in McAllister Creek estuary; seen from boardwalk
American Wigeon 1350
Mallard 175
Northern Pintail 480
Green-winged Teal 850
dabbling duck sp. 1 Described as a 'teal-sized duck with white crescent on face'.
Ring-necked Duck 1 Female at Visitors' Center pond
Lesser Scaup 1 Surge plain
Surf Scoter 75
Bufflehead 60
Common Goldeneye 40
Hooded Merganser 2
Common Merganser 1
Red-breasted Merganser 6
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 32
Mourning Dove 1 Willow near west boardwalk entrance
Virginia Rail 1 Vocalized from cattail marsh
American Coot 6
Long-billed Dowitcher 2
Wilson's Snipe 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 35
Dunlin 1055
Least Sandpiper 12
Western Sandpiper 5
Short-billed Gull 65
Ring-billed Gull 50
Western x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid) 2
Western/Glaucous-winged Gull 6
Pied-billed Grebe 1 Cattail marsh
Horned Grebe 2
Brandt's Cormorant 9 Nisqually Reach channel marker
Double-crested Cormorant 6
cormorant sp. 4
Great Blue Heron 24
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Northern Harrier 3
Bald Eagle 16
Red-tailed Hawk (calurus/alascensis) 1
American Barn Owl 2 Seen by Steve M from Twin Barns overlook; entering the boxes at 6:50 & 7:01 a m
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-breasted Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker (Pacific) 1
Northern Flicker 3
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 2
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
American Crow 100 Minimum estimate: many vocalizing as they flew over in the fog
Common Raven 1
Black-capped Chickadee 12
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 3
Bushtit (Pacific) 32 two flocks
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 10
Golden-crowned Kinglet 28
Brown Creeper 7
Pacific Wren 5
Marsh Wren 4
Bewick's Wren 9
European Starling 9
Varied Thrush 2
American Robin 12
Purple Finch (Western) 4
Pine Siskin 225
Fox Sparrow (Sooty) 3
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) 2 Orchard
Golden-crowned Sparrow 30
Song Sparrow (rufina Group) 23
Lincoln's Sparrow 3
Spotted Towhee (oregonus Group) 4
Red-winged Blackbird 4
Date: 12/5/24 3:14 pm From: Martha Jordan via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Mid-winter Swan Survey volunteers
Hello This January, WDFW will conduct their annual Mid-winter Swan Survey. This year, I am assisting with coordination of people who are willing to volunteer their time to help get better coverage during the survey period. The counties we are working is Skagit, Snohomish and King. Not the entire county but in specific areas. Thus, I am reaching out to all of you who may be interested in volunteering to do one or more areas during the official count week of January 13-17. Yes, this is during the week and each county will have a specific day. WDFW staff will be participating, thus we need to do these on a weekday. That said, in King County, there is a need for additional swan observation reporting during that entire week, no route, no schedule. If you are interested you can learn more by visiting our website: https://nwswans.org/events/ and scrolling down to Volunteer Opportunities. You can also call me at 206-713-3684. The amount of time for each survey is typically 3-4 hours although it can go longer if you find large numbers of swans in your designated area. Requirements for participation: have binoculars and a spotting scope (loaner scopes are available so do not let that stop you). The ability to ID swans is important. And there are resources to help you learn or brush up on this so do not let that stop you. You are welcome to participate for one day or more if you like learning new places. Thank you. Martha Jordan mj dot cygnus at gmail.com
Date: 12/5/24 2:49 pm From: Michael Hobbs via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co.) 2024-12-05
Tweets - A frosty and foggy start to our morning, but that cleared pretty well by about 9:00, leaving us with gorgeous weather. There were, however, very noticeably fewer birds this week than in either of the past two weeks.
Highlights: Ducks - 9 species Horned Grebe - A late scan of the lake confirmed a Horned Grebe that we thought we might have had from the Lake Platform. First in 8 weeks. Falcon - One distant bird was likely a Merlin ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER - One at the Pea Patch; only our 5th December Orange-crowned ever Yellow-rumped Warbler - 5-6 birds; never common by December
Not a long list of highlights, but we did have most of the regular Winter birds. A PILEATED WOODPECKER that flew past the Lake Platform during my late scan of the lake was our 4th woodpecker species for the day (missing only sapsucker from the likely woodpeckers). And except for Northern Shrike, we had all of the expected passerines.
No sign of last week's Mountain Chickadee.
Misses today included Green-winged Teal, American Coot, Killdeer, Ring-billed Gull, Cooper's Hawk, and Northern Shrike.
For the day, 55 species.
= Michael Hobbs = <BirdMarymoor...> = www.marymoor.org/birding.htm
Trileigh Tucker
Pelly Valley, West Seattle
NaturalPresenceArts.com<http://naturalpresencearts.com/> T r i ^ a t ^ s e a t t l e u ^ d o t ^ edu
From: Chris via Tweeters <tweeters...>
Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 12:06 PM
To: <tweeters...> <tweeters...>
Subject: [Tweeters] Costa Rica Gateway
Has anyone used or know someone who has recently used Costa Rica Gateway for a birding tour. Thanks, Chris
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Date: 12/5/24 12:21 pm From: B B via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Last Blog Post - Ecuador Trip October 2024
This is my second (and last) blog post about my birding trip in September/October this year to Ecuador with friend Tom St. John and excellent guide Nelson Apolo Jaramillo. It was followed by my trip to the Galapagos Island - blogs for which I have posted here previously. Lots of great birds in this incredible country.
https://blairbirding.com/2024/12/05/blair-and-toms-excellent-ecuador-adventure-part-2/
Date: 12/4/24 2:33 pm From: John Williams via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Birding software
I have also used Birder’s Diary for 20+ years. It’s relatively easy to add life birds. While I haven’t tried yet, it will now also accept eBird check lists.
Date: 12/4/24 1:27 pm From: Mark Oberle via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Life list software
Avisys software is still available for free and has the advantage that you can easily time in your own Places for each checklist. Reports are also easier than eBird. Volunteers update the taxonomy within days of the annual Clements update https://avisys.info/
I also enter sightings in the field in eBird and then use the AviSyseBird import function once a month to add eBird data to AviSys There is a work around for data after 2030
Mark Oberle Port Orchard, WA <oberle...> www.puertoricobirds.com
Date: 12/4/24 7:13 am From: Scott Richardson via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Life list software
Trileigh,
eBird's list-building option may be the most flexible long term. You can use county, state, or country as location where you're not particular but can be granular when desired. I often found hotspots at or very near some of my historical locations, simplifying entry, and once you create a personal location it's ready to select for multiple visits to that site. If your dates are vague, you can use the catch-all January 1, 1900. The guidance in the eBird Help Center is great. Sure, it will take time, but you'll likely find a rhythm and be done in weeks or months rather than years.
Scott Richardson
From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces...> On Behalf Of Trileigh Tucker via Tweeters Sent: Tuesday, December 3, 2024 17:02 PM To: <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Life list software
Hi Tweets,
I know this has been discussed, but archives searches using a variety of search terms didn't turn up those conversations. And perhaps there are new resources at this point anyway?
I'd like to start filling out a life list that includes trips that go years back. Using eBird's "List-Building checklist" option looks like it will take approximately forever to include all the birds I have, even though my data are far fewer than what would be ideal for eBird: looking up on maps exactly where the sighting was, time of day for each sighting, recording each small area on a single checklist, recording each sighting for the same species in different locations, etc.
I'd love to find an app or software that includes a world checklist, possibly organized by region (South America, Africa, etc., for instance), which I could tick and that could generate a single long numbered list.
Or perhaps eBird's option really isn't that onerous? Has anyone used it for a project like this?
Thanks for any ideas. And if it's simply a matter of cranking slowly through the eBird system one by one, then that's what I'll do, and will report back when I'm 96.
Date: 12/4/24 6:21 am From: Matt Bartels via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] WBRC Fall 2024 MEETING RESULTS
WBRC Fall 2024 MEETING RESULTS
On Saturday, November 23, 2024, the Washington Bird Records Committee met in person for its fall meeting.
A summary of our results:
• 35 reports were accepted as valid new records.
• 1 additional record was accepted as a continuing sighting of a record previously accepted at an earlier meeting.
• 19 reports were not accepted.
Three species were added to the official Washington state list with the discovery of:
· Great Knot on 15 May 2024
· Lesser Nighthawk on 23 May 2024
· Marsh Sandpiper on 19 October 2024.
In addition, two more changes to our state list come from taxonomic updates by the American Birding Association Checklist Committee this year:
· First, Common and Hoary Redpoll were lumped into a single species, Redpoll, reducing the state list by one.
· Second, Siberian Pipit was split from American Pipit, adding one species to the state list based on a sight-only record from 2014.
Finally, the state list is updated to incorporate a few name changes that don’t affect the number of species on the list:
· Brown Booby was split, with WA records all assigned to Cocos Booby
· Yellow-crowned and Black-crowned Nigh Heron both lose their second hyphens
· Cattle Egret was split and our records are now Western Cattle Egret
· The Barn Owl split, leaves us now with American Barn Owl
· And the House Wren split leaves us with Northern House Wren
The state checklist is now 528 species, including 515 species fully accredited (supported by specimen, photograph, or recording) and 13 species which are sight-only records (supported only by written documentation).
Key: Votes in parentheses (# accepted – # not accepted – # abstain)
[Notations: p=photo, v = video, a = audio, s = sketch, w = written documentation]
ACCEPTED RECORDS:
LENI-2024-1, Lesser Nighthawk – 23 May - 27 July 2024, Getty's Cove, Vantage, Kittitas County. Liam Hutcheson [w, p, a], Ryan Merrill [p], Grace & Ollie Oliver [p], Ellen Stepniewski [p], Dave Swayne [p, a], Jason Vassallo [p], Barbara Webster [p] (7-0-0). State first record
UPSA-2024-1, Upland Sandpiper – 24 September 2024, Kaiser Wetlands, Olympia, Thurston County. Liam Hutcheson [w, a] (6-1-0).
GRKN-2024-1, Great Knot – 15-25 May 2024, Smith Creek mudflats, Willapa Bay, Pacific County. Cameron Cox [w, p] (7-0-0). State first record
MASA-2024-1, Marsh Sandpiper – 19 October 2024, Wa'atch Valley, Neah Bay, Clallam County. Liam Hutcheson [w, p], Jayson D Zolle [w] (7-0-0). State first record
GUMU-2024-1, Guadalupe Murrelet [2] – 17 August 2024, 15:54, 47.148, -125.816. [about 63 nm west-southwest of Cape Elizabeth or about 67 nautical miles north-northwest of Point Brown], Grays Harbor County. Michael Force [w, p] (7-0-0).
GUMU-2024-2, Guadalupe Murrelet [2] – 17 August 2024, 16:44, 47.147, -125.657, [about 56 nautical miles west-southwest of Cape Elizabeth], Grays Harbor County. Michael Force [w, p] (7-0-0).
GUMU-2024-3, Guadalupe Murrelet [2] – 23 August 2024, 11:37, 46.858, -127.536, [about 134 nautical miles southwest of La Push], Grays Harbor County. Michael Force [w, p] (7-0-0).
GUMU-2024-4, Guadalupe Murrelet [2] – 23 August 2024, 13:16, 47.115, -127.485, [about 125 nautical miles southwest of La Push], Grays Harbor County. Michael Force [w, p] (7-0-0).
GUMU-2024-5, Guadalupe Murrelet [2] – 25 August 2024, 8:45, 47.148, -125. 866, [about 64 nautical miles west-southwest of Cape Elizabeth], Grays Harbor County. Michael Force [w, p] (7-0-0).
GUMU-2024-6, Guadalupe Murrelet [2] – 25 August 2024, 9:10, 47.185, -125.947, [about 67 nautical miles southwest of Cape Elizabeth], Grays Harbor County. Michael Force [w, p] (7-0-0).
BHGU-2024-2, Black-headed Gull – 14-29 September 2024, Stinky Corner, Birch Bay, Whatcom County. Eric Ellingson [w, p], Philip Calise [p], Andy DeBroux [p], Melissa Hafting [p], Ed Newbold [p], Maxine Reid [p] (7-0-0).
LIGU-2024-1, Little Gull – 20-21 August 2024, Point Defiance Park, Tacoma and King Co waters, Pierce & King County. Charlie Wright [w, p], Jordan Gunn [p], Craig Miller [p], Sandy Pringle [p] (7-0-0).
LAGU-2024-1, Laughing Gull – 22 August - 25 September 2024 [and beyond], Hoquiam STP & Old Cannery Park, Hoquiam, Grays Harbor County. Wayne Sladek [w, p], Liam Hutcheson [p], Maxine Reid [p], Darchelle Worley [p] (7-0-0).
WISP-2024-1, Wilson's Storm-Petrel – 26 August 2024, 46.905246, -124.535523, off-shore, Westport Pelagic, Grays Harbor County. Bill Tweit [w], Liam Hutcheson [p], John Puschock [p], Darshelle Worley [p] (7-0-0).
WISP-2024-3, Wilson's Storm-Petrel – 29 August 2024, 12:55, 46.977N and 124.710W, off-shore, Westport Pelagic, [about 3.5 miles from the location of the morning WISP], Grays Harbor County. Ryan Merrill [w, p], Bill Tweit [w], Charlotte Byers [p], Andy DeBroux [p] (7-0-0).
HAPE-2024-1, Hawaiian Petrel – 23 August 2024, 46.436, -127.594, [about 146 nautical miles west-southwest of Point Grenville], Grays Harbor County. Michael Force [w, p] (7-0-0).
COOK-2009-1, Cookilaria petrel sp. – 24 March 2009, Juan de Fuca Canyon, Clallam County. Ryan Merrill [w] (Cook's Petrel = 0 Cookilaria sp. = 7).
GRSH-2024-1, Great Shearwater – 28 June 2024, 48.482, -125.029, nw of Neah Bay, Clallam County. Alan Ketchem [w, p] (7-0-0).
RFBO-2024-1, Red-footed Booby – 31 July – 4 November 2024, Dungeness Spit Red Chanel Marker & Dungeness Landing Park/Oyster House, Dungeness, Clallam County, Port Townsend, Protection Island & Point Wilson, Jefferson County, Clallam, Jefferson County. Colleen Farrell [w, p], Steve Hampton [w], Liam Hutcheson [w], Nadine Drisseq [p], Tom Mansfield [p], Barry Ulman [p] (7-0-0).
EAPH-2024-1, Eastern Phoebe – 7-8 September 2024, Swallows Park, Clarkston, Asotin County. Kas Dumroese [w, p], Catherine Temple [w, p], Nathaniel Cooley [p], Nik Kristensen [p], Alexander Sowers [p] (7-0-0).
BRAM-2024-1, Brambling – 17-19 May 2024, Point Robinson, Vashon Island, King County. Bob Keller [w, p], Catherine Rokitka [w, p], Anna Sander [w, p, v], Hannah Toutonghi [w, p], Nadine Drisseq [p] (7-0-0).
LAGO-2024-1, Lawrence's Goldfinch – 19-21 May 2024, Orcas Ct., Lacey, Thurston County. John Green [w, p] (7-0-0).
CCLO-2024-1, Chestnut-collared Longspur – 7-9 October 2024, Ediz Hook, Dungeness, Clallam County. Bob Boekelheide [p], Michael Charest [p], Jordan Gunn [p], Roger Hoffman [p], Maxine Reid [p], Kevin Waggoner [p] (7-0-0).
LARB-2024-1, Lark Bunting – 27 August 2024, Crockett Lake, Whidbey Island, Island County. Bob Flores [w], Ian Burgess [p], Nick Park [p] (7-0-0).
OROR-2024-1, Orchard Oriole – 4 October 2024, Neah Bay Town, Clallam County. Ryan Merrill [p], Kevin Waggoner [p] (7-0-0).
OROR-2024-2, Orchard Oriole – 8 October 2024, Long Beach, Pacific County. Patric Mauz [p] (7-0-0).
COGR-2024-1, Common Grackle – 20-21 April 2024, Neah Bay, Clallam County. Michael Barry [w, p], Henry Lehman [w], Cameron Boyer [p], Liam Hutcheson [p] (7-0-0).
MAWA-2024-1, Magnolia Warbler – 15-20 June 2024, Deming Homestead Eagle Park, Deming, Whatcom County. Jeremy Cowan [p], Jordan Gunn [p], Greg Harrington [p], Sia McGown [p], Ed Newbold [p], Wayne Palsson [p] (7-0-0).
MAWA-2024-2, Magnolia Warbler – 6 September 2024, Mountain View 4x4 Trailhead (Migration Corner), Clark County. David Irons [w] (6-0-1).
BBWA-2024-1, Bay-breasted Warbler – 27 May 2024, Nespelem - Park City Loop Rd., Okanogan County. Liam Hutcheson [w, p, a] (7-0-0).
BLPW-2024-1, Blackpoll Warbler – 4 September 2024, Hooper, Whitman County. Bill & Nancy LaFramboise [w, p], Laurie Ness [w] (7-0-0).
CAWA-2024-1, Canada Warbler – 2-4 September 2024, Potholes State Park, Grant County. Jef Blake [w, p], Scott Downes [w], Lisa Hansen [w, p], Andy Stepniewski [w], Shiraz Vira [w] (7-0-0). Reports after 4 September not accepted.
RECORDS ACCEPTED AS CONTINUING SIGHTINGS OF PREVIOUSLY-ACCEPTED RECORDS:
King Eider in 2014. The committee reviewed and accepted a 26 June 2014 report of a King Eider as an earlier first date of the record already accepted as KIEI-2014-1. The two records are merged and treated as KIEI-2014-1.
Dates and observation info for 26 June 2014 occurrence:
King Eider – 26 June 2014, Dungeness Spit, Dungeness, Clallam County. Reed Barry [w, p] (7-0-0).
REPORTS NOT ACCEPTED
YBCU-2024-1, Yellow-billed Cuckoo – 6 July 2024, N. Summit Rd., Mead, Spokane County (0-7-0).
RTHU-2024-1, Ruby-throated Hummingbird – 25 August - 4 September 2024, Zillah, Yakima County (0-7-0).
BTAH-2024-1, Broad-tailed Hummingbird – 28 July 2024, WA 125, College Place, Walla Walla County (0-5-2).
KIRA-2024-1, King Rail – 24 May 2024, 122nd Pl SE, Renton, King County (0-7-0).
CUSA-2024-1, Curlew Sandpiper – 6 August 2024, Hoquiam STP, Hoquiam, Grays Harbor County (0-7-0).
LTST-2024-1, Long-toed Stint – 12 October 2024, Port Williams/Marlyn Nelson County Park Area, Sequim, Clallam County (0-7-0).
RNST-2024-1, Red-necked Stint – 21 July 2024, Bottle Beach, Ocosta, Grays Harbor County (4-3-0).
BLSK-2024-1, Black Skimmer – 28 August 2024, between Fidalgo & Padilla Bay, Skagit County (0-7-0).
WISP-2024-4, Wilson's Storm-Petrel – 31 August 2024, 47.150000, -124.766700, off-shore, Westport Pelagic, Grays Harbor County (0-7-0).
WISP-2024-5, Wilson's Storm-Petrel – 19 September 2024, 46.905246, -124.535523, off-shore, Westport Pelagic, Grays Harbor County (4-3-0).
TOSP-2024-1, Townsend's Storm-Petrel – 3 August 2024, 47N, 1249W, off-shore, Grays Harbor County (0-7-0).
COPE-2024-1, Cook's Petrel – 10 May 2024, off-shore, 46.044773, -125.697306, Pacific County (1-6-0).
GIFL-2024-1, Gilded Flicker – 26 July 2024, Point Defiance Park, Tacoma, Pierce County (0-7-0).
STFL-2024-1, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher – 22 April 2024, W. Hanks Rd., Grandview, Benton County (1-5-1).
MAWA-2024-3, Magnolia Warbler – 9 September 2024, Casey Rd., Walla Walla County (0-7-0).
BLBW-2024-1, Blackburnian Warbler – 25 June 2024, Bennington Lake, Walla Walla, Walla Walla County (5-2-0).
BLPW-2017-5, Blackpoll Warbler – 12 June 2017, Umptanum Creek Trail, Yakima County (0-6-1).
INBU-2024-2, Indigo Bunting – 4 May 2024, Lower Biscuit Ridge, Dixie, Walla Walla County (3-4-0).
INBU-2024-3, Indigo Bunting – 27 June 2024, Wenas Creek, Yakima County (0-7-0).
Further details including an updated state checklist and all the WBRC review decisions over time can be found on the WOS website at: https://wos.org/records/
Date: 12/3/24 9:47 pm From: via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Life list software
Trileigh,
I have been using Birder's for around 25 years. It is a great piece of commercial listing software. It allows me to input a lot of additional information on behavior or anything else. It also has the advantage of being able to purchase other taxonomic lists such as mammals, butterflies or even plants. They also have and eBird tool kit to upload your sightings into eBird if you want to do that and not enter things twice. Check them out on the web at birdersdiary.com
Mike Munts
Colville
From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces...> On Behalf Of Trileigh Tucker via Tweeters Sent: Tuesday, December 3, 2024 5:02 PM To: <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Life list software
Hi Tweets,
I know this has been discussed, but archives searches using a variety of search terms didn't turn up those conversations. And perhaps there are new resources at this point anyway?
I'd like to start filling out a life list that includes trips that go years back. Using eBird's "List-Building checklist" option looks like it will take approximately forever to include all the birds I have, even though my data are far fewer than what would be ideal for eBird: looking up on maps exactly where the sighting was, time of day for each sighting, recording each small area on a single checklist, recording each sighting for the same species in different locations, etc.
I'd love to find an app or software that includes a world checklist, possibly organized by region (South America, Africa, etc., for instance), which I could tick and that could generate a single long numbered list.
Or perhaps eBird's option really isn't that onerous? Has anyone used it for a project like this?
Thanks for any ideas. And if it's simply a matter of cranking slowly through the eBird system one by one, then that's what I'll do, and will report back when I'm 96.
Date: 12/3/24 6:06 pm From: Vicki King via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] No crows at the Bothell crow roost tonight
We decided to take our out-of-town guests to the Bothell campus this evening, to show them the spectacle of the thousands of crows that fly in for the night. We left the Magnuson Park area around 4 pm.
The traffic was relatively slow until we got to Highway 104 but we were surprised to see no crows gathering in groups in the tall trees as we drove north on Sand Point Way and the Bothell Highway.
We were really surprised to arrive at the parking lot on the Bothell Campus that overlooks the playfields and wetlands where not even one crow was visible.
When we returned home (5:40 pm), a quick online search turned up an article in Birds Connect Seattle (November 1, 2024) that mentions a newly restored wetland at Sixty Acres Park where a subset of the crows went during last year's Christmas Bird Count.
Does anyone have more recent information about the crows' use of that site? If they are not using it, can anyone tell me where the crows in the north end are now going to roost?
Thanks for any information.
Vicki King Seattle v k b i r d e r @ g m a i l. c o m
Date: 12/3/24 5:05 pm From: Trileigh Tucker via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Life list software
Hi Tweets,
I know this has been discussed, but archives searches using a variety of search terms didnt turn up those conversations. And perhaps there are new resources at this point anyway?
Id like to start filling out a life list that includes trips that go years back. Using eBirds List-Building checklist option looks like it will take approximately forever to include all the birds I have, even though my data are far fewer than what would be ideal for eBird: looking up on maps exactly where the sighting was, time of day for each sighting, recording each small area on a single checklist, recording each sighting for the same species in different locations, etc.
Id love to find an app or software that includes a world checklist, possibly organized by region (South America, Africa, etc., for instance), which I could tick and that could generate a single long numbered list.
Or perhaps eBirds option really isnt that onerous? Has anyone used it for a project like this?
Thanks for any ideas. And if its simply a matter of cranking slowly through the eBird system one by one, then thats what Ill do, and will report back when Im 96.
Good birding (and listing) to all!
Trileigh
Trileigh Tucker
Pelly Valley, West Seattle
NaturalPresenceArts.com<http://naturalpresencearts.com/> T r i ~ a t ~ s e a t t l e u ~ d o t ~ e d u
Date: 12/3/24 12:06 pm From: Gavin Hughes via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Last Call for Volunteers: Puget Sound Shorebird Count
Hi Tweets,
Ecostudies Institute is still recruiting volunteers for the 2024 Puget
Sound Shorebird Count! We are particularly interested in volunteers who are
available in the afternoon this *Sunday, 12/8 *(survey times variable
between 2 and 4 pm by site), as the weather appears to be more favorable
this day than our originally scheduled survey date of 12/7. This may also
alleviate some scheduling conflicts with other bird counts, such as the
Puget Sound Seabird Survey and the Neighborhood Bird Survey.
If you are available this Saturday or Sunday and are interested in
participating in the shorebird count, please reach out to me at
<ghughes...> Thanks, and happy birding this weekend to all!
Date: 12/2/24 2:49 pm From: Morgan Edwards via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Canon R3 Body & Super Telephoto Lens For Sale
Canon R3 body in like new condition $4,000 cash. I bought this new from Canon USA and selling because I just received my new R1. As an FYI, my R3 was a big improvement over the R5 it replaced (sold thru Tweeters).
Canon EF 500mm F4 IS USM image stabilized super telephoto prime lens I bought new from Adorama in New York. The lens is in perfect working condition with no glass scratches or imperfections. $2,500 cash.
Canon EF 800mm F5.6L IS USM image stabilized super telephoto prime Lens prime I bought new from Adorama in New York. The lens is in perfect working condition with no glass scratches or imperfections with hardly any use. $6,000 cash.
Both lenses have their original Canon hard cases, etc.
Can meet in the Bellevue area to try before buying.
Date: 12/1/24 8:13 am From: Dennis Paulson via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Union Bay Watch } Mystery Island
Larry, that was a superb and interesting account—thanks much!
Dennis Paulson
Seattle
> On Nov 30, 2024, at 2:57 PM, Hubbell via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> Tweeters,
>
> This week’s post attempts to discover the origin of a new island that has appeared in Union Bay. Unlike temporary winter islands in the past, this new Mystery Island is just north of the boat channel and lies parallel to the walking bridge that connects Marsh and Foster Islands. Questions abound. Where did it come from? What is it made of? Which birds are using it and how?….
>
> https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2024/11/mystery-island.html <https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2024/11/mystery-island.html> >
> Have a great day on Union Bay, where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!
>
> Sincerely,
> Larry Hubbell
> ldhubbell at comcast dot net
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 11/30/24 3:01 pm From: Hubbell via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Union Bay Watch } Mystery Island
Tweeters,
This week’s post attempts to discover the origin of a new island that has appeared in Union Bay. Unlike temporary winter islands in the past, this new Mystery Island is just north of the boat channel and lies parallel to the walking bridge that connects Marsh and Foster Islands. Questions abound. Where did it come from? What is it made of? Which birds are using it and how?….
Date: 11/30/24 1:50 am From: Pat Britain via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Winter Hawks of Western Washington classes begin in January
Hello Raptor Enthusiasts!
Here’s your chance to brush up on your raptor identification skills and increase your overall raptor knowledge. Winter Hawks of Western Washington is a 5-session class, held over 5 weeks, that teaches you about the 15 regularly occurring species of hawks, eagles, harriers, falcons and vultures that normally occur in the Salish Sea area.
Sue Cottrell, of Raptor Studies Northwest, covers how to identify them, where to find them, when and why they are here, how they make a living, and what you need to observe them.
She emphasizes field identification and the particularly fascinating elements of winter behavior, as well as general raptor ecology. Sue has studied raptors and guided outdoor trips for over 30 years, and has a vast knowledge of the local raptor populations.
There will be both an in-person class at Padilla Bay Interpretive Center, beginning Tuesday, January 7, and a Zoom class beginning Wednesday January 8. Both in-person and Zoom classes begin at 7pm (PST) and last about two hours.
To learn more about Winter Hawks of Western Washington and how to register, please click on this link: RaptorStudiesNW <https://raptorstudiesnw.org/news/ >
Date: 11/29/24 6:49 pm From: Nagi Aboulenein via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Slight off-topic: salmon spawning video
Hello All!
Taghrid and I were fortunate today to be at the right place at exactly the right time :).
We happened to be at a spot on Beaver Creek in Lincoln County (OR), and noticed a group of Coho salmon in a shallow spot, with 3 males in pursuit of a female (later joined by a fourth male). I was able to take a video and have uploaded it to Youtube! at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUgVHZ6D07A. The spawning happens around 30 or 40 seconds into the recording. Also, keep an eye out for the egg thieves (Trout, I think?) trying to catch lunch at the expense of the Coho right afterwards.
Best viewed in high resolution on a larger screen. Some of the distortion in the video is due to the light refraction caused by the water.
Date: 11/29/24 8:14 am From: Shep Thorp via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Wednesday Walk at Billy Frank Jr Nisqually NWR for 11/27/2024
Dear Tweets,
We had a nice pre-Thanksgiving birding day at the Refuge with cloudy skies
and temperatures in the 40's to 50's degrees Fahrenheit. There was a Low
6'4" Tide at 8:53am and a High 13'2" Tide at 2:25pm which was perfect for
our regular route. Highlights included three RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER and
one PILEATED WOODPECKER in the Orchard, upward of eighteen WILSON'S SNIPE -
fifteen were in the flooded field across the entrance road from the
Orchard, six WESTERN MEADOWLARK in the surge plain, good sized flocks of
DUNLIN with a few WESTERN SANDPIPER mixed in, and continuing GREATER
WHITE-FRONTED GEESE and SNOW GEESE in the freshwater marsh. We were
unsuccessful in relocating the Short-eared Owl that has been reported over
the weekend.
For the day we had 74 species with nothing new for the year. See our eBird
list for additional details pasted below. Until next week when we meet
again at 8am at the Visitor Center Pond Overlook...
Happy birding, Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Holidays, and be well.
Shep
--
Shep Thorp
Browns Point
253-370-3742
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR, Thurston, Washington, US
Nov 27, 2024 7:42 AM - 4:20 PM
Protocol: Traveling
6.115 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Wednesday Walk. Cloudy, temperatures in the 40’s to
50’s. A Low 6’4” Tide at 8:53am and a High 13’2” Tide at 2:25pm. Mammals
seen Columbian Black-tailed Deer, Eastern Gray Squirrel, Coyote, Harbor
Seal, California Sea Lion, and Steller Sea Lion. Also seen Pacific Tree
Frog.
74 species (+6 other taxa)
Snow Goose 4 Freshwater marsh.
Greater White-fronted Goose (Western) 23
Cackling Goose (minima) 700
Cackling Goose (Taverner's) 8
Canada Goose (moffitti/maxima) 12
Northern Shoveler 100
Gadwall 30
Eurasian Wigeon 1 Spotted by Jon from McAllister Creek Viewing
Platform along McAllister Creek.
American Wigeon 1200
Mallard 250
Northern Pintail 500
Green-winged Teal (American) 1000
Ring-necked Duck 1 Spotted by Laurie in Visitor Center Pond.
Greater/Lesser Scaup 30
Surf Scoter 30
Bufflehead 200
Common Goldeneye 10
Hooded Merganser 1 Twin Barns Loop Trail.
Red-breasted Merganser 25 McAllister Creek
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 25
Anna's Hummingbird 1
Virginia Rail 2 Heard only. Freshwater marsh.
American Coot 6
Wilson's Snipe 18 15 seen in flooded field across from Orchard.
Greater Yellowlegs 50
Dunlin 1000
Least Sandpiper 100
Western Sandpiper 15 Spotted by Jason and Heather, mixed in with
Dunlin flocks.
Bonaparte's Gull 75
Short-billed Gull 50
Ring-billed Gull 80
Glaucous-winged Gull 2
Western x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid) 10
Larus sp. 200
Pied-billed Grebe 1 Freshwater marsh.
Horned Grebe 3 Scope views, Nisqually Reach
Common Loon 1 Scope view, Nisqually Reach.
Brandt's Cormorant 8 Nisqually River channel marker.
Double-crested Cormorant 15
Great Blue Heron (Great Blue) 20
Northern Harrier 2
Bald Eagle 10
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Belted Kingfisher 3
Red-breasted Sapsucker 3 Orchard.
Downy Woodpecker (Pacific) 2
Hairy Woodpecker (Pacific) 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted x Red-shafted) 1
American Kestrel 1 Surge plain.
Peregrine Falcon 1
American Crow 200
Common Raven 3
Black-capped Chickadee 10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 20
Golden-crowned Kinglet 50
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Orchard.
Brown Creeper 3 Along entrance road.
Pacific Wren (pacificus Group) 4
Marsh Wren 4
Bewick's Wren (spilurus Group) 3
European Starling 100
Varied Thrush 2 Orchard area.
American Robin 10
House Finch 3
Purple Finch (Western) 10 Twin Barns Overlook.
Pine Siskin 100 North segment of Twin Barns Loop Trail.
Lesser Goldfinch 1 Spotted by Steve at Twin Barns Observation Platform
in morning.
Fox Sparrow (Sooty) 3
White-crowned Sparrow (pugetensis) 1 Spotted by Jason where Leschi
Slough goes under dike.
Golden-crowned Sparrow 20
Savannah Sparrow (Savannah) 3 Freshwater Marsh.
Song Sparrow (rufina Group) 23
Lincoln's Sparrow 3
Spotted Towhee (oregonus Group) 12
Western Meadowlark 6 Spotted by Priscilla in surge plain along Leschi
Slough.
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Orange-crowned Warbler (lutescens) 4
Date: 11/27/24 6:05 pm From: via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] REMINDER: WOS Monthly Meeting, December 2, 2024
The Washington Ornithological Society (WOS) is pleased to announce our next Monthly Meeting: on Monday, December 2, Thomas Bancroft, Ph.D. will present, “Raptors: Pondering their Evolution and Adaptations.” As a group, raptors are one of the most engaging. Today, we think of them as carnivorous birds with hooked beaks and talons, but that definition has changed in the last fifty years. And not all birds we call raptors fit that description. We will explore this group by asking how, when, and where they evolved, and see how recent genetic analyses have shed new light on bird evolution. Adding continental drift and changing climate atop convergence and divergent evolution has given us some fascinating birds. This talk will leave you with much to consider on your next birding expedition.
Thomas Bancroft has been a lifelong birder and naturalist. He holds a Ph.D. in Biology and an M.A. in Zoology from the University of South Florida, focusing on birds and their conservation. Thomas has served in leadership roles for National Audubon and The Wilderness Society. "Beyond the Wonder: An Ecologist’s View of Wild Alaska” is his recently published book. To learn more of how Tom interacts with the natural world: https://thomasbancroft.org/
This meeting will be conducted virtually, via Zoom (no in-person attendance). Sign-in will begin at 7:15 pm, and the meeting commences at 7:30 pm. Please go to the WOS Monthly Meetings page: https://wos.org/monthly-meetings/ for instructions on participation and to get the Zoom link.
When joining the meeting, we ask that you mute your device and make certain that your camera is turned off.
This meeting is open to all as WOS invites everyone in the wider birding community to attend. Thanks to the generosity of our presenters, recordings of past programs are available at the following link to the WOS YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@washingtonornithologicalso7839/videos
If you are not yet a member of WOS, we hope you will consider becoming one at https://wos.org
Date: 11/27/24 5:59 pm From: Steven Dammer via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Pine siskins return
Very cool!
Interesting that your Townsend arrived just now, I lived up in Ballard area until about a year ago and would typically use my first and last Townsends (yard bird) sightings to mark the Spring and Fall season starts, but did see a lot of variations in their arrival. 2022 my first fall Townsend arrived in September, and years prior noticed similar weird variations, all the way out to late November. ABA-wide this year I've seen quite a lot of late/early migrant movement, though. Down in West Houston area for example I'm seeing a rather late arrival of LeContes Sparrows that winter in the area, seeing some very late and saw some very early reports of warblers state-wide, and in SE Arizona I didn't catch the Longspurs nor Bairds Sparrows I expected to see (perhaps that's just on me...)
Curious if anyone else has noticed other strange migration patterns this year?
-Steven Dammer
On Wed, Nov 27, 2024, 15:50 Barbara Mandula via Tweeters < <tweeters...> wrote:
> Yesterday, November 26, I saw my first fall pine siskin at my feeders in > Madrona. Today brought a small flock, along with a Townsend's warbler. > Fall has officially arrived. > > <barbaramandula...> > > -----Original Message----- > From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces...> On Behalf Of > via Tweeters > Sent: Wednesday, November 27, 2024 12:05 PM > To: <tweeters...> > Subject: Tweeters Digest, Vol 243, Issue 25 > > Send Tweeters mailing list submissions to > <tweeters...> > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > <tweeters-request...> > > You can reach the person managing the list at > <tweeters-owner...> > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than > "Re: Contents of Tweeters digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: confirm 4320b2d6c17888e87a0724492741043bbdd66495 > (BARBARA WHEELER via Tweeters) > 2. Re: bridge camera (Richard Walker via Tweeters) > 3. 2024 Christmas Bird Counts in Washington State > (Jane Hadley via Tweeters) > 4. Spencer Island public meeting announcement > (Desmul, Lindsey M (DFW) via Tweeters) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Tue, 26 Nov 2024 12:13:50 -0800 (PST) > From: BARBARA WHEELER via Tweeters <tweeters...> > To: <tweeters-request...>, via Tweeters > <tweeters...> > Subject: Re: [Tweeters] confirm > 4320b2d6c17888e87a0724492741043bbdd66495 > Message-ID: <1418019305.1863406.1732652030408...> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Unsubscribe > > Barbara Wheeler Photography > https://barbarawheelerphotography.com (http://barbarawheelerphotography/) > (206) 919-0626 > > > Follow us on Facebook > > > On 11/26/2024 12:12 PM PST via Tweeters <tweeters...> > wrote: > > > > > > Mailing list removal confirmation notice for mailing list Tweeters > > > > We have received a request from 24.16.179.171 for the removal of your > > email address, "<barbarawheelerphotography...>" from the > > <tweeters...> mailing list. To confirm that you want to > > be removed from this mailing list, simply reply to this message, > > keeping the Subject: header intact. Or visit this web page: > > > > > > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/confirm/tweeters/4320b2d6c17 > > 888e87a0724492741043bbdd66495 > > > > > > Or include the following line -- and only the following line -- in a > > message to <tweeters-request...>: > > > > confirm 4320b2d6c17888e87a0724492741043bbdd66495 > > > > Note that simply sending a `reply' to this message should work from > > most mail readers, since that usually leaves the Subject: line in the > > right form (additional "Re:" text in the Subject: is okay). > > > > If you do not wish to be removed from this list, please simply > > disregard this message. If you think you are being maliciously > > removed from the list, or have any other questions, send them to > > <tweeters-owner...> > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Tue, 26 Nov 2024 22:36:23 +0000 > From: Richard Walker via Tweeters <tweeters...> > To: "<tweeters...>" <tweeters...>, > "<tweeters-request...>" > <tweeters-request...> > Subject: Re: [Tweeters] bridge camera > Message-ID: > > > <LV8PR84MB3786135989EFC5AD496F2AF6DC2F2...> > COM> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Hey Gary, I had (have) a Panasonic Lumix FZ80 and loved it, however, the > manual focus was terrible. I never did use it. Then I got a Panasonic Lumix > FZ1000 which has a better, useable manual focus. The "super" part of the > zoom is only 800mm equivalent, but the larger sensor made up for more > cropping. I know Panasonic came out with an upgrade to the FZ80 but not > sure > what all got upgraded besides the price. > Richard Walker > > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > < > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/pipermail/tweeters/attachments/20241126/2 > 9c465e0/attachment-0001.html > <http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/pipermail/tweeters/attachments/20241126/29c465e0/attachment-0001.html> > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Tue, 26 Nov 2024 23:54:05 -0800 > From: Jane Hadley via Tweeters <tweeters...> > To: "Tweeters, Dear" <tweeters...> > Subject: [Tweeters] 2024 Christmas Bird Counts in Washington State > Message-ID: <5fd18de3-50e3-4959-ab0a-05251dcaa4ae...> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"; Format="flowed" > > Hello Tweeters - Thanks to Jim Danzenbaker, you can now find the times and > places for Christmas Bird Counts throughout the state on the WOS website. > This is the 7th year that Jim has gatherered this information. > > On that webpage, you will find the particulars of about 45 counts around > the > state, with some spilling into Oregon and Idaho. > > The first day for CBCs this year is Saturday December 14, with a whole slew > of counts from Colville to Port Townsend to Leadbetter Point. Final day is > the Goldendale count on Sunday January 5, 2025. > > You can check out the 2024 CBCs at: https://wos.org/CBC/ > > Jane Hadley > > hadleyj1725 AT gmail.com > > Seattle, WA > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > < > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/pipermail/tweeters/attachments/20241126/a > ddeefe7/attachment-0001.html > <http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/pipermail/tweeters/attachments/20241126/addeefe7/attachment-0001.html> > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Wed, 27 Nov 2024 15:34:09 +0000 > From: "Desmul, Lindsey M \(DFW\) via Tweeters" > <tweeters...> > To: "<tweeters...>" <tweeters...> > Subject: [Tweeters] Spencer Island public meeting announcement > Message-ID: > > > <PH0PR09MB8523382094FEE4475CEC1FACAF282...> > com> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Hi folks, I wanted to reach out to those of you who often bird or recreate > at Spencer Island, located in the Snohomish River estuary by the City of > Everett's wastewater treatment plant. WDFW and partners will host a public > meeting on Dec. 5 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Weyerhaeuser Room on the fourth > floor of the Everett Transit Center to discuss a major habitat restoration > project at Spencer Island. The public is invited to ask questions and > provide feedback on the proposed project design. For more information, > please visit > www.wdfw.wa.gov/spencerisland<http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/spencerisland>. I > hope > to see some of you there! > > Lindsey Desmul | Snohomish Basin Restoration Specialist | Department of > Fish and Wildlife, Region 4 > 16018 Mill Creek Blvd, Mill Creek WA 98012 > 206-496-9142 | <lindsey.desmul...><mailto: > <lindsey.desmul...> > > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > < > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/pipermail/tweeters/attachments/20241127/9 > 1f93d50/attachment-0001.html > <http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/pipermail/tweeters/attachments/20241127/91f93d50/attachment-0001.html> > > > > ------------------------------ > > Subject: Digest Footer > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > <Tweeters...> > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > > ------------------------------ > > End of Tweeters Digest, Vol 243, Issue 25 > ***************************************** > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > <Tweeters...> > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 11/27/24 3:53 pm From: Barbara Mandula via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Pine siskins return
Yesterday, November 26, I saw my first fall pine siskin at my feeders in Madrona. Today brought a small flock, along with a Townsend's warbler. Fall has officially arrived.
<barbaramandula...>
-----Original Message----- From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces...> On Behalf Of via Tweeters Sent: Wednesday, November 27, 2024 12:05 PM To: <tweeters...> Subject: Tweeters Digest, Vol 243, Issue 25
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Today's Topics:
1. Re: confirm 4320b2d6c17888e87a0724492741043bbdd66495 (BARBARA WHEELER via Tweeters) 2. Re: bridge camera (Richard Walker via Tweeters) 3. 2024 Christmas Bird Counts in Washington State (Jane Hadley via Tweeters) 4. Spencer Island public meeting announcement (Desmul, Lindsey M (DFW) via Tweeters)
> On 11/26/2024 12:12 PM PST via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote: > > > Mailing list removal confirmation notice for mailing list Tweeters > > We have received a request from 24.16.179.171 for the removal of your > email address, "<barbarawheelerphotography...>" from the > <tweeters...> mailing list. To confirm that you want to > be removed from this mailing list, simply reply to this message, > keeping the Subject: header intact. Or visit this web page: > > > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/confirm/tweeters/4320b2d6c17 > 888e87a0724492741043bbdd66495 > > > Or include the following line -- and only the following line -- in a > message to <tweeters-request...>: > > confirm 4320b2d6c17888e87a0724492741043bbdd66495 > > Note that simply sending a `reply' to this message should work from > most mail readers, since that usually leaves the Subject: line in the > right form (additional "Re:" text in the Subject: is okay). > > If you do not wish to be removed from this list, please simply > disregard this message. If you think you are being maliciously > removed from the list, or have any other questions, send them to > <tweeters-owner...>
------------------------------
Message: 2 Date: Tue, 26 Nov 2024 22:36:23 +0000 From: Richard Walker via Tweeters <tweeters...> To: "<tweeters...>" <tweeters...>, "<tweeters-request...>" <tweeters-request...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] bridge camera Message-ID:
<LV8PR84MB3786135989EFC5AD496F2AF6DC2F2...> COM>
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Hey Gary, I had (have) a Panasonic Lumix FZ80 and loved it, however, the manual focus was terrible. I never did use it. Then I got a Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 which has a better, useable manual focus. The "super" part of the zoom is only 800mm equivalent, but the larger sensor made up for more cropping. I know Panasonic came out with an upgrade to the FZ80 but not sure what all got upgraded besides the price. Richard Walker
Message: 3 Date: Tue, 26 Nov 2024 23:54:05 -0800 From: Jane Hadley via Tweeters <tweeters...> To: "Tweeters, Dear" <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] 2024 Christmas Bird Counts in Washington State Message-ID: <5fd18de3-50e3-4959-ab0a-05251dcaa4ae...> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"; Format="flowed"
Hello Tweeters - Thanks to Jim Danzenbaker, you can now find the times and places for Christmas Bird Counts throughout the state on the WOS website. This is the 7th year that Jim has gatherered this information.
On that webpage, you will find the particulars of about 45 counts around the state, with some spilling into Oregon and Idaho.
The first day for CBCs this year is Saturday December 14, with a whole slew of counts from Colville to Port Townsend to Leadbetter Point. Final day is the Goldendale count on Sunday January 5, 2025.
Message: 4 Date: Wed, 27 Nov 2024 15:34:09 +0000 From: "Desmul, Lindsey M \(DFW\) via Tweeters" <tweeters...> To: "<tweeters...>" <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Spencer Island public meeting announcement Message-ID:
<PH0PR09MB8523382094FEE4475CEC1FACAF282...> com>
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Hi folks, I wanted to reach out to those of you who often bird or recreate at Spencer Island, located in the Snohomish River estuary by the City of Everett's wastewater treatment plant. WDFW and partners will host a public meeting on Dec. 5 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Weyerhaeuser Room on the fourth floor of the Everett Transit Center to discuss a major habitat restoration project at Spencer Island. The public is invited to ask questions and provide feedback on the proposed project design. For more information, please visit www.wdfw.wa.gov/spencerisland<http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/spencerisland>. I hope to see some of you there!
Lindsey Desmul | Snohomish Basin Restoration Specialist | Department of Fish and Wildlife, Region 4 16018 Mill Creek Blvd, Mill Creek WA 98012 206-496-9142 | <lindsey.desmul...><mailto:<lindsey.desmul...>
Date: 11/27/24 3:23 pm From: Michael Hobbs via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co.) 2024-11-27
Tweets - Matt had to work today, and that meant he got to miss the most serious rain we've had during the survey in a long time. From about 8:00 - 8:45, it rained. Not drizzle or light rain, but also not torrents/deluges. Just rain. Much of the rest of the morning had mizzle and drizzle, though we did have a good hour or more of sunshine. So weirdly variable weather, and not so weirdly variable birdiness.
Highlights: Eleven species of duck - Though three of these were only during my late scan of the lake: Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon, and Green-winged Teal Common Goldeneye - Only some high flybys around 7:30 a.m. First of Fall (FOF) American Coot - Five near the cabana - our first in 4 weeks! Short-billed Gull - Maybe 200! Cooper's Hawk - At least 1 adult and 2 different juveniles, but even more sightings. One of the juvies looked especially wet and unhappy, and then was mobbed by crows Pileated Woodpecker - One gave nice close looks in the Dog Area during the rain Northern Shrike - One in the East Meadow MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE - One south of the mansion, west of the stage, at the fringe of a large group of "littles". First of Year (FOY) Varied Thrush - Male at the south end of the East Meadow Western Meadowlark - One in the East Meadow; was flushed by one of the juvie Cooper's Hawks
This is just the 3rd sighting that I know of for MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE from Marymoor Park. The previous two were in late October, 2004. (A 2009 report of MOCH was later determined to be an aberrant-plumaged BCCH). Neither of those earlier sightings was on a Marymoor Survey, and this is a new park bird for me!
The MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE was at the edge of a large group of birds near the mansion. The ground there is absolutely covered in downed twigs, branches, leaves, and cones that fell during the wind storm. There were BLACK-CAPPED and CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES, RUBY-CROWNED and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, PINE SISKINS, and DARK-EYED JUNCOS feeding on the ground. A BROWN CREEPER was seen as low as 3 inches off the ground at the base of a tree. Dozens of very active birds in all, and then Emily spotted the Mountain Chickadee which was also dropping from a branch to the ground and returning to the tree about 15 feet away from us!
Misses today included KILLDEER, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD.
For the day, 63 species!
= Michael Hobbs = <BirdMarymoor...> = www.marymoor.org/birding.htm
Date: 11/27/24 2:57 pm From: Dee Dee via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Edmonds-my 2nd Lesser Goldfinch yardbird sighting
This morning I saw a lesser goldfinch in my yard, on a seed feeder. Having just seen one on November 21st, I was quite amazed but kept the old wits about me until had gotten a few photos. Then I had time to be both amazed AND delighted, having figured that, as much as it was hoped for, what were the chances of such an event within one week? I have submitted an eBird checklist replete with about 5 photos of the bird in different aspects.
Date: 11/27/24 7:36 am From: Desmul, Lindsey M \(DFW\) via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Spencer Island public meeting announcement
Hi folks, I wanted to reach out to those of you who often bird or recreate at Spencer Island, located in the Snohomish River estuary by the City of Everett's wastewater treatment plant. WDFW and partners will host a public meeting on Dec. 5 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Weyerhaeuser Room on the fourth floor of the Everett Transit Center to discuss a major habitat restoration project at Spencer Island. The public is invited to ask questions and provide feedback on the proposed project design. For more information, please visit www.wdfw.wa.gov/spencerisland<http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/spencerisland>. I hope to see some of you there!
Lindsey Desmul | Snohomish Basin Restoration Specialist | Department of Fish and Wildlife, Region 4
16018 Mill Creek Blvd, Mill Creek WA 98012
206-496-9142 | <lindsey.desmul...><mailto:<lindsey.desmul...>
Date: 11/26/24 11:56 pm From: Jane Hadley via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] 2024 Christmas Bird Counts in Washington State
Hello Tweeters - Thanks to Jim Danzenbaker, you can now find the times and places for Christmas Bird Counts throughout the state on the WOS website. This is the 7th year that Jim has gatherered this information.
On that webpage, you will find the particulars of about 45 counts around the state, with some spilling into Oregon and Idaho.
The first day for CBCs this year is Saturday December 14, with a whole slew of counts from Colville to Port Townsend to Leadbetter Point. Final day is the Goldendale count on Sunday January 5, 2025.
Date: 11/26/24 2:40 pm From: Richard Walker via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] bridge camera
Hey Gary, I had (have) a Panasonic Lumix FZ80 and loved it, however, the manual focus was terrible. I never did use it. Then I got a Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 which has a better, useable manual focus. The "super" part of the zoom is only 800mm equivalent, but the larger sensor made up for more cropping. I know Panasonic came out with an upgrade to the FZ80 but not sure what all got upgraded besides the price.
Richard Walker
> On 11/26/2024 12:12 PM PST via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote: > > > Mailing list removal confirmation notice for mailing list Tweeters > > We have received a request from 24.16.179.171 for the removal of your > email address, "<barbarawheelerphotography...>" from the > <tweeters...> mailing list. To confirm that you want to > be removed from this mailing list, simply reply to this message, > keeping the Subject: header intact. Or visit this web page: > > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/confirm/tweeters/4320b2d6c17888e87a0724492741043bbdd66495 > > > Or include the following line -- and only the following line -- in a > message to <tweeters-request...>: > > confirm 4320b2d6c17888e87a0724492741043bbdd66495 > > Note that simply sending a `reply' to this message should work from > most mail readers, since that usually leaves the Subject: line in the > right form (additional "Re:" text in the Subject: is okay). > > If you do not wish to be removed from this list, please simply > disregard this message. If you think you are being maliciously > removed from the list, or have any other questions, send them to > <tweeters-owner...> _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 11/26/24 4:47 am From: Gary Bletsch via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] non-technical question re: bridge cameras
Dear Tweeters,
A week and a half ago, my Canon SX50 HS camera went kaputt. It turns on, it shows photos that I've already taken, but the view through the viewfinder is black, as if the lens cap were still on. The lens cap is most assuredly off! When I try to take a photo, I get an all-black image, with the time/date stamp right there as usual. Maybe Canon can fix it, maybe not; I haven't looked into that.
I don't speak camera, and don't want to learn that particular language. French might be more useful.
I do want to replace the SX50 HS with something a little better. That camera was close to perfect for my purposes. I just like taking record shots, not trying for shots to be featured on the cover of a magazine.
Virtually every time I've ever tried to talk to other birders about cameras, the other person starts using a variety of technical terms that I find baffling; any attempt to get the person to explain it in layman's terms goes nowhere. It would be as if a birder with two weeks experience found himself thrust into a conversation about moulting gulls. "P1? P2? Huh?"
At the end of this message, I will ask a question; if you've read this far, thanks for your patience.
Here were the things that I liked about the SX50 HS. --relatively compact size, easily stowed out of the way of my (far more important) binoculars by tucking into a closed vest;
--wonderfully long zoom;
--not terribly high price (I think I paid about $550 for it, maybe seven or eight years ago);
--ease of use; --reasonably rugged construction (never failed me until this month, never a problem with tiny bits of rainfall on it, survived a fall onto concrete once, and so forth).
There were a couple of characteristics that drove me batty, though. --notwithstanding what it says in the user's manual, the camera offered nothing in the way of manual focus, which meant that even the wispiest blade of grass or the tiniest twig between me and the bird would make it impossible to focus on the bird;
--an occasional tendency to respond slowly (sometimes glacially) to attempts to press this button or that, resulting in delays that cost me any chance of photographing a bird that was getting ready to move off. Once in a while, it was as if the camera had marched out of the Union Hall with orders to participate in a by-the-book slowdown!
So, here is the question. What bridge cameras would Tweeters recommend? I want something that is roughly the same size as an old-fashioned SLR, or a wee bit larger. I am not at all interested in interchangeable lenses, or any long lens other than a zoom. The camera stays under my vest unless I take a fancy to something worth photographing. I'd love to be able to focus manually, and to zoom onto a bird in the manner to which I've been accustomed.
Thank you one and all, for any willingness to answer that question in layman's terms.
Oh, here's a birding tidbit. Yesterday, I spent over an hour searching for a Snowy Owl here in Western New York. It was not on the Dunkirk Lake Erie breakwater where it had been for a few days. Where, oh where could it be? I was getting ready to leave, when I heard some crows. They were chasing something. The Snowy Owl landed two meters from me! Even without binoculars, I could see the bloodstains on the feathers of its feet! Way cool.
Yours truly,
Gary Bletsch
<garybletsch...>
_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 11/25/24 4:31 pm From: Rob Faucett via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Lightweight tripod recommendations
I love my Manfrotto 190 setup. International travel and a large objective/heavy scope.
Pretty sure the head is called “Micro fluid video” head.
—
Rob Faucett
+1(206) 619-5569
<robfaucett...>
Seattle, WA 98105
> On Nov 25, 2024, at 6:29 AM, Jack Stephens via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>
>
> This is a response to Amy Powell's RFI regarding tripods:
> Lightweight. Sturdy. Inexpensive. Pick two of these choices, you can't pick all three.
> I would suggest looking for a well made carbon fiber tripod. Really Right Stuff makes great gear, but they are pricey. Try going to a camera store and look at what they have. I frequent Kenmore Camera and have found them quite helpful.
>
> Jack Stephens
> Edmonds
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
On Mon, Nov 25, 2024 at 7:46 AM Mike Wagenbach via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> One drawback to aluminum is that it is second only to copper among the
> metals in its thermal conductivity, IIRC. It's amazing how fast it sucks
> heat out of your hands to handle an aluminum tube in winter if you're not
> wearing pretty good gloves. So that's one advantage of carbon composites,
> I think.
>
> However, if you want a little DIY project, you could wrap the topmost
> section of each leg of a metal tripod with some stylish cork bicycle
> handlebar tape. That should make a big difference, and if you use the
> classic Cinelli ribbon, maybe one in a hundred birders who's also a bike
> dork will think you are *molto bello.*
>
> https://www.jensonusa.com/Cinelli-Gel-Cork-Handlebar-Tape >
> https://www.planetbike.com/comfort-cork-handlebar-tape/ >
> Mike Wagenbach
> Seattle WA
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 11/25/24 7:48 am From: Mike Wagenbach via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Sturdy lightweight Tri-pod - Recommendations?
One drawback to aluminum is that it is second only to copper among the metals in its thermal conductivity, IIRC. It's amazing how fast it sucks heat out of your hands to handle an aluminum tube in winter if you're not wearing pretty good gloves. So that's one advantage of carbon composites, I think.
However, if you want a little DIY project, you could wrap the topmost section of each leg of a metal tripod with some stylish cork bicycle handlebar tape. That should make a big difference, and if you use the classic Cinelli ribbon, maybe one in a hundred birders who's also a bike dork will think you are *molto bello.*
Date: 11/25/24 6:31 am From: Jack Stephens via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Lightweight tripod recommendations
This is a response to Amy Powell's RFI regarding tripods: Lightweight. Sturdy. Inexpensive. Pick two of these choices, you can't pick all three. I would suggest looking for a well made carbon fiber tripod. Really Right Stuff makes great gear, but they are pricey. Try going to a camera store and look at what they have. I frequent Kenmore Camera and have found them quite helpful.
