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
_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
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
Send Tweeters mailing list submissions to <tweeters...>
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)
> 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
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>
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...>
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.
Amy, I have a Kowa TSN-884 (amazing scope) and was confronted with a similar situation - heavy old Bogen legs with a 128RC head that combined are both great/stable and heavy (I have been known to lug over shoulders for 5 miles, but not my favorite).
I note the Bogen 290 you mention actually has a listed weight of 5.6 lbs so maybe heavier than you want. I looks like it comes with the 128RC head which I think is pretty much the ideal birding fluid pan head - durable, compact, and easy to use.
I ended up with a 2nd tripod - the old Bogen 3405 (no longer made so you will be buying 2nd hand). It is about 4.3 pounds, cheap, tough, and well made - cheap on ebay. It has an integrated single adjusting arm - but it is not a fluid head so a bit jerky when panning - but not bad for a non-primary tripod. I do find it works ok with the big Kowa - just - and with your angled eyepiece it would be even more stable.
I have eyed some of the carbon fiber Bogen legs. I might suggest you go to Glazer's, which has a lot of tripods including many Bogens, and check out you scope with the 128RC and just decide what works best. Glazer's is an amazing resource here in town. I suspect you can find something like the 290 in carbon fiber with the 128 head and you will be at a pretty ideal setup weight/stability wise.
Date: 11/24/24 5:17 pm From: Anne Millbrooke via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] robin extravaganza (Dennis Paulson via Tweeters)
John James Audubon wrote of the American Robin, “their presence is productive of a sort of jubilee among the gunners, and the havoc made among them with bows and arrows, blowpipes, guns, and traps of different sorts, is wonderful.”
He continued, “Every gunner brings them home by bagsful, and the markets are supplied with them at a very cheap rate. Several persons may at this season stand round the foot of a tree loaded with berries, and shoot the greater part of the day, so fast do the flocks of Robins succeed each other. They are then fat and juicy, and afford excellent eating.”
Each time I read that passage I am struck by the historical facts. First, people routinely ate robins purchased at their local markets. And not just robins.
They ate bobolinks, finches, larks, plovers, sparrows and other songbirds, sometimes collectively called reed-birds at the market. They skewered, roasted, broiled and stewed the birds. They baked birds in pies and served birds on toast.
Second, professional market hunters killed robins and other songbirds for those markets. This market hunting continued through the end of the century, long after Audubon’s death in 1851.
Third, hunters used many lethal weapons -- "bows and arrows, blowpipes, guns, and traps of different sorts" -- against the birds.
And fourth, robins existed in such numbers that the flocks of robins succeeded each other.
I am sorry that I will never see robins in the abundance that Audubon described. And I am quite pleased that our values have changed from robins for dinner to protecting migratory birds.
Date: 11/24/24 2:06 pm From: Carolyn Heberlein via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] robin extravaganza
Hi Tweets,
I always have some robins in my garden in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. They love to take baths in the saucers of water that I have on the flat roof of my garage. They love it in the winter, when it is icy out and I fill the bird baths with hot water for them (and other birds). They love to eat berries in my garden: strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blue huckleberries. We pretty much share those crops.
What they love to eat this time of year are the berries of the Mountain Ash and the Holly. In the past week, they have been gorging themselves on the red berries of both. I have several Mountain Ash trees in my garden, so there are plenty of berries for large groups of robins. One young Mountain Ash tree didn't have strong branches for them to perch on. I watched them fly up to the berries to try to get them. Later in the day, I saw that they were successful. No berries were left. They are still stripping my Holly. In the past, sometimes they wouldn't eat them until after Christmas. So I would have green holly leaves with red berries, if I wanted them for decoration. But most years, a riot of robins comes and strips the tree in a few days. I've never seen seedlings of Mountain Ash, but Holly seedlings are everywhere.
I enjoy watching the robins. I'm happy to keep them happy.
The location is at the northeast end of Oakland Bay, northeast of Bayshore Preserve. There are at least 80 Bald Eagles in the area drawn in by the many dead salmon. Curious if anybody has seen this behavior?
Date: 11/24/24 6:38 am From: Gary Bletsch via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] resolution to eBird problem
Dear Tweeters, Thanks again to the birders who wrote back to me, in regard to a vexatious glitch in eBird. On the 21st November, the discrepancy "magically" resolved itself. I received nary a response from eBird, but at least they fixed the problem. Yours truly, Gary Bletsch <garybletsch...> _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 11/23/24 8:30 pm From: Thomas Dorrance via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] robin extravaganza postscript
Robins have been plentiful year-round in this Cedar Park ravine (north
Seattle), never more so than when the blueberries ripen. While quick to the
harvest, especially this year, they're slow to recognize that the resident
crows never miss a trick or a chick. Baby robins haven't fledged here in
eons.
Tom Dorrance
On Sat, Nov 23, 2024 at 6:37 PM Diane Yorgason-Quinn via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> About 3 weeks ago, and for another week, I had what seemed like hundreds
> of robins in the very high madrona trees after those berries. I was in my
> house and heard this huge racket, ran out and saw them going crazy way up
> there, about 4 stories high.
> I actually put a recording of their noise on eBird:
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S200723095 >
> Diane Yorgason-Quinn
> Wauna, WA
> <avosetta...>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* Tweeters <tweeters-bounces...> on behalf
> of Robert O'Brien via Tweeters <tweeters...>
> *Sent:* Saturday, November 23, 2024 5:45 PM
> *To:* Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson...>
> *Cc:* TWEETERS tweeters <tweeters...>
> *Subject:* Re: [Tweeters] robin extravaganza postscript
>
> We have this every year, often up to maybe 50 Robins.. We have an
> ornamental grape growing up into the top a 50' Aspen tree. Small grapes
> are easily swallowed I guess. These Robins are extremely furtive so that
> we rarely get a good look at them. They dash from nearby dense Doug Firs
> and then dive into the Aspen.We can only see parts of their bodies in the
> aspen and nothing in the Firs..
> But this happened here about a month ago when the grapes were ripe. We
> now have an 8 ft. Cotoneaster Cornubia absolutely covered with red
> berries. But, nothing goes for them until late in the winter, and then
> only with very adverse weather.where little else is available. I've heard
> that these are pataable only after some freezing weather, but even then
> ,with a mild winter they stay on the cotoneaster all winter.
> Bob OBrien Carver OR
>
> On Sat, Nov 23, 2024 at 3:57 PM Dennis Paulson via Tweeters <
> <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> Well, I first saw the robins in the next-door rowan tree at 1:30 or so,
> and they were still there until a few minutes ago, constantly flying in and
> out. In two hours, it looks as if they stripped that tree of at least 80%
> of its fruits. The robins will be excreting their seeds all over the place,
> but I guess most of them don’t sprout, as we don’t have rowans growing
> everywhere.
>
> The German word for rowan is Vogelbeere, bird berry. This is a European
> tree, *Sorbus aucuparia*, but we have native species of *Sorbus*
> (mountain ash) as well, and I presume birds like them just as much.
>
> It was a two-thrush day—a Hermit Thrush, a species we don’t see most
> winters, bathed in our fountain for a while.
>
> Dennis Paulson
> Maple Leaf, 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: 11/23/24 6:38 pm From: Diane Yorgason-Quinn via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] robin extravaganza postscript
About 3 weeks ago, and for another week, I had what seemed like hundreds of robins in the very high madrona trees after those berries. I was in my house and heard this huge racket, ran out and saw them going crazy way up there, about 4 stories high.
I actually put a recording of their noise on eBird: https://ebird.org/checklist/S200723095
Diane Yorgason-Quinn
Wauna, WA
<avosetta...>
________________________________
From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces...> on behalf of Robert O'Brien via Tweeters <tweeters...>
Sent: Saturday, November 23, 2024 5:45 PM
To: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson...>
Cc: TWEETERS tweeters <tweeters...>
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] robin extravaganza postscript
We have this every year, often up to maybe 50 Robins.. We have an ornamental grape growing up into the top a 50' Aspen tree. Small grapes are easily swallowed I guess. These Robins are extremely furtive so that we rarely get a good look at them. They dash from nearby dense Doug Firs and then dive into the Aspen.We can only see parts of their bodies in the aspen and nothing in the Firs..
But this happened here about a month ago when the grapes were ripe. We now have an 8 ft. Cotoneaster Cornubia absolutely covered with red berries. But, nothing goes for them until late in the winter, and then only with very adverse weather.where little else is available. I've heard that these are pataable only after some freezing weather, but even then ,with a mild winter they stay on the cotoneaster all winter.
Bob OBrien Carver OR
On Sat, Nov 23, 2024 at 3:57 PM Dennis Paulson via Tweeters <tweeters...><mailto:<tweeters...>> wrote:
Well, I first saw the robins in the next-door rowan tree at 1:30 or so, and they were still there until a few minutes ago, constantly flying in and out. In two hours, it looks as if they stripped that tree of at least 80% of its fruits. The robins will be excreting their seeds all over the place, but I guess most of them don’t sprout, as we don’t have rowans growing everywhere.
The German word for rowan is Vogelbeere, bird berry. This is a European tree, Sorbus aucuparia, but we have native species of Sorbus (mountain ash) as well, and I presume birds like them just as much.
It was a two-thrush day—a Hermit Thrush, a species we don’t see most winters, bathed in our fountain for a while.
Date: 11/23/24 5:48 pm From: Robert O'Brien via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] robin extravaganza postscript
We have this every year, often up to maybe 50 Robins.. We have an
ornamental grape growing up into the top a 50' Aspen tree. Small grapes
are easily swallowed I guess. These Robins are extremely furtive so that
we rarely get a good look at them. They dash from nearby dense Doug Firs
and then dive into the Aspen.We can only see parts of their bodies in the
aspen and nothing in the Firs..
But this happened here about a month ago when the grapes were ripe. We now
have an 8 ft. Cotoneaster Cornubia absolutely covered with red berries.
But, nothing goes for them until late in the winter, and then only with
very adverse weather.where little else is available. I've heard that these
are pataable only after some freezing weather, but even then ,with a mild
winter they stay on the cotoneaster all winter.
Bob OBrien Carver OR
On Sat, Nov 23, 2024 at 3:57 PM Dennis Paulson via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> Well, I first saw the robins in the next-door rowan tree at 1:30 or so,
> and they were still there until a few minutes ago, constantly flying in and
> out. In two hours, it looks as if they stripped that tree of at least 80%
> of its fruits. The robins will be excreting their seeds all over the place,
> but I guess most of them don’t sprout, as we don’t have rowans growing
> everywhere.
>
> The German word for rowan is Vogelbeere, bird berry. This is a European
> tree, *Sorbus aucuparia*, but we have native species of *Sorbus*
> (mountain ash) as well, and I presume birds like them just as much.
>
> It was a two-thrush day—a Hermit Thrush, a species we don’t see most
> winters, bathed in our fountain for a while.
>
> Dennis Paulson
> Maple Leaf, Seattle
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
I have a Kowa TSN-883 Prominar scope with a Manfrotto 3 section and 3W head tripod. I hike and travel with this set up in addition to birding locally.
The tripod is very sturdy, which I like. What I don't like is how heavy it is (5.5 pounds!) and the 3-way head would be great for a camera but I find it fussy and unnecessary for my scope. Having 3 wand adjustments often makes it difficult to get on a bird quickly. And it really kills the shoulder after lugging around for a few miles.
My only concern with finding a lighter weight tripod is that it won't withstand the wind as well and I fear it will tip over.
I saw Really Right Stuff makes good quality, lightweight carbon fiber tripods but is a tripod really worth $1500+? Maybe. But I'm tempted to try the Manfrotto 290 Light Alu that weighs just under 4 pounds and costs a more reasonable $200.
Has anyone out there used a tripod lighter than 4 pounds and found it sturdy enough in light to moderate winds?
Date: 11/23/24 4:00 pm From: Dennis Paulson via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] robin extravaganza postscript
Well, I first saw the robins in the next-door rowan tree at 1:30 or so, and they were still there until a few minutes ago, constantly flying in and out. In two hours, it looks as if they stripped that tree of at least 80% of its fruits. The robins will be excreting their seeds all over the place, but I guess most of them don’t sprout, as we don’t have rowans growing everywhere.
The German word for rowan is Vogelbeere, bird berry. This is a European tree, Sorbus aucuparia, but we have native species of Sorbus (mountain ash) as well, and I presume birds like them just as much.
It was a two-thrush day—a Hermit Thrush, a species we don’t see most winters, bathed in our fountain for a while.
Date: 11/23/24 1:13 pm From: Dennis Paulson via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] robin extravaganza
Hello tweets,
We don’t see robins in our yard very often, occasionally taking a drink or a bath, but when I went out to get the mail this morning they were all over the sky above me, perched high in leafless trees and then dropping down to a big rowan/mountain ash tree in the neighbor’s yard. The tree was covered with big red berries, and the robins were gulping them down as fast as they could. At least 20 birds were involved, and what was especially interesting to me was the fact that more kept flying overhead, coming from some distance. Not in a tight flock, but very spread out. Even more interesting, some of them just kept flying, not landing with the fruit-eating birds. Were they full already?
Their flocking in winter seems to be largely about finding fruit-bearing trees. But how do they find them? Do they fly over the landscape until they spot the colors of fruits below them? Do they recognize fruit-bearing plants trees and shrubs by their shape or leaves? Do they communicate about them to others by specific calls or behavior?
Date: 11/22/24 12:47 pm From: Denis DeSilvis via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) Eagle's Pride Golf Course (GC) monthly bird walk - 11-21-2024
Tweeters,
A dozen of us trekked around the JBLM Eagle's Pride GC in cool, dry weather (41-47degF with overcast sky), which held until the rain came in earlier than expected about two-thirds of the way through the usual route. (Lots of downed limbs and wind-pruned stuff from the bomb cyclone that hit the area two days previously.) The usual suspected birds were seen or heard, with the following as highlights:
- TRUMPETER SWAN - 6 overhead, flying in the direction of Olympia/Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. This is the first sighting of this species during any of our birdwalks here and follows a first sighting of a Northern Pintail last month.
- PINE SISKIN - about 230 in a couple of large flocks; likely an undercount here, but we didn't count a couple of other flocks because they "might" have been subject to a double-count.
For December and January, Ken Brown will lead the birdwalk - I'll be traveling out of country for about 6 weeks.
The JBLM Eagle's Pride GC birders meet the third Thursday of each month at 8:00AM except for November to February, when the start time is at 9:00AM. Starting point is the Driving Range building, Eagle's Pride Golf Course, I-5 Exit 116, Mounts Road Exit. (Turn left immediately after entering the parking lot to take the road leading to the driving range building.) Upcoming walks include the following:
* December 19 (start time - 9AM)
* January 16 (start time - 9AM)
* February 20 (start time - 9AM)
Pete collected 104 "lost" golf balls during our trek, (92 last month) and will donate them to the VA home at American Lake.
From the eBirdPNW report:
31 species
Cackling Goose 47
Canada Goose 18
Trumpeter Swan 6 A first sighting of this species at this site during a birdwalk.
American Wigeon 8
Mallard 43
Hooded Merganser 4
Mourning Dove 3
Anna's Hummingbird 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2 These two were perched near each other in the same tree near the Dupont housing area.
Date: 11/22/24 11:45 am From: Denis DeSilvis via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Great Egret near McKenna, WA (Pierce County)
I spotted a GREAT EGRET in the pond on the north side of highway 710, west of 64th Ave S, just east of McKenna, WA. (My wife sighted this egret on November 18 in the same area.) There are large ponds on each side of the road here, and with the latest storm that hit three days ago, even more water is there. There are no places to park here along this busy highway, but parking on 64th Ave S, just east of the pond, is a possibility. When I was driving west, the egret was located about the middle of the pond; and when I drove east about 45 minutes later, it was closer to the highway and further east. Well seen because I was able to slow down enough to get a good look at it. (eBird checklist info below.)
Great Egret 1 Large white bird, long neck, yellow dagger bill, long dark legs, wading in pond. Definitely not a Trumpeter Swan or other long-necked large white bird. Saw it dart head down, much like a Great Blue Heron.
Date: 11/22/24 12:49 am From: Steven Dammer via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Red-footed Booby
I was just in Port Townsend yesterday looking for it and was unsuccessful.
Doesn't necessarily mean it's gone but with no listed sightings in over 17
days suggests it could have moved on.
Steven
On Thu, Nov 21, 2024, 14:17 Steve Hampton via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> The last report is from Nov 4. I’m not aware of any later sightings. I am
> seeing Ancient Murrelets daily from the Pt Wilson lighthouse area.
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Nov 21, 2024, at 9:06 AM, Neil Zimmerman via Tweeters <
> <tweeters...> wrote:
> >
> > Hello Tweeters,
> > I am leading a field trip for Birds Connect Seattle to Port Townsend on
> Saturday. I have not seen any mention of the Booby since early November. I
> assume it has left but I thought I would ask about any recent reports.
> Thanks
> > Neil Zimmerman
> > n3zims at comcast dot net
> >
> > Sent from my iPad
> > _______________________________________________
> > 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: 11/21/24 7:51 pm From: Scott Downes via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Yakima CBC Sector Leader Needed
Yakima CBC is Saturday December 28. We have two open sectors that need route leaders, including one that includes some prime birding areas such as along the Yakima River. This route has historically been one of the most diverse on the count. If interested and willing to participate, please contact me.
Date: 11/21/24 7:37 pm From: Dee Dee via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Edmonds Lesser Goldfinch Yardbird
This Thursday afternoon I glanced out the window and noticed 2 goldfinches on one of our tube seed feeders—not unusual, we see (American) goldfinches year-round. However, one of them had a certain je-ne-sais-quoi about it which caught my eye…rather a bit green for a goldfinch. A closer look with binoculars revealed that the wingbars were slightly more buffy than white, and the general body shape more slender and on the smaller side compared to the nearby American Goldfinch.
Coming to my senses, I grabbed the camera, and fortunately managed to get a few shots before it departed.
The photos allowed a quick ID of the mystery bird as a Lesser Goldfinch, a species I had only briefly seen once, years ago, in a relative’s Central Oregon backyard. Despite having seen verified reports of a Lesser Goldfinch being seen earlier this month at Union Bay Natural Area, it was quite unexpected as well as exciting to see one in my own backyard.
(An eBird checklist and photos have been submitted.)
Date: 11/21/24 3:41 pm From: Ronda Stark via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Baiting
It is extremely offensive that you would think yourself qualified to opine
on ethical issues after you left a helpless, dehydrated innocent swan caged
in the back of your truck for almost 5 hours before ultimately consigning
her to death at a facility in Bellingham. You are truly a disgrace!
Ronda Stark
On Mon, Nov 18, 2024 at 9:17 AM Martha Jordan via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> Baiting and luring to bring birds closer to us just for a photo or the
> thrill of seeing it: shame on us humans. Those that have posted that luring
> birds closer to the road is dangerous for the birds.
> When you go out: Be aware of what your actions may actually mean or
> do to wildlife. These birds and other animals are trying to survive. The
> least we can do is meet them where THEY are, not where we want them to be
> for our convenience.
> A reminder that baiting is illegal for waterfowl. While you may
> intend to make it for voles or ??, it is still considered baiting if it is
> done during waterfowl season in an area where waterfowl occur. The
> fact that this year the birds are staying farther from the road may be due
> to the human factor from last year. Perhaps the birds simply remember last
> year and are choosing to stay farther out.....humans can and have caused
> this to happen in other areas of WA, including Skagit County.
> Birding with Awareness-- good for the birds, good for the habitat and good
> for us.
>
> Martha Jordan
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 11/21/24 2:52 pm From: Shep Thorp via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Wednesday Walk at Billy Frank Jr Nisqually NWR for 11/20/2024
Hi Tweets,
Approximately 25 of us enjoyed a nice day at the Refuge with intermittent
light rain and temperatures in the 40's to 50's. There was a High 14'6"
Tide at 9:51am and a Low 7'11" Tide at 3:50pm. Fortunately the Refuge did
not have any fallen trees from the recent windstorm which has continued to
affect many areas in King County, so all trails were open. Highlights
included nice numbers of GREATER YELLOWLEGS, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER and
WILSON'S SNIPE in the flooded fields and on the dike, continuing SNOW GOOSE
and BRANT GOOSE with our large flock of wintering CACKLING GEESE, the
return of COMMON GOLDENEYE to McAllister Creek, nice looks of a Thayer's
type ICELAND GULL, and a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK ambitiously chasing a PILEATED
WOODPECKER in the Riparian Forest.
For the day we observed 73 species and have seen 169 species this year.
See our eBird report pasted below with photos embedded.
Until next week when we meet again at 8am at the Visitor Center Pond
Overlook, happy birding.
Shep
--
Shep Thorp
Browns Point
253-370-3742
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR, Thurston, Washington, US
Nov 20, 2024 7:33 AM - 3:47 PM
Protocol: Traveling
6.7 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Wednesday Walk. Mostly cloudy with intermittent
light rain and temperatures in the 40’s to 50’s degrees Fahrenheit. A High
14’6” Tide at 9:51am and Low 7’11” Tide at 3:50pm. Mammals seen Columbian
Black-tailed Deer, Eastern Gray Squirrel, Harbor Seal and Eastern
Cotton-tailed Rabbit.
73 species (+4 other taxa)
Date: 11/21/24 2:22 pm From: Michael Hobbs via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co.) 2024-11-21
Tweets - It was a very unusual day - the weather was quite nice with temps in the 40s, no wind, no precipitation, and pretty good light, and we did the bird survey as always. But we spent at least as much attention on the devastation that the bomb cyclone brought to the park; dozens of huge snags and mature trees either snapped off or uprooted, large branches down everywhere; downed twigs covering all of the ground.
Highlights: Trumpeter Swan - THIRTEEN in three groups flying south, silent. They did look very long necked Northern Shoveler - Two with a small flock of Mallards flying north - First of Fall (FOF) Gadwall - A long line of ducks seen from the Lake Platform turned out to be 53 Gadwall, ~10 American Wigeon, and 2 Green-winged Teal. Probably a High Count for Gadwall Cooper's Hawk - Nice adult flew across the slough, calling, then perched for us to admire Four Woodpecker Day - Missing sapsucker. Except for Northern Flicker and one glimpse of a Downy, all woodpeckers were heard-only Merlin - Seen on the long dock during my late scan of the lake Northern Shrike - Juvenile seen a couple of times on the far side of the slough; unusual spot for shrike Golden-crowned Kinglet - Continue to be especially numerous and widespread and visible; Ruby-crowns also common, but 1/3 as many? Varied Thrush - Mason saw one near the mansion Pine Siskin - somewhere between 75 and 500, but probably 100 is a rough estimate Townsend's Warbler - One NE of the mansion
Pre-dawn, it was strange to look out at Lake Sammamish and see virtually no lights anywhere. A couple of houses had generators, but the whole lake seemed to be without power.
Two of the large trees supporting the heronry have blown down. A few GREAT BLUE HERONS were sitting (claiming?) nests in other trees, and one was in the next-nearest best tree where I expect nests to be built in spring.
Pretty much every tall snag on the far side of the slough has come down, including the ones that Purple Martins nested in for the last couple of years. The Big Cottonwood Forest lost many mature trees. Both the Douglas Fir grove NE of the mansion and the Aspen grove across Pea Patch Rd. had several downed trees. Clean up will take weeks.
Misses today included American Coot, Killdeer, Bushtit, and American Goldfinch.
For the day, 59 species, including a Barn/Short-eared Owl seen by Eric pre-dawn over at the model airplane field.
= Michael Hobbs = <BirdMarymoor...> = www.marymoor.org/birding.htm
Date: 11/21/24 2:20 pm From: Steve Hampton via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Red-footed Booby
The last report is from Nov 4. I’m not aware of any later sightings. I am seeing Ancient Murrelets daily from the Pt Wilson lighthouse area.
Sent from my iPhone
> On Nov 21, 2024, at 9:06 AM, Neil Zimmerman via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> Hello Tweeters,
> I am leading a field trip for Birds Connect Seattle to Port Townsend on Saturday. I have not seen any mention of the Booby since early November. I assume it has left but I thought I would ask about any recent reports. Thanks
> Neil Zimmerman
> n3zims at comcast dot net
>
> Sent from my iPad
> _______________________________________________
> 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: 11/21/24 9:09 am From: Neil Zimmerman via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Red-footed Booby
Hello Tweeters, I am leading a field trip for Birds Connect Seattle to Port Townsend on Saturday. I have not seen any mention of the Booby since early November. I assume it has left but I thought I would ask about any recent reports. Thanks Neil Zimmerman n3zims at comcast dot net
Date: 11/20/24 5:22 pm From: Tom and Carol Stoner via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Cooper's Hawk/Crow Face Off
Tweets,
We had a significant flock (30?) of Bushtits at the feeder when a Cooper's Hawk swooped in and scattered them. I suspect he nabbed one. A few moments later one of the two Crows that monitor our neighborhood flew down with a bit of bird. It was met by the second Crow, and then the Cooper's arrived to challenge the Crows. Two against one--a standoff. In a heartbeat, they were gone.
Date: 11/20/24 2:35 pm From: David B. Williams via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] downed trees and nests(?)
Greetings all. I hope everyone came out of the Bomb Cyclone safely.
Wow, a stunning number of trees fell. Just wondering if anyone found downed nests of birds or squirrels or any other signs of impact from the wind on the animals of our communities?
Thanks kindly,
David
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
David B. Williams
www.geologywriter.com
Date: 11/20/24 2:26 pm From: Gary Bletsch via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] eBird question
Dear Tweeters,
The annual taxonomic update of eBird was completed a few weeks ago. A glitch appeared in my eBird account during the weeks-long period of the update, and, unlike in previous years, the glitch (or discrepancy) has continued, even though eBird has announced that the update is complete.
A week and a half ago or so, I wrote to eBird using their "contact us" form, but, as often happens, they have not answered. Maybe they'll "get around to it."
I have been wondering if any other birders have noticed a discrepancy such as the one described below.
There are three obvious places where one's life-list total appears on eBird. By going to "My eBird," one's life-list total appears in two places on that page. Near the top of the "My eBird" page, the number appears under "Species observed." Way down near the bottom of the page, there is a section labelled "Species by major region." That section has a list of such regions, starting with "World," and each region has a number associated with it. Finally, one can also see one's eBird life list by clicking on "Profile"; one is then presented with a map of the world, with one's life list prominently displayed near the top-left corner.
Here is the problem. There are two different totals shown for my world life list. That's not possible. If one is sticking to just one world checklist of bird species, such as the one that eBird uses, then one can have but one unique number for one's life list. In my case, I see the number 4051 at the top of the page, and the number 4052 at the bottom. The number shown on the profile is 4051. Oddly, if I click on the number 4052, I am taken to a list that has 4051 species on it!
I find this irksome, and would love to know whether anyone else has observed this glitch.
I return home from Bolivia in a couple of days. I saw 361 species in two and a half weeks. 84 of those were lifers...the glitch was happening before I started ticking lifers, and has continued right through today--when I spotted what will probably be the final lifer of the trip, a pair of Yellow-collared Macaws that I scoped from my ninth-floor room in the Marriott in Santa Cruz de la Sierra!
Yours truly,
Gary Bletsch
PS Best wishes for a safe escape from the Pineapple Express. November, with its deluges and floods, would be one of the very, very few things about Washington that I do not miss.
_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 11/18/24 10:42 am From: Denis DeSilvis via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] JBLM Eagles Pride Golf Course Monthly Birdwalk - Thursday, November 21 - 9:00AM Start
Hi Tweeters,
The Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) Eagles Pride Golf Course (GC) birdwalk is scheduled for Thursday, November 21. The JBLM Eagles Pride GC birders meet the third Thursday of every month. We meet at 9:00AM<outlook-data-detector://2> through February 2025. (Change to 8:00AM in March.)
Starting point is the Driving Range building, Eagle's Pride Golf Course, I-5 Exit 116, Mounts Road Exit. When you turn into the course entrance, take an immediate left onto the road to the driving range - that's where we meet. Also, to remind folks that haven't been here before, you don't need any ID to attend these birdwalks. Hope you're able to make it!
Current weather forecast is 43-49degF with some sun, then turning cloudy with a couple of showers in the afternoon - dress for success!
Date: 11/18/24 9:20 am From: Martha Jordan via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Baiting
Baiting and luring to bring birds closer to us just for a photo or the thrill of seeing it: shame on us humans. Those that have posted that luring birds closer to the road is dangerous for the birds. When you go out: Be aware of what your actions may actually mean or do to wildlife. These birds and other animals are trying to survive. The least we can do is meet them where THEY are, not where we want them to be for our convenience. A reminder that baiting is illegal for waterfowl. While you may intend to make it for voles or ??, it is still considered baiting if it is done during waterfowl season in an area where waterfowl occur. The fact that this year the birds are staying farther from the road may be due to the human factor from last year. Perhaps the birds simply remember last year and are choosing to stay farther out.....humans can and have caused this to happen in other areas of WA, including Skagit County. Birding with Awareness-- good for the birds, good for the habitat and good for us.
Date: 11/18/24 9:11 am From: Martha Jordan via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Swan ID
After reviewing all the info on swan sightings and going out to the area, I believe that what was seen is dark juvenile Trumpeter Swans. Stepping out on a bit of a limb: I would be deeply concerned to see free flying black or mute swans here in WA or anywhere else where they are not native. Our native species are important, the last thing we need is more exotics of any kind of any species in the wild which likely ends up creating problems with our environment and our native species. Removing said exotics from the wild and back into captivity is best.
Date: 11/17/24 10:52 pm From: dick via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] WA County Year List Project updated through October [WA Birder]
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone -------- Original message --------From: Matt Bartels via Tweeters <tweeters...> Date: 11/17/24 11:55 AM (GMT-08:00) To: Tweeters <tweeters...>, Inland-NW-Birders - To Post <inland-nw-birders...> Subject: [Tweeters] WA County Year List Project updated through October [WA Birder] Hi Tweeters & InlandNW BirderAn updated version of the 2024 County Yearlist Project is up and available at Washington Birder.http://wabirder.com/county_yearlist.htmlThanks compilers for all your work, and thanks everyone who has contributed.This update, coming at the end of October and as Fall Migration has pretty much wrapped up, is a relatively stable point to check in - only a few late migrants and then winter birds left for the year lists.Here’s how things look compared with recent years:We’ve tallied 389 species statewide as of the end of October in 2024. That’s exactly the same total as we had at this point last year, two higher than in 2022, and 12 lower than our 2021 total [401] at this point.For Western WA, our 362 total is 3 lower than last year, and 3 higher than 2022.For Eastern WA, our 323 total is 1 lower than last year, and 2 lower than 2022.Overall, we’re looking pretty similar to last year.Looking at the percentage of each county’s total list seen, 30 counties have seen between 66% and 75% of their county’s total list - a pretty consistent result saying about 2/3 of the birds on any county’s have been found One outlier: Whitman County, which has seen 80% of its list total already this year.29 counties have totals within 10 of their 2023 totals.20 counties have higher totals than this time last year, while 18 have lower totals than at this point last year. One county has exactly the same total as at this point last year [Yay, Stevens!].89 species have been seen in all 39 counties, and 175 species have been found in 30 or more counties.A handful of species new to the year might yet show up - most likely before thew new year might be: Emperor Goose, King Eider, Snowy Egret, W. Cattle Egret, White-tailed Kite, Hooded Oriole, Tennessee Warbler,… We’ve also got a couple potential additions waiting for the WBRC annual meeting reviews.If you'd like to take a look at where things stand, the list and many other interesting files are at the Washington Birder website: http://www.wabirder.com/A direct link to the 2024 county yearlist & the list of county compilers contact info:http://www.wabirder.com/county_yearlist.htmlThanks to all the compilers and all those pitching in to sketch a picture of another year's birds in WA. Good birding,Matt Bartels[mattxyz at earthlink dot net]Seattle, Wa_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 11/17/24 2:45 pm From: via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] WOS Monthly Meeting, December 2, 2024
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.
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: 11/17/24 1:30 pm From: Steve Hampton via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] THE WASHINGTON POST: The owl hunters: The deadly campaign to save an icon of the Pacific Northwest
Thank you. This compliments my earlier piece at Post Alley, albeit their
headline is inflammatory; mine is the reverse.
But we both say they'll have to hike for hours at night and they'll
probably kill less than 1 owl per night, not the 108 owls per night
associated with the ludicrous 450,000 number. And the focus in northern
California.
My article is here:
"No, they're not really going to shoot 450,000 owls"
On Sun, Nov 17, 2024 at 1:09 PM Dan Reiff via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
>
> *The owl hunters: The deadly campaign to save an icon of the Pacific
> Northwest*
> In the Pacific Northwest, hunters are seeking out the invasive barred owl
> in an effort to save the threatened northern spotted owl.
>
> Read in The Washington Post: https://apple.news/Ard95FzsBRvqKIdP7EgYVow >
>
> Shared from Apple News <https://www.apple.com/news> >
> Sent from my iPhone
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 11/17/24 1:11 pm From: Dan Reiff via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] THE WASHINGTON POST: The owl hunters: The deadly campaign to save an icon of the Pacific Northwest
Date: 11/17/24 12:29 pm From: Mike Wagenbach via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Low-flying urban owl
From the East 90 thread:
"Collisions with autos are often the most common reason for owl fatalities during the winter."
This reminds me that a couple of weeks ago, I was driving from Ballard to UW at 5 AM along Northlake Way and saw something flying low across the road, silhouetted against the headlights of an oncoming car a block or so away. As I passed the last little arm of the park next to the Gasworks Park Marina, some floodlights out in the marina let me identify a Barn Owl slaloming through the lawn furniture in the park.
Date: 11/17/24 11:57 am From: Matt Bartels via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] WA County Year List Project updated through October [WA Birder]
Thanks compilers for all your work, and thanks everyone who has contributed.
This update, coming at the end of October and as Fall Migration has pretty much wrapped up, is a relatively stable point to check in - only a few late migrants and then winter birds left for the year lists.
Here’s how things look compared with recent years:
We’ve tallied 389 species statewide as of the end of October in 2024. That’s exactly the same total as we had at this point last year, two higher than in 2022, and 12 lower than our 2021 total [401] at this point.
For Western WA, our 362 total is 3 lower than last year, and 3 higher than 2022.
For Eastern WA, our 323 total is 1 lower than last year, and 2 lower than 2022.
Overall, we’re looking pretty similar to last year.
Looking at the percentage of each county’s total list seen, 30 counties have seen between 66% and 75% of their county’s total list - a pretty consistent result saying about 2/3 of the birds on any county’s have been found One outlier: Whitman County, which has seen 80% of its list total already this year.
29 counties have totals within 10 of their 2023 totals.
20 counties have higher totals than this time last year, while 18 have lower totals than at this point last year.
One county has exactly the same total as at this point last year [Yay, Stevens!].
89 species have been seen in all 39 counties, and 175 species have been found in 30 or more counties.
A handful of species new to the year might yet show up - most likely before thew new year might be: Emperor Goose, King Eider, Snowy Egret, W. Cattle Egret, White-tailed Kite, Hooded Oriole, Tennessee Warbler,… We’ve also got a couple potential additions waiting for the WBRC annual meeting reviews.
If you'd like to take a look at where things stand, the list and many other interesting files are at the Washington Birder website:
Date: 11/17/24 10:20 am From: Char via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Isle of Palms (Charleston) South Carolina birding resources
I was there 8 years ago before I was even really a birder, and I was able
to join a bird walk at the Audubon Swamp Garden at Magnolia Plantation. I
forget how I found out about it, but maybe you can Google the local Audubon
group and see if they have any bird walks while you're there? I really
enjoyed my walk there and saw a lot of cool birds!
And even some alligators!
On Sun, Nov 17, 2024, 10:09 AM Doug Santoni via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> Hi Amy —
>
> If I were fortunate enough to be in that region of South Carolina at that
> time of the year, I would definitely make an effort to see a few species
> that are somewhat specialized to the Southeast U.S. — Painted Bunting,
> Brown-headed Nuthatch, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, and Bachman’s Sparrow.
> (The Bunting and the Sparrow should both be singing at that time of the
> year.). The Painted Bunting and the Brown-headed Nuthatch should be fairly
> straightforward; the Woodpecker and the Sparrow might require driving
> inland about half an hour. Sounds like a great trip! (Specific locations
> for these species can be found on eBird, Explore->Species Maps.0
>
> Doug Santoni
> Seattle
> Dougsantoni at gmail dot dom
>
> On Nov 16, 2024, at 3:50 PM, Amy Powell via Tweeters <
> <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> Hi!
>
> My husband and I are spending the week in Isle of Palms near Charleston,
> South Carolina for a week in mid-April. Having family in SC, we’ve been to
> Charleston before, including Edisto beach area so are familiar with some
> areas. We will be golfing and meeting up with family in the area but none
> of them are birders.
>
> I am not opposed to going solo but looked at Birding Pal and didn’t really
> see many options. I am open to a self-guided tour, but a private birding
> tour or birding guide for one day would be nice to help me with some of the
> tropical migrants I am unaccustomed to coming from the West coast. My
> husband is not a birder but I may be willing to coerce him to join me if
> there’s more than just birds.
>
> Some places I am researching to explore:
>
> Audubon Swamp Garden
>
> Caw Caw Interpretive Center
>
> Botany Bay (Edisto area)
>
> Savannah National Wildlife Refuge
>
> Audubon Center at Beidler Forest (Looks promising)
>
> I’d like to stay in the low country/Charleston area but will have a car so
> am mobile. I will have my scope and bins as well as my scope adapter for
> photos.
>
> Any input, leads, or feedback you may have is greatly appreciated!
>
> Amy Powell
> Renton, WA
> <schillingera...>
> _______________________________________________
> 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: 11/17/24 10:12 am From: Doug Santoni via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Isle of Palms (Charleston) South Carolina birding resources
Hi Amy —
If I were fortunate enough to be in that region of South Carolina at that time of the year, I would definitely make an effort to see a few species that are somewhat specialized to the Southeast U.S. — Painted Bunting, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, and Bachman’s Sparrow. (The Bunting and the Sparrow should both be singing at that time of the year.). The Painted Bunting and the Brown-headed Nuthatch should be fairly straightforward; the Woodpecker and the Sparrow might require driving inland about half an hour. Sounds like a great trip! (Specific locations for these species can be found on eBird, Explore->Species Maps.0
Doug Santoni
Seattle
Dougsantoni at gmail dot dom
> On Nov 16, 2024, at 3:50 PM, Amy Powell via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> Hi!
>
> My husband and I are spending the week in Isle of Palms near Charleston, South Carolina for a week in mid-April. Having family in SC, we’ve been to Charleston before, including Edisto beach area so are familiar with some areas. We will be golfing and meeting up with family in the area but none of them are birders.
>
> I am not opposed to going solo but looked at Birding Pal and didn’t really see many options. I am open to a self-guided tour, but a private birding tour or birding guide for one day would be nice to help me with some of the tropical migrants I am unaccustomed to coming from the West coast. My husband is not a birder but I may be willing to coerce him to join me if there’s more than just birds.
>
> Some places I am researching to explore:
>
> Audubon Swamp Garden
>
> Caw Caw Interpretive Center
>
> Botany Bay (Edisto area)
>
> Savannah National Wildlife Refuge
>
> Audubon Center at Beidler Forest (Looks promising)
>
> I’d like to stay in the low country/Charleston area but will have a car so am mobile. I will have my scope and bins as well as my scope adapter for photos.
>
> Any input, leads, or feedback you may have is greatly appreciated!
>
> Amy Powell
> Renton, WA
> <schillingera...> <mailto:<schillingera...>_______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...> <mailto:<Tweeters...> > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 11/17/24 9:47 am From: Ronda Stark via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] The East 90 - a question?
Hi Tom,
At least the pelagic birds do not run the risk of being hit by cars. The
owls at the East 90 run substantial risk while hunting close to the road
and coming up out of the ditch.
This is now much worse since photographers leaving the area tend to load up
their gear and take off at high speed once they have their pics.
I'm not sure this changes the ethics but it is worth consideration.
Ronda
On Sat, Nov 16, 2024 at 9:30 PM Tom Benedict via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> On Nov 16, 2024, at 13:46, Nancy Crowell via Tweeters <
> <tweeters...> wrote:
> >
> > Baiting is against the principles of ethical wildlife photography.
>
> But it’s done routinely by pelagic birdwatching trips. Is “chumming” an
> approved exception to this principle?
>
> Tom Benedict
> Seahurst, wA
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 11/17/24 8:47 am From: Dee Dee via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Swans heading South
Just (08:30 am) enjoyed a brief view of 6 swans flying relatively low, headed south just offshore of Edmonds. A bit too far for me to be more specific of exact species but a lovely breakfast treat.
Date: 11/16/24 3:52 pm From: Amy Powell via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Isle of Palms (Charleston) South Carolina birding resources
Hi!
My husband and I are spending the week in Isle of Palms near Charleston, South Carolina for a week in mid-April. Having family in SC, we've been to Charleston before, including Edisto beach area so are familiar with some areas. We will be golfing and meeting up with family in the area but none of them are birders.
I am not opposed to going solo but looked at Birding Pal and didn't really see many options. I am open to a self-guided tour, but a private birding tour or birding guide for one day would be nice to help me with some of the tropical migrants I am unaccustomed to coming from the West coast. My husband is not a birder but I may be willing to coerce him to join me if there's more than just birds.
Some places I am researching to explore:
Audubon Swamp Garden
Caw Caw Interpretive Center
Botany Bay (Edisto area)
Savannah National Wildlife Refuge
Audubon Center at Beidler Forest (Looks promising)
I'd like to stay in the low country/Charleston area but will have a car so am mobile. I will have my scope and bins as well as my scope adapter for photos.
Any input, leads, or feedback you may have is greatly appreciated!
Date: 11/16/24 3:40 pm From: ck park via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] black swans??
as seen here, black swans are rarely all black... easiest to notice when
they are flying and/or doing a bit of stretching...
FYI -- black swans can be seen Way Out of Range. for example, i found
several around more rural sections of france, north, west, and south. the
UK introduced them in i think the 1800s as ornamentals; occasional escapees
can sometimes be found flying around.
like trileigh, i'd love to see them around here...
On Sat, Nov 16, 2024 at 2:52 PM Trileigh Tucker via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> Martha, is this person usually a reliable source? I could sort of see a
> novice birder seeing cormorants fly somewhere, looking to the untrained eye
> like black swans.
>
>
>
> But it’d be fun if they are indeed the latter!
>
>
>
> 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*
>
>
>
>
>
> *From: *Martha Jordan via Tweeters <tweeters...>
> *Date: *Friday, November 15, 2024 at 6:09 PM
> *To: *Tweeters <tweeters...>
> *Subject: *[Tweeters] black swans??
>
> Has anyone seen or heard of anyone seeing black swans flying or on the
> ground/water in the area south of Monroe all the way down to Stillwater?
> I got a report today from a woman who absolutely says she has seen 3 black
> swans flying around in this area over the last month. When I queried her
> more, she said they were all black. Juvenile trumpeters can appear very
> dark, perhaps by some to be black. Therefore, I send out the inquiry.
>
> (Lewis and Clark journals state that they saw black and white swans
> near the mouth of the Columbia River. From what all us biologists can
> determine, these were adult and juvenile Trumpeter Swans.)
>
> Thanks.
>
>
>
> Martha Jordan
>
> mj.cygnus at gmail dot com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 11/16/24 2:54 pm From: Trileigh Tucker via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] black swans??
Martha, is this person usually a reliable source? I could sort of see a novice birder seeing cormorants fly somewhere, looking to the untrained eye like black swans.
But it’d be fun if they are indeed the latter!
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
From: Martha Jordan via Tweeters <tweeters...>
Date: Friday, November 15, 2024 at 6:09 PM
To: Tweeters <tweeters...>
Subject: [Tweeters] black swans??
Has anyone seen or heard of anyone seeing black swans flying or on the ground/water in the area south of Monroe all the way down to Stillwater? I got a report today from a woman who absolutely says she has seen 3 black swans flying around in this area over the last month. When I queried her more, she said they were all black. Juvenile trumpeters can appear very dark, perhaps by some to be black. Therefore, I send out the inquiry.
(Lewis and Clark journals state that they saw black and white swans near the mouth of the Columbia River. From what all us biologists can determine, these were adult and juvenile Trumpeter Swans.)
Thanks.
Date: 11/16/24 1:48 pm From: Nancy Crowell via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] The East 90 - a question?
Jim,
Baiting is against the principles of ethical wildlife photography. I know you wouldnt want to endanger the lives of these birds just to get a better photo. Baiting to get their prey closer to the road creates a dangerous situation. Owls are hit by cars every year in that area. Using a long lens is a good option when you cant get near your subject.
Heres a good reference guide from the Audubon Society for ethical bird photography:
(If the URL gets stripped just search for ethical bird photography.).
Enjoy!
Nancy
Nancy
"Images for the imagination."
www.crowellphotography.com
________________________________
From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces...> on behalf of Jim Betz via Tweeters <tweeters...>
Sent: Saturday, November 16, 2024 1:31:36 PM
To: via Tweeters <tweeters...>
Subject: [Tweeters] The East 90 - a question?
TWEET! TWEET!
The East 90 is proving to again be a reliable location for Harriers
and SEOW. However,
unlike last year, the birds are staying quite a ways away from the
road. There
certainly are lots of photographers and viewers present ... at just
about any time of
day and any day of the week - about the only thing that cuts down on the
numbers
is bad weather/bad light.
As to the subject of the birds staying back away from the road (most
of the time) - I
have a question. Is it ethical to drop some corn kernels in the grass
near the road?
I'm not talking 'right along the road/ditch' but rather in the grass on
the other
side of the ditch.
This should attract the voles which should attract the Harriers and
SEOWs.) Is it likely
to work? If one were to do this - would you need to do it several
times? And
what kind of frequency? Every 3 or 4 days for 2 or 3 weeks? More?
- Jim
P.S. The new parking area is getting used - but it doesn't seem to make
any difference
in the number of cars parked along the road. There have
-definitely- been some
hunters in the legal areas of the Samish Flats and Fir Island.
Date: 11/16/24 1:38 pm From: Paul Bannick via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] The East 90 - a question?
Hi Jim,
Thanks for asking the question. It would be extemely unethical to put any
bait for voles closer to the road. As with baiting of raptors, you are
decreasing their healthy avoidance of humans and increasing the liklihood
that they will be hit but cars. Collisions with autos are often the most
common reason for owl fatalities during the winter.
I know you are not asking for yourself but for the education of all, so
thanks for the question.
Paul
On Sat, Nov 16, 2024 at 1:31 PM Jim Betz via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> TWEET! TWEET!
>
> The East 90 is proving to again be a reliable location for Harriers
> and SEOW. However,
>
> unlike last year, the birds are staying quite a ways away from the
> road. There
>
> certainly are lots of photographers and viewers present ... at just
> about any time of
>
> day and any day of the week - about the only thing that cuts down on the
> numbers
>
> is bad weather/bad light.
>
> As to the subject of the birds staying back away from the road (most
> of the time) - I
>
> have a question. Is it ethical to drop some corn kernels in the grass
> near the road?
>
> I'm not talking 'right along the road/ditch' but rather in the grass on
> the other
>
> side of the ditch.
>
> This should attract the voles which should attract the Harriers and
> SEOWs.) Is it likely
>
> to work? If one were to do this - would you need to do it several
> times? And
>
> what kind of frequency? Every 3 or 4 days for 2 or 3 weeks? More?
>
> - Jim
>
> P.S. The new parking area is getting used - but it doesn't seem to make
> any difference
>
> in the number of cars parked along the road. There have
> -definitely- been some
>
> hunters in the legal areas of the Samish Flats and Fir Island.
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 11/16/24 12:37 pm From: Paul Bannick via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Nature areas becoming unleashed dog parks.
I have been bitten at Discovery Park. Discovery Park does not have any
off-leash areas but people use the bluff Meadows and also other grassy
areas in the park as if they are such.
Sent from Gmail Mobile
On Sat, Nov 16, 2024 at 12:27 PM Nancy Morrison via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> I was attacked by a dog while in Tl' awh-ah-dees (Squires Landing) park
> in Kenmore last week. The dog was off leash and ran up to me barking,
> growling and circling me. The owner was able to grab the dog quickly, but I
> feel I was moments away from being bitten. We were by the parking lot, and
> I was able to photograph her license plate before she drove off. I reported
> the incident to Animal Control and they followed up. After taking my
> report, they were going to call her to get her statement. I am going to
> presume that I will never see that dog off leash again. If at all possible,
> get a license plate number and photographs! Animal control does take these
> reports seriously.
>
> Nancy Morrison
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 11/16/24 12:30 pm From: Nancy Morrison via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Nature areas becoming unleashed dog parks.
I was attacked by a dog while in Tl' awh-ah-dees (Squires Landing) park in Kenmore last week. The dog was off leash and ran up to me barking, growling and circling me. The owner was able to grab the dog quickly, but I feel I was moments away from being bitten. We were by the parking lot, and I was able to photograph her license plate before she drove off. I reported the incident to Animal Control and they followed up. After taking my report, they were going to call her to get her statement. I am going to presume that I will never see that dog off leash again. If at all possible, get a license plate number and photographs! Animal control does take these reports seriously.
Date: 11/15/24 9:46 pm From: Kevin Lucas via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Nature areas becoming unleashed dog parks.
Elston,
Thank you, both for speaking up about bad behavior, and for sharing on
Tweeters that you did so.
I'm grateful Tweeters moderators allow you to do so.
Also, congratulations on having your efforts work.
Sincerely,
Kevin Lucas
https://www.aba.org/aba-code-of-birding-ethics/ Yakima County, Washington
*Qui tacet consentire videtur*
On Fri, Nov 15, 2024 at 2:21 PM Elston Hill via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> One of my favorite locations for wildlife is the north end of the
> Arboretum. Nice wetlands and wilder than the rest of the park. Sadly, since
> not as many people visit this part of the park, it seems that some dog
> owners think this is a great place to release their dogs.
>
> There is one woman who shows up around 8:00 am. As soon as she crosses the
> bridge to Foster Island she unleashes the dog. The dog is not menacing to
> people but it is super hyper and runs like crazy in every direction and
> into the brush and wildest areas. I recently told her that I was taking
> pictures of her and her dog to send to the Arboretum. I have yet to send
> the pictures to the Arboretum, but the last two times I was at the
> Arboretum I was shocked to see that she had leashed her dog and was jogging
> with it rather than turning it loose.
>
> If we want to preserve our wild areas, we need to speak up and there
> should be enforcement of the leash laws. Fines to the offenders could pay
> for the enforcement.
>
> Elston Hill
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 11/15/24 7:28 pm From: HAL MICHAEL via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] black swans??
Black Swans (the species) has white primaries and secondaries. I agree that "all black (dark) would likely be juveniles. We saw some juvie Trumpeters last weekend and they were very dark. With some clouds and overcast they might look black.
Hal Michael Board of Directors, Ecologists Without Borders http://ecowb.org/ Olympia WA 360-459-4005 360-791-7702 (C) <ucd880...>
> On 11/15/2024 6:09 PM PST Martha Jordan via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote: > > > Has anyone seen or heard of anyone seeing black swans flying or on the ground/water in the area south of Monroe all the way down to Stillwater? I got a report today from a woman who absolutely says she has seen 3 black swans flying around in this area over the last month. When I queried her more, she said they were all black. Juvenile trumpeters can appear very dark, perhaps by some to be black. Therefore, I send out the inquiry. > (Lewis and Clark journals state that they saw black and white swans near the mouth of the Columbia River. From what all us biologists can determine, these were adult and juvenile Trumpeter Swans.) > Thanks. > > Martha Jordan > mj.cygnus at gmail dot com > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > <Tweeters...> > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 11/15/24 6:50 pm From: Louise via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Nature areas becoming unleashed dog parks.
I agree wholeheartedly. I regularly walk in St Edwards State Park, the only
undeveloped Lake Washington shoreline still remaining, and home to bobcats
as well as a great many birds. Washington law is clear that dogs in state
parks should be on leash, and there are many signs reminding people of
this, but I see people with their dogs roaming loose almost every time I
visit.
I have raised this subject with some of the dog walkers - most of them
apologise and leash the dogs, but I'm not naive enough to assume they stay
that way once I'm out of sight. I also contacted Washington State Parks via
their website about the situation, pointing out how frequent violations are
and asking what their enforcement policy is, but I didn't receive a
response.
Louise Rutter
Kirkland
On Fri, Nov 15, 2024 at 2:21 PM Elston Hill via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> One of my favorite locations for wildlife is the north end of the
> Arboretum. Nice wetlands and wilder than the rest of the park. Sadly, since
> not as many people visit this part of the park, it seems that some dog
> owners think this is a great place to release their dogs.
>
> There is one woman who shows up around 8:00 am. As soon as she crosses the
> bridge to Foster Island she unleashes the dog. The dog is not menacing to
> people but it is super hyper and runs like crazy in every direction and
> into the brush and wildest areas. I recently told her that I was taking
> pictures of her and her dog to send to the Arboretum. I have yet to send
> the pictures to the Arboretum, but the last two times I was at the
> Arboretum I was shocked to see that she had leashed her dog and was jogging
> with it rather than turning it loose.
>
> If we want to preserve our wild areas, we need to speak up and there
> should be enforcement of the leash laws. Fines to the offenders could pay
> for the enforcement.
>
> Elston Hill
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 11/15/24 6:13 pm From: Martha Jordan via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] black swans??
Has anyone seen or heard of anyone seeing black swans flying or on the ground/water in the area south of Monroe all the way down to Stillwater? I got a report today from a woman who absolutely says she has seen 3 black swans flying around in this area over the last month. When I queried her more, she said they were all black. Juvenile trumpeters can appear very dark, perhaps by some to be black. Therefore, I send out the inquiry. (Lewis and Clark journals state that they saw black and white swans near the mouth of the Columbia River. From what all us biologists can determine, these were adult and juvenile Trumpeter Swans.) Thanks.
Date: 11/15/24 4:43 pm From: Carlos Andersen via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Nature areas becoming unleashed dog parks.
We are having the same problem on Whidbey at Deer Lagoon Preserve.
On Nov 15, 2024, at 14:20, Elston Hill via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
One of my favorite locations for wildlife is the north end of the Arboretum. Nice wetlands and wilder than the rest of the park. Sadly, since not as many people visit this part of the park, it seems that some dog owners think this is a great place to release their dogs.
There is one woman who shows up around 8:00 am. As soon as she crosses the bridge to Foster Island she unleashes the dog. The dog is not menacing to people but it is super hyper and runs like crazy in every direction and into the brush and wildest areas. I recently told her that I was taking pictures of her and her dog to send to the Arboretum. I have yet to send the pictures to the Arboretum, but the last two times I was at the Arboretum I was shocked to see that she had leashed her dog and was jogging with it rather than turning it loose.
If we want to preserve our wild areas, we need to speak up and there should be enforcement of the leash laws. Fines to the offenders could pay for the enforcement.
Date: 11/15/24 3:02 pm From: Jill Rain via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] One leucistic dunlin at Hayton
Yesterday I saw one leucistic Dunlin among a small flock (of about 200, with some LB dowitchers and G yellowlegs) at Hayton Fir Island Reserve. They were at the end of the dike path in driftwood, and flying over the slough, very high tide. See eBird report for pics. https://ebird.org/checklist/S202587453
Date: 11/15/24 2:22 pm From: Elston Hill via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Nature areas becoming unleashed dog parks.
One of my favorite locations for wildlife is the north end of the Arboretum. Nice wetlands and wilder than the rest of the park. Sadly, since not as many people visit this part of the park, it seems that some dog owners think this is a great place to release their dogs.
There is one woman who shows up around 8:00 am. As soon as she crosses the bridge to Foster Island she unleashes the dog. The dog is not menacing to people but it is super hyper and runs like crazy in every direction and into the brush and wildest areas. I recently told her that I was taking pictures of her and her dog to send to the Arboretum. I have yet to send the pictures to the Arboretum, but the last two times I was at the Arboretum I was shocked to see that she had leashed her dog and was jogging with it rather than turning it loose.
If we want to preserve our wild areas, we need to speak up and there should be enforcement of the leash laws. Fines to the offenders could pay for the enforcement.
Date: 11/15/24 8:35 am From: Thomas M Leschine via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Possible Ash-throated Flycatcher at Olympic Sculpture Park
Hi, Tweets,
Yesterday morning I led a BCS bird outing at the Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle. Weather was not ideal and turnout low, in fact only one person, Lee Jaszlics. If you know the place, it is planted with tall conifers below and beside the big Richard Serra sculpture, “Wake”. Park staff had alerted us that an owl was seen in those conifers the night before, otherwise usually the best spot for overwintering passerines.
I played a series of Northern Pygmy Owl “toots” from my phone and soon a fair number of the usual winter birds were responding with excited flitting about. High up, a larger bird caught our eye and Lee managed to get an o.k. photo. This was right at the park’s NW corner where there are now some bare limbed cedars as well as tall Doug Firs.
I thought at first Western or Tropical Kingbird, the size was certainly about right, but only the faintest of yellow on the lower breast. We both felt we saw the distinctive russet wing edging of the ATFL and Lee’s eBird photo seems to show a bit on the tail as well. We also saw it do a foray of about 20 feet that looked like a typical flycatcher insect-catching sortie. Otherwise it stayed hidden high up in the conifers but came out briefly several times in response to more “toots”. We didn’t see any owls. This was at about 9:30 am.
Hoping someone can get down there soon for a little verification.
Date: 11/14/24 5:10 pm From: Michael Hobbs via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co.) 2024-11-14
Tweets - Our walk this morning was blissfully free of interruption by bird sightings. Except for Kinglets which were numerous and widespread. Luckily, we were also almost completely free of precipitation, with only a little mist and mizzle until about 10:30, when we had some drizzle. The real rains came on my way home.
Highlights: Peregrine Falcon - Quick flyby at the mansion - First of Year (FOY) California Scrub-Jay - Continue north of the maintenance facility near the east entrance to the park Ruby-crowned Kinglet - Very common and widespread Golden-crowned Kinglet - At least twice as numerous as RCKI, and at least as widespread
We did have SEVEN SPECIES OF DUCK, but that totaled a mere 25 birds, half of which were MALLARDS. There was a lone AMERICAN WIGEON, about 5-6 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, one RING-NECKED DUCK and two BUFFLEHEAD in the slough, and two each of COMMON and HOODED MERGANSER.
Other highlights were some good conversations and temps right around 50 all morning long, chilly with the breeze but not bad.
Misses today included: Gadwall, American Coot, Killdeer, Cooper's Hawk, Northern Shrike, Bushtit, Marsh Wren, American Goldfinch, and Lincoln's Sparrow. And super-surprising, we had only a tiny heard-only flock of CACKLING GEESE at about 7:30, with none landing in the park. This, after ~2000 on recent Thursdays.
For the day, we managed to eke out 51 species, and with notably low numbers of almost all of those. By my numbers, we had 26 species with fewer than 5 individuals, and another 10 with 6-10 individuals. Only AMERICAN CROW (75) and PINE SISKIN (100?) were over 50 individuals. Median 5, mean of fewer than 10. Not a very exciting day.
= Michael Hobbs = <BirdMarymoor...> = www.marymoor.org/birding.htm
Just built a couple BirdNet-Pi 'systems'. Works fine. First couple days
of operation said we had evening grosbeaks. We rarely get evening
grosbeaks in our yard. Clearly a false ID. Next day looked out to see
six EVGR at the water. Huh. Haven't seen the American tree sparrow it
heard.
I don't receive tweeters - a friend shared the thread with me knowing
I'd been experimenting. First time post to tweeters. Pls excuse
breaches in etiquette or norms.
Contact me if you have questions...
--
Bill Rick
Coupeville WA
Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go. Oscar Wilde.
Date: 11/14/24 9:38 am From: Stephen T Bird via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] A New Way to use Merlin Sound ID
If you have computer coding experience or a fair amount of patience I’d
recommend getting a raspberryPi (a programmable microcontroller) and
loading BirdNETPi on it. This is the same software from Cornell that
subserves Merlin, but in a handy (free) package that it goes on a
raspberryPi instead of your cellphone.
You connect it to your wifi, plug in a microphone, it runs 24-7 in 15
second recordings, to identify who’s passing through. It makes the same
mistakes. But the creator made a nifty interface you can access from a
computer or cellphone on the same Wi-Fi network so you can see what time of
day and who’s passing through, then go back and review the recordings. It
helped me date the arrival of cryptic migrants better, and just brought me
the joy of knowing the goldfinches (or sunbirds) always come through at the
same times during the day (and wonder what route they take the rest of the
time).
Alternatively… find someone good at coding to upload the software to a
raspberryPi for you. I’ve wanted to undertake such a project and distribute
100 of them at houses and parks (it’s only the cost of a Pi and a
microphone). Alas I moved abroad and my BirdNETPi moved with me.
Reach out if you’d like more details,
-Stephen J
Mysore, India
On Thu, Nov 14, 2024 at 5:06 AM Tom Benedict via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> I’ve found that Merlin stops recording after awhile. Is there a setting to
> tell it to keep recording indefinitely? Or is there some other workaround?
> And I’m not exactly clear on what the wireless microphone does for you. Is
> it that you don’t want to leave your phone outside overnight? Or is the
> microphone a better quality for bird than the built in cell phone mic?
>
> Tom Benedict
> Seahurst, WA
>
>
>
> On Nov 13, 2024, at 14:12, Philip Magallanes via Tweeters <
> <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> Dear Tweets,
>
> I believe I discovered an inexpensive way to add another dimension to
> birding. It started with Merlin Sound ID. As we all know, Merlin Sound ID
> offers suggestions as to what birds may be present. It can have problems
> for a variety of reasons including background noise, low recording volume,
> other birds with similar calls, database limitations and others. But it is
> still used by many birders as an aid.
> Recently, our Trilogy Birders Club has had an interest in owls that have
> been calling in our neighborhoods. My fellow birder asked the question, is
> there a way to record at night so that we could hear the owls? The answer
> was yes, use a wireless microphone. So, I purchased an inexpensive ($25)
> wireless microphone kit from Amazon to fit my cellphone. After charging
> one of the mics, I attached the small receiver to my cellphone, left the
> cellphone in my living room, and then placed the microphone on our deck.
> After turning on Merlin, the bird list began to show up as it does when
> using Merlin in the field. But there were more birds. The house acted as a
> hide.
> The first thing I noticed is that the morning chorus is intense and
> includes a multitude of species. It starts at first light and continues
> for one or two hours. Next, the owls rule the night. Geese are common
> before sunrise and after sunset, but Merlin reports only owls in the middle
> of the night. Owls included Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Barn Owl and
> Northern Saw-whet Owl. We have heard and photographed the Great Horned
> Owl, heard and photographed the Barred Owl, and heard the Barn Owl. We
> have yet to hear the Northern Saw-whet Owl but have recorded this owl at
> two separate locations one-half mile apart.
> Your thoughts?
>
> Phil Magallanes
> Trilogy Birders
> Redmond Ridge
> _______________________________________________
> 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: 11/13/24 8:39 pm From: Kenneth Brown via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Nisqually Wednesday.
A dark-for-daylight sky and heavy rain greeted the smaller than usual collection of only semi-sane birders this morning. The sky and gusting winds seemed to portend miserable weather for the day ahead. The walk through the south parking lot, play area and orchard yielded little bird activity, though we did find a Sapsucker, a couple Flickers and few chickadees and Kinglets. A single Mourning Dove streaked through the orchard, almost too quick to identify. The rain slackened a bit.
On the entrance road, recent low tree limb removal afforded a peek-a-boo view of the small pond west of the road. Shovelers and Wigeon held the pond, an unusual-sized flock (14) of Wilson's Snipe rose up briefly from the far shore, then settled back down. The larger pond south of the service road also held a variety of the usual waterfowl and on it's south shore a Northern Harrier was eating it's not-visible kill. West of the service road a large flock of Cackling Geese hosted a single Black Brant, close in and very visible. Mallards and a couple female Bufflehead showed on the pond alongside the west part of the loop trail, Black capped Chickadees, Kinglets and Bewick's Wren in the brush on the opposite side.
Out on the dike, the rain turned to only occasional showers but the wind kept up. A full length rainbow served as a backdrop for 4 Trumpeter Swans that flew south overhead. A Peregrine Falcon harrassed the Cacklers and flocks of Dunlin appeared and disappeared. Mallards, Wigeon, Bufflehead and a few female/juvenile Surf Scoters shared McAllister Creek with the usual congregation of Harbor Seals. Small flocks of Least Sandpipers and a Spotted Sandpiper showed again along with several Greater Yellowlegs. From the gated end of the estuary boardwalk, the choppy water made distant birds difficult to see but we picked out some Red-breasted Mergansers along with more Scoters. Back on the dike Tom found our first of fall Eurasian Wigeon and while scoping it a flock off Western Meadowlarks entered our view.
The rain returned near the end of our walk but, all in all, a better day than expected. The more complete checklist follows:
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR, Thurston, Washington, US
Nov 13, 2024 8:00 AM - 2:49 PM
Protocol: Traveling
5.639 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Wednesday Walk. Rain and south wind at 10-15 knots, with the rain slacking off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; it was 52º all day. There was a low +4.2-foot tide at 8:55 a.m., flooding to a +14.7-foot high water at 2:47 p.m. Mammals seen included eastern grey squirrel, Columbian black-tailed deer, Harbor Seals; also the Pacific Chorus Frogs were active & vocal.
59 species (+6 other taxa)
Date: 11/13/24 4:51 pm From: Timothy Barksdale via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Northern Japan
Hello Tweets!
I just spent some time in Northern Honshu Japan in September on my own.
While I did not see a ton of birds, I did fine, and more than that, I had
one of the best experiences of my life. Migration was in full swing but I
hit one of those periods where the global warming combined with the
migration timing to produce a quiet period between "waves". On top of that,
I was unable to simply stop the train to get a bird.
Because I did not use a birding guide, I began preparation well ahead of
time. I am in production on another PBS special- this one 2 hours- so My
goal was to film several of the Tsunami stones, especially one very remote
one.
My first concern was to have a translator at the ready in my iPhone, Google
translate with Japanese installed made it relatively painless. I did not
speak any Japanese when I left. I think as Blair and others have noted,
using a Japanese birding guide, like Koji Tagi, will ease any problems and
probably get you very good results.
As soon as one clears customs at the Tokyo Haneda airport one can
easily obtain Japanese currency and with preparation- pocket wifi and sim
cards. Pasmo or Suica cards are right on the way to the high speed trains
and monorails. I was in Tokyo Station making new friends in under 2 hours
after landing. Within one more hour- I was on a bullet train to
Aomori which is just south of Hokkaido. I arrived before 8:30 pm !!!
One thing to keep in mind if you do go on your own like I did, - Japan is
the same size as Montana, but longer and more narrow. Oh yeah-😂 there is a
whole lot more ocean. Effectively, even though it looks so small on the
globe - it takes much longer to get places than it looks, because it is
actually much further away.
Birding books- I found the Birds of Japan by Otani Chikara to be
outstanding, but if one prefers a photoguide then Birds of Japan and
North-east Asia by Tadao Shimba was very nicely illustrated. I chose the
Chikara book to be my traveling companion.
Bird-finding guides are old and seem to be a little bit out of date. I
headed for an ideal looking river outlet, only to find it was "locked
inside" of a military zone with fighter jets in active scramble due to
North Korean provocations earlier in the day. I effectively lost an entire
day due to this range not having been clearly identified.
My path was along the Tohoku coast including Hachinohe, Fudai, Miyako,
Yamada and Kesennuma. This is a spectacular, scenic area. In nearly all the
low-lying areas, rice is cultivated. Most hillsides are covered with trees
and forests. Villages and cities are mostly well planned and very, very
clean.
Birds are everywhere, and sadly I could not stop at some of the best
locations. I came away with a modest 53 life birds of which Eastern Blue
Rock Thrush was my favorite.
I used taxis, buses, trains ( JR east) Bullet trains and walked a bunch.
Everywhere- people are friendly and helpful. In my experience, when
compared to American companies, like Delta or any other, JAL, British Air,
Turkish Air and several others are far superior in service, meals and that
means a great deal on a 20 hour flight.
I will never fly internationally on American airlines if at all possible to
avoid them.
The hotels and small family run traditional ryokans are outstanding. I was
consistently astonished by the modest prices and the service I received.
The food preparation was brilliant. Everything runs as if on a very
efficient schedule. No delays.
Important note: Japan is NOT a tipping society and thus offering a tip is
almost a sign of disrespect. Do learn to say " Arigato Gozaimasu" properly
and bow at least a little out of thanks and you will go far.
After this trip I consider Japan to be the most courteous society in the
world if not the most civilized and thus the most advanced. It is
certainly the safest and most respectful. I was impressed by the young
people, especially outside of Tokyo. School uniforms identified young
students ( 6 yrs old on up) who moved seamlessly - without adults, on
public transportation.
I was thrilled to meet a half dozen of our service men in the US Air Force
going on leave and had a delightful conversation with these fine people
while riding the train. So my impressions are not only my own.
I achieved my goal of filming 6 Tsunami stones, discovered wonderful
accommodations and found a society I loved. I will go back to Japan ( i
hope) many times before I die. If I had not already booked three more
trips, I would be doing exactly what Blair is.
Very best,
Tim Barksdale
Birdman Adventures &
Birdman Productions
Mokane, MO
Date: 11/13/24 4:11 pm From: Philip Magallanes via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] A New Way to use Merlin Sound ID
My iPhone 15 will run over 24 hours. I believe there is a settings menu item that allows an app to run indefinitely but it is cell phone dependent. I definitely would like to see Merlin results in the comfort of my living room. My cellphone can be used for other purposes while it is recording. Dont know if the $25 mic is better than the internal mic, but more expensive mics definitely are. I have one.
Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________
From: Tom Benedict <benedict.t...>
Sent: Wednesday, November 13, 2024 3:35:39 PM
To: Philip Magallanes <mail...>
Cc: <tweeters...> <tweeters...>
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] A New Way to use Merlin Sound ID
Ive found that Merlin stops recording after awhile. Is there a setting to tell it to keep recording indefinitely? Or is there some other workaround? And Im not exactly clear on what the wireless microphone does for you. Is it that you dont want to leave your phone outside overnight? Or is the microphone a better quality for bird than the built in cell phone mic?
Tom Benedict
Seahurst, WA
On Nov 13, 2024, at 14:12, Philip Magallanes via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
Dear Tweets,
I believe I discovered an inexpensive way to add another dimension to birding. It started with Merlin Sound ID. As we all know, Merlin Sound ID offers suggestions as to what birds may be present. It can have problems for a variety of reasons including background noise, low recording volume, other birds with similar calls, database limitations and others. But it is still used by many birders as an aid.
Recently, our Trilogy Birders Club has had an interest in owls that have been calling in our neighborhoods. My fellow birder asked the question, is there a way to record at night so that we could hear the owls? The answer was yes, use a wireless microphone. So, I purchased an inexpensive ($25) wireless microphone kit from Amazon to fit my cellphone. After charging one of the mics, I attached the small receiver to my cellphone, left the cellphone in my living room, and then placed the microphone on our deck. After turning on Merlin, the bird list began to show up as it does when using Merlin in the field. But there were more birds. The house acted as a hide.
The first thing I noticed is that the morning chorus is intense and includes a multitude of species. It starts at first light and continues for one or two hours. Next, the owls rule the night. Geese are common before sunrise and after sunset, but Merlin reports only owls in the middle of the night. Owls included Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Barn Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owl. We have heard and photographed the Great Horned Owl, heard and photographed the Barred Owl, and heard the Barn Owl. We have yet to hear the Northern Saw-whet Owl but have recorded this owl at two separate locations one-half mile apart.
Your thoughts?
Date: 11/13/24 3:39 pm From: Tom Benedict via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] A New Way to use Merlin Sound ID
I’ve found that Merlin stops recording after awhile. Is there a setting to tell it to keep recording indefinitely? Or is there some other workaround? And I’m not exactly clear on what the wireless microphone does for you. Is it that you don’t want to leave your phone outside overnight? Or is the microphone a better quality for bird than the built in cell phone mic?
Tom Benedict
Seahurst, WA
> On Nov 13, 2024, at 14:12, Philip Magallanes via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> Dear Tweets,
>
> I believe I discovered an inexpensive way to add another dimension to birding. It started with Merlin Sound ID. As we all know, Merlin Sound ID offers suggestions as to what birds may be present. It can have problems for a variety of reasons including background noise, low recording volume, other birds with similar calls, database limitations and others. But it is still used by many birders as an aid.
> Recently, our Trilogy Birders Club has had an interest in owls that have been calling in our neighborhoods. My fellow birder asked the question, is there a way to record at night so that we could hear the owls? The answer was yes, use a wireless microphone. So, I purchased an inexpensive ($25) wireless microphone kit from Amazon to fit my cellphone. After charging one of the mics, I attached the small receiver to my cellphone, left the cellphone in my living room, and then placed the microphone on our deck. After turning on Merlin, the bird list began to show up as it does when using Merlin in the field. But there were more birds. The house acted as a hide.
> The first thing I noticed is that the morning chorus is intense and includes a multitude of species. It starts at first light and continues for one or two hours. Next, the owls rule the night. Geese are common before sunrise and after sunset, but Merlin reports only owls in the middle of the night. Owls included Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Barn Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owl. We have heard and photographed the Great Horned Owl, heard and photographed the Barred Owl, and heard the Barn Owl. We have yet to hear the Northern Saw-whet Owl but have recorded this owl at two separate locations one-half mile apart.
> Your thoughts?
>
> Phil Magallanes
> Trilogy Birders
> Redmond Ridge
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...> <mailto:<Tweeters...> > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 11/13/24 2:14 pm From: Philip Magallanes via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] A New Way to use Merlin Sound ID
Dear Tweets,
I believe I discovered an inexpensive way to add another dimension to birding. It started with Merlin Sound ID. As we all know, Merlin Sound ID offers suggestions as to what birds may be present. It can have problems for a variety of reasons including background noise, low recording volume, other birds with similar calls, database limitations and others. But it is still used by many birders as an aid.
Recently, our Trilogy Birders Club has had an interest in owls that have been calling in our neighborhoods. My fellow birder asked the question, is there a way to record at night so that we could hear the owls? The answer was yes, use a wireless microphone. So, I purchased an inexpensive ($25) wireless microphone kit from Amazon to fit my cellphone. After charging one of the mics, I attached the small receiver to my cellphone, left the cellphone in my living room, and then placed the microphone on our deck. After turning on Merlin, the bird list began to show up as it does when using Merlin in the field. But there were more birds. The house acted as a hide.
The first thing I noticed is that the morning chorus is intense and includes a multitude of species. It starts at first light and continues for one or two hours. Next, the owls rule the night. Geese are common before sunrise and after sunset, but Merlin reports only owls in the middle of the night. Owls included Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Barn Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owl. We have heard and photographed the Great Horned Owl, heard and photographed the Barred Owl, and heard the Barn Owl. We have yet to hear the Northern Saw-whet Owl but have recorded this owl at two separate locations one-half mile apart.
Your thoughts?
Date: 11/13/24 12:56 pm From: Jay via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Japan trip planning
We went to Japan in April, 2015, and as part of that trip we spent a week on Hokkaido devoted to birding. We flew into Memambetsu Airport and flew out of Kushiro back to Tokyo for our trip home. We spent all of our time on the eastern side of Hokkaido and stayed at Japanese style lodgings. It was still cold - the lakes were frozen and there was a lot of snow on the ground in many areas. But, we saw lots of birds including Blakiston's Fish-owl, Ural Owl and Stellar's Sea Eagle.
I've sent Martha more details of our trip and experience.
Date: 11/13/24 12:29 pm From: Nick Bayard via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Last Chance for Birding Trips and Bird Art
Hello Tweets,
Assuming this reaches you on November 14, I wanted to let you know that the BirdNote annual auction closes TONIGHT at 8pm PST. We've had some great last-minute birding trips and safari experiences donated and added to the auction site, including birding in Yakima Canyon and a safari in Zimbabwe. All bids support BirdNote's mission of inspiring people to care about the natural world and take steps to protect it.
Date: 11/12/24 8:25 pm From: Peter Wimberger via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Twisp CBC
Hi Tweeterfolk-
The 2024 Twisp Christmas Bird Count takes flight on Dec. 14. We’ll meet up
at the Cinnamon Twisp Bakery at 7am and in the evening for a potluck and
recap. All birders are welcome to join. Contact Steve Pruett-Jones
(spruettjones
at gmail.com <spruettjones...>) or Wendy Sims (wendysw17 at gmail.com
<wendysw17...>) to sign up or get more information. The Twisp CBC
offers a nice variety of East side birds and can be a great place for
winter finches and Bohemian Waxwings. Some of the routes offer x-c ski
birding (!).
Best,
Peter Wimberger
Tacoma, WA
Date: 11/12/24 7:26 pm From: via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] CBC info for Dan....
I've tried to answer, but message comes back as un deliverable, because you are not "authenticated." The person to contact for the Bridgeport CBC is Peter Wimberger at <phwimberger...> from Meredith Spencer _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 11/12/24 3:15 pm From: Jim Danzenbaker via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] any new WA State CBCs out there
Hi Tweeters,
I've started the process of gathering information for the upcoming 2024-2025 CBC season and sent an e-mail to all of last year's organizers/compilers. However, the e-mail only went to CBCs that happened last year.
My request to you is that if you know of a new CBC this year or one that didn't happen last year, can you shoot me a quick e-mail and let me know the specifics so that I can include it in the summary? I greatly appreciate it.
This is the list of last year's CBCs: https://wos.org/cbc/. The updated summary will appear on the WOS website in about 2-3 weeks depending on how long it takes to receive feedback on all the counts and the time required to update the final document.
Thanks in advance.
Jim -- Jim Danzenbaker Battle Ground, WA 360-702-9395 <jdanzenbaker...>
Date: 11/12/24 1:36 pm From: B B via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Japan trip planning
Cindy and I are scheduled to visit Japan this winter (February) with a mix of birding and cultural activities. My main goal is to see a male Smew - my top of the list bucket list bird but we will also be going for cranes, Steller's Sea eagles, Blakiston's Fish Owl and others with some birding on Honshu, Hokkaido and Kyushu. We are fortunate to have Koji Tagi as a guide. Working with us, he has made a full itinerary and arranged most accommodations and travel. We are happy to share details and the experience when we return.
Blair Bernson
On Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 07:51:58 AM PST, Paul Bannick via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
I would like to be added too
Sent from Gmail Mobile
On Tue, Nov 12, 2024 at 12:01 AM Steven Dammer via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
Hello Tweets,
Would love to be included on any responses here, as I am looking at traveling tand othero Japan next year roughly around fall. Would appreciate any of the same recommendations or tips y'all may have!
Cheers,
Steven Dammer
On Mon, Nov 11, 2024, 14:21 Martha Jordan via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
At last I am ready to take the trip plunge and visit the north end of Japan (basically Sapporo area north for the birds and stay with a friend there. Has anyone had experience in this area in the April-very early May period? Any books I should consider. And, yes, I want to time it for the Tundra Swan migration that comes through the north area in April-May. I already noted the Lake Utonai area and Kutcharo-Ko Observatory (They both sound really interesting). Also, any suggestions for airlines and flights to consider. I started looking at this and found it had lots of options, airlines and itinerary.....confusing to a novice. Thanks for any assistance those who have been there and done that can offer.
Martha Jordan206 713 3684mj dot cygnus at gmail dot com
Date: 11/12/24 11:59 am From: B B via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Birds and Beasts of the Galapagos - Blog Post
I finally finished my blog post about the awesome trip Cindy Bailey and I took to the Galapagos Islands in October this year. It focuses on the wildlife encountered and includes more than 110 photos including 40 bird species - many endemic to the Islands. This is the second and last post on that trip and someday I hope to post about the earlier trip to mainland Ecuador - a birding trip with Tom St. John and guide Nelson Apolo Jaramillo.
https://blairbirding.com/2024/11/12/the-galapagos-islands-birdies-and-beasties/ Blair BernsonEdmonds
_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
This was a study starting in 2006 to see if crows could remember and identify faces, and would treat the persons accordingly
Actually I misremembered! It turns out the Cheney mask was the neutral mask, neither the kind nor the angry mask.
I think they actually went to a Halloween store to pick out masks.
Pretty interesting reading!
Teresa Michelsen
Hoodsport
From: Carlos Andersen <2carlosandersen...>
Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2024 10:05 AM
To: Teresa Michelsen <teresa...>
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Crows Tearing Up Grass in Auburn
Meaning?
On Nov 12, 2024, at 09:51, Teresa Michelsen via Tweeters <tweeters...><mailto:<tweeters...>> wrote:
Was there a Cheney mask hidden under there??
(sorry this is the only group of people who would get that joke 😃)
I've been seeing this at University of Washington recently. Crows absolutely obliterated a particular patch of grass on the Rainier Vista, which forced the university to replace it.
Mark Walton
I wanted to check the tweeter sphere on a crow phenomenon to see if anyone else is having the same problem. The crows here in Auburn have been ripping up the grass around here. I mean really tearing it up and leaving huge piles and chunks of grass in their wake. Looks like aeration jobs from hell everywhere. They've torn up sections of the grass by Auburn High School, parts of my parents yard, neighbors yards, etc. None of us have ever seen crows wreak destruction on grass like this before. We have heard through the grapevine it's because they are going after grubs, so maybe there is some unusually large grub crop and they are going crazy for them and tearing out the grass to get to them?
From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces...> On Behalf Of Paul Bannick via Tweeters
Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2024 7:49 AM
To: Steven Dammer <dammerecologist1990...>
Cc: Martha Jordan <mj.cygnus...>; Tweeters <tweeters...>
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Japan trip planning
I would like to be added too
Sent from Gmail Mobile
On Tue, Nov 12, 2024 at 12:01 AM Steven Dammer via Tweeters <tweeters...> <mailto:<tweeters...> > wrote:
Hello Tweets,
Would love to be included on any responses here, as I am looking at traveling to Japan next year roughly around fall. Would appreciate any of the same recommendations or tips y'all may have!
Cheers,
Steven Dammer
On Mon, Nov 11, 2024, 14:21 Martha Jordan via Tweeters <tweeters...> <mailto:<tweeters...> > wrote:
At last I am ready to take the trip plunge and visit the north end of Japan (basically Sapporo area north for the birds and stay with a friend there. Has anyone had experience in this area in the April-very early May period? Any books I should consider. And, yes, I want to time it for the Tundra Swan migration that comes through the north area in April-May. I already noted the Lake Utonai area and Kutcharo-Ko Observatory (They both sound really interesting).
Also, any suggestions for airlines and flights to consider. I started looking at this and found it had lots of options, airlines and itinerary.....confusing to a novice.
Thanks for any assistance those who have been there and done that can offer.
Date: 11/12/24 9:56 am From: Teresa Michelsen via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Crows Tearing Up Grass in Auburn
Was there a Cheney mask hidden under there??
(sorry this is the only group of people who would get that joke 😃)
Teresa Michelsen
Hoodsport
From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces...> On Behalf Of Mark Walton via Tweeters
Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2024 9:40 AM
To: <garrettwhaynes...>
Cc: <tweeters...>
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Crows Tearing Up Grass in Auburn
I've been seeing this at University of Washington recently. Crows absolutely obliterated a particular patch of grass on the Rainier Vista, which forced the university to replace it.
Mark Walton
I wanted to check the tweeter sphere on a crow phenomenon to see if anyone else is having the same problem. The crows here in Auburn have been ripping up the grass around here. I mean really tearing it up and leaving huge piles and chunks of grass in their wake. Looks like aeration jobs from hell everywhere. They've torn up sections of the grass by Auburn High School, parts of my parents yard, neighbors yards, etc. None of us have ever seen crows wreak destruction on grass like this before. We have heard through the grapevine it's because they are going after grubs, so maybe there is some unusually large grub crop and they are going crazy for them and tearing out the grass to get to them?
Date: 11/12/24 9:42 am From: Mark Walton via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Crows Tearing Up Grass in Auburn
I've been seeing this at University of Washington recently. Crows
absolutely obliterated a particular patch of grass on the Rainier Vista,
which forced the university to replace it.
Mark Walton
Ar Luan 11 Samh 2024 ag 13:31, scríobh <garrettwhaynes...> via Tweeters <
<tweeters...>:
> Hello Tweets,
>
> I wanted to check the tweeter sphere on a crow phenomenon to see if anyone
> else is having the same problem. The crows here in Auburn have been ripping
> up the grass around here. I mean really tearing it up and leaving huge
> piles and chunks of grass in their wake. Looks like aeration jobs from hell
> everywhere. They've torn up sections of the grass by Auburn High School,
> parts of my parents yard, neighbors yards, etc. None of us have ever seen
> crows wreak destruction on grass like this before. We have heard through
> the grapevine it's because they are going after grubs, so maybe there is
> some unusually large grub crop and they are going crazy for them and
> tearing out the grass to get to them?
>
> Garrett Haynes
> Auburn, WA
>
> Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> > _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 11/12/24 7:52 am From: Paul Bannick via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Japan trip planning
I would like to be added too
Sent from Gmail Mobile
On Tue, Nov 12, 2024 at 12:01 AM Steven Dammer via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> Hello Tweets,
>
> Would love to be included on any responses here, as I am looking at
> traveling to Japan next year roughly around fall. Would appreciate any of
> the same recommendations or tips y'all may have!
>
> Cheers,
>
> Steven Dammer
>
>
> On Mon, Nov 11, 2024, 14:21 Martha Jordan via Tweeters <
> <tweeters...> wrote:
>
>> At last I am ready to take the trip plunge and visit the north end of
>> Japan (basically Sapporo area north for the birds and stay with a friend
>> there. Has anyone had experience in this area in the April-very early May
>> period? Any books I should consider. And, yes, I want to time it for the
>> Tundra Swan migration that comes through the north area in April-May. I
>> already noted the Lake Utonai area and Kutcharo-Ko Observatory (They both
>> sound really interesting).
>> Also, any suggestions for airlines and flights to consider. I started
>> looking at this and found it had lots of options, airlines and
>> itinerary.....confusing to a novice.
>> Thanks for any assistance those who have been there and done that can
>> offer.
>>
>> Martha Jordan
>> 206 713 3684
>> mj dot cygnus at gmail dot com
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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: 11/12/24 2:49 am From: Dan Reiff via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Great Indian Bustard: Experts hail breakthrough in bid to save native bird
BBC news:
“The massive bird, which weighs between 15kg and 18kg, is one of the biggest flying birds in India.”
“Over the years, habitat loss, poaching and collisions with overhead power lines have effected great Indian bustards. Their numbers have fallen from more than 1,000 in the 1960s to around 150 at present.“
Date: 11/12/24 12:04 am From: Steven Dammer via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Japan trip planning
Hello Tweets,
Would love to be included on any responses here, as I am looking at traveling to Japan next year roughly around fall. Would appreciate any of the same recommendations or tips y'all may have!
Cheers,
Steven Dammer
On Mon, Nov 11, 2024, 14:21 Martha Jordan via Tweeters < <tweeters...> wrote:
> At last I am ready to take the trip plunge and visit the north end of > Japan (basically Sapporo area north for the birds and stay with a friend > there. Has anyone had experience in this area in the April-very early May > period? Any books I should consider. And, yes, I want to time it for the > Tundra Swan migration that comes through the north area in April-May. I > already noted the Lake Utonai area and Kutcharo-Ko Observatory (They both > sound really interesting). > Also, any suggestions for airlines and flights to consider. I started > looking at this and found it had lots of options, airlines and > itinerary.....confusing to a novice. > Thanks for any assistance those who have been there and done that can > offer. > > Martha Jordan > 206 713 3684 > mj dot cygnus at gmail dot com > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > <Tweeters...> > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 11/11/24 7:54 pm From: Bill Tweit via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Eurasian Collared-Dove decline further thoughts
Really great input from Steve H and Bob O. on this subject.
Bob suggests also looking at the Status and Trends tool in eBird, and that it may present a different picture of their population trends. I agree and disagree. The Status and Trends tool is an amazing tool to have at your fingertips, for looking at several of the trends that he lists. Where I disagree is in the interpretation for EUCD status. Exactly as Steve H. notes, a single index of a ten year time span can disguise the actual population dynamic. In this case, the Status and Trend tool currently looks at 2011-2021, and essentially evaluates whether the population has increased or decreased over that period. Steve H. points out that it can miss a peak and subsequent decline. In this case, the peak happened late in the period, probably in 2017, so seven of the eleven years in the index were increasing and only four were decreasing. And, as I've already noted, the increase was really impressive, while any decrease is clearly more subtle. So, essentially the Status and Trends index is telling us that the 2021 population was larger than the 2011 population, without showing the trajectory. In stock market terms, if you had bought EUCD stock in 2011 and sold in 2021 you would have made money, but if you had bought in 2017 and sold in 2021, you would have lost money.
Bob's examples of other species are really thought provoking. The Cattle Egret population explosion may well have been as impressive as the collared-dove expansion, and the Crested Mynah increase followed by their disappearance is a great reminder that not all 'promising' starts turn into positive outcomes in the long-term (Spotted Dove in Southern CA and northern Baja shows a very similar trend; they appear to be on the road to vanishing). And, while it is tempting to speculate that the Anna's and Rufous population trends are related, please note that Bob did not suggest that displacement was the operative factor, he just suggested that it should be examined.
His closing reminder of the value of eBird for providing definitive, data-driven (is that redundant?) answers to questions about range shift versus population decline is worth re-reading. eBird is an amazing resource, collecting birders observations and generating useful information for scientists, resource managers, conservation organizations, planners and birders.
On Mon, Nov 11, 2024 at 3:37 PM Shelf Life Community Story Project via
Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
> It’s the invasive chafer beetle in grub stage that the crows love. It is
> probably impossible to do anything to stop it. The crows are eating an
> invasive species, so that’s good. Lawns aren’t all that climate friendly
> anyway; they require watering and often fertilizer. The arrival of the
> chafer beetle may signal a necessary shift away from lawns.
>
> Jill
>
> On Nov 11, 2024, at 1:30 PM, <garrettwhaynes...> via Tweeters <
> <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> Hello Tweets,
>
> I wanted to check the tweeter sphere on a crow phenomenon to see if anyone
> else is having the same problem. The crows here in Auburn have been ripping
> up the grass around here. I mean really tearing it up and leaving huge
> piles and chunks of grass in their wake. Looks like aeration jobs from hell
> everywhere. They've torn up sections of the grass by Auburn High School,
> parts of my parents yard, neighbors yards, etc. None of us have ever seen
> crows wreak destruction on grass like this before. We have heard through
> the grapevine it's because they are going after grubs, so maybe there is
> some unusually large grub crop and they are going crazy for them and
> tearing out the grass to get to them?
>
> Garrett Haynes
> Auburn, WA
>
> Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> > _______________________________________________
> 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: 11/11/24 3:42 pm From: Shelf Life Community Story Project via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Crows Tearing Up Grass in Auburn
It’s the invasive chafer beetle in grub stage that the crows love. It is probably impossible to do anything to stop it. The crows are eating an invasive species, so that’s good. Lawns aren’t all that climate friendly anyway; they require watering and often fertilizer. The arrival of the chafer beetle may signal a necessary shift away from lawns.
Jill
> On Nov 11, 2024, at 1:30 PM, <garrettwhaynes...> via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> Hello Tweets,
>
> I wanted to check the tweeter sphere on a crow phenomenon to see if anyone else is having the same problem. The crows here in Auburn have been ripping up the grass around here. I mean really tearing it up and leaving huge piles and chunks of grass in their wake. Looks like aeration jobs from hell everywhere. They've torn up sections of the grass by Auburn High School, parts of my parents yard, neighbors yards, etc. None of us have ever seen crows wreak destruction on grass like this before. We have heard through the grapevine it's because they are going after grubs, so maybe there is some unusually large grub crop and they are going crazy for them and tearing out the grass to get to them?
>
> Garrett Haynes
> Auburn, WA
>
> Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef>_______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 11/11/24 3:12 pm From: Carla Conway via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Crows Tearing Up Grass in Auburn
Hello Garrett,
About a year ago, my co-workers and I noticed crows enthusiastically
tearing out the lawn at our workplace near Magnuson Park (North Seattle).
According to this Seattle Times article, the crows are feeding on the
larvae of the European chafer beetle. We've definitely seen them remove
grubs from the lawn - very entertaining to watch.
On Mon, Nov 11, 2024 at 1:30 PM <garrettwhaynes...> via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> Hello Tweets,
>
> I wanted to check the tweeter sphere on a crow phenomenon to see if anyone
> else is having the same problem. The crows here in Auburn have been ripping
> up the grass around here. I mean really tearing it up and leaving huge
> piles and chunks of grass in their wake. Looks like aeration jobs from hell
> everywhere. They've torn up sections of the grass by Auburn High School,
> parts of my parents yard, neighbors yards, etc. None of us have ever seen
> crows wreak destruction on grass like this before. We have heard through
> the grapevine it's because they are going after grubs, so maybe there is
> some unusually large grub crop and they are going crazy for them and
> tearing out the grass to get to them?
>
> Garrett Haynes
> Auburn, WA
>
> Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> > _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 11/11/24 3:04 pm From: Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Crows Tearing Up Grass in Auburn
We had a small patch turned over last year at Treasure Island Park here in
Twin Lakes. At first I thought that the crows were following up on what the
raccoons started at night. The chunks of grass seemed to be too large for
crows, however I have observed them since and they are indeed the culprits.
This year the damage is more extensive and has spread to neighborhood
lawns. I have never before observed this behavior from crows. Makes me
wonder if these grub infestation come in cycles?
Hans
*Hans Feddern*
Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA
<thefedderns...>
On Mon, Nov 11, 2024 at 2:15 PM Scott Ramos via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> At Magnuson Park, there are periodic bicycle races that use part of the
> lawns for their racecourse. In theory, there is work between the park and
> the race organizers to 'repair' the places on the lawn that get quite
> chewed up. Part of the recovery includes planting new grass seed. While
> this may be attractive to a number of species, it's mostly Ring-billed
> Gulls and Crows that come to consume the free meal. I've watched both as
> they feed and they are not only plucking the seeds but digging and turning
> over the loose surface, leaving an aeration effect.
>
> Scott Ramos
> Seattle
>
>
> On Mon, Nov 11, 2024 at 2:01 PM Paul Bannick via Tweeters <
> <tweeters...> wrote:
>
>> i agree with Connie! Flickers and racoons are doing the same thing.
>> They would not do this if there were not lots of readily accessible tasty
>> treats to be had.
>>
>> On Mon, Nov 11, 2024 at 1:48 PM Constance Sidles via Tweeters <
>> <tweeters...> wrote:
>>
>>> Hey tweets, my understanding is that the crows are not responsible for
>>> tearing up lawns. The grubs are responsible by eating the roots of the
>>> grass. The crows merely turn over the divots. Crows are actually helping
>>> lawns but eating the grubs. - Connie, Seattle
>>>
>>> <constancesidles...>
>>>
>>> On Nov 11, 2024, at 1:30 PM, <garrettwhaynes...> via Tweeters <
>>> <tweeters...> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hello Tweets,
>>>
>>> I wanted to check the tweeter sphere on a crow phenomenon to see if
>>> anyone else is having the same problem. The crows here in Auburn have been
>>> ripping up the grass around here. I mean really tearing it up and leaving
>>> huge piles and chunks of grass in their wake. Looks like aeration jobs from
>>> hell everywhere. They've torn up sections of the grass by Auburn High
>>> School, parts of my parents yard, neighbors yards, etc. None of us have
>>> ever seen crows wreak destruction on grass like this before. We have heard
>>> through the grapevine it's because they are going after grubs, so maybe
>>> there is some unusually large grub crop and they are going crazy for them
>>> and tearing out the grass to get to them?
>>>
>>> Garrett Haynes
>>> Auburn, WA
>>>
>>> Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> >>> _______________________________________________
>>> Tweeters mailing list
>>> <Tweeters...>
>>> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Tweeters mailing list
>>> <Tweeters...>
>>> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Now Available:
>> Owl: A Year in the Lives of North American Owls at:
>>
>> http://paulbannick.com/shop/owl-a-year-in-the-lives-of-north-american-owls/ >>
>>
>> Paul Bannick Photography
>> www.paulbannick.com
>> 206-940-7835
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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: 11/11/24 2:17 pm From: Scott Ramos via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Crows Tearing Up Grass in Auburn
At Magnuson Park, there are periodic bicycle races that use part of the
lawns for their racecourse. In theory, there is work between the park and
the race organizers to 'repair' the places on the lawn that get quite
chewed up. Part of the recovery includes planting new grass seed. While
this may be attractive to a number of species, it's mostly Ring-billed
Gulls and Crows that come to consume the free meal. I've watched both as
they feed and they are not only plucking the seeds but digging and turning
over the loose surface, leaving an aeration effect.
Scott Ramos
Seattle
On Mon, Nov 11, 2024 at 2:01 PM Paul Bannick via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> i agree with Connie! Flickers and racoons are doing the same thing. They
> would not do this if there were not lots of readily accessible tasty treats
> to be had.
>
> On Mon, Nov 11, 2024 at 1:48 PM Constance Sidles via Tweeters <
> <tweeters...> wrote:
>
>> Hey tweets, my understanding is that the crows are not responsible for
>> tearing up lawns. The grubs are responsible by eating the roots of the
>> grass. The crows merely turn over the divots. Crows are actually helping
>> lawns but eating the grubs. - Connie, Seattle
>>
>> <constancesidles...>
>>
>> On Nov 11, 2024, at 1:30 PM, <garrettwhaynes...> via Tweeters <
>> <tweeters...> wrote:
>>
>> Hello Tweets,
>>
>> I wanted to check the tweeter sphere on a crow phenomenon to see if
>> anyone else is having the same problem. The crows here in Auburn have been
>> ripping up the grass around here. I mean really tearing it up and leaving
>> huge piles and chunks of grass in their wake. Looks like aeration jobs from
>> hell everywhere. They've torn up sections of the grass by Auburn High
>> School, parts of my parents yard, neighbors yards, etc. None of us have
>> ever seen crows wreak destruction on grass like this before. We have heard
>> through the grapevine it's because they are going after grubs, so maybe
>> there is some unusually large grub crop and they are going crazy for them
>> and tearing out the grass to get to them?
>>
>> Garrett Haynes
>> Auburn, WA
>>
>> Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> >> _______________________________________________
>> Tweeters mailing list
>> <Tweeters...>
>> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Tweeters mailing list
>> <Tweeters...>
>> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >>
>
>
> --
> Now Available:
> Owl: A Year in the Lives of North American Owls at:
> http://paulbannick.com/shop/owl-a-year-in-the-lives-of-north-american-owls/ >
>
> Paul Bannick Photography
> www.paulbannick.com
> 206-940-7835
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 11/11/24 2:09 pm From: Paul Bannick via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Crows Tearing Up Grass in Auburn
i agree with Connie! Flickers and racoons are doing the same thing. They
would not do this if there were not lots of readily accessible tasty treats
to be had.
On Mon, Nov 11, 2024 at 1:48 PM Constance Sidles via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> Hey tweets, my understanding is that the crows are not responsible for
> tearing up lawns. The grubs are responsible by eating the roots of the
> grass. The crows merely turn over the divots. Crows are actually helping
> lawns but eating the grubs. - Connie, Seattle
>
> <constancesidles...>
>
> On Nov 11, 2024, at 1:30 PM, <garrettwhaynes...> via Tweeters <
> <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> Hello Tweets,
>
> I wanted to check the tweeter sphere on a crow phenomenon to see if anyone
> else is having the same problem. The crows here in Auburn have been ripping
> up the grass around here. I mean really tearing it up and leaving huge
> piles and chunks of grass in their wake. Looks like aeration jobs from hell
> everywhere. They've torn up sections of the grass by Auburn High School,
> parts of my parents yard, neighbors yards, etc. None of us have ever seen
> crows wreak destruction on grass like this before. We have heard through
> the grapevine it's because they are going after grubs, so maybe there is
> some unusually large grub crop and they are going crazy for them and
> tearing out the grass to get to them?
>
> Garrett Haynes
> Auburn, WA
>
> Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> > _______________________________________________
> 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: 11/11/24 2:08 pm From: HAL MICHAEL via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Crows Tearing Up Grass in Auburn
May sound like a silly question but are you sure it is crows doing the digging? We regularly get flocks of starlings who are digging up the European Crane Fly larvae. They make holes in the ground with the bills and cover rather large areas of grass. I am rather glad they do it.
Hal Michael
Board of Directors, Ecologists Without Borders http://ecowb.org/ Olympia WA
360-459-4005
360-791-7702 (C)
<ucd880...>
> On 11/11/2024 1:47 PM PST Constance Sidles via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>
>
> Hey tweets, my understanding is that the crows are not responsible for tearing up lawns. The grubs are responsible by eating the roots of the grass. The crows merely turn over the divots. Crows are actually helping lawns but eating the grubs. - Connie, Seattle
>
> <constancesidles...>
>
>
> > On Nov 11, 2024, at 1:30 PM, <garrettwhaynes...> via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
> > Hello Tweets,
> >
> > I wanted to check the tweeter sphere on a crow phenomenon to see if anyone else is having the same problem. The crows here in Auburn have been ripping up the grass around here. I mean really tearing it up and leaving huge piles and chunks of grass in their wake. Looks like aeration jobs from hell everywhere. They've torn up sections of the grass by Auburn High School, parts of my parents yard, neighbors yards, etc. None of us have ever seen crows wreak destruction on grass like this before. We have heard through the grapevine it's because they are going after grubs, so maybe there is some unusually large grub crop and they are going crazy for them and tearing out the grass to get to them?
> >
> > Garrett Haynes
> > Auburn, WA
> >
> > Get Outlook for iOS https://aka.ms/o0ukef > > _______________________________________________
> > 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: 11/11/24 1:50 pm From: Constance Sidles via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Crows Tearing Up Grass in Auburn
Hey tweets, my understanding is that the crows are not responsible for tearing up lawns. The grubs are responsible by eating the roots of the grass. The crows merely turn over the divots. Crows are actually helping lawns but eating the grubs. - Connie, Seattle
<constancesidles...>
> On Nov 11, 2024, at 1:30 PM, <garrettwhaynes...> via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> Hello Tweets,
>
> I wanted to check the tweeter sphere on a crow phenomenon to see if anyone else is having the same problem. The crows here in Auburn have been ripping up the grass around here. I mean really tearing it up and leaving huge piles and chunks of grass in their wake. Looks like aeration jobs from hell everywhere. They've torn up sections of the grass by Auburn High School, parts of my parents yard, neighbors yards, etc. None of us have ever seen crows wreak destruction on grass like this before. We have heard through the grapevine it's because they are going after grubs, so maybe there is some unusually large grub crop and they are going crazy for them and tearing out the grass to get to them?
>
> Garrett Haynes
> Auburn, WA
>
> Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef>_______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 11/11/24 1:33 pm From: <garrettwhaynes...> via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Crows Tearing Up Grass in Auburn
Hello Tweets,
I wanted to check the tweeter sphere on a crow phenomenon to see if anyone else is having the same problem. The crows here in Auburn have been ripping up the grass around here. I mean really tearing it up and leaving huge piles and chunks of grass in their wake. Looks like aeration jobs from hell everywhere. They've torn up sections of the grass by Auburn High School, parts of my parents yard, neighbors yards, etc. None of us have ever seen crows wreak destruction on grass like this before. We have heard through the grapevine it's because they are going after grubs, so maybe there is some unusually large grub crop and they are going crazy for them and tearing out the grass to get to them?
Date: 11/11/24 1:24 pm From: Martha Jordan via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Japan trip planning
At last I am ready to take the trip plunge and visit the north end of Japan (basically Sapporo area north for the birds and stay with a friend there. Has anyone had experience in this area in the April-very early May period? Any books I should consider. And, yes, I want to time it for the Tundra Swan migration that comes through the north area in April-May. I already noted the Lake Utonai area and Kutcharo-Ko Observatory (They both sound really interesting). Also, any suggestions for airlines and flights to consider. I started looking at this and found it had lots of options, airlines and itinerary.....confusing to a novice. Thanks for any assistance those who have been there and done that can offer.
Martha Jordan 206 713 3684 mj dot cygnus at gmail dot com
Date: 11/11/24 1:01 pm From: Liam Joaquin Wallace via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Used Scope
Hi all,
I was wondering if anyone was selling a used Swarovski ATS 80 or a Kowa 66.
I live in Seattle and would be happy to pay for shipping. Email me if
you’re selling one.
Date: 11/11/24 11:16 am From: Robert O'Brien via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Eurasian Collared-Dove decline
The eBird Trends map for Eurasian Collared Dove also answers the
interesting questions raised recently by Jim Betz.
More of less, "How do we know a species is declining? Maybe they just moved
somewhere else?"
Before eBird this was not an easy question to answer. But as one can see
from the eBird trends analysis, in the Seattle Area some areas do seem to
be declining but others are increasing. Overall roughly a net increase over
the last 10 years. Just like Jim suggested. But in this case, all the
areas *are* being monitored (more or less) so the question asked by Jim can
indeed be answered. *eBird is great.* But, we already knew that.
Bob OBrien Carver OR
On Mon, Nov 11, 2024 at 7:22 AM Steve Hampton via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> Yes, I looked at the eBird Trends map for Eurasian Collared-Dove. And,
> yes, I think the time period of the map, 2011-2021, could easily mask an
> inverted U with a peak in the middle.
>
>
>
> On Sun, Nov 10, 2024 at 10:20 PM Robert O'Brien <baro...> wrote:
>
>> Well, it seems the Eurasian Collared Dove abundance is not as simple as
>> one would assume. eBird has a trend analysis page:
>>
>> https://science.ebird.org/en/status-and-trends/species/eucdov/trends-map?regionCode=USA&showAllTrends=true >> and I hope this url works. It's possible one would have to log into
>> their eBird Account to see it.
>> If it does work, then simply click the +sign to enlarge and use the mouse
>> to scroll around the continent. The data in the Seattle area is mixed but
>> overall
>> seems to show small increases over the last 10 years, with more
>> consistent small increases moving south into the Portland area.
>> Now if the trends were to go back further into the past than 10 years,
>> such as 2001 to 2011 perhaps there would be a consistent decrease formerly
>> followed by the leveling off over the recent decade. If you wish to look
>> for other bird species' trends simply click on the Collared Dove Entry and
>> replace it with another bird.
>> Such 'expected' decreasing trends as have been discussed here for
>> Collared Dove have been interesting for other 'invaders.
>> 1. Cattle Egret A startling appearance in Florida followed by a truly
>> amazing expansion continent-wide with numbers showing up, for instance,
>> pretty regularly on Sauvie Island in the later last century. In the last
>> decade they seem to have 'already' decreased down into the
>> central/upper Gull of Mexico coast where they continue their decline.
>> (Replace Collared Dove in the original url with Cattle Egret).
>> 2. Crested Mynah. Introduced into Vancouver BC in the 1890's they also
>> expanded over the next fifty years all around SW BC and there were casual
>> reports a scattered few even made it into the Portland Area. They then
>> declined towards the end of the 1900's and the last eBird report was for
>> 2014.
>> 3. As for native birds, sadly, enter Rufous Hummingbird. You will not
>> like what you see. But it is completely consistent with what I have seen
>> at my rural place 20 mi SE of Portland. 50 years ago,Rufous (only) were a
>> common breeder and present at my feeders seasonally as is well known. Then
>> Anna's finally made it here say 40 years ago and both were common for the
>> mid 20-30 years. But in the last 5 years Rufous have been virtually
>> absent. here.
>> 4. Anna's Hummingbird. No surprises there. Huge, continuing increases
>> throughout Oregon/Washington
>> Could this have been displacement? No way to tell from simple trend
>> analysis without further information I would guess.
>>
>> Bob OBrien Carver OR
>>
>> P.S. Please let me know if the urls above do not work and I will post the
>> maps to my Flickr Account. (And I can't control my continual whining that
>> it would really be GREAT if Tweeters could somehow allow photos to be
>> appended to posts, as has been the case here in Oregon's OBOL for decades
>> now.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Nov 10, 2024 at 6:34 AM Steve Hampton via Tweeters <
>> <tweeters...> wrote:
>>
>>> Likewise, Christmas Bird Count data, especially aggregated across large
>>> areas (e.g. a state) for common species, can tell a story.
>>> I haven't looked at the statewide data for WA, but there has been some
>>> analysis in the Central Valley of California.
>>>
>>> I explored the nationwide trends and plotted the Central Valley records
>>> when there were still only 24 records.
>>>
>>> Hampton, S. (2006). The expansion of the Eurasian Collared-Dove into the
>>> Central Valley of California.
>>> <https://www.cvbirds.org/wp-content/themes/cvbirds/files/V.9no.1/V.9no.1pp7-14..pdf> >>>
>>> Then Ed Pandolfino used CBC and BBS data to show they had peaked in
>>> 2017.
>>>
>>> Pandolfino, E. (2020). The Eurasian Collared-Dove invasion in
>>> California: Has it peaked?
>>> <https://www.cvbirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/1-Pandolfino-The-Eurasian-vol23-no3.pdf> >>>
>>> I expect WA is somewhere along a similar path.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sat, Nov 9, 2024 at 2:08 PM Bill Tweit via Tweeters <
>>> <tweeters...> wrote:
>>>
>>>> A couple of days ago, Hans Feddern noted on Tweeters that he had
>>>> observed a decline of Eurasian Collared-Doves in areas he has birded, and
>>>> asked about other evidence of a decline.
>>>>
>>>> This is exactly the sort of question that eBird data are quite useful
>>>> for answering. But before I point to some eBird data sources, I'll just
>>>> note that it would be highly surprising if they were NOT declining at this
>>>> point. The basic ecological dynamic that is operative here is that newly
>>>> established species often show very rapid population growth until natural
>>>> checks, such as predation, disease and competition, begin to function
>>>> effectively. Typically, the development of population controls lags
>>>> population growth, which leads to population declines as the newly arrived
>>>> species begins to transition from a growth phase to an equilibrium phase.
>>>>
>>>> In this particular case, the growth phase of Eurasian Collared-Dove
>>>> expansion into western North America was explosive, and may well be one of
>>>> the most impressive vertebrate range expansions in our experience. One
>>>> would expect that explosive growth would then result in noticeable
>>>> declines, simply because the population grew so rapidly that it noticeably
>>>> outstripped its 'equilibrium' population size when the inevitable
>>>> population checks are fully operative. How explosive? Look at the eBird
>>>> species map for collared-dove in Washington in 2005 (
>>>> https://ebird.org/map/eucdov?neg=true&<env.minX...>&<env.minY...>&<env.maxX...>&<env.maxY...>&zh=true&gp=false&ev=Z&excludeExX=false&excludeExAll=false&mr=1-12&bmo=1&emo=12&yr=range&byr=2005&eyr=2005)
>>>> with the 2015 map (
>>>> https://ebird.org/map/eucdov?neg=true&<env.minX...>&<env.minY...>&<env.maxX...>&<env.maxY...>&zh=true&gp=false&ev=Z&excludeExX=false&excludeExAll=false&mr=1-12&bmo=1&emo=12&yr=range&byr=2015&eyr=2015).
>>>> In a mere decade, their distribution in the state transitions from a few
>>>> scattered areas to uniformly present in all of the non-mountainous areas or
>>>> heavily forested areas. Another data source for looking at the increase
>>>> is the Washington Bird Record Committee records: the first year with
>>>> multiple reports was 2005, and three years later the WBRC removed it from
>>>> the review list as it exceeded the criteria for inclusion in the review
>>>> list. In three years! Obviously, WBRC records don't provide any
>>>> information on subsequent population fluctuations.
>>>>
>>>> Turning to eBird for evidence of decline. My data analysis skills are
>>>> surface level, so there is plenty of room for more detailed dives into
>>>> eBird data. But, take a look at the annual line chart of the eBird
>>>> statistic for frequency of collared-dove statewide for the five years
>>>> 2017-2021 (
>>>> https://ebird.org/barchart?byr=2017&eyr=2021&bmo=1&emo=12&r=US&spp=eucdov&separateYears=true).
>>>> It very clearly shows declines each year from the 2017 to 2021, in fact the
>>>> 2021 line never reaches the 2017 line at any point in the year. The eBird
>>>> statistic for abundance shows a very similar pattern. These charts can
>>>> only show five consecutive years, a quick look at the 2019-2023 chart shows
>>>> some continued decline but a lot more overlap between years, so the
>>>> population levels now are more similar to the 2021 levels, and remain well
>>>> below the high point of around a decade ago. eBird provides data that
>>>> allow us to understand how the expected decline has actually unfolded.
>>>>
>>>> It would be interesting to look at Cooper's Hawk numbers over the same
>>>> time period, which I have not done yet, as they are clearly one of the
>>>> primary predators of collared-dove. For instance, the first recorded
>>>> breeding of Cooper's Hawks in the Salton Sea basin in southern California
>>>> was coincident with the dramatic increase of collared-doves in that region,
>>>> and they remain regular breeders at several locations in the region. I
>>>> expect that eBird would show some amount of increase, maybe not as obvious
>>>> as the population dynamics of the collared-dove.
>>>>
>>>> Bottom line is that birders do not have to rely on anecdotal
>>>> information for answering questions such as the one Hans posed. eBird is
>>>> available to anyone, and is easy to access.
>>>>
>>>> Bill Tweit
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Tweeters mailing list
>>>> <Tweeters...>
>>>> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Steve Hampton
>>> Port Townsend, WA (qatáy)
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Tweeters mailing list
>>> <Tweeters...>
>>> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >>>
>>
>
> --
> Steve Hampton
> Port Townsend, WA (qatáy)
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 11/11/24 7:47 am From: Tom Benedict via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Harlequin Ducks at Seahurst
This past Friday afternoon my son and I ventured out, hoping to see the regular group of HARD which make the north shore of Seahurst Park their winter home. We found 9 individuals. 3 breeding plumage males, 2 non-breeding males and 4 females. They are such a treat to watch as they dive as a group, then 20-30 seconds later pop up on the surface. Over the years I’ve found that this location is quite reliable for HARD. Another good spot is at Constellation Park, just south of Alki Point in West Seattle.
Date: 11/11/24 7:29 am From: Steve Hampton via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Eurasian Collared-Dove decline
Yes, I looked at the eBird Trends map for Eurasian Collared-Dove. And, yes,
I think the time period of the map, 2011-2021, could easily mask an
inverted U with a peak in the middle.
On Sun, Nov 10, 2024 at 10:20 PM Robert O'Brien <baro...> wrote:
> Well, it seems the Eurasian Collared Dove abundance is not as simple as
> one would assume. eBird has a trend analysis page:
>
> https://science.ebird.org/en/status-and-trends/species/eucdov/trends-map?regionCode=USA&showAllTrends=true > and I hope this url works. It's possible one would have to log into their
> eBird Account to see it.
> If it does work, then simply click the +sign to enlarge and use the mouse
> to scroll around the continent. The data in the Seattle area is mixed but
> overall
> seems to show small increases over the last 10 years, with more consistent
> small increases moving south into the Portland area.
> Now if the trends were to go back further into the past than 10 years,
> such as 2001 to 2011 perhaps there would be a consistent decrease formerly
> followed by the leveling off over the recent decade. If you wish to look
> for other bird species' trends simply click on the Collared Dove Entry and
> replace it with another bird.
> Such 'expected' decreasing trends as have been discussed here for Collared
> Dove have been interesting for other 'invaders.
> 1. Cattle Egret A startling appearance in Florida followed by a truly
> amazing expansion continent-wide with numbers showing up, for instance,
> pretty regularly on Sauvie Island in the later last century. In the last
> decade they seem to have 'already' decreased down into the
> central/upper Gull of Mexico coast where they continue their decline.
> (Replace Collared Dove in the original url with Cattle Egret).
> 2. Crested Mynah. Introduced into Vancouver BC in the 1890's they also
> expanded over the next fifty years all around SW BC and there were casual
> reports a scattered few even made it into the Portland Area. They then
> declined towards the end of the 1900's and the last eBird report was for
> 2014.
> 3. As for native birds, sadly, enter Rufous Hummingbird. You will not
> like what you see. But it is completely consistent with what I have seen
> at my rural place 20 mi SE of Portland. 50 years ago,Rufous (only) were a
> common breeder and present at my feeders seasonally as is well known. Then
> Anna's finally made it here say 40 years ago and both were common for the
> mid 20-30 years. But in the last 5 years Rufous have been virtually
> absent. here.
> 4. Anna's Hummingbird. No surprises there. Huge, continuing increases
> throughout Oregon/Washington
> Could this have been displacement? No way to tell from simple trend
> analysis without further information I would guess.
>
> Bob OBrien Carver OR
>
> P.S. Please let me know if the urls above do not work and I will post the
> maps to my Flickr Account. (And I can't control my continual whining that
> it would really be GREAT if Tweeters could somehow allow photos to be
> appended to posts, as has been the case here in Oregon's OBOL for decades
> now.
>
>
>
>
> On Sun, Nov 10, 2024 at 6:34 AM Steve Hampton via Tweeters <
> <tweeters...> wrote:
>
>> Likewise, Christmas Bird Count data, especially aggregated across large
>> areas (e.g. a state) for common species, can tell a story.
>> I haven't looked at the statewide data for WA, but there has been some
>> analysis in the Central Valley of California.
>>
>> I explored the nationwide trends and plotted the Central Valley records
>> when there were still only 24 records.
>>
>> Hampton, S. (2006). The expansion of the Eurasian Collared-Dove into the
>> Central Valley of California.
>> <https://www.cvbirds.org/wp-content/themes/cvbirds/files/V.9no.1/V.9no.1pp7-14..pdf> >>
>> Then Ed Pandolfino used CBC and BBS data to show they had peaked in 2017.
>>
>> Pandolfino, E. (2020). The Eurasian Collared-Dove invasion in California:
>> Has it peaked?
>> <https://www.cvbirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/1-Pandolfino-The-Eurasian-vol23-no3.pdf> >>
>> I expect WA is somewhere along a similar path.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Nov 9, 2024 at 2:08 PM Bill Tweit via Tweeters <
>> <tweeters...> wrote:
>>
>>> A couple of days ago, Hans Feddern noted on Tweeters that he had
>>> observed a decline of Eurasian Collared-Doves in areas he has birded, and
>>> asked about other evidence of a decline.
>>>
>>> This is exactly the sort of question that eBird data are quite useful
>>> for answering. But before I point to some eBird data sources, I'll just
>>> note that it would be highly surprising if they were NOT declining at this
>>> point. The basic ecological dynamic that is operative here is that newly
>>> established species often show very rapid population growth until natural
>>> checks, such as predation, disease and competition, begin to function
>>> effectively. Typically, the development of population controls lags
>>> population growth, which leads to population declines as the newly arrived
>>> species begins to transition from a growth phase to an equilibrium phase.
>>>
>>> In this particular case, the growth phase of Eurasian Collared-Dove
>>> expansion into western North America was explosive, and may well be one of
>>> the most impressive vertebrate range expansions in our experience. One
>>> would expect that explosive growth would then result in noticeable
>>> declines, simply because the population grew so rapidly that it noticeably
>>> outstripped its 'equilibrium' population size when the inevitable
>>> population checks are fully operative. How explosive? Look at the eBird
>>> species map for collared-dove in Washington in 2005 (
>>> https://ebird.org/map/eucdov?neg=true&<env.minX...>&<env.minY...>&<env.maxX...>&<env.maxY...>&zh=true&gp=false&ev=Z&excludeExX=false&excludeExAll=false&mr=1-12&bmo=1&emo=12&yr=range&byr=2005&eyr=2005)
>>> with the 2015 map (
>>> https://ebird.org/map/eucdov?neg=true&<env.minX...>&<env.minY...>&<env.maxX...>&<env.maxY...>&zh=true&gp=false&ev=Z&excludeExX=false&excludeExAll=false&mr=1-12&bmo=1&emo=12&yr=range&byr=2015&eyr=2015).
>>> In a mere decade, their distribution in the state transitions from a few
>>> scattered areas to uniformly present in all of the non-mountainous areas or
>>> heavily forested areas. Another data source for looking at the increase
>>> is the Washington Bird Record Committee records: the first year with
>>> multiple reports was 2005, and three years later the WBRC removed it from
>>> the review list as it exceeded the criteria for inclusion in the review
>>> list. In three years! Obviously, WBRC records don't provide any
>>> information on subsequent population fluctuations.
>>>
>>> Turning to eBird for evidence of decline. My data analysis skills are
>>> surface level, so there is plenty of room for more detailed dives into
>>> eBird data. But, take a look at the annual line chart of the eBird
>>> statistic for frequency of collared-dove statewide for the five years
>>> 2017-2021 (
>>> https://ebird.org/barchart?byr=2017&eyr=2021&bmo=1&emo=12&r=US&spp=eucdov&separateYears=true).
>>> It very clearly shows declines each year from the 2017 to 2021, in fact the
>>> 2021 line never reaches the 2017 line at any point in the year. The eBird
>>> statistic for abundance shows a very similar pattern. These charts can
>>> only show five consecutive years, a quick look at the 2019-2023 chart shows
>>> some continued decline but a lot more overlap between years, so the
>>> population levels now are more similar to the 2021 levels, and remain well
>>> below the high point of around a decade ago. eBird provides data that
>>> allow us to understand how the expected decline has actually unfolded.
>>>
>>> It would be interesting to look at Cooper's Hawk numbers over the same
>>> time period, which I have not done yet, as they are clearly one of the
>>> primary predators of collared-dove. For instance, the first recorded
>>> breeding of Cooper's Hawks in the Salton Sea basin in southern California
>>> was coincident with the dramatic increase of collared-doves in that region,
>>> and they remain regular breeders at several locations in the region. I
>>> expect that eBird would show some amount of increase, maybe not as obvious
>>> as the population dynamics of the collared-dove.
>>>
>>> Bottom line is that birders do not have to rely on anecdotal information
>>> for answering questions such as the one Hans posed. eBird is available to
>>> anyone, and is easy to access.
>>>
>>> Bill Tweit
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Tweeters mailing list
>>> <Tweeters...>
>>> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Steve Hampton
>> Port Townsend, WA (qatáy)
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Tweeters mailing list
>> <Tweeters...>
>> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >>
>
Date: 11/11/24 7:24 am From: Louise via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Rufous Hummingbird decline
I think it's too early to assume cause and effect. I've lived in this house
now for twenty years and I have Anna's at my feeders all year and Rufous
every summer between late March/early April and late July/early August.
What I see when the two species interact is that the Rufous, although
smaller, are more aggressive. I consistently see them chasing Anna's away
from the feeders. That's not an obvious parallel for the barred owl and
spotted owl situation or grey squirrel and red squirrel situation in the
UK.
Louise Rutter
Kirkland
On Mon, Nov 11, 2024 at 6:53 AM Tom Benedict via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
>
> > On Nov 10, 2024, at 22:20, Robert O'Brien via Tweeters <
> <tweeters...> wrote:
> >
> > 3. As for native birds, sadly, enter Rufous Hummingbird. You will not
> like what you see. But it is completely consistent with what I have seen
> at my rural place 20 mi SE of Portland. 50 years ago,Rufous (only) were a
> common breeder and present at my feeders seasonally as is well known. Then
> Anna's finally made it here say 40 years ago and both were common for the
> mid 20-30 years. But in the last 5 years Rufous have been virtually absent
> here.
>
> Same experience here. Given the obvious cause and effect, are there any
> plans to hire sharpshooters to cull the Anna’s population so that Rufous
> can regain their numbers?
>
> Tom Benedict
> Seahurst, WA
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 11/11/24 6:55 am From: Tom Benedict via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Rufous Hummingbird decline
> On Nov 10, 2024, at 22:20, Robert O'Brien via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> 3. As for native birds, sadly, enter Rufous Hummingbird. You will not like what you see. But it is completely consistent with what I have seen at my rural place 20 mi SE of Portland. 50 years ago,Rufous (only) were a common breeder and present at my feeders seasonally as is well known. Then Anna's finally made it here say 40 years ago and both were common for the mid 20-30 years. But in the last 5 years Rufous have been virtually absent here.
Same experience here. Given the obvious cause and effect, are there any plans to hire sharpshooters to cull the Anna’s population so that Rufous can regain their numbers?
Date: 11/11/24 6:27 am From: Kathleen Snyder via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Focus on Raptors – Exploring Form and Function Thursday Nov 14th 7 pm
Perch Wildlife Education is bringing live raptors to us! “Focus on
Raptors" will let us get close up to a variety of raptors so we can study
their field marks and some of their behaviors. Black Hills Audubon is
hosting this meeting on Thursday, Nov 14th, at Temple Beth Hatfiloh, 201 8th
Ave SE in Olympia. Social time starts at 6:30 pm; the program will begin
at 7 pm. Bring your cameras. This is a family friendly event.
NOTE: There will not be a Zoom option for this event.
Date: 11/10/24 10:23 pm From: Robert O'Brien via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Eurasian Collared-Dove decline
Well, it seems the Eurasian Collared Dove abundance is not as simple as one
would assume. eBird has a trend analysis page:
https://science.ebird.org/en/status-and-trends/species/eucdov/trends-map?regionCode=USA&showAllTrends=true and I hope this url works. It's possible one would have to log into their
eBird Account to see it.
If it does work, then simply click the +sign to enlarge and use the mouse
to scroll around the continent. The data in the Seattle area is mixed but
overall
seems to show small increases over the last 10 years, with more consistent
small increases moving south into the Portland area.
Now if the trends were to go back further into the past than 10 years, such
as 2001 to 2011 perhaps there would be a consistent decrease formerly
followed by the leveling off over the recent decade. If you wish to look
for other bird species' trends simply click on the Collared Dove Entry and
replace it with another bird.
Such 'expected' decreasing trends as have been discussed here for Collared
Dove have been interesting for other 'invaders.
1. Cattle Egret A startling appearance in Florida followed by a truly
amazing expansion continent-wide with numbers showing up, for instance,
pretty regularly on Sauvie Island in the later last century. In the last
decade they seem to have 'already' decreased down into the
central/upper Gull of Mexico coast where they continue their decline.
(Replace Collared Dove in the original url with Cattle Egret).
2. Crested Mynah. Introduced into Vancouver BC in the 1890's they also
expanded over the next fifty years all around SW BC and there were casual
reports a scattered few even made it into the Portland Area. They then
declined towards the end of the 1900's and the last eBird report was for
2014.
3. As for native birds, sadly, enter Rufous Hummingbird. You will not
like what you see. But it is completely consistent with what I have seen
at my rural place 20 mi SE of Portland. 50 years ago,Rufous (only) were a
common breeder and present at my feeders seasonally as is well known. Then
Anna's finally made it here say 40 years ago and both were common for the
mid 20-30 years. But in the last 5 years Rufous have been virtually
absent. here.
4. Anna's Hummingbird. No surprises there. Huge, continuing increases
throughout Oregon/Washington
Could this have been displacement? No way to tell from simple trend
analysis without further information I would guess.
Bob OBrien Carver OR
P.S. Please let me know if the urls above do not work and I will post the
maps to my Flickr Account. (And I can't control my continual whining that
it would really be GREAT if Tweeters could somehow allow photos to be
appended to posts, as has been the case here in Oregon's OBOL for decades
now.
On Sun, Nov 10, 2024 at 6:34 AM Steve Hampton via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> Likewise, Christmas Bird Count data, especially aggregated across large
> areas (e.g. a state) for common species, can tell a story.
> I haven't looked at the statewide data for WA, but there has been some
> analysis in the Central Valley of California.
>
> I explored the nationwide trends and plotted the Central Valley records
> when there were still only 24 records.
>
> Hampton, S. (2006). The expansion of the Eurasian Collared-Dove into the
> Central Valley of California.
> <https://www.cvbirds.org/wp-content/themes/cvbirds/files/V.9no.1/V.9no.1pp7-14..pdf> >
> Then Ed Pandolfino used CBC and BBS data to show they had peaked in 2017.
>
> Pandolfino, E. (2020). The Eurasian Collared-Dove invasion in California:
> Has it peaked?
> <https://www.cvbirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/1-Pandolfino-The-Eurasian-vol23-no3.pdf> >
> I expect WA is somewhere along a similar path.
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sat, Nov 9, 2024 at 2:08 PM Bill Tweit via Tweeters <
> <tweeters...> wrote:
>
>> A couple of days ago, Hans Feddern noted on Tweeters that he had observed
>> a decline of Eurasian Collared-Doves in areas he has birded, and asked
>> about other evidence of a decline.
>>
>> This is exactly the sort of question that eBird data are quite useful for
>> answering. But before I point to some eBird data sources, I'll just note
>> that it would be highly surprising if they were NOT declining at this
>> point. The basic ecological dynamic that is operative here is that newly
>> established species often show very rapid population growth until natural
>> checks, such as predation, disease and competition, begin to function
>> effectively. Typically, the development of population controls lags
>> population growth, which leads to population declines as the newly arrived
>> species begins to transition from a growth phase to an equilibrium phase.
>>
>> In this particular case, the growth phase of Eurasian Collared-Dove
>> expansion into western North America was explosive, and may well be one of
>> the most impressive vertebrate range expansions in our experience. One
>> would expect that explosive growth would then result in noticeable
>> declines, simply because the population grew so rapidly that it noticeably
>> outstripped its 'equilibrium' population size when the inevitable
>> population checks are fully operative. How explosive? Look at the eBird
>> species map for collared-dove in Washington in 2005 (
>> https://ebird.org/map/eucdov?neg=true&<env.minX...>&<env.minY...>&<env.maxX...>&<env.maxY...>&zh=true&gp=false&ev=Z&excludeExX=false&excludeExAll=false&mr=1-12&bmo=1&emo=12&yr=range&byr=2005&eyr=2005)
>> with the 2015 map (
>> https://ebird.org/map/eucdov?neg=true&<env.minX...>&<env.minY...>&<env.maxX...>&<env.maxY...>&zh=true&gp=false&ev=Z&excludeExX=false&excludeExAll=false&mr=1-12&bmo=1&emo=12&yr=range&byr=2015&eyr=2015).
>> In a mere decade, their distribution in the state transitions from a few
>> scattered areas to uniformly present in all of the non-mountainous areas or
>> heavily forested areas. Another data source for looking at the increase
>> is the Washington Bird Record Committee records: the first year with
>> multiple reports was 2005, and three years later the WBRC removed it from
>> the review list as it exceeded the criteria for inclusion in the review
>> list. In three years! Obviously, WBRC records don't provide any
>> information on subsequent population fluctuations.
>>
>> Turning to eBird for evidence of decline. My data analysis skills are
>> surface level, so there is plenty of room for more detailed dives into
>> eBird data. But, take a look at the annual line chart of the eBird
>> statistic for frequency of collared-dove statewide for the five years
>> 2017-2021 (
>> https://ebird.org/barchart?byr=2017&eyr=2021&bmo=1&emo=12&r=US&spp=eucdov&separateYears=true).
>> It very clearly shows declines each year from the 2017 to 2021, in fact the
>> 2021 line never reaches the 2017 line at any point in the year. The eBird
>> statistic for abundance shows a very similar pattern. These charts can
>> only show five consecutive years, a quick look at the 2019-2023 chart shows
>> some continued decline but a lot more overlap between years, so the
>> population levels now are more similar to the 2021 levels, and remain well
>> below the high point of around a decade ago. eBird provides data that
>> allow us to understand how the expected decline has actually unfolded.
>>
>> It would be interesting to look at Cooper's Hawk numbers over the same
>> time period, which I have not done yet, as they are clearly one of the
>> primary predators of collared-dove. For instance, the first recorded
>> breeding of Cooper's Hawks in the Salton Sea basin in southern California
>> was coincident with the dramatic increase of collared-doves in that region,
>> and they remain regular breeders at several locations in the region. I
>> expect that eBird would show some amount of increase, maybe not as obvious
>> as the population dynamics of the collared-dove.
>>
>> Bottom line is that birders do not have to rely on anecdotal information
>> for answering questions such as the one Hans posed. eBird is available to
>> anyone, and is easy to access.
>>
>> Bill Tweit
>> _______________________________________________
>> Tweeters mailing list
>> <Tweeters...>
>> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >>
>
>
> --
> Steve Hampton
> Port Townsend, WA (qatáy)
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 11/10/24 8:33 pm From: Jane Hadley via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] New version of the Sound to Sage breeding bird atlas website
Hello Tweetsters - I wanted to let you know that a new version of the Sound to Sage breeding bird atlas website is now available on the WOS website.
The Sound to Sage website was originally launched in 2006 by Birds Connect Seattle (BCS), back when it was known as the Seattle Audubon Society. It has been resurrected in a new form and is now available on the WOS website.
The project, which provides accurate data about which bird species are breeding in specific locations within four contiguous counties, was hosted on a website for many years by BCS. But the proprietary software used to display the data became outdated and was no longer functional. Hal Opperman, one of the leaders of the intensive data-gathering effort, worked with WOS volunteer Randy Robinson to produce a new web version with current, non-proprietary software. BCS made the data available and also cooperated in the effort.
The new site, which displays the breeding bird data on maps for Island, Kitsap, King and Kittitas counties, is best viewed on a tablet, laptop or desktop computer. It also provides the data in downloadable spreadsheets and .pdfs. The website is available at https://wos.org/documents/soundtosage .
When you go to the webpage, select a species from the drop-down lists, and the map on the right will show the nine-square-mile atlas block areas where breeding was possible, probable or confirmed. You can view either the overall four-county map or individual maps for each county.
Date: 11/10/24 6:37 am From: Steve Hampton via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Eurasian Collared-Dove decline
Likewise, Christmas Bird Count data, especially aggregated across large
areas (e.g. a state) for common species, can tell a story.
I haven't looked at the statewide data for WA, but there has been some
analysis in the Central Valley of California.
I explored the nationwide trends and plotted the Central Valley records
when there were still only 24 records.
On Sat, Nov 9, 2024 at 2:08 PM Bill Tweit via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> A couple of days ago, Hans Feddern noted on Tweeters that he had observed
> a decline of Eurasian Collared-Doves in areas he has birded, and asked
> about other evidence of a decline.
>
> This is exactly the sort of question that eBird data are quite useful for
> answering. But before I point to some eBird data sources, I'll just note
> that it would be highly surprising if they were NOT declining at this
> point. The basic ecological dynamic that is operative here is that newly
> established species often show very rapid population growth until natural
> checks, such as predation, disease and competition, begin to function
> effectively. Typically, the development of population controls lags
> population growth, which leads to population declines as the newly arrived
> species begins to transition from a growth phase to an equilibrium phase.
>
> In this particular case, the growth phase of Eurasian Collared-Dove
> expansion into western North America was explosive, and may well be one of
> the most impressive vertebrate range expansions in our experience. One
> would expect that explosive growth would then result in noticeable
> declines, simply because the population grew so rapidly that it noticeably
> outstripped its 'equilibrium' population size when the inevitable
> population checks are fully operative. How explosive? Look at the eBird
> species map for collared-dove in Washington in 2005 (
> https://ebird.org/map/eucdov?neg=true&<env.minX...>&<env.minY...>&<env.maxX...>&<env.maxY...>&zh=true&gp=false&ev=Z&excludeExX=false&excludeExAll=false&mr=1-12&bmo=1&emo=12&yr=range&byr=2005&eyr=2005)
> with the 2015 map (
> https://ebird.org/map/eucdov?neg=true&<env.minX...>&<env.minY...>&<env.maxX...>&<env.maxY...>&zh=true&gp=false&ev=Z&excludeExX=false&excludeExAll=false&mr=1-12&bmo=1&emo=12&yr=range&byr=2015&eyr=2015).
> In a mere decade, their distribution in the state transitions from a few
> scattered areas to uniformly present in all of the non-mountainous areas or
> heavily forested areas. Another data source for looking at the increase
> is the Washington Bird Record Committee records: the first year with
> multiple reports was 2005, and three years later the WBRC removed it from
> the review list as it exceeded the criteria for inclusion in the review
> list. In three years! Obviously, WBRC records don't provide any
> information on subsequent population fluctuations.
>
> Turning to eBird for evidence of decline. My data analysis skills are
> surface level, so there is plenty of room for more detailed dives into
> eBird data. But, take a look at the annual line chart of the eBird
> statistic for frequency of collared-dove statewide for the five years
> 2017-2021 (
> https://ebird.org/barchart?byr=2017&eyr=2021&bmo=1&emo=12&r=US&spp=eucdov&separateYears=true).
> It very clearly shows declines each year from the 2017 to 2021, in fact the
> 2021 line never reaches the 2017 line at any point in the year. The eBird
> statistic for abundance shows a very similar pattern. These charts can
> only show five consecutive years, a quick look at the 2019-2023 chart shows
> some continued decline but a lot more overlap between years, so the
> population levels now are more similar to the 2021 levels, and remain well
> below the high point of around a decade ago. eBird provides data that
> allow us to understand how the expected decline has actually unfolded.
>
> It would be interesting to look at Cooper's Hawk numbers over the same
> time period, which I have not done yet, as they are clearly one of the
> primary predators of collared-dove. For instance, the first recorded
> breeding of Cooper's Hawks in the Salton Sea basin in southern California
> was coincident with the dramatic increase of collared-doves in that region,
> and they remain regular breeders at several locations in the region. I
> expect that eBird would show some amount of increase, maybe not as obvious
> as the population dynamics of the collared-dove.
>
> Bottom line is that birders do not have to rely on anecdotal information
> for answering questions such as the one Hans posed. eBird is available to
> anyone, and is easy to access.
>
> Bill Tweit
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 11/9/24 2:10 pm From: Bill Tweit via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Eurasian Collared-Dove decline
A couple of days ago, Hans Feddern noted on Tweeters that he had observed a
decline of Eurasian Collared-Doves in areas he has birded, and asked about
other evidence of a decline.
This is exactly the sort of question that eBird data are quite useful for
answering. But before I point to some eBird data sources, I'll just note
that it would be highly surprising if they were NOT declining at this
point. The basic ecological dynamic that is operative here is that newly
established species often show very rapid population growth until natural
checks, such as predation, disease and competition, begin to function
effectively. Typically, the development of population controls lags
population growth, which leads to population declines as the newly arrived
species begins to transition from a growth phase to an equilibrium phase.
Turning to eBird for evidence of decline. My data analysis skills are
surface level, so there is plenty of room for more detailed dives into
eBird data. But, take a look at the annual line chart of the eBird
statistic for frequency of collared-dove statewide for the five years
2017-2021 (
https://ebird.org/barchart?byr=2017&eyr=2021&bmo=1&emo=12&r=US&spp=eucdov&separateYears=true).
It very clearly shows declines each year from the 2017 to 2021, in fact the
2021 line never reaches the 2017 line at any point in the year. The eBird
statistic for abundance shows a very similar pattern. These charts can
only show five consecutive years, a quick look at the 2019-2023 chart shows
some continued decline but a lot more overlap between years, so the
population levels now are more similar to the 2021 levels, and remain well
below the high point of around a decade ago. eBird provides data that
allow us to understand how the expected decline has actually unfolded.
It would be interesting to look at Cooper's Hawk numbers over the same time
period, which I have not done yet, as they are clearly one of the primary
predators of collared-dove. For instance, the first recorded breeding of
Cooper's Hawks in the Salton Sea basin in southern California was
coincident with the dramatic increase of collared-doves in that region, and
they remain regular breeders at several locations in the region. I expect
that eBird would show some amount of increase, maybe not as obvious as the
population dynamics of the collared-dove.
Bottom line is that birders do not have to rely on anecdotal information
for answering questions such as the one Hans posed. eBird is available to
anyone, and is easy to access.
Date: 11/9/24 11:38 am From: Trileigh Tucker via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Red-footed Booby's local diet
Hi Tweets,
Since finally getting to see the Red-footed Booby recently, I’ve been wondering about his life here, and at the moment considering what he might be eating. I know he’s been seen hanging out with Heerman’s Gulls, who are pretty generalist in their feeding habits, but since we don’t have the booby’s favored flying fish, perhaps he’s making do with other small fish, along with squid as he prefers in his native habitat.
Has anyone happened to notice what he’s catching? If you have photos with identifiable prey, I’d be interested to hear what they are.
I believe that he hasn’t been reported in the Port Townsend area for the past few days, since Nov 6—hopefully he’s taken off to find his way back home.
With hopes for his safe journey,
Trileigh
(By the way, I decided, since the RFBO’s binomial name is Sula sula, I’m going to call him Sully. Which also evokes the heroic piloting actions of Capt. Sullenberger, who safely landed that plane in the Hudson in 2009.)
Trileigh Tucker
Pelly Valley, West Seattle
NaturalPresenceArts.com<http://naturalpresencearts.com/> Tri ^ at ^ S e a t t l e u *dot* e d u
Date: 11/8/24 5:42 pm From: Alan Roedell via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Declining?
Jim, thanks for your thoughtful message. I think that the real issue is
loss of habitat. I don't have data but in 50+ years of birding I've
observed that cities and towns have sprawled out into the rural areas.
Global warming is forcing birds further North and higher up the hillside.
Reflective surfaces and lights take the lives of countless birds every
year. Does the data lie?
We can hope, but "Hope is a thing with feathers". Never truer.
On Fri, Nov 8, 2024, 12:40 PM Jim Betz via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> Hi,
>
>
> *** Long message alert *** *** Please read all the way thru ***
>
>
> One of the hardest topics I have found to 'deal with' is the one
> about "declining populations".
>
> I am reminded of the counsel an experienced birder gave me a few years
> back when I asked
>
> something like "where have all the Snow Geese gone?" and she quickly and
> correctly
>
> replied "Birds have wings".
>
> Every time I've ever read any book/online resource/what ever that
> talks about bird
>
> behavior they -always- mention the three primary motivators for birds
> "food (and water),
>
> sex, and territory (which is/can be closely related to the previous two).
>
>
> What I'm trying to say is that "just because I/you/someone has
> noticed that there
>
> aren't as many _____s around" does not mean that the species is "in
> decline". It
>
> may be - but that is not the only reason. They might just be "somewhere
> else".
>
> And even "often are" just somewhere else.
>
>
> Are there some locations that we've grown to trust as "reliable" for
> a particular
>
> species over the past few years? Yes, definitely. But also every time
> I talk with
>
> another birder whose been around longer than I have - they talk about
> how the
>
> particular bird we are talking about "used be in another location - but
> recently
>
> that location hasn't worked" (but some other locations do).
>
>
> I hope you have stayed with me this far - because I want to say this
> with just as
>
> much emphasis/passion ... I am NOT saying that declining populations is
> not a
>
> real concern - what I am saying is that we have to be careful about getting
>
> concerned about a particular location (such as "in my backyard") and
> especially
>
> when there may be significant reasons why that location isn't as good as it
>
> used to be ... that are unrelated to declining species numbers.
>
> - Jim
>
>
> P.S. Have you ever put a stop watch on how long it takes for a
> bird/flock of birds
>
> to move far enough away from you that you can no longer detect
> their
>
> presence? Have you noticed how someone with a spotting scope can
>
> find a bird - that you had no idea was there?
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 11/8/24 2:31 pm From: Stacey T via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] SEOW at Discovery Park
Hi Tweets,
On Wednesday I took my usual walk in Discovery Park here in Seattle. Around 10 AM, I was in the South Meadow near the bluffs watching a Cooper’s hawk flying above the trees, and out of the corner of my eye I saw movement in the field just south of me. A medium sized owl took off from the tall grasses and flew in a large, low arc toward the bluffs where I was standing. It passed about 20 feet from me in the air, then continued on to the north and disappeared beyond the trees around Bird Alley. I got a good, long look at the size, shape, and plumage, and it was unmistakably a short-eared owl, possibly a male given the coloration. It was the first one I’ve seen in Discovery, although I know they have been reported here previously.
Yesterday evening I was back in the South Meadow, and although I didn’t see it, I thought I heard a SEOW calling from the edge of the meadow, not far from where I saw the one on the previous day. No way to know if it was the same individual, but it has been the highlight of my week.
Date: 11/8/24 2:24 pm From: Jay via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Visiting Platte River Valley for spring Sandhill Crane migration
I was in Kearney the first week in March this year for some work. I had time to do some crane viewing before and at sunrise, and another time near and at sunset. I was early for the migration and there were still tens of thousands of cranes and snow geese. A good place for viewing is Alda Road South, about 8 miles east of Kearney. During the day the cranes are all over the fields everywhere and flying around, but at sunrise and sunset there is a mass flight which is spectacular. There is a lot of local information about where to go. Also, the day I arrived it was almost 80deg, and two days later in the morning it was 6deg.
I flew in and out of Omaha, which is a three hour drive to Kearney. It was more reliable than flying into Kearney and trying to rent a car. Alaska Air has a nonstop flight from Seattle to Omaha.
Date: 11/8/24 7:04 am From: Bob Flores via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Are Eurasian Collared Doves declining?
Here in Clark County I have noticed a decline. At the peak we had a small flock in our area near Carey Road and NE 10th. They are all gone and to see one in my yard nowadays catches my attention.
Sent from my iPad
On Nov 8, 2024, at 06:53, Steve Loitz via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
No obvious decline in EUCD numbers over here east of the Cascades.
Steve Loitz
Ellensburg
On Fri, Nov 8, 2024 at 12:37 AM Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters <tweeters...><mailto:<tweeters...>> wrote:
Lately I have not seen any Eurasian Collared Doves at locations where you could find a dozen or more previously. Has anybody else noticed a decline?
Date: 11/8/24 6:55 am From: Steve Loitz via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Are Eurasian Collared Doves declining?
No obvious decline in EUCD numbers over here east of the Cascades.
Steve Loitz
Ellensburg
On Fri, Nov 8, 2024 at 12:37 AM Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> Lately I have not seen any Eurasian Collared Doves at locations where you
> could find a dozen or more previously. Has anybody else noticed a decline?
>
> Good Birding!
>
> Hans
>
> --
> *Hans Feddern*
> Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA
> <thefedderns...>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Hello attentive Tweets - Is there conclusive evidence that birds (seemingly mostly House Finches) with ugly cankers around eyes or on feet, can become well and whole again? Or are they relegated to a slow death all the while spreading their disease by frequenting various feeders? It seems it would be difficult to discern because individual birds are hard to track.
Date: 11/7/24 1:19 pm From: Michael Hobbs via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co.) 2024-11-08
Tweets - It was a frosty 32 degrees when we started, with bright sunshine, but also fog. Most of the morning, we couldn't really look to the South at all because of the very bright sun-illuminated fog. But when facing the other way, it was gorgeous. The fog kept the day cold for quite a while, but it finally warmed to 50 degrees!
Highlights: Trumpeter Swan - Eight flying SW, calling. Absolutely stunning in the morning sun as they flew past the fall color trees Northern Saw-whet Owl - The early morning crew heard two, and saw an owl that might have been Saw-whet but seemed to look more like Western Screech Red-breasted Sapsucker - One at the Rowing Club for the 2nd straight week Merlin - One hunting near the Dog Area portapotties Northern Shrike - Seen just east of the Viewing Mound, and later, north of Fields 7-8-9. First of Fall (FOF) California Scrub-Jay - Two (FOF) Varied Thrush - Heard a few times near the mansion just after 7:00 (FOF) Townsend's Warbler - Three seen
The trees were often filled with mixed birds; KINGLETS were especially numerous and widespread today, especially GOLDEN-CROWNED.
Following a tip from Eric Crockett, we ventured near the East Entrance and found two CALIFORNIA SCRUB-JAYS in the large oak trees there. He has seen them at that location multiple times in the last month.
A late scan of the lake, once the fog had cleared, showed 10 BUFFLEHEAD that flew past the Lake Platform (FOF), and 15+ WESTERN GREBE well out on the lake.
Along the slough, and at the lake, we watched four RIVER OTTERS, our first since March.
Misses today included Common Merganser, American Coot, Killdeer, California Gull, Red-tailed Hawk, and American Goldfinch. All of those were seen last week and were therefore real surprise misses.
For the day, 60 species.
= Michael Hobbs = <BirdMarymoor...> = www.marymoor.org/birding.htm
Date: 11/7/24 1:04 pm From: Gary Bletsch via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] E bird question
Dear Tweeters,
Long awaited eBird update now proclaimed complete. When I look at "My eBird," it gives me two different world list totals on same web page, differing by one species. Am travelling at the moment, will investigate when back home, but would like to know if anyone else is seeing same issue.
Seeing lots of birds in Bolivia now, favorite thus far being Buff-necked Ibis. Happy to see pink river dolphins also.
Date: 11/7/24 12:50 pm From: Susan Madsen via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Platte River Cranes
If you lean more towards the diy approach, the bridge at Fort Kearney is a great spot at sunrise. Less than 10 min from Kearney, easy paved path about 2/4 mile to wooden pedestrian bridge near sandbars where cranes often roost at night. I had fabulous morning views of cranes, and deer wading river through the cranes this spring. Wonderful photo ops! Assume sunsets here would also be lovely.
Date: 11/7/24 11:32 am From: Nancy Crowell via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Visiting Platte River Valley for spring Sandhill Crane migration
I went last year with Summit. We had a blizzard. It was fabulous.
Nancy
"Images for the imagination."
www.crowellphotography.com
________________________________
From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces...> on behalf of Ann Kramer via Tweeters <tweeters...>
Sent: Thursday, November 7, 2024 10:54:22 AM
To: Whitney Neufeld-Kaiser <whitney.n.k...>
Cc: Tweeters <tweeters...>
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Visiting Platte River Valley for spring Sandhill Crane migration
I went over a decade ago with Summit Workshops. It's a photography workshop but it's led by some stellar conservation photographers, Michael Forstberg, Melissa Groo and David Showalter. Besides taking us to some off the beaten path spots, they booked the viewing blinds for evening and morning viewing. As I recall, the blinds book up way ahead so if you are interested in that, I'd check with them now. The Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary would probably be the best place to start. https://rowe.audubon.org/. There are farm fields around the area where the Cranes forage during the day, although be mindful of the roads as they are mostly on private farmlands. We just drove around to find them, but I think you might also find that information at the Sanctuary. The thousands of Cranes flying in during the evening was one of the top 5 experiences of my lifetime. It was breathtaking. Hope you have a good experience.
On Thu, Nov 7, 2024 at 7:20 AM Whitney Neufeld-Kaiser via Tweeters <tweeters...><mailto:<tweeters...>> wrote:
Good morning, Tweeters. Does anyone have a starter kit they can share for visiting the Platte River Valley during spring Sandhill Crane migration? Where to fly into, good places to stay, where to expect the cranes might be hanging out, etc. I could ask the internet, but I wanted to start with some experts first. :)
Date: 11/7/24 10:57 am From: Ann Kramer via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Visiting Platte River Valley for spring Sandhill Crane migration
I went over a decade ago with Summit Workshops. It's a photography workshop
but it's led by some stellar conservation photographers, Michael Forstberg,
Melissa Groo and David Showalter. Besides taking us to some off the beaten
path spots, they booked the viewing blinds for evening and morning
viewing. As I recall, the blinds book up way ahead so if you are
interested in that, I'd check with them now. The Audubon Center at Rowe
Sanctuary would probably be the best place to start.
https://rowe.audubon.org/. There are farm fields around the area where
the Cranes forage during the day, although be mindful of the roads as they
are mostly on private farmlands. We just drove around to find them, but I
think you might also find that information at the Sanctuary. The thousands
of Cranes flying in during the evening was one of the top 5 experiences of
my lifetime. It was breathtaking. Hope you have a good experience.
On Thu, Nov 7, 2024 at 7:20 AM Whitney Neufeld-Kaiser via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> Good morning, Tweeters. Does anyone have a starter kit they can share for
> visiting the Platte River Valley during spring Sandhill Crane migration?
> Where to fly into, good places to stay, where to expect the cranes might be
> hanging out, etc. I could ask the internet, but I wanted to start with
> some experts first. :)
>
> Thank you!
> Whitney
> whitney.n.k at gmail dot com
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 11/7/24 7:33 am From: Nancy Crowell via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Visiting Platte River Valley for spring Sandhill Crane migration
Kearney, Nebraska is the center. Not a big place, so pretty easy to pick a place to stay & rent a car.
Nancy
"Images for the imagination."
www.crowellphotography.com
________________________________
From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces...> on behalf of Whitney Neufeld-Kaiser via Tweeters <tweeters...>
Sent: Thursday, November 7, 2024 7:19:42 AM
To: Tweeters <tweeters...>
Subject: [Tweeters] Visiting Platte River Valley for spring Sandhill Crane migration
Good morning, Tweeters. Does anyone have a starter kit they can share for visiting the Platte River Valley during spring Sandhill Crane migration? Where to fly into, good places to stay, where to expect the cranes might be hanging out, etc. I could ask the internet, but I wanted to start with some experts first. :)
Date: 11/7/24 7:28 am From: John Jensen via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Barbara Jensen
It is with great sadness that I tell our birding friends about the passing of my husband John Jensen. He loved his birding family and the many adventures we shared.
Date: 11/7/24 7:22 am From: Whitney Neufeld-Kaiser via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Visiting Platte River Valley for spring Sandhill Crane migration
Good morning, Tweeters. Does anyone have a starter kit they can share for visiting the Platte River Valley during spring Sandhill Crane migration? Where to fly into, good places to stay, where to expect the cranes might be hanging out, etc. I could ask the internet, but I wanted to start with some experts first. :)
