Date: 5/23/18 11:13 pm From: Greg Pluth <gjpluth...> Subject: [Tweeters] Spotted Sandpiper and California Quail - Mountain View Cem.
Birding Mountain View Cemetery today early afternoon, Cathy Davidson and I heard, then spotted a calling male California Quail in a small tree at the marsh edge on the northwest border of the cemetery proper. Scanning the ponds on the east side, we found a pair of Spotted Sandpipers! As they were actively feeding themselves for the 15 minutes we were there, I'm hoping they will soon to be nesting. Nice to see there as well weere Tree Swallows visiting a tree cavity - carrying food to nestlings.
I birded Umtanum - and Wenas Roads on Monday 4/21 and found a single Lewis's Woodpecker. Thought some of you heading to the Audubon Campout may want to look for it. It is frequenting some dead tree tops west of Ellensburg Pass were a road runs off to the north. It is normally closed of, but was open now with two yellow posts about a 100 yards in. Turn around and look for the dead tree tops. Also at this location were two flycatchers that looked like possible Gray Flycatchers. They flew in from the slope on the right side of the road into lower branches of pines on the left side and before the yellow post. I just did not get good enough looks at them, since they were being chased by a Chipping Sparrow.
Good Birding!
-- *Hans Feddern* Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA <thefedderns...>
Ed SwanNature writer and <guidewww.theswancompany.comedswan2...>
On Wed, May 23, 2018 at 10:17 PM -0700, "Edward Pullen" <edwardpullen...> wrote:
Has anyone chased the Common Grackle reported earlier this week in Whatcom County? Any luck. Thinking of trying to chase this one, but reluctant if others have failed. OK to reply on or off line.
Date: 5/23/18 10:17 pm From: Edward Pullen <edwardpullen...> Subject: [Tweeters] Common Grackle?
Has anyone chased the Common Grackle reported earlier this week in Whatcom County? Any luck. Thinking of trying to chase this one, but reluctant if others have failed. OK to reply on or off line.
Date: 5/23/18 6:51 pm From: Ryan Merrill <rjm284...> Subject: [Tweeters] Possible Brown Thrasher in Seattle
This afternoon I received a second hand report of a possible Brown Thrasher
seen yesterday 5/22 in north Beacon Hill in Seattle.
- a robin sized bird with a reddish-brown brown back, white belly with
black speckling, and long tail
- hopping around the ground, tossing through litter, and that when it flew
it had a undulating flight pattern
- much redder and much longer overall in body profile than a Hermit or
Swainson's Thrush
- despite the improbability looked like a perfect match for Brown Thrasher
The bird was moving through some front yards in "bushy trees and shrubs” in
north Beacon Hill. The observer didn't remember the exact location but it
was near was likely near 17th Ave S and McClellan, a few blocks north of
Jefferson Park.
So, it may be a long shot to refind and confirm at this point but it could
be worth looking for especially if anyone is in the area.
I was birding in Eastern Washington last Sunday and Monday, (4/20 -4/21)
but did not go to the colony. I have been there in previous years and have
fond memories of the lively coming and going, especially of cormorants. In
these two days I did not see a single Double-crested Cormorant anywhere.
Maybe State Fish & Wildlife Service has more information? I did see three
Great Egrets at the Para Ponds in Othello, so there must be a breeding
colony there somewhere. I did find the White-faced Ibis at County Line
Ponds on Sunday evening.
I also visited the Tricolored Blackbird colony and Hal's statement: "One
could not have asked for a more satisfying experience of this species in
Washington. " describes it perfectly!
Good Birding!
Hans
On Tue, May 22, 2018 at 10:22 AM, Hal Opperman <hal...> wrote:
> Dennis (and Tweeters),
>
> JoLynn and I had a similar experience there last week (Thursday May 17).
> We saw no active nests and almost none of the expected species anywhere
> nearby: one Great Egret in flight and two Double-crested Cormorants
> swimming — that was it. We had not been there for years, and the
> depopulation compared to before was a shock.
>
> One surprise on the way in was a Grasshopper Sparrow, singing from atop a
> low, mostly dead shrub a hundred feet off the road. This was on the north
> (right) side of the road 150 yards, more or less, from the “T” where you
> turn west (right) from the entrance road to head toward the (ex-) rookery.
>
> The previous afternoon (May 16) we visited the Tricolored Blackbird colony
> on Morgan Lake Road in the Columbia NWR, as described on Tweeters by Jim
> Elder from May 11. One could not have asked for a more satisfying
> experience of this species in Washington.
>
> Hal Opperman
> Seattle
>
>
>
> > On May 22, 2018, at 9:04 AM, Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson...>
> wrote:
> >
> > Hello tweets,
> >
> > Netta and I visited the north end of the Potholes Reservoir on Sunday,
> and I was shocked to see scarcely any birds at the big nesting colony
> there. I was there last year, and the air was full of Double-crested
> Cormorants flying to and fro, with scattered Great Blue Herons and Great
> Egrets among them. Dozens of nests had birds on them, mostly cormorants but
> the other two species as well. On Sunday we saw a half-dozen birds on nests
> with considerable searching and a single egret the only bird in flight.
> >
> > Does anyone know any more about this? I speculated that a few angry
> fishermen got tired of the cormorants taking “their” fish and raided the
> colony. Of course I have no proof of that, but why the huge decline from
> one year to the next, especially of a bird so successful and persistent as
> the Double-crested Cormorant?
> >
> > I think Black-crowned Night-Herons have virtually disappeared from out
> there. They used to be common at the same colony. I don’t think there have
> been any there in recent years, and we hardly ever see them any more. I
> have spent a lot of time out there since around 1980 and have seen the
> demise of the Columbia Basin (some would argue that it has been
> “reclaimed”), one of the saddest stories in my time in the Pacific
> Northwest.
> >
> > Dennis Paulson
> > Seattle_______________________________________________
> > Tweeters mailing list
> > <Tweeters...>
> > http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
--
*Hans Feddern*
Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA
<thefedderns...>
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. (no subject) (Bill Newton)
2. Black-headed grosbeak in bremerton (Bill Newton)
3. 3 Peregrine Chicks at Snoqualmie Falls (Hank H)
4. Whimbrel on Camano Island (LARRY BAXTER)
5. M Street Marsh Wilson?s Phalaropes (Jeffrey Bryant)
6. M Street again (Jeffrey Bryant)
7. White-faced Ibis (William Byers)
8. Re: Whimbrel on Camano Island (Anthony G.)
9. Re: Whimbrel on Camano Island (B B)
10. Re: 3 Peregrine Chicks at Snoqualmie Falls (J Christian Kessler)
11. Owl harassment and COUGAR at Ridgefield (Mary Reese)
Message: 1
Date: Tue, 22 May 2018 12:03:39 -0700
From: Bill Newton <47bnewt...>
Subject: [Tweeters] (no subject)
To: <tweeters...>
Message-ID:
<CAB0GO-PC87F1WZ2mDG30f_UMAvVUz9dCg-ct3TCG8RoXPA6ckQ...>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Message: 3
Date: Tue, 22 May 2018 16:09:58 -0700
From: Hank H <h.heiberg...>
Subject: [Tweeters] 3 Peregrine Chicks at Snoqualmie Falls
To: Tweeters <tweeters...>
Message-ID: <746F14FD-57FD-4C5E-A3BE-15E90F258D31...>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> Thanks to the post by Dave Templeton of Scott Dodson's video we were able
to locate the Peregrine Falcon nest at Snoqualmie Falls. The nest is
occupied by 3 chicks. Here is a video with Cottonwood seeds blowing by and
the falls roaring in the background. Thanks Dave and Scott!
>
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/41566709844/in/dateposted/ >
> Hank & Karen Heiberg
> Issaquah, WA
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Tue, 22 May 2018 17:40:06 -0700
From: LARRY BAXTER <natural.world.explorer...>
Subject: [Tweeters] Whimbrel on Camano Island
To: <tweeters...>
Message-ID:
<CABkdmzP+yg-0O7AqUN9W8gHMbiGo=HYHgX-dDUM2+<rOXgdZb1Q...>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
I was driving on the Rekdal Road on Camano Island yesterday and saw two
Whimbrel in the farmer's field to the east.
We see Whimbrel here just about every year, in the spring, right after the
farmer has mowed the field. Usually, they are in flocks of 30 - 50. They
usually stick around for about a week, but once the grass starts growing,
the Whimrels leave.
After failing to find White-faced Ibis in previous years,
today we did manage to see the one that has been at the County Line Ponds in
Grant County for several days. There were other birds there too that I
never tire of seeing: American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, and Wilson's
Phalaropes. Lots of ducks, but they were farther away and I couldn't see
them well.
Tomorrow we're going to look at some other places where the
ibis has been seen recently and see if we can't find another one!
Message: 8
Date: Tue, 22 May 2018 20:35:49 -0700
From: "Anthony G." <birds...>
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Whimbrel on Camano Island
To: <tweeters...>
Message-ID: <9008D8E8-F8CA-4619-81B1-8F20DCCF30B1...>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
This might be the same flock I noted at Iverson and then English Boom and
also at Barnum Point about 2 weeks ago. If i recall there were about 67 of
which were hand counted.
Thanks
Anthony
On May 22, 2018 5:40:06 PM PDT, LARRY BAXTER
<natural.world.explorer...> wrote:
>I was driving on the Rekdal Road on Camano Island yesterday and saw two
>Whimbrel in the farmer's field to the east.
>
>We see Whimbrel here just about every year, in the spring, right after
>the farmer has mowed the field. Usually, they are in flocks of 30 - 50.
>They
>usually stick around for about a week, but once the grass starts
>growing, the Whimrels leave.
>
>Larry Baxter,
>Camano Island
Message: 9
Date: Wed, 23 May 2018 03:44:51 +0000 (UTC)
From: B B <birder4184...>
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Whimbrel on Camano Island
To: "<birds...>" <birds...>,
"<tweeters...>" <tweeters...>
Message-ID: <628583603.4405627.1527047091577...>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>From late April well into May, the huge Whimbrel flock moves from the bay
visible from English Boom to the Rekdal Road fields and vice versa.B At
times there can be well more than 100 in each place as was my experience on
May 6.B I recently had more than 300 on Rekdal Road and know of reports of
more than 500.B A real spectacle.
Message: 10
Date: Tue, 22 May 2018 22:03:19 -0700
From: J Christian Kessler <1northraven...>
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] 3 Peregrine Chicks at Snoqualmie Falls
To: Hank H <h.heiberg...>
Cc: Tweeters <tweeters...>
Message-ID:
<CAMpfZ-pF=40EpfGkS+ot1cH8u0iOqgnvF5w=5FHESi0AXWKp+<w...>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
I grew up in Virginia, spent most of my life in Virginia, in Virginia it
don't snow in May!
Chris Kesslerp$
Seattle
On Tue, May 22, 2018 at 4:09 PM, Hank H <h.heiberg...> wrote:
>
> > Thanks to the post by Dave Templeton of Scott Dodson's video we were
> able to locate the Peregrine Falcon nest at Snoqualmie Falls. The
> nest is occupied by 3 chicks. Here is a video with Cottonwood seeds
> blowing by and the falls roaring in the background. Thanks Dave and
Scott!
> >
> > https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/41566709844/in/dateposted/ > >
> > Hank & Karen Heiberg
> > Issaquah, WA
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Message: 11
Date: Wed, 23 May 2018 01:55:28 +0000 (UTC)
From: Mary Reese <uuspirit...>
Subject: [Tweeters] Owl harassment and COUGAR at Ridgefield
To: "<tweeters...>" <tweeters...>
Message-ID: <2048228586.4363780.1527040528973...>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
We arrived at Ridgefield about 9:30 this morning and noticed the sign about
the cougar sighting yesterday.B Just then a man drove up who had just
completed the loop and showed us two photos of the same tree, the first with
nothing in it, and the second of what looked like a cougar climbing down,
although it was pretty fuzzy.B He said he took the photo at area #10.B He
called it in (phone number is on the sign) and the ranger came out.B By the
time we finished birding the bathroom/bird blind area and got to the Kiwa
trail entrance, it was closed.B The ranger said that the last cougar
sighting was about 100 yards from there.
When we got to that approximate location, there was a jam of cars.B But it
wasn't because of the cougar.B There was a lady in a little red car, who
had been talking to everyone at previous stops like she was an expert or
volunteer or something, blocking the road.B She had gotten out of her car
and gone into the bushes to take pictures of the Great Horned Owls.B She
blocked the road again later in the loop to take pictures.B We later
learned from the real volunteer at the entrance, that Red Car Lady got a
citation for harassing wildlife.B So if you see her, keep an eye on what
she is doing and report any strange activity.
When we got back to the entrance, an update had been posted to the cougar
warning sign.B It said that no one was allowed out of their cars anywhere.B
That included the bird blind and the bathroom next to it, which were now
closed.
Date: 5/23/18 12:52 pm From: Marv Breece <marvbreece...> Subject: [Tweeters] Kent Valley birding, King County
This morning there were 4 YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS on the fence surrounding the first pond at the intersection of Frager & 204th in Kent. Perched a few feet away was a WESTERN KINGBIRD. There was a second WESTERN KINGBIRD a short distance down 204th where the horses usually are and where there is a small pond.
-- Marv Breece Tukwila, WA <marvbreece...>
Concepts shape our world. Concepts are not hard wired.
Date: 5/23/18 12:49 pm From: Nelson Briefer <nrieferb...> Subject: [Tweeters] White Pelicans- 12
White Pelicans over Guemes Island at 12: 15 PM, as observed from Anacortes. I will guess the birds were at 1,000-3,000 feet altitude. On 23 May. Nelson Briefer- Anacortes.
Date: 5/23/18 8:18 am From: Mary Reese <uuspirit...> Subject: [Tweeters] Owl harassment and COUGAR at Ridgefield
We arrived at Ridgefield about 9:30 this morning and noticed the sign about the cougar sighting yesterday. Just then a man drove up who had just completed the loop and showed us two photos of the same tree, the first with nothing in it, and the second of what looked like a cougar climbing down, although it was pretty fuzzy. He said he took the photo at area #10. He called it in (phone number is on the sign) and the ranger came out. By the time we finished birding the bathroom/bird blind area and got to the Kiwa trail entrance, it was closed. The ranger said that the last cougar sighting was about 100 yards from there.
When we got to that approximate location, there was a jam of cars. But it wasn't because of the cougar. There was a lady in a little red car, who had been talking to everyone at previous stops like she was an expert or volunteer or something, blocking the road. She had gotten out of her car and gone into the bushes to take pictures of the Great Horned Owls. She blocked the road again later in the loop to take pictures. We later learned from the real volunteer at the entrance, that Red Car Lady got a citation for harassing wildlife. So if you see her, keep an eye on what she is doing and report any strange activity.
When we got back to the entrance, an update had been posted to the cougar warning sign. It said that no one was allowed out of their cars anywhere. That included the bird blind and the bathroom next to it, which were now closed.
Date: 5/22/18 10:05 pm From: J Christian Kessler <1northraven...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] 3 Peregrine Chicks at Snoqualmie Falls
I grew up in Virginia, spent most of my life in Virginia, in Virginia it
don't snow in May!
Chris Kessler🤔
Seattle
On Tue, May 22, 2018 at 4:09 PM, Hank H <h.heiberg...> wrote:
>
> > Thanks to the post by Dave Templeton of Scott Dodson's video we were
> able to locate the Peregrine Falcon nest at Snoqualmie Falls. The nest is
> occupied by 3 chicks. Here is a video with Cottonwood seeds blowing by and
> the falls roaring in the background. Thanks Dave and Scott!
> >
> > https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/41566709844/in/dateposted/ > >
> > Hank & Karen Heiberg
> > Issaquah, WA
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
--
"moderation in everything, including moderation"
Rustin Thompson
Date: 5/22/18 8:48 pm From: B B <birder4184...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Whimbrel on Camano Island
>From late April well into May, the huge Whimbrel flock moves from the bay visible from English Boom to the Rekdal Road fields and vice versa. At times there can be well more than 100 in each place as was my experience on May 6. I recently had more than 300 on Rekdal Road and know of reports of more than 500. A real spectacle.
Date: 5/22/18 8:41 pm From: Anthony G. <birds...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Whimbrel on Camano Island
This might be the same flock I noted at Iverson and then English Boom and also at Barnum Point about 2 weeks ago. If i recall there were about 67 of which were hand counted.
Thanks
Anthony
On May 22, 2018 5:40:06 PM PDT, LARRY BAXTER <natural.world.explorer...> wrote:
>I was driving on the Rekdal Road on Camano Island yesterday and saw two
>Whimbrel in the farmer's field to the east.
>
>We see Whimbrel here just about every year, in the spring, right after
>the
>farmer has mowed the field. Usually, they are in flocks of 30 - 50.
>They
>usually stick around for about a week, but once the grass starts
>growing,
>the Whimrels leave.
>
>Larry Baxter,
>Camano Island
After failing to find White-faced Ibis in previous years, today we did manage to see the one that has been at the County Line Ponds in Grant County for several days. There were other birds there too that I never tire of seeing: American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, and Wilson's Phalaropes. Lots of ducks, but they were farther away and I couldn't see them well.
Tomorrow we're going to look at some other places where the ibis has been seen recently and see if we can't find another one!
Date: 5/22/18 5:42 pm From: LARRY BAXTER <natural.world.explorer...> Subject: [Tweeters] Whimbrel on Camano Island
I was driving on the Rekdal Road on Camano Island yesterday and saw two Whimbrel in the farmer's field to the east.
We see Whimbrel here just about every year, in the spring, right after the farmer has mowed the field. Usually, they are in flocks of 30 - 50. They usually stick around for about a week, but once the grass starts growing, the Whimrels leave.
Date: 5/22/18 4:13 pm From: Hank H <h.heiberg...> Subject: [Tweeters] 3 Peregrine Chicks at Snoqualmie Falls
> Thanks to the post by Dave Templeton of Scott Dodson's video we were able to locate the Peregrine Falcon nest at Snoqualmie Falls. The nest is occupied by 3 chicks. Here is a video with Cottonwood seeds blowing by and the falls roaring in the background. Thanks Dave and Scott!
>
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/41566709844/in/dateposted/ >
> Hank & Karen Heiberg
> Issaquah, WA
Date: 5/22/18 11:06 am From: cynthia burrell <cinnyb...> Subject: [Tweeters] WOS meeting June 4
June 4 WOS meeting --MEMBER PHOTO NIGHT. Share your great (and not so great!) birding moments with the WOS community! Bring your photos on a thumb drive.
WOS meetings are the first Monday of October - June at the UW Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 NE 41st St, Seattle. Social time begins at 7 pm; the formal program begins at 7:30. All are welcome. (Remote attendance is possible for members of WOS; specific information and instructions are sent by e-mail prior to each meeting) _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 5/22/18 10:25 am From: Hal Opperman <hal...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Portholes Reservoir nesting colony
Dennis (and Tweeters),
JoLynn and I had a similar experience there last week (Thursday May 17). We saw no active nests and almost none of the expected species anywhere nearby: one Great Egret in flight and two Double-crested Cormorants swimming — that was it. We had not been there for years, and the depopulation compared to before was a shock.
One surprise on the way in was a Grasshopper Sparrow, singing from atop a low, mostly dead shrub a hundred feet off the road. This was on the north (right) side of the road 150 yards, more or less, from the “T” where you turn west (right) from the entrance road to head toward the (ex-) rookery.
The previous afternoon (May 16) we visited the Tricolored Blackbird colony on Morgan Lake Road in the Columbia NWR, as described on Tweeters by Jim Elder from May 11. One could not have asked for a more satisfying experience of this species in Washington.
Hal Opperman
Seattle
> On May 22, 2018, at 9:04 AM, Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson...> wrote:
>
> Hello tweets,
>
> Netta and I visited the north end of the Potholes Reservoir on Sunday, and I was shocked to see scarcely any birds at the big nesting colony there. I was there last year, and the air was full of Double-crested Cormorants flying to and fro, with scattered Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets among them. Dozens of nests had birds on them, mostly cormorants but the other two species as well. On Sunday we saw a half-dozen birds on nests with considerable searching and a single egret the only bird in flight.
>
> Does anyone know any more about this? I speculated that a few angry fishermen got tired of the cormorants taking “their” fish and raided the colony. Of course I have no proof of that, but why the huge decline from one year to the next, especially of a bird so successful and persistent as the Double-crested Cormorant?
>
> I think Black-crowned Night-Herons have virtually disappeared from out there. They used to be common at the same colony. I don’t think there have been any there in recent years, and we hardly ever see them any more. I have spent a lot of time out there since around 1980 and have seen the demise of the Columbia Basin (some would argue that it has been “reclaimed”), one of the saddest stories in my time in the Pacific Northwest.
>
> Dennis Paulson
> Seattle_______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 5/22/18 9:16 am From: Steve Krival <stevekrival...> Subject: [Tweeters] Birding Nicaragua
Is anyone interested in discussing birding in Nicaragua? I just returned from a two-month stay in the Masaya area of Nicaragua. Birding was not my primary reason for being there, Spanish language school was, but I did manage to bird several of the 100+ wildlife reserves, and took some decent photos. I left the country early due to the current climate of political unrest, but am already planning a return trip. Topics of interest to me are: 1. Finding ways to equip Nica guides with sufficient equipment to effectively do their job and report their findings on bird species - such as binoculars, cameras, and good hiking clothing; 2) A species of bird that I could not locate in "A Guide to the Birds of Nicaragua"(Juan Carlos Martinez-Sancheez et al.), "Birds of Mexico and Central America" (Ber Van Perlo), or "Birds of Costa Rica A field Guide" ( R Garrigues et al.). Dude, did I like discover a new species?!; 3) How to get to hard to get to places in Nica to go birding, and where to stay; and 4) the future of birding Nicaragua, including the effect of the recent fire in Indio Maiz on wildlife habitat, and organizations involved in wildlife preservation in Nicaragua.
Date: 5/22/18 9:10 am From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson...> Subject: [Tweeters] Portholes Reservoir nesting colony
Hello tweets,
Netta and I visited the north end of the Potholes Reservoir on Sunday, and I was shocked to see scarcely any birds at the big nesting colony there. I was there last year, and the air was full of Double-crested Cormorants flying to and fro, with scattered Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets among them. Dozens of nests had birds on them, mostly cormorants but the other two species as well. On Sunday we saw a half-dozen birds on nests with considerable searching and a single egret the only bird in flight.
Does anyone know any more about this? I speculated that a few angry fishermen got tired of the cormorants taking “their” fish and raided the colony. Of course I have no proof of that, but why the huge decline from one year to the next, especially of a bird so successful and persistent as the Double-crested Cormorant?
I think Black-crowned Night-Herons have virtually disappeared from out there. They used to be common at the same colony. I don’t think there have been any there in recent years, and we hardly ever see them any more. I have spent a lot of time out there since around 1980 and have seen the demise of the Columbia Basin (some would argue that it has been “reclaimed”), one of the saddest stories in my time in the Pacific Northwest.
Date: 5/22/18 8:54 am From: Denis DeSilvis <avnacrs4birds...> Subject: [Tweeters] Varied Thrush at Roy
Tweeters,
Yesterday evening (about 9:15PM), while listening to Sora and Virginia Rails calling from the wetland, my wife and I were taken aback by a VARIED THRUSH singing from a nearby Douglas-fir. It kept singing for almost 25 minutes - at first from close to us, but eventually moving off south to sing from the neighbors Douglas-fir patch.
The latest weve had Varied Thrush stay in our vicinity in Roy after wintering over is early April. Nothing like the third week of May!
May all your birds be identified,
Denis DeSilvis
<avnacrs4birds...>
Roy, WA
Date: 5/22/18 5:33 am From: Matt Bartels <mattxyz...> Subject: [Tweeters] Washington Bird Records Committee recent decisions (Winter 2018 Sight records re-review)
Hi Tweeters & Inland NW Birders -
The Washington Bird Records Committee [WBRC] has completed two different reviews recently:
In February we met to review sight-only records on the state list.
Online, reviewed the Spring 2018 interim packet.
WINTER 2018 – SIGHT RECORDS RECONSIDERATION MEETING. FEBRUARY 2018.
Explanation
After years of debate, the Washington Bird Records Committee decided it was time to revisit those species on the state list supported only by sight records. In recent years, much has been written questioning the reliability of eye-witness accounts. When it comes to deciding what species are documented well enough to be included on the official Washington list of bird species, we increasingly felt that we should re-review those species supported only by written descriptions. The state list is intended to be conservative, establishing a baseline of what has passed review. Because of changes in procedures over the years, we felt especially that species accepted previously on a ‘supplemental’ list and then moved to the full list were worth revisiting and scrutinizing. While some of these reconsiderations may result in the invalidation of accurate records, our goal is to present a list of Washington birds that we can confidently defend based on our best current knowledge and on the evidence presented.
In all, we reviewed 27 records of 18 species supported only by written descriptions. We reversed the earlier decision in eight of these cases, resulting in the removal of six species from the Washington State list.
This brings the official Washington State Checklist to 512 species, including 497 species fully accredited (supported by specimen, photograph, or recording) and 15 species which are sight-only records (supported only by written documentation).
NO LONGER ACCEPTED:
The original decisions to accept these sight records was overturned on reconsideration at the February meeting. For all but the Philadelphia Vireo (where other records were reaffirmed), this resulted in the removal of these species from the official state list.
RTHU-1992-1, Ruby-throated Hummingbird -- 28 Jun 1992, Liberty, Kittitas County [WBRC #2 (WA Birds 5:23)] (YES = 0; NO = 7; ABSTAIN = 0).
LICU-2001-1, Little Curlew -- 6 May 2001, Leadbetter Point, Pacific County [WBRC #5 (WA Birds 8:08)] (YES = 0; NO = 7; ABSTAIN = 0).
GRKN-1979-1, Great Knot -- 6 Sep 1979, La Push, Clallam County [WBRC #1 (WA Birds 3:30)] (YES = 0; NO = 7; ABSTAIN = 0).
WHAU-1999-1, Whiskered Auklet -- 16-17 May 1999, Penn Cove, Island County [WBRC #5 (WA Birds 8:10)] (YES = 0; NO = 7; ABSTAIN = 0).
RFCO-1999-1, Red-faced Cormorant -- 8 May 1999, off mouth of Elwha River, Clallam County [WBRC #5 (WA Birds 8:04)] (YES = 1; NO = 6; ABSTAIN = 0).
PHVI-2005-1, Philadelphia Vireo -- 20 Aug 2005, Washtucna, Adams County [WBRC #9 (Western Birds 46(4): 315)] (YES = 1; NO = 6; ABSTAIN = 0).
PHVI-2007-1, Philadelphia Vireo -- 3 Jun 2007, Hooper, Whitman County [WBRC #9 (Western Birds 46(4): 315)] (YES = 0; NO = 7; ABSTAIN = 0).
GCTH-1990-1, Gray-cheeked Thrush -- 6 Oct 1990, McNary NWR, Walla Walla County [WBRC #1 (WA Birds 3:24)] (YES = 2; NO = 5; ABSTAIN = 0).
Reaffirmed original decision:
The original decisions to accept these sight records was reaffirmed at the February meeting.
CRPL-2006-1, Common Ringed-Plover -- 23 Sep 2006, Port Susan Bay, Snohomish County, immature, sketch, Cameron Cox, Jessie Barry [s] [WBRC #8 (WA Birds 11:40)] (YES = 7, NO = 0, ABSTAIN = 0).
JASN-1993-1, Jack Snipe -- 9 Sep 1993, Skagit Wildlife Area, Skagit County, Subsequent Vote re-confirmed: Accept, 7-0-1 (F05), Jan Wiggers, Keith Wiggers [WBRC #2 (WA Birds 5:23)] (YES = 7, NO = 0, ABSTAIN = 0).
WISP-1984-1, Wilson’s Storm-Petrel --23 Jul 1984, off Westport, Grays Harbor County, Ron Naveen, Bill Tweit [WBRC #1 (WA Birds 3:19)] (YES = 7, NO = 0, ABSTAIN = 0).
WISP-2001-1, Wilson’s Storm-Petrel -- 6 Sep 2001, 30 mi off Westport, Grays Harbor County, Ryan Shaw, Charlie Wright [WBRC #5 (WA Birds 8:04)] (YES = 7, NO = 0, ABSTAIN = 0).
WISP-2003-1, Wilson’s Storm-Petrel --12 Jul 2003, 46°44'N, 124°44'W, off Cape Shoalwater, Pacific County, Bill Tweit, Bruce LaBar, Ryan Shaw [WBRC #7 (WA Birds 10:24-25)] (YES = 7, NO = 0, ABSTAIN = 0).
WISP-2005-1, Wilson’s Storm-Petrel -- 7 Aug 2005, off Westport, Grays Harbor County, Steve Mlodinow, Dan Froehlich [WBRC #8 (WA Birds 11:38)] (YES = 7, NO = 0, ABSTAIN = 0).
CACO-1805-1, California Condor -- 30 Oct 1805, near Wind River, Skamania County, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark [WBRC #3 (WA Birds 6:27)] (YES = 7, NO = 0, ABSTAIN = 0).
WEVI-1981-1, White-eyed Vireo --11 Jul 1981, Vashon Island, King County, 11 Jul 1981 singing male, Phil Mattocks [WBRC #1 (WA Birds 3:30)] (YES = 6, NO = 1, ABSTAIN = 0).
PHVI-1991-1, Philadelphia Vireo -- 25 Sep 1991, Summer Falls, Grant County, Ken Brunner [WBRC #1 (WA Birds 3:30)] (YES = 7, NO = 0, ABSTAIN = 0).
PHVI-2002-1, Philadelphia Vireo -- 7 Jun 2002, Upper Crab Creek, near Ritzville, Lincoln County, singing, Daniel Barton [WBRC #6 (WA Birds 9:51)] (YES = 7, NO = 0, ABSTAIN = 0).
PHVI-2004-1, Philadelphia Vireo -- 29 May 2004, Vantage, Kittitas County, Steve Mlodinow [WBRC #7 (WA Birds 10:39-40)] (YES = 7, NO = 0, ABSTAIN = 0).
DUTH-2002-1, Dusky Thrush --27 Jun 2002, Mount Vernon, Skagit County, Peggy Alexander [WBRC #6 (WA Birds 9:52)] (YES = 7, NO = 0, ABSTAIN = 0).
PHAI-1994-1, Phainopepla -- 24 Sep 1994, West Seattle, King County, female, David Buckley [WBRC #2 (WA Birds 5:23)] (YES = 7, NO = 0, ABSTAIN = 0).
RTPI-1979-1, Red-throated Pipit -- 14 & 16 Sep 1979, American Camp, San Juan Island, San Juan County, Eugene Hunn Alan Richards, David Wolf [WBRC #1 (WA Birds 3:25)] (YES = 7, NO = 0, ABSTAIN = 0).
RTPI-2004-1, Red-throated Pipit --7 May 2004, Bainbridge Island, Kitsap County, Brad Waggoner [WBRC #7 (WA Birds 10:35)] (YES = 7, NO = 0, ABSTAIN = 0).
NESP-1986-1, Nelson’s Sparrow -- 14 Sep 1986, Sullivan Lake, Pend Oreille County, Winifred Hepburn, Merlene Koliner, Deanna Palmer, Jeff Palmer, Carole Vande Voorde [WBRC #1 (WA Birds 3:28)] (YES = 7, NO = 0, ABSTAIN = 0).
KEWA-1992-1, Kentucky Warbler -- 14 Jun 1992, Darrington, Snohomish County, singing male, Dick Veit [WBRC #1 (WA Birds 3:30)] (YES = 7, NO = 0, ABSTAIN = 0).
RECONSIDERATION DECISION DEFERRED:
Reconsideration was not completed for the following two records as the committee seeks more information on hybrid identification.
MOWA-2001-1, Mourning Warbler -- 26 May 2001, Lyons Ferry State Park, Franklin County [WBRC #5 (WA Birds 8:13)].
MOWA-2007-1, Mourning Warbler -- 25 Aug 2007, Washtucna, Adams County [WBRC #9 (Western Birds 46(4): 316)].
Date: 5/21/18 9:01 pm From: Izzy & Kendrick <gobirder...> Subject: [Tweeters] Redheads Othello, and other great birdies
Hi,
If anyone in WA needs a Redhead for their life/year/county/whatever list, the Para Ponds in Othello, at least as of yesterday (5-20-18), are good for this species. We counted 32 Redheads there.
The ponds had a very good assortment of species overall. Cinnamon Teal, Gadwall, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Black-necked Stilt, Great Egret, Ruddy Duck, Spotted Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, Mallard, Am. Coot, Red-winged Blackbird, and Least Sandpiper were present.
I won’t go into great detail here, but our weekend east of the mountains was excellent. Had 100 species. The sage country was lovely with the annual show of blooming plants and shrubs, and the Brewer’s, Vesper, and Sagebrush sparrows remain quite active. Sage Thrashers are singing their hearts out, while Western Kingbirds, Bullock’s Orioles and House Wrens are busy with their nest-building. The Lazuli Buntings, Gray Catbirds and Yellow-breasted Chats are back, among many others.
Great time of year!
My friend who lives in Kirkland sent me pictures of a couple of adorable little fledglings that showed up in her backyard this evening. I think they look very much like pictures of house wren fledglings I've found online. My first guess, without looking anything up, was baby Bewick's Wrens, because we have those (adults, not babies) in our backyard quite regularly, and these little fledglings had a faint light stripe above their eyes. I haven't found a good photo yet of a Bewick's fledgling though so I don't know if that's what these are - as I mentioned, they look a lot like baby house wrens from images I found on Google images. I have never seen a house wren in this area (I live in Kenmore, very close to the Kirkland-Kenmore border, about 2.5 mi from my friend), so I assumed we didn't really have them around here. I would love to hear if I'm wrong about that!
I am not sure how to share the photos easily through this medium, but will happily email them to anyone who is interested in trying to ID them. My friend and I would love to know for sure what they are!
I sent a message about the White-faced Ibis at the County Line Ponds, west of Othello, in early afternoon Sunday from my iPhone. Apparently the server treated it as an attachment, I have no idea why. But if anyone was interested, you probably read Blair Bernson’s message reporting the same bird.
Date: 5/21/18 4:13 pm From: LELAND JONES <virwin...> Subject: [Tweeters] Katrina van Grouw visit/birding help
Hello all,
The bookstore I work for -- Eagle Harbor Book Co. on Bainbridge Island — is hosting a presentation of Unnatural Selection, a new book by British nature illustrator and natural historian Katrina van Grouw. She will be at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art auditorium (right off the ferry -- you can walk on!) on Thursday, June 21, at 6:30pm. We are asking for a $5 donation at the door, but it is optional. Her book The Unfeathered Bird will also be available at the event. You can order either of the books online ahead of time on our website below, and pick it up at the event.
There is limited seating for this event, and I am putting both the event page from the bookstore and the Eventbrite signup link. There are great places to eat on Bainbridge within walking distance, so come for an early dinner, or head out after her talk.
Katrina is staying for several days after the event, and hopes to do some birding/wildlife viewing on the Olympic Peninsula. If anyone would like to share advice or even join her out there, please send me a note.
Tweeters,
The Recovering America's Wildlife Act benefits all wildlife, but in particular those associated with State Wildlife Action Plans (and Species of Greatest Conservation Need). These are species not traditionally hunted or fished -- and also includes species that are sensitive, threatened, or endangered, such as Sage Grouse, Marbled Murrelet, etc. Thought you might appreciate this update as of last Friday:
Right now, our best opportunity to put resources toward fish and wildlife conservation and management is the Recovering Americas Wildlife Act (HR 4647) through this, we will fund partners and leverage our work to prevent the need to list where possible, reduce regulatory burdens associated with listing, and promote recovery through healthy habitats, working with private landowners, and stabilizing fish and wildlife populations for a strong outdoor economy.
The Recovering Americas Wildlife Act can provide conservation, management, outreach and education, and law enforcement activities related to State Wildlife Action Plans Species of Greatest Conservation Need, which will also boost non-consumptive recreation for our citizens more healthy habitats to recreate in and more diverse wildlife to watch and the ability to connect communities to the work we do all wildlife for all people.
Date: 5/21/18 7:05 am From: Hal Michael <ucd880...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Pheasants on Quimper Peninsula
The anser to the stars of the pheasants is probably yes and yes. There are very few areas where WDFW actually releases pheasants any more and I don't think the Pt Townsend area is one. But, many people raise them and some might escape. But, some of them will also hang on as wild birds. As I recall, there are some stocks of the Ring-neck that are adapted to areas that are more grassy than cereal grain farming (this group first showed in WA at Sandpoint if memory serves) so there may be some out there. Having spent much of my youth hunting them, a small population in heavy cover is pretty hard to detect without a good dog.
Hal Michael
Science Outreach Director, Sustainable Fisheries Foundation
Olympia WA
360-459-4005
360-791-7702 (C)
<ucd880...>
> On May 20, 2018 at 11:46 PM Teresa Michelsen <teresa...> wrote:
>
>
> Speaking of Port Townsend, I’m sitting at the light making a right turn onto Hiway 20 from Discovery Road, when I see what I initially assume to be a chicken crossing Old Mill Road near the intersection. As I’m thinking to myself “why does the chicken cross the road,” I realized it wasn’t a chicken at all, but a male pheasant! Kind of a busy street for it to be nonchalantly stepping its way across.
>
>
>
> Which led me to wonder – what is the status of pheasants on the peninsula? Or the Olympic Peninsula for that matter? Is there a wild population, or are they released for hunting? I see they’re yellow on the Jefferson County list, so not all that common to see.
>
>
>
> Teresa Michelsen
>
> Port Townsend, WA
>
Date: 5/21/18 5:25 am From: Matt Bartels <mattxyz...> Subject: [Tweeters] Skamania birding Saturday [19 May]
Hi all -
I spent Saturday in Skamania county, poking around and looking for spring migrants and the like. The forecast rain didn’t materialize, and it turned out to be a pretty good day — a few notable birds:
Yellow-breasted Chat - one singing away at Skamania Landing, a bit beyond the gate near the bridge at the east end of the Skamania Landing loop. Chats have become more regular in Skamania in recent years, it seems, but still not a gimmee.
Lazuli Bunting - at Hamilton Island, at least 3 males were singing away on the south side of the hill as you head to the boat launch.
Black Swift — at the Little White Salmon hatchery, I hung out for a while near the hatchery buildings, watching a baby Am.Dipper beg and scanning the overcast skies. Took a bit, but as hoped a handful of Black Swifts showed up 2-3 times over the course of an hour.
I spent the afternoon poking around higher up in Skamania — no snow until around 3500-3700, so plenty of access for many places North northwest of Willard, South Prairie Lake had Sora and Wilson’s Snipe calling away, and a Solitary Sandpiper [code 5 in Skamania] working the edges. It looks like a great place for the ever-elusive Skamania Cinnamon Teal, but alas only Green-winged Teal popped out. I checked out Goose Lake and the Forlorn Lakes — all promising looking mountain lakes, but not much beyond goldeneyes on them.
Warblers were out and singing throughout the day:At Little White Salmon hatchery, one or two Nashville Warblers were loud. Hermit Warblers were pretty thick once up in the hills. A handful of MacGillivray's around. And constant Yellow, Wilson’s, Orange-crowned & Black-throated Gray to round out the warbler’s.
Speaking of Port Townsend, I’m sitting at the light making a right turn onto Hiway 20 from Discovery Road, when I see what I initially assume to be a chicken crossing Old Mill Road near the intersection. As I’m thinking to myself “why does the chicken cross the road,” I realized it wasn’t a chicken at all, but a male pheasant! Kind of a busy street for it to be nonchalantly stepping its way across.
Which led me to wonder – what is the status of pheasants on the peninsula? Or the Olympic Peninsula for that matter? Is there a wild population, or are they released for hunting? I see they’re yellow on the Jefferson County list, so not all that common to see.
Last week I observed a Gadwall / Widgeon hybrid from the photo blind on the Game Range off Wiley Rd, near Conway. Today I observed 3 Gadwall / Widgeon hybrid males, probably sibling brothers from the same brood. They seemed to be socializing as a group. 2 had a widgeon face but lacked the white crown. They also showed vertical white streaking on their flanks. The breeding habitats of these birds do not normally overlap
Please tell him we all miss his presence and wonderful stories and observations. I just recently moved to Port Townsend and had hoped to meet him someday, maybe wandering around the Kah Tai lagoon :)
Teresa Michelsen
Port Townsend, WA
From: <tweeters-bounces...> <tweeters-bounces...> On Behalf Of Margie Gibson
Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2018 3:21 PM
To: <tweeters...>
Subject: [Tweeters] RE: Jeff Gibson
Hi Will, and anyone else curious about Jeff, I’m his sister.
Jeff has continuing health problems, the most recent of which is a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. Another barrier to his participation on Tweeters is the death of his laptop and subsequent loss of passwords. You can email him directly at <gibsondesign15...><mailto:<gibsondesign15...>
Hi Will, and anyone else curious about Jeff, I’m his sister.
Jeff has continuing health problems, the most recent of which is a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. Another barrier to his participation on Tweeters is the death of his laptop and subsequent loss of passwords. You can email him directly at <gibsondesign15...> <mailto:<gibsondesign15...>
Date: 5/20/18 2:37 pm From: Jeffrey Bryant <jbryant_68...> Subject: [Tweeters] M street ponds
Thanks to Marv Breece’s post about Bank Swallows and Pectoral Sandpiper here, I stopped by around 1:00. At least one Bank Swallow remains, but the Pec has been replaced by one of each yellowlegs. Best photo, had I a camera, would have been drake Cinnamon and Blue-winged Teal roosting shoulder-to-shoulder on the main pond. Another BWTE is swimming with the Mallards
Date: 5/20/18 2:21 pm From: B B <birder4184...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] bullfrog pond
For those not accessing that material and some additional info about the Bullfrog Pond location.
I have led trips to this area for the past 4 years and it is a favorite particularly as migration progresses. Birds seen/heard can change almost daily in May and into June. The coordinates for Bullfrog Pond are 47.193612,-121.014751.
Take Exit 80 (Roslyn and Suncadia) off I-90 and head North on Bullfrog Road. In about 1/2 mile you cross the Cle Elum River and in another 200 yards Bullfrog Pond will be on your left (west) . There is a very small (one car) parking spot next to a gate there, but it is better to park across the road. You can walk right down to the pond from the gate. There may be good birds including warblers right there and Virginia Rail and Sora might be heard and sometimes seen from there. There is a non car accessible road that leads from there back south to the Cle Elum River. Very birdy area particularly for warblers, flycatchers, vireos and soon Gray Catbirds and maybe Veery among others. The road leads to a bridge over the River which leads to private property on the other side. The river is extremely high now. When it is not so high, you can usually find nesting Dippers at the bridge.
We usually get back into cars and then drive a little further north on Bullfrog Road and make the first left onto Tumble Creek Drive which leads to a private closed gate community. Almost immediately upon turning onto Tumble Creek make a quick left onto a small road that leads back to a bathroom and small parking area. (Bathrooms were still locked as of yesterday). This an be an excellent area for more warblers, Tanagers, Vireos, nuthatches, chickadees, Sapsuckers and Sparrows. I have also had Ruffed Grouse here. A word of caution for sapsuckers. Although there may be both Williamson (very uncommon) and Red Naped Sapsuckers, there are also Red Naped x Red Breasted hybrids. There may be Mountain and Black Capped Chickadees (and far less commonly Chestnut Backed) and all three Nuthatch species.
The area across Bullfrog Road (across from the Pond) next to where I suggested you park initially is readily accessible but is private property - not used but owned by a community of owners I believe. I have talked to one of the owners once who did not mind it being accessed by birders but you have to make your own decisions on that. It is a really good area for Western and Mountain Bluebirds, Cassin's and Purple Finch, Chipping Sparrow, nuthatches and Chickadees. Most can be seen or heard from the road.
Over the past 3 years I have had more than 85 species at Bullfrog Pond - a wonderful location.
Date: 5/20/18 1:57 pm From: Eric Heisey <magicman32...> Subject: [Tweeters] Newhalem Common Grackle
Hey all,
I just found a Common Grackle in Newhalem, WA. I first saw the bird as it flew away from me, out of the top of a tree with a Brown-headed Cowbird, uttering a low “chuck” call characteristic of Grackles. I hurriedly chased the bird to the other side of the side of the road and confirmed my suspicion, getting nice looks and decent photos. The bird is coming to a feeder behind house 1. Find the house by turning right at the mini mart and parking there. Walk towards the bridge, and house 1 is the second house on the right. The owner is very friendly and open to birders stopping by. He has seen the bird for the past week but didn’t know what it was, a good sign that it may stick around. Wondering what another bird was, he showed me photos of a male Yellow-headed Blackbird that has been around the same area. The bird disappeared about 15 minutes ago, but I am going to keep looking and attempt to get better photos. Hopefully some others get to see this bird!
Peggy Mundy asked for the location of Bullfrog Pond. You can find a description and map in A Birder's Guide to Washington, Second Edition, which is available either as a softcover book or online.
Bullfrog Pond is discussed in the Cle Elum section of the book (and in the subsection "Lower Cle Elum River").
Date: 5/20/18 1:14 pm From: Michael Donahue <bfalbatross...> Subject: [Tweeters] Westport seabirds trip report for May 19 – for the record books.
Yesterday’s pelagic trip was truly one for the records books, with calm
seas, good viewing, and hitting some all-time record high numbers. Some our
trips have good species diversity but not always good views, others have
good views but not as much diversity, while yesterday had an amazing
diversity as well as excellent views of the birds and mammals.
Instead of heading due west to the shelf edge at Grays Canyon we headed
southwest to Willapa Canyon in Pacific county, to meet up with a fleet of
boats fishing for Pacific Whiting. By 7:15 we were in Pacific county and
had a Manx Shearwater.
We spent four hours around the fishing boats, which helped provide the
record setting numbers of tubenoses:
1730 Black-footed Albatross. The previous high count on any trip since 1990
was 993, with 359 being the record in May.
1973 Pink-footed Shearwater. The previous high for a May trip was 280.
Other numbers and comments:
1 Laysan Albatross – we’ve had Laysan on four out of the five trips this
year
16,152 Sooty Shearwater
171 Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel
150 Red-necked Phalarope
10 Red Phalarope – always a treat to see these and Red-necked in breeding
plumage
2 South Polar Skua, the first time we’ve had two on a May trip.
8 Parasitic Jaegers, including a dark morph
3 Pomarine Jaegers, including a dark morph
1 Long-tailed Jaeger – the hardest one to get, it made a grand slam of all
four species
5 Cassin’s Auklet
8 Common Tern
6 Arctic Tern
2765 Sabine’s Gull – we hit migration just right! Big flocks, and it was
the first time I’ve ever heard them calling. The previous high for any trip
since 1990 was 2421, with 1902 being the record in May.
There was also a small songbird fallout, with Wilson’s Warbler,
Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Siskin, Ruby-crowned
Kinglet, a kinglet sp. and a flycatcher sp.
Early on we encountered Humpback Whales which were quite active feeding,
surface rolling, and several individuals breached. In addition to the
whales, we had Harbor and Dall’s Porpoise, Pacific White-sided Dolphin,
with California and Steller’s Sea Lion, and Harbor Seal in the harbor.
Another treat was to see a Salmon Shark, which was new for me.
Complete numbers are posted on the Westport Seabirds website, where you can
find information about upcoming trips: www.westportseabirds.com
Thanks to skipper Phil Anderson for knowing where to find the birds, and to
Chris Anderson, Scott Mills, and Bill Shelmerdine for making it an
outstanding trip.
Yesterday, while shopping for birdseed, I came upon safflower seeds. The package said they were disliked by squirrels. My question is, do other birds actually like them? I think I would miss my regulars if they didn't like the seed. I get song sparrows, downy woodpeckers, black-headed grosbeaks, spotted towhees, chickadees, red-breasted nuthatches, and lesser goldfinches as regular visitors, with other finches as occasional drop-ins. I use shelled sunflower seeds. I'd like to win the battle of the squirrels, and they have figured out how to get around my squirrel-proof feeders. I used a more mixed no-mess feed last summer, it was a much bigger mess because so many of the birds just toss the seeds they don't like to the ground while they look for the ones they like.
Michelle MaaniVancouver, Washington
Date: 5/20/18 11:19 am From: B B <birder4184...> Subject: [Tweeters] Long Day in Eastern Washington Beginning with a Black Backed Woodpecker and Ending with LOTS of Owls
Frank Caruso and I had a wonderful and very LONG day of birding in Eastern Washington yesterday. I will write up details and include photos in my blog and will post a link later but I wanted to share a quick summary.
Stops included the Hyak area at Snoqualmie Pass, Bullfrog Pond, the newly found Black Backed Woodpecker location in the burn on NF 230 just off Teanaway Middle Fork Road, the Bank Swallow Colony at the intersection of Highway 10 and Reecer Creek Road in Ellensburg, Vantage Highway and Recreation Road, County Line Ponds on Highway 26, Potholes State Park and then ending in the Liberty Area off Highway 97.
Although we were not looking for a large species list total and went right past many bird filled areas, we still ended the day with 98 species. Highlights were:
Seven warbler species - Yellow, Yellow Rumped, Townsend's, Common Yellowthroat, Black Throated Gray, Nashville and MacGillivraysSix flycatcher species - Western, Hammond's, Gray, Dusky plus Pewee and Say's PhoebeSix swallow species - Barn, Violet Green, Tree, Northern Rough Winged, Cliff and at least 75 Bank Swallows at the nest colony site20 Black Necked Stilts, 18 American Avocets, 12 Wilson's Phalaropes, Cinnamon and Blue Winged Teal and a White Faced Ibis at the County Line Ponds6 Woodpecker species - 2 Black Backed Woodpeckers - plus Pileated, Downy, Hairy, Northern Flicker and Williamson's SapsuckersSinging Lark Sparrow and a flushed Common Poorwill in the first canyon off Recreation RoadA photo friendly Chukar and Loggerhead Shrike on Vantage Highway
A great day BUT the Liberty area was the best: Many of the warblers, woodpeckers and flycatchers above plus many singing Cassin's Finches and Cassin's Vireos, numerous singing Hermit Thrushes, Western Bluebirds and Mountain Chickadees, many singing Western Tanagers and at least 8 and probably more than a dozen Flammulated Owls - calling loudly and incessantly in a number of different locations. Still no photos but truly incredible experience. We also had three other owl species. The owling was certainly enhanced by having no wind - missing the rain that came after we left - and zero other cars on the roads.
Including travel time it was more than 18 hours - but well worth it!!
Date: 5/20/18 10:17 am From: Marv Breece <marvbreece...> Subject: Fwd: [Tweeters] a good morning in the Kent Valley
Add a Pectoral Sandpiper at M Street
From: "Marv Breece" <marvbreece...> To: "Tweeters" <Tweeters...> Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2018 9:59:13 AM Subject: [Tweeters] a good morning in the Kent Valley
At M Street (Emerald Downs, Auburn, King County) this morning:
Long-billed Dowitcher - 7 Spotted Sandpiper - 3 Western Sandpiper - 1 Killdeer - 2 Bank Swallow - 3 American Pipit - 1 Western Kingbird - 1 (at the puddle south of the main pond)
Also, there were 2 BULLOCK'S ORIOLES along Frager Road in Kent, between 212th & 204th.
-- Marv Breece Tukwila, WA <marvbreece...>
Concepts shape our world. Concepts are not hard wired.
Date: 5/20/18 10:05 am From: Marv Breece <marvbreece...> Subject: [Tweeters] a good morning in the Kent Valley
At M Street (Emerald Downs, Auburn, King County) this morning:
Long-billed Dowitcher - 7 Spotted Sandpiper - 3 Western Sandpiper - 1 Killdeer - 2 Bank Swallow - 3 American Pipit - 1 Western Kingbird - 1 (at the puddle south of the main pond)
Also, there were 2 BULLOCK'S ORIOLES along Frager Road in Kent, between 212th & 204th.
-- Marv Breece Tukwila, WA <marvbreece...>
Concepts shape our world. Concepts are not hard wired.
Date: 5/20/18 9:42 am From: Bob Archer <rabican1...> Subject: [Tweeters] Westport Pelagic 5-19
We had near record numbers of Sabine's Gulls and Black-footed Albatross, the skua slam and a photo eluding (for me) Manx Shearwater yesterday out of Westport. The perfect seas and a hake fishing fleet lead to one of the best trips you could hope for. My attempt at a report:
Can you tell us where "bullfrog pond" is?
thanks,Peggy MundyBothell
On Sunday, May 20, 2018, 7:52:45 AM PDT, <amk17...> <amk17...> wrote:
Yesterday, I observed a white-breasted nuthatch bringing nest material and constructing a nest on a pine branch. There may have been a nest cavity at the junction of the trunk and branch that I could not view but there was quite a bit of nest material on the branch that it was "organizing/constructing". This was across the street from the pond in the pull out area. Interesting behavior.
Yesterday, I observed a white-breasted nuthatch bringing nest material and constructing a nest on a pine branch. There may have been a nest cavity at the junction of the trunk and branch that I could not view but there was quite a bit of nest material on the branch that it was "organizing/constructing". This was across the street from the pond in the pull out area. Interesting behavior.
Date: 5/19/18 7:57 pm From: Hank H <h.heiberg...> Subject: [Tweeters] American Dippers being fed at Tokul Creek
> Here is a video of two American Dippers being fed at Tokul Creek. The video was taken from the bridge across the creek, upstream from the Snoqualmie River.
>
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/42175545992/in/dateposted/ >
> Hank Heiberg
> Issaquah, WA
>
> Sent from my iPad
Date: 5/19/18 12:08 pm From: Vicki Biltz <vickibiltz...> Subject: [Tweeters] Second year for Lesser Goldfinch Pair
I saw the male last week, we out of town, and returned to see his female,
feeding together. Last year I could only be certain of one fledgling,
which eventually left with the pair.
So, we will see, it’s always fun having them, but this year rather
difficult to sort from the many feeders full of other finches, as my bushes
and trees are growing fast
Date: 5/19/18 10:33 am From: Linda Phillips <linda_phillips1252...> Subject: [Tweeters] Willow Flycatcher, Chipping Sparrows, and Crow Question
Hi Deborah,
This morning I am hearing a very definite Fitz-Bew call in the woods behind my Kenmore home. I am unable to locate the bird but a Willow Flycatchers call are hard to mistake for anything else.
When I entered it in Ebird it was excepted w/o question. Maybe your sighting was just days away from what their records consider proper time of the year.
Date: 5/19/18 8:33 am From: Carol Schulz <carol.schulz50...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Hand-held Radio Channels
Hi Dusty & Tweeters: The channel for hand-held radios for birders is channel 11, code 22. Yours, Carol Schulz Des Moines
On 5/18/2018 6:24 PM, Dusty Bleher wrote: > > Vicki; > > Any chance of you posting those channels here? > > Take care and be well my lady, > Dusty > > Granite Falls > > *From:* <tweeters-bounces...> > <tweeters-bounces...> *On Behalf Of *Vicki King > *Sent:* Sunday, May 13, 2018 20:49 > *To:* Tweeters <tweeters...> > *Subject:* [Tweeters] Hand-held Radio Channels > > Thank you to the many birders who generously responded so quickly to > my request, last night, for the channels that birders use on hand-held > radios. > > I'll try to remember them for the future. > > Vicki King > > Seattle, WA >
Date: 5/18/18 10:49 pm From: Bill Anderson <billandersonbic...> Subject: [Tweeters] Edmonds marsh blue-winged teals 5-18-18
My second lifer in five days. Three male blue-winged teals were at the Edmonds marsh Friday. Photos of the teals and two American goldfinches can be seen by scrolling down page 7.
Date: 5/18/18 6:58 pm From: Hugh <h2ouzel...> Subject: [Tweeters] Report on 114 bird species recorded on May14
Sharon Aagaard, Margaret Snell, Stan Wood and Hugh Jennings went on the annual Whidbey Wing-Dings Bird- A-Thon. We met at the Kingsgate P&R at 4:30 am and got the 5:05 ferry to Whidbey Island. We birded our way up Whidbey Island and then came back by way of Skagit valley and the Stillaguamish River. We recorded 89 species by lunch at noon. We added 25 more for a total of 114.
If anyone is interested in the total report email me and I will send it on to you.
From: <tweeters-bounces...> <tweeters-bounces...> On Behalf Of Vicki King
Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2018 20:49
To: Tweeters <tweeters...>
Subject: [Tweeters] Hand-held Radio Channels
Thank you to the many birders who generously responded so quickly to my request, last night, for the channels that birders use on hand-held radios.
Date: 5/18/18 11:45 am From: Russ Koppendrayer <russkope...> Subject: [Tweeters] Re: Keystone Brown Pelican
Had I read my emails first I'd have known this was already known. Still here at 11:40.
Russ Koppendrayer
On Fri, May 18, 2018, 11:37 AM Russ Koppendrayer <russkope...> wrote:
> Hi Tweeters, > > There currently is a Brown Pelican roosting on the pilings just south of > the breakwater for the Keystone Ferry landing. > > Russ Koppendrayer > Longview, WA >
Date: 5/18/18 10:11 am From: Ruth Richards <rgrichards7...> Subject: [Tweeters] Brown Pelican at Keystone Ferry
Carlos Andersen found an immature Brown Pelican at the Keystone ferry terminal, Whidbey, this morning at about 8:45. It was still there when we left at 9:40, perched on the derelict wharf used by the cormorants.
Date: 5/18/18 9:18 am From: Larry Schwitters <leschwitters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Wagner swifts
For five days there were only a hundred Vaux’s Swifts using the Monroe Wagner roost. Because they look so much alike it’s difficult to tell if they are the same individuals. We were thinking this might be the end of their migration. But last night Cindy Easterson clicked off 1238. As of 9:10 the lazy birds were still hanging out in the bottom of the chimney.
If you're looking for an electronic wildlife encounter this is your chance.
Date: 5/17/18 7:39 pm From: Denis DeSilvis <avnacrs4birds...> Subject: [Tweeters] Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) Eagles Pride Golf Course monthly bird walk -5-17-2018
Tweeters,
Although a relatively cool day (~56degF at start to ~62degF at end) with a slight breeze at times, the Spring birds were doing well at the JBLM Eagles Pride Golf Course. Highlights of the 56 species tallied today include two WOOD DUCKS coursing through the oak trees along the 18th fairway; PIED-BILLED GREBE with four chicks at Hodge Lake; great views of a GREAT HORNED OWL; and seasonal OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, CASSIN'S VIREO (the first time ever that we've had what may be four territorial birds), HOUSE WREN, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER, WESTERN TANAGER, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, and EVENING GROSBEAK (which seem to be in many places in this part of Pierce County).
The JBLM Eagles Pride GC birders meet the third Thursday of each month at 8:00AM. Starting point is Bldg # 1514, Driving Range Tee, Eagles Pride Golf Course, I-5 Exit 116, Mounts Road Exit. Upcoming walks include the following:
June 21 (Summer Solstice)
July 19
August 16
Anyone is welcome to join us!
55 species (+1 other taxa)
Wood Duck 2 One chasing another through the oaks alongside the 18th fairway
Hooded Merganser 1 At "maintenance" pond near driving range.
Pied-billed Grebe 6 Hodge Lake
Cooper's Hawk 2
Bald Eagle 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
Band-tailed Pigeon 5
Mourning Dove 2
Great Horned Owl 1 Along road behind Hodge Lake - flew and landed nearby. Photo courtesy of John Tubbs. (see eBird report)
Anna's Hummingbird 2
Rufous Hummingbird 1
Northern Flicker 4
Olive-sided Flycatcher 4
Western Wood-Pewee 7
Pacific-slope Flycatcher 10
Hutton's Vireo 1
Cassin's Vireo 4 Vocalizing birds at four different locations.
Steller's Jay 4
California Scrub-Jay 1 Behind Hodge Lake
American/Northwestern Crow 4
Common Raven 3
Purple Martin 1 Heard overhead in cut-through from 4th hole (Green course) to Dupont housing area.
Violet-green Swallow 12
Barn Swallow 20
Black-capped Chickadee 1
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 4
Bushtit 1 Seen at nest behind Hodge Lake (near where we found Great Horned Owl)
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
House Wren 3 One singing at light pole near maintenance office (third year at this spot); one near 13th tee; and one carrying nesting material (stick waaaay too big for hole) at nest-box cluster near Hodge Lake.
Date: 5/17/18 3:25 pm From: Ed Swan <Edswan2...> Subject: [Tweeters] WOS May 25 Whatcom County Land Trust properties trip still has a couple of openings
Hi all, my WOS trip to the interior of Whatcom County has several openings still. Birding in Whatcom County has been really good this month. When I surveyed the Pt. Whitehorn Marine Reserve last weekend, I found 51 species in about an hour and a half, with less than ten water bird species. The rest we might expect to find on this trip which gets good migrants and resident birds including a nice Barn Owl spot. Here's the notice below:
Whatcom County Land Trust Properties - Leader: Ed Swan
May 25, 2018
Field Trip
1 Day
We'll bird several Whatcom Land Trust properties in Whatcom County along the Samish River and the South Fork of the Nooksak. We'll be especially looking for interesting migrant and breeding warbler species. Last year at this time, we found a very good selection of vireos, flycatchers and warblers as well as marsh birds such as American Bittern and Virginia Rail.
Date: 5/17/18 3:03 pm From: Michael Hobbs <birdmarymoor...> Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co.) 2018-05-17
Tweets – it was oddly quiet today, under a thick blanket of clouds. Quiet, that is, except for the BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS WHO SHOUTED ALL OVER EVERYTHING ELSE ALL MORNING. And the birds appeared to be very busy with their own quiet purposes, rather than posing for us. That is to say, the list of birds we saw was substantially shorter than our total list.
Highlights, such as they were:
a.. Mallard – two ducklings at the lake, 10 tiny ducklings at the Rowing Club
b.. CALIFORNIA QUAIL – heard from across the slough
c.. Spotted Sandpiper – two at the weir
d.. Anna’s Hummingbird – two nests currently occupied that I know of
e.. Western Wood-Pewee – one silent bird, south of the Dog Meadow
f.. N. Rough-winged Swallow – a few amongst the Violet-greens and Trees
g.. Evening Grosbeak – one barely heard overhead
h.. Golden-crowned Sparrow – getting late for them; 3 at north end of East Meadow
i.. Bullock’s Oriole – one barely heard in large cottonwood
j.. BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS EVERYWHERE SINGING AND CALLING AND... SHUDDUP ALREADY!
k.. Lazuli Bunting – Female at north end of East Meadow
Misses included Gadwall, Rock Pigeon, Green Heron, Cliff Swallow, Brown Creeper, and Pine Siskin, all of which have been seen on at least half of previous Week 20 visits.
Nothing new for the year.
For the day, a stretch to call it 60 species, with 9 of those heard only, and several others (Yellow Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler, Swainson’s Thrush, Western Tanager, Red-tailed Hawk, Barn Swallow, etc.) seen only by one person, or only glimpsed by a few people.
Tim, WDFW is well aware of the invasive Common Carp issue in many lakes and rivers in the state.
>From the WDFW website: "Common carp and Koi (decorative carp) thrive in turbid rivers and lakes. They are omnivorous, eating insects, crustaceans, annelids, molluscs, and seeds from weeds and trees. For the most part they grub in the sediments to find food, stirring up sediments and increasing turbidity. Adults will uproot and destroy aquatic vegetation, which may be detrimental to ducks and other fish populations. There are carp in many lakes in the state, and people are encouraged to fish for them. They are not to be put back into any waters of the state. We would like to diminish these populations."
Fisherman do fish for Carp, but its not a particularly popular game fish.
The Common Carp's cousin, the Grass Carp can be introduced in a sterile form for the purpose of controlling aquatic weeds by special permit.
Interestingly, a large proportion of the fish species that inhabit Lake Washington are introduced. Off the top my head, a partial list would include Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead (the catfish often photographed in heron's mouths), Pumpkinseed, and Black Crappie.
Wilson's Phalarope is a fairly rare sighting in Edmonds (code 4), not seen every year. A sighting typically involves one bird. It was a bit of a bonanza to have two females and a male in the Edmonds marsh last Monday. A fair number of local birders were able to enjoy the late afternoon/early evening show. These eBird checklists include photos:
At least two Evening Grosbeaks have been in Kingston the last few days. I have been seeing them on my walks along Ohio Ave in the late morning and late afternoon.
Date: 5/17/18 12:42 pm From: Tim Billo <timbillo...> Subject: [Tweeters] carp at UBNA?
Does anyone know anything about the monstrous carp that seem to be spawning around UBNA right now?
There are some that are easily a meter in length. Waterfowl seem to move out of their way, and I have heard carp can wreak some havoc on aquatic systems (e.g., churning up mud, uprooting aquatic vegetation, etc. although in some cases they are introduced to control non-native vegetation). This is the first year I've noticed these fish, which are abundant right now, thrashing around in the shallows.
I'm assuming they are non-native, and wondering if Fish and Wildlife is aware of what seems to be a proliferation of this species?
Date: 5/17/18 11:06 am From: Jacquelyn Miller <jcmiller31...> Subject: [Tweeters] Evening Grosbeaks in the Issaquah Highlands
For the first time in the thirteen years that we've lived in the Issaquah Highlands, we have seen four Evening Grosbeaks at a neighbor's birdfeeder this week.
Date: 5/17/18 8:47 am From: Deborah West <olyclarinet...> Subject: [Tweeters] Willow Flycatcher, Chipping Sparrows, and Crow Question
On our Monday, May 14 walk at the LOTT ponds we saw and heard a Willow Flycatcher. EBird considers it rare for this time of year so it would be nice to have someone confirm it. We have no doubt about it having heard its characteristic call and seen it. Also seen were two Chipping Sparrows where were a surprise to us.
I have a crow behavior question. I have what I think is a rock cress plant cascading down a two-cinder block wall. The crows tear off pieces, put them in the bird bath, and then later haul them away to the nest in the conifer across the street. Are they lining the nest? Anyone hear of a preference for this plant? Last year it was the Scrub-jays tearing off strands from the hanging basket coco-liner. The jays at least did not fill the bird bath with the pieces before hauling away.
Date: 5/17/18 7:30 am From: Phil Kelley <scrubjay323...> Subject: [Tweeters] NIsqually NWR 5/16/18
Tweets,
Yesterday 25 of us enjoyed a great Spring walk at Nisqually. It was overcast with 60 degree temperatures and the birds were active. We had a -2.6 tide at 1:05 so no one walked the estuary boardwalk.
The highlight of the day occurred in the orchard where we found one tree gaudily decorated. In it we found WESTERN TANAGER, WARBLING VIREO, YELLOW WARBLER, and CEDAR WAXWING.
Out on the pond south of the twin barns there were 9 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS and at two locations we were fortunate enough to see all three TEAL species in the same scope view. Waterfowl numbers continue to decrease as the ponds dry up. We did see a late pair of BUFFLEHEAD out on McAllister Creek.
There was a pair of PURPLE MARTINS in the douglas fir behind the visitor center and all other expected SWALLOW species were present in good numbers. No SWIFTS were noted.
WILLOW FLYCATCHERS and WESTERN WOOD-PEWEES were seen and heard for the first time this year.
For the day I had 46 species and now have 103 for the year. Mammals seen included COTTONTAILED RABBIT and GRAY SQUIRREL.
Date: 5/16/18 10:41 pm From: John Leszczynski <jrleszczynski...> Subject: [Tweeters] Re: Cliff Swallow nesting colony on Fremont Bridge (Seattle)
Slight clarification: I'm surprised that the Cliff Swallows don't mind the bridge moving right next to them. I didn't see any nests on the part that actually opens and closes, as amusing as that would be.
On Wed, May 16, 2018 at 6:20 PM John Leszczynski <jrleszczynski...> wrote:
> There's a colony of about 25 Cliff Swallows nesting on the southeast side > of the Fremont Bridge (https://goo.gl/maps/4X4o7tYo7Yo). You can get a > great view of the nests from the Burke Gilman Trail where it goes by Adobe. > > I saw a similar number of Cliff Swallows visiting the Ballard Bridge a few > weeks ago, but haven't seen them there recently. Maybe they chose Fremont > instead. I'm surprised they don't mind the bridge opening and closing! > > John Leszczynski >
Date: 5/16/18 6:25 pm From: John Leszczynski <jrleszczynski...> Subject: [Tweeters] Cliff Swallow nesting colony on Fremont Bridge (Seattle)
There's a colony of about 25 Cliff Swallows nesting on the southeast side of the Fremont Bridge (https://goo.gl/maps/4X4o7tYo7Yo). You can get a great view of the nests from the Burke Gilman Trail where it goes by Adobe.
I saw a similar number of Cliff Swallows visiting the Ballard Bridge a few weeks ago, but haven't seen them there recently. Maybe they chose Fremont instead. I'm surprised they don't mind the bridge opening and closing!
> Subject: Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest
>
> Come join us this weekend 5/17-20 in Leavenworth
> Meet David Sibley and join us for fantastic Birding and Other Leavenworth adventures
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
Date: 5/16/18 6:21 am From: Devon Comstock <devonc78...> Subject: [Tweeters] Bird song quiz app
Hey Tweetersphere,
Is anyone using a good app where you can create custom bird song lists and quizzes, so I can listen while driving? I use Dendroica for a desktop resource, but would love to have a mobile app.
Date: 5/15/18 10:28 pm From: Ed Newbold <ednewbold1...> Subject: [Tweeters] Thanks to Jim Elder for Tricolored Blackbird tip
Hi all,
I would like to thank Jim Elder for his recent post, which I have excerpted below, about the colony of Tricolored Blackbirds across the road from the headquarters of the Columbia NWR.
Of course any birder loves nothing more than being 6 inches off the road on a narrow shoulder and having the tripod shake and vibrate from each passing semi, so be forewarned: This is a very peaceful setting with ample parking.
We ventured several guesses, but Elder's "at least a hundred" seemed on the safe side.
Thanks all, Ed Newbold residential Beacon Hill, <ednewbold1...>
PS 1 The migration at Butyl Creek has tapered off after some great days, but Am. Goldfinch arrived today in force after a long absence and it could have reminded a person of a Coldplay hit, what with the remaining Wilson's Warblers and a brilliantly colored Yellow Warbler.
PS 2. Here's an the part of Jim Elder's original post about the Blackbirds:
Excert from Jim Elder's post:
Yesterday (Friday, May 11), I had a day off work and ventured out to the Columbia Basin. Perhaps I missed the memo on this, but I was surprised to find what seems likely to be a large breeding colony of Tricolored Blackbirds on Morgan Lake Road about a half mile north of McManamon Road in Adams County. There were at least a hundred blackbirds visible there. However, it sounded like there were many blackbirds down in the cattails below the line of sight so I think there were many more. This patch of cattails is right next to the road allowing for excellent close views. This is directly across the road from the driveway into the Columbia NWR refuge headquarters. The driveway is a very wide area of gravel so there is plenty of room to park safely off the road and out of everyone's way.
I was surprised to find these birds so conspicuously because, as far as I can tell, there is only a single eBird report from this location (from last Wednesday). I was there for the better part of an hour and only spotted one Red-winged Blackbird among the Tricoloreds. There were also a couple Yellow-headed Blackbirds on the periphery and, at one point, at least 3 Brewer's Blackbirds. A birding couple from Sweden also showed up while I was there.
Date: 5/15/18 10:09 pm From: B B <birder4184...> Subject: [Tweeters] Eurasian Skylarks
After several previous unsuccessful tries in the past two years, I finally saw and photographed Eurasian Skylarks in Victoria this morning.
I joined BC birding friend Melissa Hafting and three other BC birders at the Bulb Farm fields on Central Saanich for a great show. The birds were singing and flying high (at times very high) above the field and landed in the fields and the road splitting the fields. Beautiful nonstop songs.
This species is in steep decline in BC as there are apparently only 32 individuals remaining. This is the best time to find them while they are singing and doing their aerial displays.
Thanks to Melissa, Brian, Cathy and Emma.
Driving out of Wiley Slough, I saw a bird just long enough to point and shoot from the car. Am hoping someone out there is curious enough to help me identify this one. At first I thought pale western tanager but it's not quite right, or is it? The pale throat and white wing bar is throwing me off but the lighting was really harsh so the photo quality doesn't help...
Male hybrid cross between a Wigeon and a Gadwall. It has a large white patch on the forewing and a white speculum. The bill looks Widgeon but it’s with a Gadwall female and they both do tip up feeding.
Crown shows white, like male widgeon
It was first observed 5 days ago at the photo blind at Skagit Wildlife area on Wylie Road
Today I observed a possible yellow-bellied sapsucker in the same alder tree as the crossbills from yesterday. I am confident of id but posted on ebird as sapsucker sp until someone can confirm. The sapsucker appeared mostly in female juvenile plumage but it was dark and overcast and very high up in alders. Overall lightish brown with white vertical wing patches, splayed uneven tail also brownish, thick bill. It was too high to observe the crown. Hopefully, someone will find it again. A brown creeper was nearby foraging as well.
That alder just behind/along the fence has been rather fruitful these two days.
Date: 5/15/18 10:49 am From: Dave Parent <dpdvm...> Subject: [Tweeters] Big Bend National Park
We spent May 1 to May 8 in Big Bend National Park. Stayed at Chisos Mountain Lodge. I'd be happy to share intel, bird list (129 species) to anyone who is interested. Contact me if interested.
Date: 5/15/18 9:41 am From: Devorah the Ornithologist <birdologist...> Subject: [Tweeters] Thirsty Ravens' Tap-Tap-Tapping Creates Data Glitch At LIGO
Hello everyone,
I thought you'd enjoy reading a weird little piece about ravens. Basically, rascally ravens are rapping on frozen aLIGO pipes at the Hanford observatory to create their own snow cones on hot days -- and a world of trouble for astrophysicists
Date: 5/15/18 12:21 am From: Al n Donna <alndonna...> Subject: RE: [Tweeters] Black-backed woodpeckers near Cle Elum
Is that small parking area at the trailhead for the Middle Fork Teanaway River Trail??
Al in Tacoma
From: Brien Meilleur
Sent: Monday, May 14, 2018 6:51 AM
To: <tweeters...>
Subject: [Tweeters] Black-backed woodpeckers near Cle Elum
Hello Tweets,
Yesterday, my son Alex and I found a pair of foraging Black-backed Woodpeckers in an area of last year's Jolly Mountain fire near Cle Elum. They were above a small dead-end parking area off the unpaved section of the Middle Fork road of the Teanaway River and quite easily accessible. We took the Middle Fork road which becomes unpaved and after several miles a short road leading to a small parking area will be visible to the right. Moving uphill from there, on a dirt road-trail from the parking area, after several "tank traps", the birds were foraging in burned trees about 300 meters uphill.
Brien Meilleur
Lake Forest Park, WA
<brienm...>
The Chukar I reported this morning is still here. I found out it flew full-force into a neighbor's window about 24 hrs. ago and knocked the crap (literally) out of itself. So it’s not a clipped bird, though it may be now, as it has not flown. I put out millet and water and it accepted both. Has not moved more than 20 feet from point of impact, but is alert and walking around with no visible damage or leg bands. It scraped out a nice dish in the ground to overnight in.
Upon looking things up, it looks like people actually do keep them as backyard cage and egg birds. I did not know this. It is also the national bird of Afghanistan. I have an Afghan neighbor, so perhaps dinner is in order.
I’ve seen plenty as game birds “in the wild” in probably 5 different states, and those are “countable”. Well, I’m putting this one on my yard list. I’ll claim it flew over from Cle Elum
Once I returned home to update the ebird list from Wiley Slough (and make corrections), a MacGillivray's warbler was in the birdbath below my office! It chipped a few time before disappearing into the rhodies after my cats (indoor) jumped onto the window sill. Great day of birding!
Date: 5/14/18 3:37 pm From: Martha Jordan <mj.cygnus...> Subject: [Tweeters] Fwd: Raining Wood Ducks - Richland Rod and Gun Club
The Richland Rod and Gun club has put up a number of wood duck nest live cams. Two broods are hatching today and the jump from the box will be tomorrow morning, early more than likely. Below are the links to two boxes. Hope you enjoy the views. You can subscribe to get notices for next year if you would like.
*More Wood Duck jumps Tuesday - Richland Rod and Gun Club. Please find todays e-mail pasted below*
*Thank You* I guess when it is going to rain ducklings it looks like it will pour! We have two nest boxes with ducklings that are hatching today. That means tomorrow it will rain ducklings that will be jumping from the boxes. The two boxes can be viewed at:
Date: 5/14/18 3:32 pm From: Martha Jordan <mj.cygnus...> Subject: [Tweeters] Tundra swans at Conboy Lakes
There are two tundra swans at Conboy Lakes area as of Saturday. Thank you to Jane Hadley for taking the photos and reporting the sighting. Has anyone seen other swans in the past 2-3 weeks?
The Pectoral and Semipalmated Sandpipers were missing from the shallow ponds this morning, but they had been replaced by a pair of Wilson’s Phalaropes, male and female. One male Blue-winged Teal and one male Cinnamon Teal we’re still there, but all 4 birds left as I was heading back to my car.
Following up on Marcus Roening's May 5th post of White-tailed Kite, Cathy Davidson and I searched the area after 6pm Thursday May 10th and again Mother's Day morning from 8am-noon. No luck either trip for Kite or Kingbird but we found other goodies!
There were numerous W. Meadowlarks, Chipping and Wht.-crowned Sparrows, W. Bluebirds (thanks to the many nest boxes) and a few Savannah Sparrows. The first evening we were lucky to have a pair of Ruffed(?) Grouse land behind some scrub about 30' from the car! We got out to get a a few good looks before the birds flushed into the the nearby wooded area. A treat for sure, as I would not have expected it and Cathy got a life-bird!
Sunday morn we stopped deep in a Doug Fir forest with much birdsong. Unable to identify every song, at least the Olive-sided Flycatcher was easy and we did see W. Wood Pewee, some Yellow Warblers and one up-close view of MacGillivray's Warbler - another lifer for Cathy! Driving further on the dirt roads revealed a few butter-butts and Pine Siskin. Moving west, still within TA12, we discovered a stand of nest boxes on poles housing many Purple Martins and Tree Swallows. One Bewick's Wren was skulking about too, maybe hoping to acquire one of the boxes. We reached the prairie driving slowly and scanning for kite, then circled around to take the paved road along the north side of the "Artillery Impact Area." We spotted what might have been a Vesper Sparrow but could not confirm as it flew farther into the impact area (was not Savannah). Then, best of all, having stopped along the edge of the wooded hillside, we were watching what I first assumed was Warbling Vireo, and upon getting better and better looks, we determined it was in fact Red-eyed Vireo! Sadly it was not singing, but there was no mistaking a bird that was so common and ubiquitous in the east where I lived for years. Of course one more lifer for Cathy and I must say, I realize my own heightened enjoyment at her new tallies!
Many thanks to Marcus et.al. for "hooking me up" to birding JBLM!
Date: 5/14/18 12:24 pm From: Anna <amk17...> Subject: [Tweeters] Red crossbill pair at Wyle Slough
At about noon, I found a pair (m/f) of red crossbills at the parking area/bathrooms. They are feeding in the catkins along the channel. Also about 16-20 Bohemian waxwings and 8 blue-winged teal.
Date: 5/14/18 7:37 am From: Brien Meilleur <brienm...> Subject: [Tweeters] Black-backed woodpeckers near Cle Elum
Hello Tweets,
Yesterday, my son Alex and I found a pair of foraging Black-backed Woodpeckers in an area of last year's Jolly Mountain fire near Cle Elum. They were above a small dead-end parking area off the unpaved section of the Middle Fork road of the Teanaway River and quite easily accessible. We took the Middle Fork road which becomes unpaved and after several miles a short road leading to a small parking area will be visible to the right. Moving uphill from there, on a dirt road-trail from the parking area, after several "tank traps", the birds were foraging in burned trees about 300 meters uphill.
Date: 5/13/18 8:49 pm From: Vicki King <vkbirder...> Subject: [Tweeters] Seattle Audubon Bird-a-thon Trip to Umtanum Creek Canyon
Bright and early on this spectacular morning, twelve us of headed east of
the mountains in search of neotropical migrants and other special
birds. It was a delightful group of birders who proved to have excellent
spotting skills and great good humor.
If you’d like to see all that we saw, I recommend you to checklists that
one of our members (who is more skilled than I at creating eBird mobile
reports) generated for the stops we made today. (Stops are highlighted in
the following text.) I’ll mention just some highlights.
At our first stop, at the WSDOT facility at *Snoqualmie Pass*, we had
excellent looks at several male Rufous Hummingbirds and an Anna’s as they
sampled the well-stocked feeders.
The stop at the *turnoff for Stampede Pass*was relatively quiet (no dippers
at the bridge in the fast flowing river) but we had singing Warbling
Vireos, Townsend’s Warblers, and Yellow-rumped Warblers.
*Cle Elum’s Railroad Ponds*were hopping. A pair of Pygmy Nuthatches going
in and out of a tiny hole in a snag delighted us all. A male Western
Bluebird shone in the sun and Yellow warblers sang and flitted in the
willows along the water. House Wrens filled the air with their beautiful
songs and a pair of Barrow’s Goldeneyes moved gracefully in the water. A
Black-headed Grosbeak called from across the River but never showed.
When we arrived at *Umtanum Creek Recreation Area*around 9:30, the birding
was so great from the parking lot that we couldn’t tear ourselves away to
cross the bridge: brilliantly colored Western Tanagers, a stunning male
Bullock’s Oriole, an Evening Grosbeak and Yellow Warblers kept our heads
spinning. Once across the River, our first bird was an obliging
Yellow-breasted Chat giving its unique vocalizations from the top of small
tree, letting all of us see it well. It then flew across the River in such
a way that we wondered if it was displaying to a nearby female. A Lazuli
Buntings was next up, looking dark blue until it turned and the sun hit its
shimmering turquoise head and back. Three Vaux’s Swifts flew overhead, an
unexpected treat. The star of the morning was a pair of Prairie Falcons
who took turns flying overhead and landing on rock outcroppings on both
sides of the canyon, giving picture perfect views. We enjoyed watching a
brave Kestrel dive-bomb one of the Falcons.
The dippers, sadly, were not at home when we stopped at the bridge
over the *Teanaway
River*and it was relatively quiet at the *Bull Frog Pond*where Warbling
Vireos and Yellow Warblers were singing away. Still, the wonderful group
of birders and the beautiful birds we saw today, including lifers for many
in our group, made for a memorable and highly enjoyable Mother’s Day of
birding.
I know its last-minute, but I thought some of you might be interested in this opportunity coming up in June-July. A few years ago my partner and I spent a month in Cali, Colombia, in a Spanish-language immersion course at the Jesuit university there, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. During my time studying on that beautiful campus, I was treated to a constant and wide variety of hummingbirds in the shrubs outside my window, native parrots in the trees, kingbirds on the roofs and pavement, Vermilion Flycatchers on campus, etc., etc. (Dont have my list handy or Id be thrilled to share it; Ill dig it up and have it available if youre interested.) On our frequent field excursions to cultural sites in town and beyond, I gathered lifer after lifer. On a campus holiday, I was able to arrange a whole day of birding in nearby mountains and rivers through a local organization. Oh, and we also had a lovely lodging room and amazing Colombian food! And salsa lessons!
The faculty are absolutely superb. During our month there, there were several different class levels depending on your existing degree of Spanish fluency; I was in the rank-beginner group (though graduated at Intermedio level, of which Im very proud) and my partner was in the top-fluency group, and both of us had a marvelous language-learning experience. I am still in touch with several of my Javeriana faculty friends these several years later. I would love to do it again.
The cost is remarkably reasonable in my view, especially given the immersion of the experience with full room and board: $300/week for double accommodations, $450/wk single. The flyer for the program is at this link<https://www.flickr.com/photos/trileigh/41373348454/in/dateposted-public/>, and Im also copying on this email Ximena Hoyos, whos coordinating the program.
If youd like a great way to get yourself to Colombia for a month and learn Spanish, Colombian culture, and live with an amazing array of birds for an incredible price, please contact Ximena. Id be happy to answer whatever questions I can as well.
I hope some of you are able to consider this even though its short notice. Theres always next year.
Cheers,
Trileigh
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Trileigh Tucker, PhD
Professor Emerita of Environmental Studies
Seattle University
I have a pair of tickets to David Sibleys talk at the Leavenworth Bird Fest this coming Saturday 5/19 that I wont be able to use. Would anyone like them? (First come, first served.)
Sure wish I could be there
Cheers,
Trileigh
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Trileigh Tucker, PhD
Professor Emerita of Environmental Studies
Seattle University
I have a pair of tickets to David Sibleys talk at the Leavenworth Bird Fest this coming Saturday 5/19 that I wont be able to use. Would anyone like them? (First come, first served.)
Sure wish I could be there
Cheers,
Trileigh
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Trileigh Tucker, PhD
Professor Emerita of Environmental Studies
Seattle University
Date: 5/13/18 10:45 am From: B B <birder4184...> Subject: [Tweeters] Eide Road and Rekdal Road
At 9:45 this morning there was at least one Pectoral Sandpiper with Greater Yellowlegs, Least and Western Sandpipers and a Long Billed Dowitcher at second pond coming in from highway. Also Cinnamon, Green and Blue Winged Teal and a Yellow Headed Blackbird.
Currently 10:40 there is a flock of 250 plus Whimbrel in plowed fied at Rekdal and Utsalady Roads on Camano.
Date: 5/13/18 9:41 am From: Chris Rurik <chrisrurik...> Subject: [Tweeters] Big Day by Bike, May 6, Sequim / Dungeness area (delayed and lengthy post)
Greetings Tweeters—
On Sunday, May 6, tardy as usual (at least in regard to eBird’s global big
day), I set out to do a big day of my own, all on bike or foot, with no
assistance from internal combustion*, the hope being to best my previous
personal record for this type of big day (101 species in Colorado in 2016—a
lot of fun down-mountain riding on that one) and perhaps set a Washington
state record (I have yet to hear of anyone else attempting this at such a
foolish scale here, so perhaps I can claim the first iteration of the
record preemptively).
The trickiest part of the endeavor was finding a route. Initially I dreamt
of starting in Teanaway and Cle Elum and coming over the Iron Horse Trail
to end at Puget Sound, but that would have been 100+ miles, much of it on
gravel and/or snow, over a pass. I had to leave myself some time to stop
and bird, at least occasionally, right? So I looked elsewhere and had a
really hard time calibrating potential routes. Eventually I said, okay,
simplify it, where can I see foothills forest birds, lingering winter
saltwater birds, shorebirds, and a solid mix of others in a tight
geographic package? The Olympic Peninsula stood out—maybe, ultimately, for
the simple reason that I love it.
Like an unchoreographed dance, the route evolved over time. Here’s the
itinerary: dawn halfway up Hurricane Ridge Road (the top being too far),
Port Angeles waterfront, Olympic Discovery Trail, Dungeness NWR, Three
Crabs, Railroad Bridge Park (in Sequim), Discovery Bay, Anderson Lake State
Park, Port Townsend, ferry to Whidbey Island*, sunset at Crockett Lake—and
lots of mini stops along the way. Ambitious, you say? My quads would agree,
even four days later.
I sorted the species I might see into four categories: “Certain,” “Likely,”
“Hopefully?” and “Dream Big,” and made a hit list for each stop along the
way. (One of the challenges of birding by bike is you can’t detour for
single species—even two miles off the path will add over half an hour, and
you don’t have many half an hours in a twenty-four-hour day). Doing
back-of-the-envelope math, I was disappointed to see that if I found 100%
of the “Certains,” 80% of the “Likelies,” 35% of the “Hopefullies,” and 0%
of the “Dream Bigs,” I would end with 95 species. Hrrm.
Following a promising bit of scouting on Saturday afternoon, I went for it
on Sunday. The morning dawned gloriously orange and soupy over Puget Sound
as my dad and I walked uphill on Hurricane Ridge Road, a transcendent
vision through the trees. I needed more lowly visions, however (read:
birds), and the birding to that point felt mediocre at best. (Side note: My
effort would have been impossible without my dad, who gave me a lift to the
start point and away from the end point, and joined along with my mom at
several hotspots along the way.*) We were nearly ready to about-face when a
singing Townsend Warbler appeared, followed closely by a Hairy Woodpecker,
followed soon after by the distant booming of a Sooty Grouse. Those were
the kinds of birds I needed. Near the car a single Hermit Thrush sang.
I strapped everything I would need for the day—scope, tripod, food, water,
diabetes supplies, bike repair gear, an earth-tone sweatshirt in case my
fluorescent cycling shirt proved too freaky for birds—on my bike and headed
downhill fast—but not so fast I couldn’t ID a Northern Flicker when it
spooked from the side of the road, the only flicker of the day. It was
tough to leave the foothills with bummers of misses like Brown Creeper,
Olive-sided Flycatcher, Hammond’s Flycatcher, Band-tailed Pigeon, and
MacGillivray’s Warbler, but I had stapled myself to a tight schedule.
Near the national park visitors center I paused to investigate a
hummingbird and was slowly rewarded with layer after layer of wonderful
birdnoises: “Bud-a-deet!” (Western Tanager), “Chi-CA-go!” (California
Quail), “Potato chip!” (American Goldfinch). One of the beauties of birding
by bike is that your bird radar can constantly work to find pockets of
passerine activity, and it’s a lot easier to screech to a quick stop than
in a car.
Bombed through Port Angeles, sweeping up various invasive species, quickly
scoped the calm water inside Ediz Hook, and headed east along the splendid
waterfront Olympic Discovery Trail. After going eye-to-eye with a Bald
Eagle perched on the riprap fifty feet away, I paused to find a Spotted
Sandpiper and Black-bellied Plover consorting on the shoreline. Nearby were
fourteen Harlequin Ducks. Singing Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-headed
Grosbeak, and Warbling Vireos added to the success rate. I had slated this
stretch as rapid pass-through terrain (like flyover country) on my way to a
date with the wildlife refuge, as the tides weren’t exactly ideal, so it
was simultaneously encouraging and stressful to find so many birds.
The path bent into the woods and I found myself stopping several more
times. Alongside a homestead lovely with flowering fruit trees, rustlings
in overhanging trees proved to be butterbutts and kinglets and a nuthatch,
not too exciting but enough to lead to the subsequent discovery of
Golden-crowned Sparrows, a Red-breasted Sapsucker, an invigorating make-up
Olive-sided Flycatcher, and seventeen other species in less than ten
minutes.
I burst into agricultural land and, without fully stopping, tallied my
first “Dream Big” bird of the day, an American Kestrel on a telephone pole.
The way it sat there, it seemed to add me to its own big day list with
disdain. No American Coot at Kitchen-Dick Ponds. When I rounded the corner
into Dungeness Recreation Area, a Northern Harrier greeted me. At my
parents’ campsite I ate my first of three sandwiches for the day and set
off on foot.
In the end, thankfully, Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge rewarded my
effort. Let’s put it that way. For a while there it felt like a Sisyphean
spit. Scoping from a bluff-top overlook provided distant views of Common
Loon, Marbled Murrelet, Red-necked Grebe, and a number of…took me a while
to confirm…Long-tailed Ducks! (“Dream Big” species number two.) When I gave
up scoping a Northern Rough-winged Swallow went past calling, the only of
the five swallow species I had yet to see, saving me from having to pick
through swallows for the rest of the day.
Down on the spit proper I undertook a forced march of two-plus miles to the
“Brant Point,” the location from which I could confidently identify Brant
in the heat-shimmering distance of the bay. Along the way I picked up
Pacific Loon and a group of seven lanky-looking Whimbrel, but they failed
to prevent anxiety from mounting. I couldn’t find Horned Grebe or Caspian
Tern, both of which were seen in numbers the day before. A key scouting
success had been a Western Grebe hanging out with White-winged Scoters, and
I couldn’t find them either. When I reached the Brant Point, the distant
ameboid Brant were significantly reduced in number. Here were a few
White-winged Scoters, but no Western Grebe. Worried that the day’s initial
hot pace was on the verge of turning into needless sunburn, I turned around
and tried to hustle, more than an hour behind schedule. I would have to
scheme a way to make up the time.
Three small shorebirds materialized to banish the doldrums. Semipalmated
Plovers! A breeding-plumaged Horned Grebe popped up close to shore. Then,
on a final scan of the bay, which I almost forgot to do in my rush, I found
the Western Grebe all by its lonesome. All right. Third “Dream Big” of the
day. It would be the last. Onward.
After another sandwich I skipped two stops on the way to Three Crabs and
arrived full of hope, for scouting had been good. Man, things sure can
change. Not necessarily for the worse or the better—it was just different
from the day before. Now the tide was way out. There were shorebirds, yes,
but lots of heat shimmer to make ‘em tricky. Bay haze. Purple Martins.
Photographers wanting to talk. Super-close Dunlin and Western Sandpipers.
Telling a woman, “No, I haven’t seen the baby Killdeer.” A Greater
Yellowlegs. Lots of wigeon, but no trace of the male Eurasian Wigeon here
yesterday. Nor the Marbled Godwit. But hey, far out, Sanderlings for
consolation. A good selection of ducks, including a single Northern
Pintail. Over in the weedy ponds, Least Sandpipers alongside baby Killdeer,
which one photographer described as looking like the end of a Q-tip.
I had to go on. I had to get to the Port Townsend ferry, and I wanted a
shot at Kah Tai Lagoon before it left. It was past three, and I had a lot
of riding ahead of me. I knew I should cut out Railroad Bridge Park since
I’d seen the easy ones I hoped to see there, yet the thought of Common
Mergansers inexplicably pushed me into a detour to include the bridge.
Along the way I picked up a spanking Black-throated Gray Warbler.
The bridge was hot, crowded, merganserless, and host to the only two
Red-tailed Hawks I saw all day. Out past Sequim, in a park where an elder
brass band was playing the theme from *Rocky* in the background, a Turkey
Vulture went serendipitously past; again, it was the only one all day.
Timing like that can’t be planned.
Which brings me to the three-hour ride to Port Townsend. Had I not found a
drake Cinnamon Teal on a farm pond and a cluster of Mew Gulls in Discovery
Bay to keep my spirits up, I might have listened to a body that was
beginning to float the idea of calling a tow truck for a lift to the
wrecking yard. Already I would have to cut Anderson Lake. Would I really
find enough species in Port Townsend and beyond to make the long haul worth
it? Instead of answering the question I focused on the birds I had to find
to avoid embarrassing misses: mostly Black-capped Chickadee and Brown
Creeper. Shoulderless Highway 20 wound uphill far longer than seemed
necessary, but I plugged away doggedly and finally found myself on a
downhill dirt path toward town, where a Brown Creeper called right over my
shoulder. Phew.
At Kah Tai Lagoon I had enough time to scan and quickly gather all of my
targets except Pied-billed Grebe. Ruddy Duck, Lesser Scaup, Hooded
Merganser; tick, tick, tick. In the eleventh hour, on the way to the ferry
dock, confirmation on two Black-capped Chickadees. Phew, again.
*** As for the asterisks. Now, ever since I had admitted during planning
that Point No Point was too far and too redundant, I had had this day
routed to end with the ferry ride to Whidbey Island and Crockett Lake at
sunset, yet there had always been a twinge of guilt about using the
ferry-assist on a cycling big day. The twinge became a full-on whinge when
the ferry pulled away from a cartoonish and oblivious group of Brandt’s
Cormorants on the dock pilings, and I determined not to count anything
after that for my big day—a decision ultimately made easier by the fact
that I saw only one new species from the ferry, two Common Murres among a
hundred Rhinoceros Auklets, and nothing new on the island.
In my mind, the spirit of the big day by bike is to use human power only:
bike and foot and perhaps kayak. Thus far, however, no rules have been
codified into standards, as they have for conventional ABA big days, so
until a common set of standards is agreed upon it’s a
make-your-own-adventure kind of game. For example, should big days by bike
be closed loop, starting and ending at the same point, or can they be open
loop like mine? Can a sag-wagon carry gear for the cycling birders (mine
did not). Already there have been many impressive efforts at this kind of
big day, also called a big green day, across the country, and I anticipate
increased competition and clarity on standards soon.
Nevertheless, the ferry ride was rewarding, as beyond a wide zone littered
with Rhinoceros Auklets my fellow passengers alerted me to a whale. Thanks
to the captain for coming onto the intercom with a deadpan identification:
“That was a Minke Whale.” The first I’ve ever seen. Crockett Lake may have
been windy, but in the orange-gray sunset and clouds looming over the
Olympics, it was gorgeous.
I’m glad I ended the day in the way I did. But if I were to do it again, I
would skip the ferry and use the two hours to look for a few misses around
Port Townsend.
At this point you’re wondering my species total. So was I, but first I had
to take the last ferry back to Port Townsend, hop in my dad’s car, drive an
hour back to our campsite, eat, and take a slobberknocker of a camp shower.
Then, putting pen to my crumpled and sweat-smeared hit list, I numbered the
species found until I reached…106!
I’m thrilled with this result, well over the projection and a new personal
record by five. A lot of birds appeared when I needed them, and they kept
coming all day. The route totalled about 80 miles of cycling and 6 miles of
walking. My find rate for each category was as follows: “Certain” 100%,
“Likely” 89%, “Hopefully?” 51%, and “Dream Big” 10%. Pretty darn good.
You’re probably eager to hear about my embarrassing misses too, and I’m not
too proud to share them: Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, accipiters,
Common Merganser, Purple Finch, MacGillivray’s Warbler, many others. Osprey
and Wood Duck were casualties of my inability to stop at Anderson Lake, for
example.
I’m left wondering, still, about how to optimize a big day by bike route in
Washington. I fully intend to try again in some other part of the state
next year—getting east to west would be the golden ticket. Maybe if the day
began at 4 pm, involved biking across the pass at night, and ended at 4 pm
the next day. Hmmm… Wherever I end up, I welcome competition, and, oh,
perhaps collaboration as well. Let’s put Washington on the map for birding
by bike.
What an excellent day. Here’s to future challenges and big days.
Chris Rurik
Seattle / Alaska
P.S. The day after my big day, a leisurely Monday at Dungeness, I stepped
into the woods to take care of some business, and by the time I had
finished I had heard both Band-tailed Pigeon and Downy Woodpecker, both of
which I missed on the big day.
--
*Chris Rurik*
Writer / Naturalist / Historian
Co-founder of GARO <http://www.garostation.com> (253) 225-7104
<chrisrurik...>
Date: 5/12/18 7:27 pm From: Vicki King <vkbirder...> Subject: [Tweeters] Radio channels used on hand-held radios
If anyone in Tweeter-land can advise me as to the channels that birders usually use on hand-held radios on field trips, I will very much appreciate it.
Date: 5/12/18 5:18 pm From: Pat <pcoddin...> Subject: [Tweeters] Bullocks Oriole at Gog-Le-Hi-Te
The Bullocks Oriole I spotted at Gog-Le-Hi-Te wetlands in Tacoma was back
again today, and this time he had a girlfriend. Looks like they’ll be
setting up house down there.
Date: 5/12/18 5:17 pm From: Pat <pcoddin...> Subject: [Tweeters] Black throated gray warbler at Hylebos creek
This morning I spotted one Black Throated Gray Warbler at the Hylebos Creek
nature area in Fife, and there were a few others singing in the branches
around the trail.
There were also a couple of pairs of Black Headed Grosbeaks, and Yellow
Warblers and Common Yellow Throats we’re singing throughout the area.
I was in Cancun last fall and used Cornell’s Merlin app. I was able to identify every bird I saw with it. One of their packs is for Mexico. You might seriously check with the State Department about Cancun. Drug related gang violence is up and this morning on ABC they were talking about fears that Cancun and Cabo might end up like Acapulco where violence has dried up the tourist industry.
Wally Davis
Snohomish
From: <tweeters-bounces...> [mailto:<tweeters-bounces...>] On Behalf Of Marv Breece
Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2018 5:50 AM
To: Tweeters
Subject: [Tweeters] Mexico
I am planning a January trip for 5 to Cancun, Mexico. Sure would appreciate any tips on reasonably priced lodging within driving distance of Cancun. Oh, and birding tips welcome, too. Please reply off list.
Many thanks.
--
Marv Breece
Tukwila, WA
<marvbreece...>
Concepts shape our world.
Concepts are not hard wired.
> On May 8, 2018, at 7:38 PM, <doeseyes2002...> wrote:
>
> I saw a white backed robin! He was at Flaming Geyser Park, in the second big meadow from the turn onto the park road, not toward the flying discs area but into the park. He flew from and to the woods near the river along with regular robins. I think I've seen this guy before, but I wasn't sure I had identified him correctly. This time I got pictures! I posted them on the bottom of my web page at https://myyarncraftsplus.weebly.com/birding-gallery.html . He's at the bottom of the page. I'd appreciate opinions on if I am correct and why a robin might have a white back? Sorry, the pictures are not great quality.
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 5/12/18 1:09 pm From: Hubbell <ldhubbell...> Subject: [Tweeters] Union Bay Watch } Fits The Bill
Tweeters,
Do you know of a common local bird which plucks cherry blossoms in the Spring time? Which bird bill would you think is best adapted for this task? It was a surprise for me. See more in this week’s post:
This morning there were 5 Pectoral Sandpipers in the second shallow wet area on the right as you descend from hwy 532. Also earlier a lone Sandhill Crane flew over headed in the general direction of Port Susan Bay.
Date: 5/12/18 8:21 am From: Jim Elder <jelder...> Subject: [Tweeters] Tricolored Blackbirds at Columbia NWR HQ
Yesterday (Friday, May 11), I had a day off work and ventured out to the Columbia Basin. Perhaps I missed the memo on this, but I was surprised to find what seems likely to be a large breeding colony of Tricolored Blackbirds on Morgan Lake Road about a half mile north of McManamon Road in Adams County. There were at least a hundred blackbirds visible there. However, it sounded like there were many blackbirds down in the cattails below the line of sight so I think there were many more. This patch of cattails is right next to the road allowing for excellent close views. This is directly across the road from the driveway into the Columbia NWR refuge headquarters. The driveway is a very wide area of gravel so there is plenty of room to park safely off the road and out of everyone's way.
I was surprised to find these birds so conspicuously because, as far as I can tell, there is only a single eBird report from this location (from last Wednesday). I was there for the better part of an hour and only spotted one Red-winged Blackbird among the Tricoloreds. There were also a couple Yellow-headed Blackbirds on the periphery and, at one point, at least 3 Brewer's Blackbirds. A birding couple from Sweden also showed up while I was there.
Other highlights of the day included a Long-Eared Owl on an exposed perch at the westernmost access to Nunnally Lake on Lower Crab Creek Road. Warning: the trail is very wet (boots would have been nice) and many mosquitos. Apparently owls are not bothered by mosquitos.
Date: 5/12/18 6:09 am From: dave templeton <crazydave65...> Subject: [Tweeters] sno-falls peregrines
hi:
got a message from scott dodson that there's a new chick at snoqualmie falls. several eggs left to go. first view of chick at the 2 minute mark. specific location of nest site on the cliff face shows at pan out at end of clip.
Date: 5/12/18 5:53 am From: Marv Breece <marvbreece...> Subject: [Tweeters] Mexico
I am planning a January trip for 5 to Cancun, Mexico. Sure would appreciate any tips on reasonably priced lodging within driving distance of Cancun. Oh, and birding tips welcome, too. Please reply off list.
Many thanks. -- Marv Breece Tukwila, WA <marvbreece...>
Concepts shape our world. Concepts are not hard wired.
Date: 5/11/18 1:47 pm From: Larry Schwitters <leschwitters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Wagner Swifts III
Well done Josh. Half the time the swifts spend the day feeding and then return to their previous evenings roost. But we don’t have a clue where the prime feeding locations are. It no doubt changes but we have one clue now.
Larry
> On May 11, 2018, at 1:24 PM, Josh Adams <xjoshx...> wrote:
>
> Hi Larry and Tweeters,
> I can't speak to that second exit, but I can say that I drove through the Tualco valley, just south of the Monroe chimney, about 10am this morning and there were the largest groups of Vaux's that I've ever seen there, and those were just the ones I noticed while driving. Large groups of swallows as well. Needless to say, some of the first-exit swifts were finding food this morning.
>
> Josh Adams
> Cathcart, WA
Hi Larry and Tweeters, I can't speak to that second exit, but I can say that I drove through the Tualco valley, just south of the Monroe chimney, about 10am this morning and there were the largest groups of Vaux's that I've ever seen there, and those were just the ones I noticed while driving. Large groups of swallows as well. Needless to say, some of the first-exit swifts were finding food this morning.
This is my first post here. Last year we had a male and female Bullock's oriole stop by our place near Rochester for about a month. They are back again this year. What can we do to convince them to stay the summer? We have an oriole nectar feeder that they visit several times a day and we keep fresh nectar in. It also has grape jelly but they don't seem to do anything with it. We put out orange halves and they seem to show no interest. I am trying to get decent photos of them. Any advice or is it that this is just on a migration route and they don't spend summers here? Thanks for your time.
Date: 5/11/18 9:32 am From: Larry Schwitters <leschwitters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Wagner swifts part II
A spectacular wildlife event is in progress in Monroe. Their official city birds made a break for the roost open door at 8:55. It was a wild six minutes until you could finally see bricks again. Then it got real quite and the wee birds started coming back in. Probably too cold to catch breakfast. They will try again.
Date: 5/11/18 9:09 am From: Ingrid Ossanna <taiona...> Subject: [Tweeters] oh hey, stellar observations on Steller Jays
My observation on Steller Jays comes from the following experience. I have lived at this location (very rural) for a quarter century, feeding my bird friends all along. Numbers across all species have increased this year, including Steller Jays. For more than a week there has not been a single Steller, not one. That is worthy of note in my book. I appreciate the various input and speculation on this matter, including the correction on my spelling of Steller Jay, from all the boys in the crowd for your stellar observations. I hope the Stellers have just gone silent as my friend Bob Boekelheide in Sequim has observed in his kindly post (see below).
Ingrid Ossanna
Hello, Ingrid,
Steller Jays become surprisingly quiet and secretive during the breeding season. When they’re nesting, they are very quiet near their nests. When they’re foraging, they skulk through the woods looking for nest sites of other birds with eggs and chicks to eat. We’ve found Steller’s nest sites at RR Bridge Park near Sequim and the birds were totally quiet — you wouldn’t know they were there, if you didn’t see them come and go.
Was watching the live cam. All swifts were down near the bottom; then it appeared that all went out-dazzling lights from the wings. Left me breathless, and partially unable to see how many were leaving.
I was watching to see if there were any left, the cam started showing bricks again,
when all of a sudden at least half of them came back-still coming back in-raining???
At any rate, well worth the watching
Date: 5/11/18 8:16 am From: Larry Schwitters <leschwitters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Wagner swifts
Last night, after a string of 8 days of low numbers, the second wave of migrating Vaux’s Swifts made it to their Monroe Wagner chimney roost. Cold and wet brings the swifts in. Hot and dry keeps them out. Cindy Easterson clicked off 4829 going in and now
were attempting to figure out how many birds beat her to the site.
So you probably didn’t get to see their spectacular entry but you might be able to see their pixelated mayhem exit using our Audubon Vaux’s Happening live stream. Link is on our website. http://www.vauxhappening.org/ <http://www.vauxhappening.org/> Think I got it right this time. They are still in there as of 8:12.
Tweeters,
I searched for C. Poorwill near Ellensburg, including Robinson Canyon on Tuesday. None seen.
I did hear two in different locations. Both were high in the hills.
Great to hear one of my favorite species again.
Dan Reiff_______________________________________________
Tweeters mailing list
<Tweeters...>
http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 5/10/18 11:15 pm From: Anthony <birds...> Subject: [Tweeters] Pacific-slope Cowbird or a Brown-headed Flycatcher
Tweeters,
Some of us know that this species doesn't exist but after hearing that classic Pacific-slope Flycatcher human like whistle, I proceeded to get within closer range and see first hand the Pac-slope. This was at the very back end of Eide Road on Leque Island. I couldn't believe my eyes (and ears) when I located and noted a male Brown-headed Cowbird cloning that same exact call. Grrrr.
I mention this especially to those submitting eBird lists what you hear may not always be what you believe.
Date: 5/10/18 9:01 pm From: Amit Kulkarni <avkulkarni...> Subject: [Tweeters] Spring creek campground road conditions
Has anybody recently been to the Spring Creek campground in Wallowa-Whitman national forest in Oregon? If so how is the road condition in the campground?
Date: 5/10/18 7:45 pm From: Larry Lewis <larryalewis...> Subject: [Tweeters] Two birds way out of place?
Hi, Tweeters-
Two sightings for you.
One: a Snow Goose at Gasworks Park Seattle, hanging out with the flock of Canada Geese. Pretty sure it's not just a domestic escapee, as it has black wingtips and (I think) pink feet.
Two: I don't know. 8th Ave NW at about NW 70th St (Seattle) I saw a bird about the dimensions of a robin, but much more gracile. It was only a silhouette, but reminded me most of a Gray Catbird, with its clearly rounded tail. Still, I haven't seen one since I moved here in 1970, so need confirmation.
Date: 5/10/18 6:57 pm From: Bruce LaBar <blabar...> Subject: [Tweeters] Pierce County Big Day
Wednesday, Ed Pullen, Ken W. Brown, Will Brooks and I roamed all over the lowlands of Pierce County in hopes of finding as many species of birds as possible. May seems to be the best month for this endeavor. With many of the waterfowl thinning out but still with a few left, plus all the neo-tropic’s arriving, we were hoping for a great count.
We started owling at 4:00 a.m. with only Barred Owl recorded. With the lack of knowing where to find other species in Pierce County, our owl count often is very low. Our day route was the following: Fox Island, Titlow Park, Chambers Bay, Fort Steilacoom Park, Mountain View Cemetery Marsh, McNeil St. Trail, Spanaway Marsh, JBLM (various sites), Riverside Drive by Sumner, 134 st. near Puyallup, 56th St. storm water ponds, Middle Waterway in Tacoma, Dickman Mill Park and finishing at Point Defiance Park around 6:30 p.m. This was kind of a new route as we used to try to get up towards Mt. Rainier Park. We decided that there was more possibilities by staying in the lowlands.
The weather worked out for us with just a few sprinkles and light wind. With the great ears and eyes of our young recruit, Will Brooks, and the experience of the rest of us grizzled older birders, we had a remarkable day!
At the end of the day, after re-finding the Wandering Tattler at Point Defiance marina, we finally peeked at out day’s total. 133!!! , all in the LOWLANDS! We were very excited but pretty spent. As we were leaving the park, we saw a group of Canada Geese feeding on the lawn. I said let’s check them. Sure enough, our first Cackling Goose of the day. We thought this was 134, however after rechecking our totals, the final count was 133! A incredible day!
The highlights include the following: a nesting Cooper’s Hawk, with it’s tail sticking out, Townsend’s and Hermit Warbler, 2 Western Kingbirds, Northern Bobwhite, 2 Vesper Sparrows all at JBLM, Lesser Goldfinch at Riverside Drive and the Wandering Tattler. Of course many of the new arrivals were also the highlight for all of us.
I started doing big days and birdathons in Pierce County in 1998. With the exception of missing 2005, 2007 and 2016, we have averaged around 113 species on these big days. Our previous record was 137 species on May 7, 2011. This was achieved by going all the way to the mountain and having some amazing help, which included: Ryan Shaw, Ryan Merrill, Charlie Wright, Annie Meyer, Peter Wimberger and Wynne Brown.
Date: 5/10/18 5:49 pm From: Mark Dale <para_penguin...> Subject: [Tweeters] Malheur Field Station needs your help!
Greetings,
I am sure some of you Washington birders have visited the Malheur Field Station (MFS) , located within the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge south of Burns, Oregon. My wife and I have made several trips there, spring and fall, and are always in awe at the abundance of birds and other wildlife, as well as the stunning scenery of the area. The MFS has, for many years, offered accommodation and classes covering a range of subjects, including birding, plein air painting, butterfly identification, and many others, often in conjunction with the Road Scholar program. But, the MFS is mostly about birds.
This past winter their water supply system was compromised when an electric utility contractor accidentally damaged a water main, which caused a hydraulic shock throughout the entire system, damaging it beyond repair. The Great Basin Society, a non-profit who owns and maintains the MFS, is soliciting for funds to help get their water system back up and running. They have had to cancel all their spring classes and cannot accommodate guests until the water system is fixed. This is indeed unfortunate because most of their income is derived from springtime visitors and guests. If you have ever visited the MFS you know what a special place it is. If you have not, then you should plan to in the future (assuming they can get the funds to repair the water system).
Please consider donating to help their cause. Here is a link to their website, which describes the dilemma they are in and provides a link for donations;
P.S. - if you are interested, here is a link to some of my photos taken in the spring at the MFS and the adjoining Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and Steens Mountain Wilderness, which will give you an idea of the beauty of this place;
Date: 5/10/18 5:48 pm From: Joy K Bertman <kittensittin...> Subject: [Tweeters] Grosbeak
First of the year, a male B-H Grosbeak has been visiting my feeders in Sequim. This seems early to me to have one here, but he is indeed here in all of his glory..
Date: 5/10/18 5:15 pm From: B B <birder4184...> Subject: [Tweeters] Marbled Murrelets and Other Alcids in Edmonds
I have often seen Marbled Murrelets along the Edmonds Waterfront, but today set a record as there were 4 pair this morning there just before noon. Also two Rhinoceros Auklets in breeding plumage and at least 10 Pigeon Guillemots.
Date: 5/10/18 3:28 pm From: Michael Hobbs <birdmarymoor...> Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, WA) 2018-05-10
Tweets – An unexpected day at Marymoor today. Thankfully, the predicted rain held off, and we only had minor,intermittent sprinkles. There was a fair amount of activity, but no great push of migrants like I’d hoped. We did have several new arrivals, some on the early side, but great views of birds were scarce.
Highlights:
a.. Spotted Sandpiper – one below weir
b.. Bald Eagle – juveniles and adults hanging around weir all morning; ducks frightened
c.. WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE – one or two, south end of Dog Meadow – First of 2018
d.. SWAINSON’S THRUSH – Matt heard several pre-dawn, we heard and some saw one, Dog Meadow. Calls only First of 2018
e.. Cedar Waxwing – 3-4 flying over Dog Meadow. First since January
f.. EVENING GROSBEAK – 1 or 2 flying over Dog Meadow. First of 2018
g.. WHITE-THROATED SPARROW – one in Pea Patch – LATE! First of 2018
h.. Orange-crowned Warbler – heard only, 2-3
i.. Yellow Warbler – one heard only, south end of East Meadow. First of 2018
j.. Wilson’s Warbler – notably abundant, singing, several seen
k.. Western Tanager – 2-3 males
l.. Black-headed Grosbeak – numerous singing males
m.. LAZULI BUNTING – tight foraging flock of 3 males, Pea Patch. First of 2018
We’ve seen WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE as early as May 4, but May 10 is still the 6th earliest arrival date. The SWAINSON’S THRUSH is on the early side of normal arrival date. And this is the 3rd earliest we’ve ever had LAZULI BUNTING; earlier sightings were 2004-05-05 and 2015-05-07.
Conversely, this is definitely our latest spring date for WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. They are never common at Marymoor in spring (less than 40 records total for January-May). We’ve only had three April sightings, and our only previous May date was 1994-05-05. So that’s only 5 sightings later than March 27th. Today’s bird was drab and poorly marked.
So, only 60 species for the day, but six new species for the year, to bring our 2018 list to 128.
== Michael Hobbs
== www.marymoor.org/birding.htm
== <BirdMarymoor...>
Thanks to the several people who sent in estimates of the unknown bird calls at Discovery Park. After checking a lot of calls from the internet, none were quite right. The closest was, improbably, the Tufted Titmouse! So unless it was a Bewick's Wren on steroids, it shall always be a mystery. David
Date: 5/10/18 12:09 pm From: Jennifer Fernandez <vozz37...> Subject: [Tweeters] Red Crossbill
Two days in a row at our feeder! We've been told this is a rare sighting -- a crossbill at a feeder. But we purposely noticed him because of his crossed bill and his coloring. He really stands out from our usual chickadees and junkos.
Date: 5/10/18 11:06 am From: Ingrid Ossanna <taiona...> Subject: [Tweeters] Stellar Jays
Thank you all for your replies. I didn't know how un-nerved I had become by not seeing 'my Stellar Jays'. Especially this year where seemingly all species seem to have increased in number. For instance, I used to only see one Scrub Jay for years, and this year there are four. Same thing with Towhees, and Robins. Ok, I will relax now and wait it out, never too old to learn :).
Date: 5/10/18 9:49 am From: H Heiberg <h.heiberg...> Subject: [Tweeters] Wandering Tattler
The Wandering Tattler is still present at the Point Defiance Ferry Terminal. We first saw it feeding along the shore east of the terminal. It then flew to one of the small wooden docks closest to shore.
I have had lots of male and female Anna's hummingbirds and quite a few male rufous hummingbirds at my feeders. The male rufous started arriving in Snohomish about 2 months ago. I know the females arrive after the males, but this seems late to me. Are others seeing female rufous?
Today 33 of us enjoyed a good day at Nisqually under mild temperatures with just a couple of brief squalls during the day. We had an 8.7 high tide at 1:40 which didn't bring much water onto the reclamation area.
We started the day with a MINK running through the parking lot ignoring several of our group heading to the visitor center to start the day.
At the visitor center we had WOOD DUCKS, GADWALL, CINNAMON TEAL, and the first of many HOODED MERGANSERS.
In the orchard we saw our first of many BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK and RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS. We also saw/heard YELLOW and WILSON'S WARBLERS, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and AUDUBON'S YELLOW RUMPED WARBLERS.
Along the boardwalk things were pretty quiet except for more of the same. We did pick up RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and MARSH WREN along the way.
There were MALLARDS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL and NORTHERN SHOVELERS on the pond south of the twin barns. Out along the estuary dike we picked up our first BLUE-WINGED TEAL of the year.
The water levels were low throughout the refuge so we dipped on most shorebirds. We did pick up a female WESTERN TANAGER feeding on dandelion seeds at the twin barns.
Out at the end of the estuary boardwalk Ken spotted a flock of about 30 WHITE PELICANS toward the mouth of the Nisqually River.
For the day I had 49 species and now have 96 for the year. Mammals seen included MINK, COTTONTAILED RABBIT, HARBOR SEAL, and MUSKRAT.
Breeding Bird Survey/ Point Count Training: May 18-19. Shoreline WA
PSBO will hold a training on the basics of point counts with helpful hints on recording birds for the 3 minute point counts performed on the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). Take some of your birding by ear skills and parlay them into Citizen Science. The Washington State BBS has 14 vacancies, including some nice routes!
Training Friday evening at 7pm-8:30pm at the home of Don Norman in Richmond Beach (2112 NW 199th St Shoreline).
This will go over some of the basics of how the BBS works as well as discussing some of the skill sets to master before attempting to perform a Breeding Bird Survey (BBS)
Saturday morning, there will be a field session from 630am till 830am.
Meet at : Edmonds Marsh Pier at 180 W Dayton. This session will last about 2 hours and will include some visual hints, then some acoustical hints in nearby Woodway.
$25 Includes membership in PSBO.
Don Norman is the new state coordinator for the BBS as well as a board member of the Puget Sound Bird Observatory. You haven't been seeing much of Don lately as he has been working on beach restoration projects in Louisiana as a result of funding from the BP oil spill. But despite being away, he always travels up to Seattle to head out to the WA coast for a weekend!
There are several nice routes available. For example, the count at Raymond could turn into a great annual weekend beach trip.
To see the available routes, go to the BBS website page (www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs<http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs> ) and look at Vacant Routes, select WA. You can easily see where the route is located and even see what birds are seen on the route how frequently.
If you think you want to take on a route, and cannot make the training, contact don at <pugetsoundbird...><mailto:<pugetsoundbird...>
Date: 5/8/18 8:35 pm From: Philip Dickinson <pdickins...> Subject: [Tweeters] Lewis's Woodpecker in Skagit
This morning, our Pilchuck Audubon birding group found a Lewis's Woodpecker at the Northern State Recreation Area off of Hwy. 20 east of Sedro-Wooley. The bird was on the top of a dead tree trunk in a field in the southwest portion of the park near the southwest marsh area. The backlighting was terrible, but we could see the rosy belly and dark back, and the posture and shape identical to the Lewis's at Magnuson Park. Unfortunately, after about a minute the bird flew to the northwest as far as we could see without landing elsewhere in the park. It flew more like a crow than with the undulating flight of other woodpeckers. One of our party was able to get a distant photo that was sufficient to confirm the ID.
Was the Magnuson bird seen today? Any chance this cold be the same bird?
Date: 5/8/18 7:53 pm From: Bob <rflores_2...> Subject: [Tweeters] Sunset Falls camping area, Clark Co, WA
I found the following this afternoon in the camping area at Sunset Falls. Had singing Wilson's, orange-crowned, Townsend's and yellow-rumped warblers. Both warbling and Cassin's vireo. A single dusky flycatcher. There were several dippers who were very active and vocal. Those were the highlights.
Date: 5/8/18 5:50 pm From: Jeff Kozma <jcr_5105...> Subject: [Tweeters] White-faced Ibis - Yakima County
Hi, Tweets.
Today I found 2 White-faced Ibis on the west side of Lateral C and north of Toppenish Creek. They flew in my field of view as I was scanning what limited water was visible for Blue-winged Teal in hopes of getting them for my year list. They landed and immediately disappeared in the tall vegetation. I this species is a state and county lifer for me. Kevin Lucas, Karen and Joe Zook, Richard Repp, Jim Cummins, John Hebert and Andy Stepniewski all saw both birds later on this afternoon. I first located them around 1:30 PM.
As one who grew up, lived, and birded in the East for 50 years before moving to Seattle, it's interesting how the Marsh Wren sounds the same, but the Song Sparrow has a rather different song even tho the 3 parts have the same structure (and of course the plummage is darker & redder). The Bewick's of course doesn't sound at all like its eastern counterpart (Carolina Wren, which must have a dozen songs).
Chris Kessler Seattle
On Sun, May 6, 2018 at 6:38 AM, Hank H <h.heiberg...> wrote:
Date: 5/8/18 4:29 pm From: David Hutchinson <florafaunabooks...> Subject: [Tweeters] Bird Song Query
The last couple of days in the middle of Discovery Park has been full of interesting bird
sightings and songs -Red Tail, Merlin, Cooper's Hawk and FOYs for: Purple Martin, BH Grosbeak, W. Tanager, male & female Cowbird, House Wren, Myrtle Warbler, Warbling Vireo &e Cassin's Vireo.
But this a.m. I was absolutely stumped by a nearby call, coming from the leafy crown of a Red Alder. It was a loud chirp of a series of five or six somewhat similar notes, with the group announced about every 30 seconds or so. The voice was a lot like the warning call of a Bewick's Wren only quite a bit louder than the latter but with the same ringing quality. Any suggestions as to what species it might be? I know it is a big ask. Thanks,
Date: 5/8/18 11:42 am From: Marv Breece <marvbreece...> Subject: [Tweeters] Westport area birding
Sunday and Monday I birded the Westport area, including Tokeland. Shorebirds were plentiful. Especially Ruddy Turnstones. The most I have ever seen at Bottle Beach. Don't know how many. I lost count at 11 when all the birds got up. There were a lot more RUTUs than 11. Saw them other places as well.
Brady Loop 5.6.18 Western Sandpiper - 25 Least Sandpiper - 3 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER - 1; short, straight, think & blunt bill. No reddish in plumage. My first spring GH county record. Semipalmated Plover - 3 Peregrine Falcon - 1 adult; the reason I didn't get a photo of the semi sand! Blue-winged Teal - pair off of Foster Rd Cackling Geese - about 40 minima Leucistic Minima - this is strange after reading about good sightings of Ross's Goose the day before, at this location. My bird was an off-white and I could clearly see the chin strap as it flew eastward overhead w/ minima flock. I could not relocate it.
Hoquiam STP 5.6.18 Least Sandpiper - 10 Long-billed Dowitcher - 10 in " fresh " water; hunchbacked; called like LB when they flew Greater Yellowlegs - 2 Spotted Sandpiper - 2 Western Sandpiper - 1 Killdeer - 1 Semipalmated Plover - seen from the boardwalk trail; must have been hundreds ; they were scattered over the beach at low tide. Peregrine Falcon - chasing shorebirds; seen from trail
Bottle Beach 5.6.18 Short-billed Dowitcher - many Red Knot - did not count; but more than a few Western Sandpiper Ruddy Turnstone - many more than previous years at this location Black-bellied Plover Semipalmated Plover Greater Yellowlegs Dunlin
Twin Harbors Beach 5.6.18 Sanderling Sooty Shearwater - numbers moving north Red-throated Loon - seemingly as far as the eye could see. Black-throated Grey Warbler - singing in the park
Bottle Beach 5.7.18 same birds as 5.6; also: Orange-crowned Warbler - several seen & heard Brant - large raft in distance
Date: 5/8/18 10:37 am From: David Poortinga <dpoortinga...> Subject: [Tweeters] Lark Sparrow, King Co.
There is a Lark Sparrow at Stevens Pass ski area, foraging on the patio of Granite Peaks Lodge and the lawn between that building and Tye Creek Lodge. The bird is in King County.
This morning as I prepared to water the garden, I was met by a singing Wilson's warbler. I grabbed my phone to record the singing and then just left it to record while watering the veggies and new plantings. Back in the house I played it back and was amazed at how many species could be heard amongst the joyful sounds of kids playing, airplanes flying overhead and other urban noises. It made me wonder what species will remain as the neighborhood here in Phinney Ridge changes with the increase in high density housing development.
Among the species heard, some seen: a Wilson's warbler, bushtit, black-capped chickadee, red-breasted nuthatch, crow, robin, violet-green swallow, house finch, American goldfinch, a mallard flying over, and pine siskin.
Also observed, a female house finch gathering nesting material.
Date: 5/8/18 8:29 am From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson...> Subject: [Tweeters] migrant magnet magic
Tweets, I was unable to watch our fountain yesterday (7 May), but Netta reported a Hermit Thrush there in the afternoon. This morning so far another or the same Wilson’s Warbler. I’ve got the opposite of cross-eyed, as I’m keeping one eye on the computer screen and the other on the fountain. I guess that would be wide-eyed wonderment.
This weekend for the Yakima Audubon birdathon I covered the lower Yakima Valley and Lower Wenas routes. I covered the lower valley on Saturday, and the lower Wenas on Sunday morning, swinging up and over North Wenas Rd on the way back to Bellingham in the afternoon.
The lower valley was great this year. Water levels at Mabton boat launch were not quite as incredible as they were last year, but I think improved route design made up for those missed species. I had some great sightings on the day, the most notable being a mammal and not a bird! At 5:30am I was wandering the Horse Heaven Hills, searching for Short-eared Owls. I had just found an owl (actually a pair, with a probable nest) and stopped when across the road pranced three Pronghorn!!! At the moment I was completely unaware that they still existed in Washington, and in shock, I proceeded to rattle off as many photos as I could. Researching this more later, I found that Pronghorn have been reintroduced on Yakima Nation lands in the last couple years. These reintroductions have been moderately successful, and the population has spread east into the Horse Heavens. Still, they are pretty uncommon, with probably less than 200 individuals state-wide. This was my second great mammal encounter on a birdathon big day, as two years ago I lucked upon four Mountain Lions in the Wenas. Okay, back to the birds! I found all of the expected shrub steppe species in the Horse Heavens minus Loggerhead Shrike (not a great place for them), including Grasshopper Sparrow and Sage Thrasher. I also found several Mountain Bluebirds there, I think a good species for the route, but expected. After the Horse Heavens I hit Mabton for several hours, which was initially quiet, but progressively became more and more active as migrants began to drop in. Highlights here were three Semipalmated Plovers at Mabton boat launch (the second year in a row!!), seven Sandhill Cranes, American Avocets, American Bittern, and several good migrants, the most unexpected by me being four Red-breasted Nuthatches. From here I visited the Van Belle Reservoir, which had a surprising late Tundra Swan (not even injured, I watched it fly in) and a Western Sandpiper foraging with a pair of Least Sandpipers. It was getting hot at this point, and I struggled to find any other notable birds (two Rock Wrens below my house in Granger were an exception) until later that afternoon when I revisited the boat launch and had a flyover Ring-billed Gull. Later, swinging back by the reservoir I was pleased to find a bathing Long-billed Curlew and had seven migrating California Gulls. I then tried a second time for the Ferruginous Hawk on Lewandowski Rd, ultimately failing. I spent over an hour and a half on the day searching for this bird, so you can't say I didn't try. Another notable miss was Black-crowned Night-Heron, which I also spent about an hour and a half searching for on the day. I missed a few other species, most notably Turkey Vulture (which is actually not incredibly common in the lower valley), with smaller missed like Black-chinned Hummingbird, Dusky Flycatcher, and Western Tanager. Overall it was a great day, and I managed to beat my total from last year with 112 species on the day.
I covered the lower Wenas on Sunday morning, arriving at Harlan Landing around 6:00am. Migrants were on the move; Nashville Warbler and Red-breasted Nuthatch were the best of these. The best and most surprising bird was a singing Pacific Wren, not a species I had expected to encounter here! Maybe an individual that wintered here and has yet to move out? Who knows. Moving on, I ticked some ducks around Pomona Rd and kept moving towards Sheep Company Rd. Here I was treated to lovely views of three different Short-eared Owls flopping over the grasslands as the sun rose. What a treat! Not much else of note here, although I did manage to find a Western Meadowlark nest nestled at the base of a wheatgrass. I continued north, leaving the lower Wenas route that I was supposed to cover (having covered the major places I usually stop at), and stopped at the farm pond just below Wenas Lake. This had a few good birds, including a Solitary Sandpiper, a displaying male Wild Turkey, and a Rock Wren. I moved up through the Wenas, stopping at Hardy Canyon, BBQ Flats, and Wenas campground, failing to turn up anything exceptional, but enjoying the return of some great spring birds. I searched pretty thoroughly for White-headed Woodpecker and Pygmy Nuthatch to no avail; hopefully Jeff had no trouble tracking these down. Off-roaders were terribly loud and obnoxious at BBQ Flats and Wenas Campground, so I opted to head up to the observatory for some peace and quiet as I was officially off-duty. I didn't find many notable birds save for a Sooty Grouse hooting near the top (maybe in Kittitas county?), but did find a small group of Elk, some beautiful Sagebrush Violets (my favorite flower), and a powerful storm at the top. I opted to head back towards Bellingham around 2:00pm as the rain really started coming down, finishing with 89 species for the day, pretty good considering the laid back nature of much of the day.
It was a wonderful weekend to be out! This makes me miss the landscapes of eastern Washington, superior to the summer birding in western Washington, in my humble opinion.
Date: 5/7/18 10:37 pm From: Josh Adams <xjoshx...> Subject: [Tweeters] Snohomish County Big Day 5/4
Hello Tweets, I'll add my late report to the pile. I did a Snohomish county big day on Friday. I'd done one in 2014 and wanted to do it again, but vacations, work and babies derailed my plans until this year.
I started at midnight looking for birds detectable at night around the Snohomish area. Western Screech-Owl was my first bird of the night. I picked up Virginia Rail, Sora, American Bittern, and a winnowing Wilson's Snipe at the Fobes Road Wetlands. I fell behind schedule when I couldn't locate a Barn Owl at any of my usual spots in the Snohomish Valley only to give up and have one fly over my car over Highway 2. I also had a Barred Owl on Lord Hill. Up in Sultan Basin I quickly picked up a couple Saw-Whet Owls and had enough darkness left over to take a 45 minute cat nap before dawn.
At dawn I continued birding Sultan Basin for a few of the less common birds. I quickly picked up American Dipper and Hammond's Flycatcher, but was thrilled when a Ruffed Grouse was heard near the road. Alas the weather was not great to start the day and it was misting which seemed to keep bird songs down more than when I'd scouted a couple days before. I did pick up a MacGillivray's Warbler, Gray Jay, and Northern Pygmy-Owl, but missed Sooty Grouse.
I birded along the road all the way to Crescent Lake/Tualco Loop and picked up a few good species including Western Meadowlark and Golden-Crowned Sparrow, both of which can be challenging in early May. My only Warbling Vireo of the day was found here as well.
My next stop was Paradise Valley Conservation where I'd hoped to find any missing songbirds before morning slowed down. I'd gotten a lot of what I'd hoped to find here already, so this ended up being a bit of an underwhelming stop. As I was leaving the parking lot I had an Evening Grosbeak calling from the trees above, which made the time spent worthwhile.
I moved on to open country, hitting Lake Tye and downtown Monroe in hopes of getting Vaux's Swift, but missing. Lake Tye was absent of everything besides a couple Mallards. The Snohomish valley was pretty slow, but when I made it to Homeacres Rd and the quickly-drying wetlands which hosted the Stilts last week my luck started to change. There I had a wide variety of waterfowl including a large flock of Wigeon that included a male Eurasian and three Greater White-Fronted Geese. A Western Kingbird was feeding along the road nearby. The first of several Lesser Yellowlegs I'd have was here as well.
The Everett waterfront was a bit slow with the only shorebirds being a group of Dunlin and Western Sandpipers. A lingering Herring Gull was a nice surprise though. In north Everett I was able to pick up a California Scrub-Jay.
At this point I deviated from my itinerary in hopes of picking up the Black-Necked Stilt that had been seen earlier in the morning at the Stanwood Sewage Plant by Jeff Osmundson. The Stilt had moved on, but there was a decent selection of ducks including both Scaup and a Common Goldeneye (again, not easy in early May).
Eide road was a bit slow at first, but I rechecked all the ponds on the entrance road on my way out and found the Black-Necked Stilt had come back since my arrival. A large group of dabbling ducks was being chased between locations by an eagle. It took me quite a while, but eventually they landed within view and I was able to pick out a Cinnamon Teal and my first Blue-Winged Teal of the year. Four Long-Billed Dowitchers were with the ducks as well.
The weather had heated up considerably since my chilly morning, and Thomle and Boe roads were both pretty quiet, although I did get a singing Black-Capped Chickadee at the boat launch for species #111. I heard a Yellow Warbler along Norman Road and found a couple more dowitchers and Yellowlegs there as well. Unfortunately I couldn't find any Whimbrels in the usual spots.
The tide was still completely out when I hit Tulalip bay so all the shorebirds must have been somewhere else. I was shocked to find no Black-Bellied Plovers. Purple Martins were all foraging somewhere else as well. Gulls and marine birds more than made for it though and I added Bonaparte's, Mew, and Ring-Billed for the day and Western and Horned Grebe.
My backup Martin spot, nearby Priest Point was also empty, but a quick scan of a sliver of Puget Sound that can be seen between houses paid off big. I had the red-trifecta of marine birds: Red-necked Grebe, Red-Breasted Merganser, and Red-throated Loon. The loon seemed very late and flagged on eBird.
At this point I knew I was doing very well on numbers, but I was way behind schedule and needed to cut stops. Everett STP seemed like it was unlikely to add any species as was a planned second visit of the Everett waterfront. One bird was still on my list that I did not want to miss: American Coot. I made a probably ill-advised detour to the only place I could think of that might have one and shot over to Fobes Road where I found a single Coot. According to my running tally in the eBird app this was the bird that put me over the previous Snohomish County Big Day record of 122 set by Rick and Tina Taylor a few years ago.
I cut a planned Mukilteo stop out of the schedule and headed for Edmonds. At Oceans Ave I picked up Brant, Rhinoceros Auklet, and Pacific Loon before a freight train killed my view. Sunset Ave was even more productive with Pelagic Cormorant, Surf Scoter and a pair of Harlequin Ducks. I made a desperate stop on the other side of the ferry dock, which paid off with 8 Purple Martins harassing an eagle. The marsh held a few peeps, but nothing new.
The sun was fading fast at this point and I was worried I might end up with some embarrassing misses. Unbelievably I was still missing Anna's Hummingbird along with a few other common species. I found my Anna's on a telephone wire and I'm certain that's the happiest I'll ever be to see that species. I ran through Yost park quickly and was lucky to find Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Pileated Woodpecker, and Bushtit, which pretty much took all the embarrassing misses off the table. Alas no Hutton's Vireo or Ruby-Crowned Kinglet could be found. A Swainson's Thrush was witting away by the creek and eventually gave me confirming views to rule out the other whit'ing species.
After poking around a bit, I eventually heard a Green Heron at Scriber Creek Park and then rushed out to Monroe and caught the Wagner school Vaux's Swifts as they gathered to roost.
I drove home and made one last attempt to hear a Great-Horned Owl, but at that point I'd been up 38 of the last 40 hours so I retired to bed.
My goal going into the day was to hopefully break the previous record of 122 species set by Rick and Tina Taylor. My pie-in-the-sky hope was that I might hit 130 species. My end total was 137 species which was way beyond expectations. Only one real rarity (Stilt), but I did way better than I could've hoped for on uncommon birds.
I was happy to not miss anything really common, but I did have a few misses: American Pipit (probably drove by dozens in all the plowed fields I passed, but none were evident) Hooded Merganser (Seem to disappear this time of year. I made extra effort to hit good spots for them, but no luck) Ruby-Crowned Kinglet (getting late, but I had one in my yard the day previous) Hutton's Vireo Nashville Warbler (I had one staked out for my last stop of the day, but ran out of time) Sooty Grouse (Same as above) Great Horned-Owl (Another one that was in my yard the day before)
Date: 5/7/18 6:44 pm From: Lonnie Somer <mombiwheeler...> Subject: [Tweeters] Dead Barn Owl at Marymoor
Hi Tweeters,
I managed to do some birding at Marymoor Park this afternoon. I was able to spot several FOY species, including WARBLING VIREOS, singing BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS, a PURPLE MARTIN female, and 1 YELLOW WARBLER. While walking down a short path behind the windmill to the water, not far from a tucked away picnic table, I found a dead Barn Owl. Perhaps it was the victim of a Great Horned Owl?
I have been lamenting the fact that we have not had any migrants showing up in our yard yet. But this afternoon, Evening Grosbeaks showed up at our seed feeder. We had a male and a female on the feeder at the same time. There were at least two more birds calling from the top off our trees but we never saw more than the two at the same time.
At the same time we had Golden-crowned Sparrows. We have seen one at a time for the last week but today we had two.
Still waiting for the tanagers and Black-headed Grosbeaks to show. I have seen them other place but not in our yard.
Never kn ow what will show up. I guess we need to spend all our time on the back deck.
Date: 5/7/18 5:55 pm From: Bruce LaBar <blabar...> Subject: [Tweeters] Westport Pelagic Trip, May 5, 2018
A beautiful sunrise, sunshine throughout the day and mild winds made for a wonderful pelagic trip. Nineteen seafaring birders (five from Sweden, one from Canada and several from out of state), were entertained by hundreds of seabirds and 14 sightings of Humpback Whales.
As we left the marina and headed out just past the Westport jetty, the highlights were 100 Greater White-fronted Geese, 41 White-winged Scoters, 20 Pacific Loons (in beautiful breeding plumage), 13 Bonaparte’s Gulls and 12 Common Terns.
Traveling some 30 miles out into deeper water, we encountered a flock of 22 Brant, 160 migrating Pacific Loons, 2 Black-footed Albatross, 22 Pink-footed Shearwaters, 601 Sooty Shearwaters, 1 Short-tailed Shearwater (identified by Scott Mills), 179 Red-necked Phalaropes, 39 Common Murres, 6 Rhinoceros Auklets, 12 Sabine’s Gulls (in breeding plumage) and 3 sightings of Humpback Whales.
After going about 40 miles out to Grays Canyon and in about a depth of 2000 feet of water, we stopped the boat to put out a chum. This is a mixture of vegetable and cod liver oil, some suet and some pieces of fish. When we stopped, there was only a few gulls nearby. Seabirds have a tremendous sense of smell and we hoped to attract many with this chum. Almost immediately Phil Anderson called out “LAYSAN ALBATROSS”! The Laysan came right to the boat, gave us a look for a few minutes then continued on its way. We think we just happened to cross paths with it as it didn’t seem to pay attention to the chum. However, right after that sighting, we started getting many birds landing right behind the boat. We had 15 Fork-tailed Storm Petrels (our first of the year), 34 Black-footed Albatross on the water, next to the boat, baying like donkeys, 8 Northern Fulmars, 9 Pink-footed Shearwaters, a few Sooty Shearwaters, 68 Red-necked Phalaropes just before the chum, 2 Cassin’s Auklets(seen briefly) 5 Black-legged Kittiwakes, 28 Sabine’s Gulls (several that landed in our slick), 5 Arctic Terns (2 that also were on the water) and 4 more sightings of Humpback Whales before we stopped. The chum really worked for us and gave many birders great opportunities for close up photos.
Leaving this area, we headed toward a group of shrimp boats a little farther north of us. When these boats start pulling their nets up, hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of seabirds are attracted to the possibility of by-catch from the nets.
We saw many gulls including 60 California, 16 Herring and several hundred Glaucous-wing/ Western. A few Black-footed Albatross, over 600 hundred Pink-footed Shearwaters (the most we saw in one area), many Sooty Shearwaters and other seabirds. Continuing back towards Westport, we had 1 excellent sighting of a adult Pomarine Jaeger, chasing every bird in sight, a flock of 144 Common Terns and 7 more sightings of Humpback Whales (several that were breaching out a far distance).
Just before the jetty, 2 breeding plumage Marbled Murrelets ,stayed floating on the water for all to see. Entering the harbor 12 Brown Pelicans were roosting on the rocks close to the marina. Our first of the year.
Many thanks to all, especially Avi Fauna Nature Tours that came all the way from Sweden.
Spotters for this trip were Scott Mills and Bruce LaBar. Boat personnel and spotters were Phil and Chris Anderson.
Our next trip is scheduled for May 19th. To make reservations and to get more information, please visit our website at www.westportseabirds.com
I've had both tree and violet-greens nesting under my eaves. The tree swallows seem to like the spot where the garage roof and the house roof meet and overlap though I think perhaps v-gs nested there one year. Anyway, the trees repeat pretty much every year. (We've covered the opening with chicken wire which seems to keep out other species, including starlings.
The v-gs like to nest in the house I built and placed at the other end of the house up under the eave. I think they are there again this year (my wife swears she can hear the babies already).
As for harm, I've not noticed that they do any damage or even provide the conditions for damage. I don't check the roof gap every year but haven't seen any problems when I have nor did I see anything in a different spot when that was chosen one year.
By the way, I really liked your metaphor. So, don't worry; I don't think you have a zoning violation going on.
Date: 5/7/18 2:40 pm From: Bob <rflores_2...> Subject: but not Clark CoRe: [Tweeters] No harlequin duck found Sunset Falls, Clark Co, Wa
John Bishop knows the person reporting and discovered the coordinates in ebird are not where the harlequin duck was found. The correct coordinates are 45.8211609,-122.2456428 this is about 1500 feet into Skamania County.
Bob Flores
Ridgefield, WA
> On May 7, 2018, at 10:18, Bob <rflores_2...> wrote:
>
> Spent a couple of hours around the site identified yesterday, Sunset Falls campground area. No luck I am also interested if photos have been posted anywhere?
>
> Bob Flores
> Ridgefield, WA_______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters _______________________________________________
Tweeters mailing list
<Tweeters...>
http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Just spent about an hour (noonish) at the Magnuson Park wetlands. Woodpecker continues to alternate between digging insects out of the snag and flycatching. Will post checklist and photos to edbird after work.
Peggy Mundy <Peggy_busby...> Bothell/Seattle
Date: 5/7/18 10:20 am From: Bob <rflores_2...> Subject: [Tweeters] No harlequin duck found Sunset Falls, Clark Co, Wa
Spent a couple of hours around the site identified yesterday, Sunset Falls campground area. No luck I am also interested if photos have been posted anywhere?
Date: 5/7/18 9:16 am From: Kevin Lucas <vikingcove...> Subject: [Tweeters] Re: FW: White-headed Woodpecker, Railroad Ponds, Cle Elum
Yay!
Kevin
On Mon, May 7, 2018 at 8:21 AM, Jeff Kozma <jcr_5105...> wrote:
> Hello, Tweeters.
>
>
>
> Thank you so much for reporting this bird again! It is great to know that
> he is on a territory. A little history on this bird…he had quite an
> upbringing. His father was banded in 2013 (YWWX, but is now only WWX as he
> lost his right yellow band) in the Wenas near the Mud Flats Road as a
> hatch-year bird (HY). He has bred in the Wenas starting in 2015 (we did
> not find a breeding attempt in 2014, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t
> happen). Last year he was breeding near the Ellensburg-Wenas Road with an
> unbanded female. Sometime after the eggs hatched, the female disappeared
> (probably killed by a raptor). He was left to raise the nestlings
> himself. He fledged 2 nestlings, both males, from this nesting attempt.
> We caught and banded both in late summer. This bird at the Railroad Ponds
> was one of his offspring and is banded Orange over Red on the right leg and
> metal (aluminum numbered band) over white on the left leg. Thus, this bird
> traveled a minimum straight line distance of about 23 miles! This is quite
> a good distance for a non-migratory woodpecker.
>
>
>
> I thank everyone over the last few weeks who has seen this bird and
> reported it to us. This is vitally important information for our banding
> program and the first of “our” birds to be sighted by someone outside the
> study area! For all in tweeterville, please look carefully at all
> White-headed Woodpeckers (WHWO) wherever you are in WA and check their legs
> for bands. You can report the bands to me (email below) or on your ebird
> lists, starting with the right leg and then the left leg. Even if you only
> see two colored bands, sometimes that is enough to ID the bird. Every WHWO
> we band is given a unique color combination, but mated pairs, if we catch
> them in the same year, are banded the same color combo because we can tell
> the sexes by plumage. Also, if anyone sees any of our banded birds, or any
> banded bird for that matter, please fill out a band/color marker resighting
> report at https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/bblretrv/ . This will enable the
> bird banding lab to track resighting information in their database, you
> will receive a certificate stating information on where and when the bird
> was banded, and I will receive notification that a resighting has
> occurred. Reporting to the Bird Banding Lab demonstrates to them that
> banding is still an important endeavor and helps facilitate the
> continuation of projects like ours.
>
>
>
> If others see this Cle Elum bird in subsequent years, report it again to
> me! That will give us some idea how long it occupies this territory.
>
>
>
> Thanks all!
>
>
>
> Jeff
>
>
>
>
>
> Jeff Kozma
>
> TFW Wildlife Biologist
>
> Yakama Nation Fisheries Resource Management
>
> P.O. Box 151
>
> Toppenish, WA 98948
>
> O - 509-865-5121 x 6343
>
> C - 509-945-4926
>
> F - 509-865-6293
>
> e-mail - <kozj...>
>
> website - Avian Research in Managed Ponderosa Pine Forests of Washington
> | Yakama Nation Fisheries
> <http://yakamafish-nsn.gov/restore/projects/avian-research-managed-ponderosa-pine-forests-washington> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* <rwlawson...> [mailto:<rwlawson...>]
> *Sent:* Monday, May 07, 2018 12:03 AM
> *To:* <tweeters...>
> *Cc:* <kozj...>; <joe.brown...>
> *Subject:* White-headed Woodpecker, Railroad Ponds, Cle Elum
>
>
>
> Today, Joseph Brown and I birded in the Cle Elum area. We were surprised
> to see a male White-headed Woodpecker at the Northern Pacific Railroad
> Ponds, close to the kiosk. I suspect that this is the same individual
> reported on 21 April by Jordan Gunn. If so, this bird has been in the area
> a while, and we saw him drumming, so perhaps he is setting up a territory.
> Interestingly, this woodpecker was color-banded. We couldn’t get a good
> look at the bands; all I could see was white on the left leg (probably
> including the aluminum BBL band) and red on the right. This must be one of
> Jeff Kozma’s banded birds.
>
>
>
> There was plenty of other bird activity at the ponds, even in the middle
> of the day. A pair of Pygmy Nuthatches is nesting in a new snag, now that
> the old one has fallen down. A Merlin flew over, and Yellow-rumped
> Warblers were absolutely everywhere. Later, on Hwy 97, we saw a group of
> 12 disconsolate-looking Turkey Vultures in the trees, waiting out the
> rain. But Turkey Vultures always look disconsolate, don’t they?
>
>
>
> Rachel Lawson
>
> Seattle
>
> <rwlawson...>
>
>
>
Date: 5/7/18 8:54 am From: Daniel Lipinski <dano135...> Subject: [Tweeters] More migrants on Bainbridge Island
Another awesome weekend in my Bainbridge Island yard. Saturday had great looks at a bright male Western Tanager landing in my yet to be leafed out walnut tree. It appeared near the same date as last year (around the spot shrimp season). While straining my neck to locate the seemingly constant calls of the black-throated gray warbler, the pair flew down, landed a few feet in front of me and mated. One flew back up into the trees while the other gathered some dried grass before heading off. Right place- right time. Had all 5 of my regular summer warblers in the yard. Wilson's, orange crowned, yellow rumped, black-throated gray, and townsends. One unidentified flycatcher- i took poor photos and posted to "what's this bird". My first impression was olive sided- then western wood pewee. I had one reply with a "looks good for western wood pewee" but I think the pics are unclear for a positive ID. No tail bobing, returning to the same dead-top cedar perch while silently fly-catching, larger than the more common pacific slopes. Though I had a light rump patch but could have been sun-glare. I have bad photos if anyone is interested and can send directly.
Date: 5/7/18 8:25 am From: Jeff Kozma <jcr_5105...> Subject: [Tweeters] FW: White-headed Woodpecker, Railroad Ponds, Cle Elum
Hello, Tweeters.
Thank you so much for reporting this bird again! It is great to know that he is on a territory. A little history on this bird…he had quite an upbringing. His father was banded in 2013 (YWWX, but is now only WWX as he lost his right yellow band) in the Wenas near the Mud Flats Road as a hatch-year bird (HY). He has bred in the Wenas starting in 2015 (we did not find a breeding attempt in 2014, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen). Last year he was breeding near the Ellensburg-Wenas Road with an unbanded female. Sometime after the eggs hatched, the female disappeared (probably killed by a raptor). He was left to raise the nestlings himself. He fledged 2 nestlings, both males, from this nesting attempt. We caught and banded both in late summer. This bird at the Railroad Ponds was one of his offspring and is banded Orange over Red on the right leg and metal (aluminum numbered band) over white on the left leg. Thus, this bird traveled a minimum straight line distance of about 23 miles! This is quite a good distance for a non-migratory woodpecker.
I thank everyone over the last few weeks who has seen this bird and reported it to us. This is vitally important information for our banding program and the first of “our” birds to be sighted by someone outside the study area! For all in tweeterville, please look carefully at all White-headed Woodpeckers (WHWO) wherever you are in WA and check their legs for bands. You can report the bands to me (email below) or on your ebird lists, starting with the right leg and then the left leg. Even if you only see two colored bands, sometimes that is enough to ID the bird. Every WHWO we band is given a unique color combination, but mated pairs, if we catch them in the same year, are banded the same color combo because we can tell the sexes by plumage. Also, if anyone sees any of our banded birds, or any banded bird for that matter, please fill out a band/color marker resighting report at https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/bblretrv/ . This will enable the bird banding lab to track resighting information in their database, you will receive a certificate stating information on where and when the bird was banded, and I will receive notification that a resighting has occurred. Reporting to the Bird Banding Lab demonstrates to them that banding is still an important endeavor and helps facilitate the continuation of projects like ours.
If others see this Cle Elum bird in subsequent years, report it again to me! That will give us some idea how long it occupies this territory.
Today, Joseph Brown and I birded in the Cle Elum area. We were surprised to see a male White-headed Woodpecker at the Northern Pacific Railroad Ponds, close to the kiosk. I suspect that this is the same individual reported on 21 April by Jordan Gunn. If so, this bird has been in the area a while, and we saw him drumming, so perhaps he is setting up a territory. Interestingly, this woodpecker was color-banded. We couldn’t get a good look at the bands; all I could see was white on the left leg (probably including the aluminum BBL band) and red on the right. This must be one of Jeff Kozma’s banded birds.
There was plenty of other bird activity at the ponds, even in the middle of the day. A pair of Pygmy Nuthatches is nesting in a new snag, now that the old one has fallen down. A Merlin flew over, and Yellow-rumped Warblers were absolutely everywhere. Later, on Hwy 97, we saw a group of 12 disconsolate-looking Turkey Vultures in the trees, waiting out the rain. But Turkey Vultures always look disconsolate, don’t they?
Date: 5/7/18 8:17 am From: Devorah the Ornithologist <birdologist...> Subject: [Tweeters] Why Some Birds Migrate (And Others Don't)
hello everyone,
i just spotted the first common swifts of the year yesterday afternoon. they're such neat little birds, partially because their appearance is a signal that spring has sprung, but also because they give me a sense of familiarity with nearly every place i've lived or visited in europe (in the summer, at least).
of course, this raises the age-old question: Why do some birds migrate short distances whilst others undertake extraordinary journeys across continents and oceans, whilst many others do not migrate at all?
today, i share a hot-off-the-presses paper that seeks to explain this behavioural phenomenon in a fundamental way
I hope this piece was interesting and illuminating. as always, thanks for reading, and I hope you share this piece widely amongst your friends and other bird-lovers out there.
Date: 5/7/18 7:38 am From: Bud Anderson <falconresearch...> Subject: [Tweeters] No Swainsons Thrushes
I have lived on our 20 acres near Bow, an hour or so north of Seattle, for 28 years now. The land is situated on Bow Hill and consists of a mix of open pasture and cedar/Doug fir/alder forest with three ponds overlooking the Samish Flats.
Each year, many Swainsons Thrushes begin calling here during the last week of April and first week of May. Like many of you, it is one of my favorite calls that I look forward to each spring.
This year, for the first time ever, I have heard no calls at all and it alarms, perplexes and saddens me.
Date: 5/7/18 6:57 am From: STEVEN ELLIS <sremse...> Subject: [Tweeters] Whidbey Big Day, 5/05
We conducted a Big Day ( and mini bioblitz) as a fundraiser for Whidbey Audubon Society. The area covered was from Crockett's Lake north. We managed to find 129 bird species, 6 mammals, 1 amphibian, 1 reptile, 1 fish , 2 butterflys and 32 native tree, shrubs and wildflowers in full bloom. No rarities but we enjoyed the 3 owls sp., 4 alcids, 6 warblers and dozens of Western Grebes.
Big misses were Brown Creeper, Common Merganser ( saw a pair the next day!), Cassin's Finch and Caspian Tern. How can you go all day and not find a creeper? This is the 1st time in 12-15 years when we didn't get the tern.
A good day in a relatively small area but not as spectacular as last year when we amassed 133 species.
Date: 5/7/18 6:20 am From: Amy Powell <schillingera...> Subject: [Tweeters] Merlins are back in Maplewood Heights, Renton
Tweeters,
A Pair of Merlins that nested near my neighborhood last year are back again. Throughout the day, they can be observed flying and calling loudly. Each time I've observed them so far this year, they've been moving quite rapidly from tree to tree so I've not been able to view them for long periods of time. It's lovely to hear and see them while doing yardwork.
Date: 5/7/18 2:37 am From: Rick Tyler <rhtyler...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Duvall Long-billed Curlew (LBCU)
Louise, I feel your pain. I've been out of town for two weeks, including nine business days and five days at the Biggest Week in American Birding in Ohio, and I'm sad not to be birding at home. Maybe I'll find Golden-winged and Cerulean warblers today to ease my suffering. Keep some of those rarities around for me, please.
Rick Tyler
On Sun, May 6, 2018, 1:16 PM Louise Rutter <louise.rutter...> wrote:
> I need to start unsubscribing from tweeters when I travel - I've been in > Maui for 4 days and King County has had an avocet, a Lewis' woodpecker and > a curlew! > > Louise Rutter > Normally in Kirkland > > On Sat, May 5, 2018 at 4:48 PM, Tom Mansfield <birds...> > wrote: > >> As of the time of this post (Saturday at 4:45 pm) the LBCU is hanging >> around the mowed fields adjacent to 18633 W Snoqualmie River Rd NE just >> west of Duvall. Just flushed apparently by an eagle but has been favoring >> the field since found by Matt this morning. Thanks too to Hank H and wife >> for getting me to the right field. >> >> Tom Mansfield headed home >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Tweeters mailing list >> <Tweeters...> >> http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >> >> > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > <Tweeters...> > http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 5/7/18 12:25 am From: Izzy Wong <gobirder...> Subject: [Tweeters] re: White-headed Woodpecker Cle Elum
We also saw the White-headed Woodpecker, Saturday, May 5 at the RR Ponds in Cle Elum. I was watching a Downy Woodpecker on a tree when the WHWO showed up. Always a nice surprise to be looking at a bird and have an unexpected species show up in your view.
Today, Joseph Brown and I birded in the Cle Elum area. We were surprised to see a male White-headed Woodpecker at the Northern Pacific Railroad Ponds, close to the kiosk. I suspect that this is the same individual reported on 21 April by Jordan Gunn. If so, this bird has been in the area a while, and we saw him drumming, so perhaps he is setting up a territory. Interestingly, this woodpecker was color-banded. We couldn't get a good look at the bands; all I could see was white on the left leg (probably including the aluminum BBL band) and red on the right. This must be one of Jeff Kozma's banded birds.
There was plenty of other bird activity at the ponds, even in the middle of the day. A pair of Pygmy Nuthatches is nesting in a new snag, now that the old one has fallen down. A Merlin flew over, and Yellow-rumped Warblers were absolutely everywhere. Later, on Hwy 97, we saw a group of 12 disconsolate-looking Turkey Vultures in the trees, waiting out the rain. But Turkey Vultures always look disconsolate, don't they?
Date: 5/6/18 11:06 pm From: Matt Dufort <matt.dufort...> Subject: [Tweeters] King County big day, Saturday, May 5
Hi tweets,
Yesterday, May 5, Adrian Lee, Spencer Hildie, Scott Ramos, and I scoured King County to find as many species as possible. We had a newish route, an ambitious schedule, and hopes that we might come close to the county big day record of 126 species. With lots of lucky finds and many new arrivals, we ended the day with a remarkable total of 137 species!
We started out owling in and around Marymoor, then moved east to the Snoqualmie Valley. Around sunrise, we headed up Stossel Creek Rd, a really birdy area that was a revelation to me. We spent most of the morning looking for migrants and the open-country specialties of the Snoqualmie Valley, before heading south to the Kent Valley via the Snoqualmie area. We made a bunch of quick stops around Auburn and Kent, then moved on to the saltwater sites of West Seattle. We finished up at Magnuson Park and the Montlake Fill, with our last bird, a Barn Owl, obligingly sitting in the opening of the nest box at Magnuson at 8:52 p.m.
Some highlights: - 5 species of owls, vocal marsh birds, and a winnowing Snipe - fantastic shorebirds: Long-billed Curlew, American Avocet, Wilson's Phalarope, and Solitary Sandpiper among them - finding nearly all our targets in the Snoqualmie Valley, thanks to luck and good local knowledge - finally getting to the shores of West Seattle around 5:00 p.m., and immediately finding a bunch of new birds for the day - pulling a few more species out in the last hour of daylight at the Montlake Fill
Thank you to Spencer, Scott, and Adrian for an amazing day. And thanks to Matt Bartels and Michael Hobbs for sharing specific information and general advice on King Co. big days.
Date: 5/6/18 6:57 pm From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson...> Subject: [Tweeters] migrant magnet strikes again
Hello again, tweets. I have to add to my earlier post that a male Wilson’s Warbler just showed up at the same tinkling fountain in our yard. I hadn’t seen either species before this.
Hi Anthony, (and anyone on tweeters who has Violet-green Swallows prospecting and is in time-stressed need of a nest-box and can't build or get one from a store soon enough)
Violet-green Swallows like cavities and readily take to nest-boxes and in my understanding would only nest in other situations that involving nest material being placed out in the open if under some type of stress. I have never heard of it. The nest described sounds more like a House Finch or other species that is not a conservation concern.
We have experienced terrible, terrible losses in the population of Violet-green Swallows in Seattle for reasons not known.
I have a few boxes designed for Violet-green Swallows and could ship you one for free tomorrow via Priority mail if you want one and would be able to put it up. They usually only work if placed right under the eaves. The birds like a lot of height with no close ambush-platforms near the box. If these birds have already picked a spot, go with one close to where they have picked, as the height and security issues are obviously to the birds liking. Make sure the birds, however, are Violet-green Swallows as this box is intended to only work for Violet-green Swallows.
Another possibly better option might be to not mess with them if they appear to be underway and seem to have some potential of success. It may be so late a box will only be a distraction or annoyance at this point. However, some situations can be known by humans to be untenable longterm. Birds of this genus can be so attracted to holes they have tried to nest in the air intakes of Cessna airplanes and used to be routinely observed inspecting air-conditioning ducts of Seattle apartment buildings, back when they were a common bird in the city.
In summation, Anthony, or anyone with birds in need of a box in about two days, shoot me an email!
And thanks for writing to tweeters,
Ed Newbold Wildlife Artist
(Not an expert, and will gladly defer to anyone who is)
Our fountain in the back yard adjacent to our small pond has been out of commission all winter, and we just started it up yesterday afternoon. I’m trying to keep tabs on who visits it, and during the day it furnished drinks and baths for a pair of American Robins, a Steller’s Jay, and a pair of Black-capped Chickadees (I wondered if any of them thought “whoa, where did this come from?”), and it finally proved its worth by attracting an Orange-crowned Warbler out of the shrubbery this afternoon. A running fountain that produces a trickling sound that can be heard for some distance is a migrant magnet.
Date: 5/6/18 3:29 pm From: David Hutchinson <florafaunabooks...> Subject: [Tweeters] More About Gulls
In 2004, a couple of Scandinavians called Olsen & Larson published an outstanding book called the Gulls of Europe, Asia & N.America. It quickly went out of print and at that time sold for epic amounts of money on the internet. I assumed that the author Klaus Malling Olsen was Swedish, but it turns out he is thoroughly Danish. He has just released a demanding book called The Gulls of the World - A Photographic Guide, featuring 61 species.
So why would one want the whole world of gulls? Well, 15+ species have ventured into Puget Sound and Discovery Park, perhaps more through Europe. Only a dozen seem to have gone past my sister's house on the English Kent coast. The book has specially prepared range maps and color photos for all ages of each species. All versions of the Herring Gull group and the Canus group are well covered.
I actually found it quite helpful to know the range and possible occurrence for all the gulls given our coastal environment. And I did learn some insights on birds I thought I knew well. However many pages of gray, black white & brown immature birds did tend
to make my head spin. Consequently this is a book either for experts or those who want to be an expert or stay and expert.
Visited Stampeded Pass habitat adjacent to I90 and found 2 MacGillivray's warblers and a very active and territorial red-breasted sapsucker.
Great to see the warblers but for the TRASH that was dumped right into their habitat. Who do we call to get this cleaned up, if anyone? I will likely head up next week with gloves and trash bags to clean up and hope others who are heading up there may do the same. Mostly food containers...
Date: 5/6/18 2:25 pm From: Jean Trent <jean.trent...> Subject: [Tweeters] WOS Meeting Reminder, Monday, May 7
Quick Reminder: Jen McKeirnan will review her 2016 Washington State Big Year with a combination of bird photographs, video and panoramic habitat pictures. She will share ideas and tools to take on this endeavor. Monthly meetings are held at the Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 NE 41st St, Seattle. Coffee hour begins at 7 pm, speaker at 7:30 pm. All are welcome.
Date: 5/6/18 2:06 pm From: Scott Ramos <lsr...> Subject: [Tweeters] Snoqualmie Valley Long-billed Curlew
During our King County Big Day, organized by Matt Dufort, Adrian Lee spotted this distant Curlew in one of the farm fields along W. Snoqualmie River Rd, northwest of Duvall. Heat waves had significant effect on any imaging at this distance (of several hundred meters), but it was still fun to observe this bird as it hunted for snacks in the grassy field.
Date: 5/6/18 12:23 pm From: Anthony <birds...> Subject: [Tweeters] Question on Violet-green Swallow nest building
For the past month or so we've seen about 6-8 Violet-green swallows fly within close range of our home and several landing on the roof. Turns out a few of these were: project managers, building inspectors and a home builder.
Looks like a single family home with a nice view of Skagit Bay is currently under construction.
After the building inspector and project manager left the home builder began with his project along with his female companion and it appears they are within the final phase. They must be visiting the nearby LNI (Lawn Nestings Inc.) as there's quite a bit of grass and other artifacts there now.
However this builder forgot to check with the property owner who is more than obliged to let them continue as they see fit provided no other unforeseen unwelcoming occurrences or damage is created by the swallow family.
Might any humans out there have experience with Violet-green Swallow nest building under their eaves?
Date: 5/6/18 10:21 am From: Louise Rutter <louise.rutter...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Duvall Long-billed Curlew (LBCU)
I need to start unsubscribing from tweeters when I travel - I've been in Maui for 4 days and King County has had an avocet, a Lewis' woodpecker and a curlew!
Louise Rutter Normally in Kirkland
On Sat, May 5, 2018 at 4:48 PM, Tom Mansfield <birds...> wrote:
> As of the time of this post (Saturday at 4:45 pm) the LBCU is hanging > around the mowed fields adjacent to 18633 W Snoqualmie River Rd NE just > west of Duvall. Just flushed apparently by an eagle but has been favoring > the field since found by Matt this morning. Thanks too to Hank H and wife > for getting me to the right field. > > Tom Mansfield headed home > > Sent from my iPhone > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > <Tweeters...> > http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > >
Date: 5/6/18 6:42 am From: Hank H <h.heiberg...> Subject: [Tweeters] Juanita Vocalizations
>> Last Sunday at Juanita Bay Park in Kirkland we were able to make videos of three common birds vocalizing. The first video was a little unusual in that we were standing below a Bewick's Wren (along the middle walkway):
>>
>> https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/26924565357/in/dateposted/ >>
>> Marsh Wren along the eastern walkway:
Date: 5/5/18 11:41 pm From: Matt Dufort <matt.dufort...> Subject: [Tweeters] King County rarities
Hi tweets,
Today, I birded all over King County with Scott Ramos, Spencer Hildie, and
Adrian Lee, for a county big day. I’ll send a full report later, but
wanted to highlight a few rarities we encountered.
We ran into several birds already reported by others today: the continuing
Lewis's Woodpecker at Magnuson Park, the American Avocet at 124th St and
Willows Rd north of Redmond, and the Wilson's Phalarope at M Street marsh
in Auburn.
At the Stillwater unit of the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area, we found an
unusually cooperative Dusky Flycatcher near the river, giving "whit" calls
and perching out in the open.
While scoping from the overlook at Me-Kwa-Mooks Park in West Seattle, we
found a Clark's Grebe in a large raft of Western Grebes.
And the Long-billed Curlew near Duvall, which I emailed about earlier.
Date: 5/5/18 11:09 pm From: Xander Sowers <sowersalexander1...> Subject: [Tweeters] WA Big Day
Hey Tweets,
Today Louis Kreemer, Sam Shultz, and I headed over to Kittitas and Grant counties from Seattle to try to get 120 species. The weather was and nice despite the little sprinkle around 6:00 am, the birds were everywhere!
Our route:
- Railroad Ponds (Charter Rd.): A quick thirty minute stop for Pygmy Nuthatch. Unfortunately, the snag where the nuthatches had nested for the past few years blew over and we were unable to find any :( However, there was a male Calliope Hummingbird and a few singing Nashville warblers.
- Durr Rd: A brief stop for the GHOW owl nest and for sage birds. Many singing Brewer's and Vesper Sparrows with a single Sage Thrasher in the mix.
- Umptanum Rd: We drove down into the Ponderosa Forest along Umptanum Rd. looking for primarily flycatchers and woodpeckers. We didn't get any woodpeckers (except for a flicker and a possible calling WHWO) but we did find two Gray Flycatchers, a Cassin's Finch, a Townsend's Solitaire, and a nice flock of Red Crossbills.
- Umtanum Creek: Not too birdy but we did pick up calling Dusky Flycatchers, Canyon Wren, and a surprise flyover of a Lewis's Woodpecker! On the way down we also spotted two Wild Turkeys off of Canyon Rd.
- Lower Crab Creek Rd: An hour long stop in order to find Chukar and Loggerhead Shrike. Although we missed LOSH, we heard one or two Chukar calling from the rocky slopes and a few pheasant. A 1/2 mile west of the road was a small mixed flock that gave us glimpses of a Cassin's Vireo and a male Townsend's Warbler.
- County Line Ponds: We continued down WA-26 to the County Line Ponds, our spot for stilt and avocet. Upon arrival we were quickly rewarded with 10 or 12 stilt and avocet in both sides of the ponds. We then scanned a little more to find two gorgeous female Wilson's Phalaropes!
- Para Ponds: After lunch we rushed over to Para Ponds in order to get Tricolored Blackbirds and a few more ducks. We quickly found around five TRBLs with some Red-wings by the plant near Land O' Lakes Purina Feed. We then continued down to the ponds for a quick scan of the shore. We then found a single Greater Yellowlegs amongst a few stilt and a male Blue-winged Teal on a mud island.
- Marsh Unit One/O'Sullivan Dam boat launch: We then sped over Columbia NWR in search of night-heron, gulls, and terns. Despite a Spotted Sandpiper, a couple Swainson's Hawks, a flyover pipit, and a flock of gulls, there wasn't to much in the refuge that was new. We then headed over to the O'Sullivan Dam boat launch so we could look for grebes and ducks. Within ten minutes Sam spotted a single Clark's Grebe soon followed by two more a ways out! On the way back through the refuge we found a single Caspian Tern hanging out with a flock of Ring-billed Gulls.
- Discovery Park: A long stop to rap up the day with W side birds and some sea-waterfowl. We spotted a large raft of Surf Scoters, some Marbled Murrelets, and a single Red-necked Grebe. Although searching for 45 minutes, we were unsuccessful owling.
At the end of the day, we had a total of 134 species!
Date: 5/5/18 10:33 pm From: Mike & MerryLynn <m.denny...> Subject: [Tweeters] Ibis in Walla Walla County
Hello all from MerryLynn,
I had 13 White-faced Ibis flying around east of Touchet this morning - on Thursday we tried for and missed the 5 that were seen at the Millet pond Monday and Wednesday.
Yesterday our cumulative Walla Walla County yearlist stood at 199 - I was loading up to head out this morning at 5:30 and #200 BULLOCK'S ORIOLE started chattering across the street.
At 2Rivers HMU were 11 FORSTER'S TERNS and 34 BONAPARTE'S GULLS. Another 13 FORSTER'S TERNS were at Peninsula HMU. BULLOCK'S ORIOLES, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS and LAZULI BUNTINGS are in. WESTERN KINGBIRDS are abundant this year - had over 40 today in 12 hours of birding.
20 LATE SNOW GEESE flew by - I tried to make them Ross's but no luck. And 7 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS are sticking around.
At Simplot ponds one WILSON'S PHALAROPE was swimming around with the Cinnamon Teal.
Eureka Flats had many migrating sparrow flocks - WHITE-CROWNED, SAVANNAH, BREWER'S, CHIPPING, GRASSHOPPER, VESPER. A couple LARK SPARROWS were across from Boise pulp mill in the sage area. While scoping sparrows in the locust grove on Welland Rd I spotted a SAGE THRASHER. Horned Larks were abundant with many carrying food. The Ferruginous Hawk nest has 2 young - as does the Red-tailed nest. At least one Swainson's Hawk was on nest as well. On Sheffler Road 2 pair of Swainson's Hawks are trying to nest on crossbars - on flimsy nest. Evidently they won't use the Ferruginous Hawk platforms put up by Fish & Wildlife - I saw 4 empty ones today - 3 off Rice Rd.
At Hollebeke HMU on the Snake River was a LEWIS'S WOODPECKER - I noticed that 2 were seen in east Tricities today as well.
Calliope, Rufous and Black-chinned Hummingbirds have arrived -
Happy spring birding, ML
-- Mike & MerryLynn Denny Birding the Beautiful Walla Walla Valley "If you haven't gone birding, you haven't lived"
Date: 5/5/18 9:34 pm From: Ed Newbold <ednewbold1...> Subject: [Tweeters] Solitary Sandpiper, Sora at Cherry Valley
Hi all,
Delia and I birded with a friend from Atlanta over at Stillwater and Cherry Valley Wildlife Management Units today north of Carnation and Duvall respectively. At Stillwater we ran into many nice birders and many nice birds, including good density of Yellowthroats and Rufous Hummingbird plus three Rough-winged Swallows checking out a bridge.
At Cherry Valley we had a Solitary Sandpiper on the standing ponds in the corn fields on the North side and heard a Sora. Cinnamon Teal were present also.
After we got home this evening we were surprised to have a fallout at Butyl Creek, (our backyard recirculating creek) that was good even by past standards for numbers, although not diversity, of warblers. We had Warblers fighting for open bathing pools, with three bathing Orange-crowneds at times, three bathing Wilson's at times and at one point six bathing Yellow-rumped Warblers all crowded into the creek at once.
This in a year I was really worrying that our first Orange-crowned at the creek was over three weeks late, so it's reassuring to see a push.
Delia and I are just back from the New Mexico Bootheel. Pictures from our trip including Elegant Trogon are at
Date: 5/5/18 9:17 pm From: Marcus Roening <marcus...> Subject: [Tweeters] White-tailed Kite & Western Kingbird on Joint Base Lewis McChord, Pierce County.
Hi Tweets,
To go with the other great birds in Pierce County lately, Wayne & Margie Sladek, Heather Ballash & I, found a White-tailed Kite on Joint Base Lewis McChord today. It was feeding on rodents on the open prairie near Artillery Range 74. Also present along with the beautiful blooming Camas flowers were some good prairie type birds: Chipping Sparrows, Western Bluebirds, one Western Kingbird and Western Meadowlarks. Vesper sparrow has also been found here in the recent past.
This is potentially an active Artillery Range and you’ll see the large signs telling you just that. You can go onto this portion of the base, but you cannot leave the sides of the main paved road. Areas designated as Ranges are never open to the public. Areas designated as Training Areas are often open to the public after you obtain a 2 year range pass at Range control. They’ll explain the drill on how to find out which Training Areas are open.
To get there from the Roy Y: Turn off of Hwy 7 south onto Hwy 507 south until you see East Gate Road. Turn west and go until you see a very large plane fuselage. (you’ll see the gate if you go too far.) Turn south on unmarked road with artillery warning signs and continue until you are in the middle of a prairie area and the Range 74 sign. The bird was working in the area directly to the east of the sign.
The wandering tattler, presumably the same bird as spring and fall 2017, was back at the beach at the breakwater marina/public boat ramp at point defiance park in Tacoma today. It worked the beach with a regularly bobbing butt and ate during the whole low tide. I saw it about 1pm until I left work at 245pm. It is not present at high tide. If you go to see it, there is a bunch of construction there so it can be confusing but the beach is just below the waiting area for the vashon ferry.
As of the time of this post (Saturday at 4:45 pm) the LBCU is hanging around the mowed fields adjacent to 18633 W Snoqualmie River Rd NE just west of Duvall. Just flushed apparently by an eagle but has been favoring the field since found by Matt this morning. Thanks too to Hank H and wife for getting me to the right field.
Date: 5/5/18 4:44 pm From: H Heiberg <h.heiberg...> Subject: [Tweeters] Long-billed Curlew on W Snoqualmie River Rd NE near Duvall - Yes
Just saw the Long-billed Curlew first reported by Matt Dufort. Thanks to birders Ruth & Margaret for leading us to the right field. It’s located just past a white home that reminds us of THE White House. Mailbox #18633 on W Snoqualmie River Rd.
Hank Heiberg
> Subject: [Tweeters] Long-billed Curlew on W Snoqualmie River Rd NE near Duvall
>
> Hi tweets,
>
> There is a Long-billed Curlew foraging in a mowed grass field along W Snoqualmie River Rd NE. It’s on the north side of the road, east of the big bend, where the road runs east to west.
>
> Also a Western Kingbird in its usual spot by the slaughterhouse.
>
> Good birding!
> Matt Dufort
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 5/5/18 1:31 pm From: Hubbell <ldhubbell...> Subject: [Tweeters] Union Bay Watch } Eaglets!
Tweeters,
Eva and Albert have young in the nest. They also have new competition for their title, The 520 Eagles. Even eagles face a changing and challenging world. This year they will have a somewhat smaller territory from which to feed their young. See some early eaglet photos in this week’s post.
Date: 5/5/18 12:41 pm From: David Hutchinson <florafaunabooks...> Subject: [Tweeters] House Wren
House Wrens nested in Capehart, Discovery Park in 2016, making at least two nests. Last year there was no sign of them. Today I heard one singing from the Silver Birch tree, where they were first located.
Date: 5/5/18 11:33 am From: Kevin Lucas <vikingcove...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Renton mystery hummingbird???
I've not made sound recordings of Anna's. I'm often mislead by the limited number of recordings I have in my phone apps. Perhaps you could listen to Anna's vocalization recordings at Xeno-canto.org.
And similarly for other candidates. There might be a good variety there.
That site's been great for me for finding mystery bird sounds. The best for me was identifying a sound that Boreal Owls were making that was quite unlike the sounds in my apps. In the field it had us wondering what critters were awake at that hour & brave enough to vocalize like that right next to the owls.
Good birding, Kevin
On Sat, May 5, 2018 at 11:20 AM, Tim Brennan <tsbrennan...> wrote:
> I pulled up the tic calls for Anna's and they sounded familiar, but not > like the bird I heard. That said, I also pulled up Calliope and found > similar calls... I think this is one to let go! I can't make it back out > there right now, and it just seems like either of the other species besides > Anna's here (Calliope or Costa's) would have looked an awful lot > smaller/short-tailed. Thanks, Kevin! > > > ------------------------------ > *From:* Kevin Lucas <vikingcove...> > *Sent:* Saturday, May 5, 2018 6:15 PM > *To:* Tim Brennan > *Cc:* Tweeters > *Subject:* Re: [Tweeters] Renton mystery hummingbird??? > > Tim, > > Anna's have overwintered, visiting feeders in our yard here in Selah, and > previously in our yard in Yakima for six or so years. I often hear them > ticking. I don't know if it's the same sound you heard. Sometimes the tick > sounds like something a junco does. The quality and tempo of the tick > varies. I've taken that as a sign of its varying level of annoyance with my > presence near a feeder, or its message to other Anna's nearby, or something > else. Juvenile males sound distinctly different than adult males. > > Kevin Lucas > Selah, Yakima County, WA > > > listing.aba.org/ethics/ > ABA Code of Birding Ethics - ABA Listing Central > <http://listing.aba.org/ethics/> > listing.aba.org > American Birding Association Code of Birding Ethics. Downloads [PDF] > English >> Spanish>> 1. Promote the welfare of birds and their environment. > 1(a) Support the protection of important bird habitat. > > > > On Sat, May 5, 2018 at 11:03 AM, Tim Brennan <tsbrennan...> > wrote: > > Hey Tweets, > > > I was taking a look at the Cedar River Mouth this morning, and found > really nothing of interest on the water. I returned to the walking path at > the very very north end, and found some bushtits, an Anna's Hummingbird, > and then... I heard this tic tic tic tic tic.... tic tic tic... coming from > a dense tree (.5-.8 seconds between tics, I decided). I could not place > the sound at all, and walked to the bush thinking I would pish out a > warbler, but a hummingbird popped out. I didn't pick up anything but green > and white, and am no judge at all on size/tail length... you know, the > *useful* things. The hummingbird gave one more round of tics before > heading south to another tree. I had no means to photograph or record it, > and heard no other sounds from the bird while it was in flight. I stayed > long enough at the tree to confirm that there was nothing else in it (Just > a little dwarf tree) that could have been making the sound, then dashed > home. > > > The closest thing I could find to this sound was a Costas Hummingbird, > from the Cornell site and Xeno-Canto, but I haven't exhausted the search > through Calliope and Black-chinned calls. I've never heard an Anna's or > Rufous make any sound like this before, and am pretty familiar with those > two species, of course. Any other ideas would be very welcome, and of > course, if you have a chance to poke around, there's at the very least an > interesting hummingbird at the Cedar River Mouth. > > > Tim > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > <Tweeters...> > http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > > >
Date: 5/5/18 11:23 am From: Tim Brennan <tsbrennan...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Renton mystery hummingbird???
I pulled up the tic calls for Anna's and they sounded familiar, but not like the bird I heard. That said, I also pulled up Calliope and found similar calls... I think this is one to let go! I can't make it back out there right now, and it just seems like either of the other species besides Anna's here (Calliope or Costa's) would have looked an awful lot smaller/short-tailed. Thanks, Kevin!
________________________________
From: Kevin Lucas <vikingcove...>
Sent: Saturday, May 5, 2018 6:15 PM
To: Tim Brennan
Cc: Tweeters
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Renton mystery hummingbird???
Tim,
Anna's have overwintered, visiting feeders in our yard here in Selah, and previously in our yard in Yakima for six or so years. I often hear them ticking. I don't know if it's the same sound you heard. Sometimes the tick sounds like something a junco does. The quality and tempo of the tick varies. I've taken that as a sign of its varying level of annoyance with my presence near a feeder, or its message to other Anna's nearby, or something else. Juvenile males sound distinctly different than adult males.
Kevin Lucas
Selah, Yakima County, WA
listing.aba.org/ethics/<http://listing.aba.org/ethics/> ABA Code of Birding Ethics - ABA Listing Central<http://listing.aba.org/ethics/> listing.aba.org
American Birding Association Code of Birding Ethics. Downloads [PDF] English >> Spanish>> 1. Promote the welfare of birds and their environment. 1(a) Support the protection of important bird habitat.
On Sat, May 5, 2018 at 11:03 AM, Tim Brennan <tsbrennan...><mailto:<tsbrennan...>> wrote:
Hey Tweets,
I was taking a look at the Cedar River Mouth this morning, and found really nothing of interest on the water. I returned to the walking path at the very very north end, and found some bushtits, an Anna's Hummingbird, and then... I heard this tic tic tic tic tic.... tic tic tic... coming from a dense tree (.5-.8 seconds between tics, I decided). I could not place the sound at all, and walked to the bush thinking I would pish out a warbler, but a hummingbird popped out. I didn't pick up anything but green and white, and am no judge at all on size/tail length... you know, the *useful* things. The hummingbird gave one more round of tics before heading south to another tree. I had no means to photograph or record it, and heard no other sounds from the bird while it was in flight. I stayed long enough at the tree to confirm that there was nothing else in it (Just a little dwarf tree) that could have been making the sound, then dashed home.
The closest thing I could find to this sound was a Costas Hummingbird, from the Cornell site and Xeno-Canto, but I haven't exhausted the search through Calliope and Black-chinned calls. I've never heard an Anna's or Rufous make any sound like this before, and am pretty familiar with those two species, of course. Any other ideas would be very welcome, and of course, if you have a chance to poke around, there's at the very least an interesting hummingbird at the Cedar River Mouth.
Date: 5/5/18 11:18 am From: Kevin Lucas <vikingcove...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Renton mystery hummingbird???
Tim,
Anna's have overwintered, visiting feeders in our yard here in Selah, and previously in our yard in Yakima for six or so years. I often hear them ticking. I don't know if it's the same sound you heard. Sometimes the tick sounds like something a junco does. The quality and tempo of the tick varies. I've taken that as a sign of its varying level of annoyance with my presence near a feeder, or its message to other Anna's nearby, or something else. Juvenile males sound distinctly different than adult males.
Kevin Lucas Selah, Yakima County, WA
listing.aba.org/ethics/
On Sat, May 5, 2018 at 11:03 AM, Tim Brennan <tsbrennan...> wrote:
> Hey Tweets, > > > I was taking a look at the Cedar River Mouth this morning, and found > really nothing of interest on the water. I returned to the walking path at > the very very north end, and found some bushtits, an Anna's Hummingbird, > and then... I heard this tic tic tic tic tic.... tic tic tic... coming from > a dense tree (.5-.8 seconds between tics, I decided). I could not place > the sound at all, and walked to the bush thinking I would pish out a > warbler, but a hummingbird popped out. I didn't pick up anything but green > and white, and am no judge at all on size/tail length... you know, the > *useful* things. The hummingbird gave one more round of tics before > heading south to another tree. I had no means to photograph or record it, > and heard no other sounds from the bird while it was in flight. I stayed > long enough at the tree to confirm that there was nothing else in it (Just > a little dwarf tree) that could have been making the sound, then dashed > home. > > > The closest thing I could find to this sound was a Costas Hummingbird, > from the Cornell site and Xeno-Canto, but I haven't exhausted the search > through Calliope and Black-chinned calls. I've never heard an Anna's or > Rufous make any sound like this before, and am pretty familiar with those > two species, of course. Any other ideas would be very welcome, and of > course, if you have a chance to poke around, there's at the very least an > interesting hummingbird at the Cedar River Mouth. > > > Tim > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > <Tweeters...> > http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > >
Date: 5/5/18 11:13 am From: Gary Smith <gsmith...> Subject: [Tweeters] Wilson's Phalarope at M Street Marsh, Auburn
About 10 am this morning I observed a female Wilson's Phalarope toward the north end of the big pond. It was swirling and stabbing quite busily near some of the Northern Shovelers.
Date: 5/5/18 11:13 am From: Matt Dufort <matt.dufort...> Subject: [Tweeters] Long-billed Curlew on W Snoqualmie River Rd NE near Duvall
Hi tweets,
There is a Long-billed Curlew foraging in a mowed grass field along W
Snoqualmie River Rd NE. It’s on the north side of the road, east of the
big bend, where the road runs east to west.
Also a Western Kingbird in its usual spot by the slaughterhouse.
Date: 5/5/18 11:09 am From: Tim Brennan <tsbrennan...> Subject: [Tweeters] Renton mystery hummingbird???
Hey Tweets,
I was taking a look at the Cedar River Mouth this morning, and found really nothing of interest on the water. I returned to the walking path at the very very north end, and found some bushtits, an Anna's Hummingbird, and then... I heard this tic tic tic tic tic.... tic tic tic... coming from a dense tree (.5-.8 seconds between tics, I decided). I could not place the sound at all, and walked to the bush thinking I would pish out a warbler, but a hummingbird popped out. I didn't pick up anything but green and white, and am no judge at all on size/tail length... you know, the *useful* things. The hummingbird gave one more round of tics before heading south to another tree. I had no means to photograph or record it, and heard no other sounds from the bird while it was in flight. I stayed long enough at the tree to confirm that there was nothing else in it (Just a little dwarf tree) that could have been making the sound, then dashed home.
The closest thing I could find to this sound was a Costas Hummingbird, from the Cornell site and Xeno-Canto, but I haven't exhausted the search through Calliope and Black-chinned calls. I've never heard an Anna's or Rufous make any sound like this before, and am pretty familiar with those two species, of course. Any other ideas would be very welcome, and of course, if you have a chance to poke around, there's at the very least an interesting hummingbird at the Cedar River Mouth.
Date: 5/5/18 9:57 am From: JERRY D AND MARCENE D'ADDIO <jmdaddio...> Subject: [Tweeters] Lewis's Woodpecker - yes
The Magnuspn Park Lewis's Woodpecker was seen by 5 birders at gthe central wetland / pronotory pond at 9:35 am today. It was fly-catching from a large snag in the pond, near a park bench on the trail southern part of the pond. It flew a little SE. I left at that point.
Marcy D'Addio
Redmond, WA
Date: 5/5/18 9:02 am From: B B <birder4184...> Subject: [Tweeters] American Avocet on 124th
As of 9:00 am the Avocet is among 100 plus shorebirds in the flooded field. Least and Western Sandpipers, GRYE, and LBDO. Also a large flock of American Pipits.
Blair Bernson
Date: 5/4/18 10:31 pm From: Tim Brennan <tsbrennan...> Subject: [Tweeters] Lewis County 5/4
Hey Tweets,
Spent the day birding with Roger Moyer, and found some good birds - nothing unexpected, but a lot of new arrivals, including a good look at a pure Hermit Warbler at what has become a reliable spot - Rainbow Falls State Park near Pe Ell. I was looking online to see where I could grab breakfast out that way, and landed on Evey's Caf in Pe Ell. Wandering onto their Facebook page, I also found that the restaurant is sponsoring a raffle later in the month to support a family who lost a son in an awful accident recently. If you are heading down for your annual gotta-get-a-pure-hermit-warbler trip, just know that there's a donation jar at Evey's now, and try to drop off a donation if you can. A lot of these little towns are our "vacation spots" in a way, and it's nice to support them in the normal course of events by buying gas or food, etc; At times like this, it's doubly nice, of course.
If you have any photos/info regarding rarities or special bird sightings (past or present) in Wedgwood/Seattle I’d appreciate you contacting me directly.
Date: 5/4/18 6:33 pm From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Birding the Coast Today - Full Swing Migration
Blair, glad to hear you had a great time out there. We went last weekend, when the shorebird numbers had apparently not built up to their peak yet, not more than 1,000-1,500 at Bottle Beach at maximum.
And speaking of dowitchers at Bottle Beach . . . as hard as I have looked, I personally have never seen or heard a Long-billed there, and this is year after year of looking and listening since the late 1970s. Early on, people just assumed that both dowitcher species were there, because, well, there are so many of them. I throw out a challenge to anyone interested: send me an identifiable photo of a Long-billed Dowitcher at Bottle Beach.
Dennis Paulson
Seattle
> On May 4, 2018, at 12:00 PM, <tweeters-request...> wrote:
>
> Date: Fri, 4 May 2018 13:39:39 +0000 (UTC)
> From: B B <birder4184...> <mailto:<birder4184...>> > Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Birding the Coast Today - Full Swing Migration
> To: "<marvbreece...> <mailto:<marvbreece...>" <marvbreece...> <mailto:<marvbreece...>>, "<tweeters...> <mailto:<tweeters...>" > <tweeters...> <mailto:<tweeters...>> > Message-ID: <264427272.4242145.1525441179170...> <mailto:<264427272.4242145.1525441179170...>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> With thanks to Marv Breece...correction that at Bottle Beach we had many Semipalmated PLOVERS not Sandpipers although we tried to find at least one of the latter. Also should have said "including some more Long Billed" about the Dowitchers. More Short Billed than Long Billed there. Sadly no Curlews and surprisingly no Peregrines. Also I tried hard but could not find a Yellow Warbler.
> Blair Bernson
Date: 5/4/18 5:55 pm From: Scott Ramos <lsr...> Subject: [Tweeters] Magnuson Park, 4 May 2018
Another fun Spring day of birding at the park. Although thermometer said 51, with the overcast and humidity, it felt much cooler, requiring a jacket for much of the morning, at least for me. Bruce Lagerquist joined me today, in a short-sleeve shirt. At least it was calm meaning the birds could sometimes be seen among the now abundant, but mostly still leaves. The visiting Lewis’s Woodpecker continues in the same location(s) in Promontory Pond, much to the delight of many, many birders who came to see this colorful bird. What a treat! But, there were many other notables today, as well.
Cooper’s Hawk - female was adding new twigs to the nest, then returning to sit, on eggs presumably. The male was nearby—at one point a Crow must have gotten too close and the male took off at speed, chasing the crow out of the area. As it was closing in, the crow turned sharply and landed in a Doug Fir and the Cooper’s stopped to glare. Mission accomplished.
Least Sandpiper - on the north shore boat ramp
Spotted Sandpiper - heard it calling, then it flew in to join the Least; first of year (and just about 2 years since the last sighting here)
Caspian Tern - first of year
Band-tailed Pigeon - 3 flew over the meadow, into Promontory Point
Vaux’s Swift - finally; have seen them elsewhere but had missed them here; first of year
Anna’s Hummingbird - one last nest remains with chicks; the other one with chicks from last week has been predated
Lewis’s Woodpecker - still here!!
Hammond’s Flycatcher - north woods
Pacific Slope Flycatcher - at least 3 around Promontory Point; first of year
Warbling Vireo - at least 10, several locations
Cliff Swallow - finally, rounding out all 5 common swallows seen today; first of year
Yellow Warbler - a few, singing; first of year
Yellow-rumped Warbler - counted at least 80 but for sure many more; just a few Myrtles
Wilson’s Warbler - counted 17
Chipping Sparrow - wetlands; first of year
Black-headed Grosbeak - calling and singing in the north end; first of year
Red Crossbill - several, in the SW corner of Promontory Point; in Ponderosa Pines; first of year
Date: 5/4/18 5:21 pm From: <johntubbs...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Ultra Zoom Digital Camera reviews
Hi all,
I've been shooting for a couple months with a Sony RX10 Mark IV, and am getting outstanding results, including very nice handheld flight shots. The IV vs. the III supposedly has significantly improved autofocus technology over the III - at a cost of $1700. I'm a fan - first Sony camera I've used. Previously for a small bird photography camera I was using the Canon SX-50. The Sony is much superior, but of course more costly.
John Tubbs Lacey, WA <johntubbs...>
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jane Hadley" <hadleyj1725...> To: "Dear Tweeters" <tweeters...> Sent: Friday, May 4, 2018 3:55:48 PM Subject: [Tweeters] Ultra Zoom Digital Camera reviews
For those interested in ultra-zoom digital cameras, the latest Consumer Reports (June issue) reviews 20 what it calls "advanced point-and-shoot" cameras. Four of the 20 cameras reviewed zoom to at least 600mm, so I am classifying them as ultra-zoom cameras that would work well for bird photos.
Here's how Consumer Reports rated the four ultra-zooms.
The best-rated of the four was the Sony Cyber-shot RX10 III, which zooms to 600mm, costs $1300, has 20 megapixels, and weighs 41 ounces. It had a score of 78. This camera was rated No. 2 out of the 20 reviewed. (No. 1 was the Sony Cyber-shot RX10 II, which zooms only to 200mm and had a score of 79.)
The second-best ultra-zoom was the Canon PowerShot G3 X, which came in 5th with a score of 74. It costs $900 and zooms to 600mm. It has 20 megapixels and weighs 27 ounces.
A distant third place among the ultra-zooms went to the Canon PowerShot SX60HS, which received a score of 57 and ranked 19 out of 20. It costs $480, zooms to 1365mm, has 16 megapixels and weighs 24 ounces.
Just behind it in dead last place was the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 with a score of 55. It costs $315, zooms to 720mm, has 18 megapixels and weighs only 10 ounces.
It appears that the ratings pretty much track the cost of the camera, with the most expensive rating highest and the least expensive ranking lowest. The highest ranked is also the heaviest, and the lowest ranked the lightest. Unfortunate correlations both!
Consumer Reports says that the overall scores were based primarily on image quality and ease of use but also factored in video, image stabilization, the screen and the viewfinder, where applicable. "Image quality...is based on tests performed in auto and manual mode with regular photos, low-light photos, and flash photos. We judge color reproduction, dynamic range, resolution, distortion, reflection, and image stabilization, along with video shooting." The article does not provide information on sensor-size, though that information is easily available elsewhere online.
The quest goes on for a reasonably priced lightweight camera with excellent image quality and long zoom! Probably an unrealistic goal.
Date: 5/4/18 4:24 pm From: dick <dick...> Subject: [Tweeters] eBird count vis a vis ABA
Does anyone have any experience trying to reconcile their count of sightings on eBird to an official ABA count? After my last trip i see that on eBird I passed a significant milestone of ABA Area species. I'm curious what that number would look like if it were just ABA countable species. I've pulled up the ABA checklist, but know that there are some birds countable in one area, (e.g. some Parrots in Florida), that are not countable elsewhere. Any suggestion on resources or methods to get a valid ABA count? Perhaps I should post a list of questionable species here and hope that you experts could help?? Thanks,Dick Porter
Date: 5/4/18 4:02 pm From: Jane Hadley <hadleyj1725...> Subject: [Tweeters] Ultra Zoom Digital Camera reviews
For those interested in ultra-zoom digital cameras, the latest Consumer Reports (June issue) reviews 20 what it calls "advanced point-and-shoot" cameras. Four of the 20 cameras reviewed zoom to at least 600mm, so I am classifying them as ultra-zoom cameras that would work well for bird photos.
Here's how Consumer Reports rated the four ultra-zooms.
The best-rated of the four was the Sony Cyber-shot RX10 III, which zooms to 600mm, costs $1300, has 20 megapixels, and weighs 41 ounces. It had a score of 78. This camera was rated No. 2 out of the 20 reviewed. (No. 1 was the Sony Cyber-shot RX10 II, which zooms only to 200mm and had a score of 79.)
The second-best ultra-zoom was the Canon PowerShot G3 X, which came in 5th with a score of 74. It costs $900 and zooms to 600mm. It has 20 megapixels and weighs 27 ounces.
A distant third place among the ultra-zooms went to the Canon PowerShot SX60HS, which received a score of 57 and ranked 19 out of 20. It costs $480, zooms to 1365mm, has 16 megapixels and weighs 24 ounces.
Just behind it in dead last place was the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 with a score of 55. It costs $315, zooms to 720mm, has 18 megapixels and weighs only 10 ounces.
It appears that the ratings pretty much track the cost of the camera, with the most expensive rating highest and the least expensive ranking lowest. The highest ranked is also the heaviest, and the lowest ranked the lightest. Unfortunate correlations both!
Consumer Reports says that the overall scores were based primarily on image quality and ease of use but also factored in video, image stabilization, the screen and the viewfinder, where applicable. "Image quality...is based on tests performed in auto and manual mode with regular photos, low-light photos, and flash photos. We judge color reproduction, dynamic range, resolution, distortion, reflection, and image stabilization, along with video shooting." The article does not provide information on sensor-size, though that information is easily available elsewhere online.
The quest goes on for a reasonably priced lightweight camera with excellent image quality and long zoom! Probably an unrealistic goal.
Date: 5/4/18 11:33 am From: Joshua Glant <josh.n.glant...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Gr. Sage-Grouse RFI
Hi Scott,
Unfortunately, the best period for viewing Greater Sage-Grouse leks is mid-February to mid-April! In June, they’ll likely be quiet and nesting.
Sorry, and good luck seeing other good birds!
Joshua Glant
Mercer Island, WA
> On May 4, 2018, at 11:26 AM, Scott Atkinson <scottratkinson...> wrote:
>
> Tweeters:
>
> Just wondered if anyone out there in Tweeterland could provide a tip on good places to look for Gr. Sage-Grouse in June.
> Have a friend coming and would like to show this species. It's been years ago now, but I remember viewing a lek near
> Lake Jameson east of the Cascades.
>
> Any info is most appreciated--
>
> Scott Atkinson
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 5/4/18 10:17 am From: William Driskell <bdriskell...> Subject: [Tweeters] Lewis WP still at Magnuson Pk wetland, Fri AM (Driskell)
easily visible in mid-southern wetlands; actively flying about and feeding (pecking and flycatcher styles) as of 10:00 AM. Limited sight lines for photogs due to shrubs and trees around pond shoreline. Save yourself a trip to Yakima to see this beauty.
Date: 5/4/18 10:05 am From: Denis DeSilvis <avnacrs4birds...> Subject: [Tweeters] Roy FOY - Chipping Sparrow +
Tweeters,
Today - CHIPPING SPARROW
Yesterday - BLACK-HEADED and EVENING GROSBEAKS
Wednesday - PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER (4th season in same patch next to the house)
Last Saturday - SORA (first time in 4 years - at least four of them calling)
May all your birds be identified,
Denis DeSilvis
avnacrs4birds&outlook.com
Date: 5/4/18 6:45 am From: B B <birder4184...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Birding the Coast Today - Full Swing Migration
With thanks to Marv Breece...correction that at Bottle Beach we had many Semipalmated PLOVERS not Sandpipers although we tried to find at least one of the latter. Also should have said "including some more Long Billed" about the Dowitchers. More Short Billed than Long Billed there. Sadly no Curlews and surprisingly no Peregrines. Also I tried hard but could not find a Yellow Warbler.
Blair Bernson
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Fri, May 4, 2018 at 4:59 AM, Marv Breece<marvbreece...> wrote: Hi Blair,
Nice report! What would we do without Bottle Beach? Did you really mean Semipalmated Sandpipers, or possibly Plovers instead? Also, A lot of Long-billed Dowitchers seems unusual there.
Good birding to you, Blair.
Marv
From: "B B" <birder4184...>
To: <tweeters...>
Sent: Thursday, May 3, 2018 10:03:21 PM
Subject: [Tweeters] Birding the Coast Today - Full Swing Migration
Still being on East Coast time, I awoke at 3 this morning and decided to just get going and with no planning went down to the Coast. Stops included Brady Loop, Hoquiam STP, Grays Harbor NWR/Bowerman Basin, Westport, Open Beach south of Bonge Road, Tokeland and Bottle Beach. I ran into many other birders at Bottle Beach who had also birded the open beach at Ocean Shores and the stories were the same LOTS of shorebirds. Some details/highlights for me:
Brady Loop - foggy and no shorebirds other than Killdeers found.Hoquiam STP (at low tide) - they sure have messed it up for shorebirds, lots of ducks, some Caspian Terns, Long Billed Dowitchers, Killdeer and a few Least Sandpipers.
Bowerman Basin - many hundreds and maybe thousands of shorebirds scattered at low tide. Mostly Western Sandpipers and Semipalmated Plovers. At least a few Least Sandpipers. Highlights were a single Whimbrel and only one larger plover - an American Golden Plover - golden speckled back, black face and belly and white extending only part way down its side.
Westport - a single Wandering Tattler at the second groin from the lower viewing platform near the restrooms, lots of Common Loons and a single Pacific Loon (probably more), only a few Brown Pelicans, quite a few Pigeon Guillemots.
Tokeland had no shorebirds - many Loons and Guillemots and Western Gulls - again fairly low tide. I did not see any shorebirds along Fisher Avenue but did not scan. Others reported Whimbrels far out.
Open Beach had many hundreds of birds - more Western Sandpipers than anything else but many Semipalmated Plovers, Dunlin and Sanderling. I had one Sanderling that was in almost full breeding plumage. All others were still mostly in their winter attire. Westerns and Dunlin were in breeding plumage. I saw zero larger shorebirds.
Bottle Beach was a real treat - thousands of birds. More Western Sandpipers than anything else, but many Dunlin and Semipalmated Sandpipers. At lease two gorgeous Ruddy Turnstones and many Black Bellied Plovers in various plumage stages. Also at least two dozen Red Knots in breeding or near breeding plumage. About 20 Greater Yellowlegs and we found only a single Least Sandpiper. Many Dowitchers - more Long Billed.
No rain and no wind but no sunshine either.
Really a fun day.
Date: 5/3/18 10:05 pm From: B B <birder4184...> Subject: [Tweeters] Birding the Coast Today - Full Swing Migration
Still being on East Coast time, I awoke at 3 this morning and decided to just get going and with no planning went down to the Coast. Stops included Brady Loop, Hoquiam STP, Grays Harbor NWR/Bowerman Basin, Westport, Open Beach south of Bonge Road, Tokeland and Bottle Beach. I ran into many other birders at Bottle Beach who had also birded the open beach at Ocean Shores and the stories were the same LOTS of shorebirds. Some details/highlights for me:
Brady Loop - foggy and no shorebirds other than Killdeers found.Hoquiam STP (at low tide) - they sure have messed it up for shorebirds, lots of ducks, some Caspian Terns, Long Billed Dowitchers, Killdeer and a few Least Sandpipers.
Bowerman Basin - many hundreds and maybe thousands of shorebirds scattered at low tide. Mostly Western Sandpipers and Semipalmated Plovers. At least a few Least Sandpipers. Highlights were a single Whimbrel and only one larger plover - an American Golden Plover - golden speckled back, black face and belly and white extending only part way down its side.
Westport - a single Wandering Tattler at the second groin from the lower viewing platform near the restrooms, lots of Common Loons and a single Pacific Loon (probably more), only a few Brown Pelicans, quite a few Pigeon Guillemots.
Tokeland had no shorebirds - many Loons and Guillemots and Western Gulls - again fairly low tide. I did not see any shorebirds along Fisher Avenue but did not scan. Others reported Whimbrels far out.
Open Beach had many hundreds of birds - more Western Sandpipers than anything else but many Semipalmated Plovers, Dunlin and Sanderling. I had one Sanderling that was in almost full breeding plumage. All others were still mostly in their winter attire. Westerns and Dunlin were in breeding plumage. I saw zero larger shorebirds.
Bottle Beach was a real treat - thousands of birds. More Western Sandpipers than anything else, but many Dunlin and Semipalmated Sandpipers. At lease two gorgeous Ruddy Turnstones and many Black Bellied Plovers in various plumage stages. Also at least two dozen Red Knots in breeding or near breeding plumage. About 20 Greater Yellowlegs and we found only a single Least Sandpiper. Many Dowitchers - more Long Billed.
No rain and no wind but no sunshine either.
Really a fun day.
Date: 5/3/18 9:05 pm From: Gary Bletsch <garybletsch...> Subject: [Tweeters] off topic meteor (almost meteorite)
Dear Tweeters, This evening, the third of May, at 2048, as I was finishing up putting my chickens to bed, what I think was a meteor flashed by, just north of my house. It was no more than a couple of thousand feet off the ground, and appeared to be going roughly parallel to the earth's surface. Behind the object were foothills, rather than sky. It went from roughly southeast to northwest, and had the shape of a teardrop, with the fat end forward--reminiscent of a "photon torpedo" from the old Star Trek show on television. The color of the fore part was an eerie electric greenish, the aft part more orange. It looked big, perhaps about the size of a single-engine plane. The apparition faded out somewhere over the low foothills north of SR 20, between Lyman and Hamilton. A few American Robins tut-tut-tutted right afterwards, but they might have done so if there hadn't been such an object in the heavens. I imagine that this object was very close to becoming a meteorite, but presumably burned up just a few seconds before it would have hit the earth. I can't remember ever seeing one so low before. Yours truly, Gary Bletsch _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 5/3/18 7:33 pm From: Anthony <birds...> Subject: [Tweeters] Shorebirds: Least vs. Western Sandpiper Video at Edie Road
Hello Tweeters
A few days ago after about 30 minutes of standing still at the outer perimeters of the first pond near the entrance of Edie Road, about 50 sandpipers flew in within 2 feet from where I was standing / kneeling. Sandpipers can be challenging at a distance even with a scope so this was my experiment which worked at very close range. Some were so close I could almost reach out and hand feed. I opted to produce a video shoot of both Least and Western Sandpipers in breeding plumage from just a few feet away
If you are confused by both, the on screen labeling and screen tips at the below video sequence I pieced together may help you sort ID points out.
Date: 5/3/18 4:24 pm From: Thomas M Leschine <tml...> Subject: [Tweeters] Lewis's Woodpecker and Western Kingbird at Magnuson
I went looking for the Lewis's Woodpecker this afternoon at about 3 pm. Found it flying out of the top of one of the tall cottonwood trees immediately to the right of the boat ramp that is served by the E1 parking lot. I was confused at first by a different bird flying similarly out of a tall dead snag just south of there along the lakeshore. That bird appears to be a Western Kingbird.
Date: 5/3/18 2:18 pm From: Michael Hobbs <birdmarymoor...> Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co.) 2018-05-03
Tweets – Statistics are funny. This week (Week 18) has the highest aggregate number of species of any week of the year. After adding one today, that’s 142 species over the last 25 years. But any given Week 18 day is not necessarily an amazingly birdy day. The aggregate species count is high because in some years winter birds linger, and in some years summer birds arrive early, and on any given day, any of a long list of possible migrants come through. But that doesn’t mean any random Week 18 trip is going to find a great combination of all three.
Today’s walk was notable for birds not seen. We had no flycatchers, barely 4 warbler species, and only 1 vireo. Additionally, many species were being particularly hard to get sightings of. We heard probably at least 10 BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS, but only saw one at the Rowing Club, for instance. And our final count for the day was a little disappointing. But it was still a really good day – mostly sunny, windless, warm (but not too hot), and there were birds.
Highlights:
a.. SNOW GOOSE – Flock of ~100 flying north!
b.. CINNAMON TEAL – two males and a female below weir. Later 2 males in slough. Male and female from Lake Platform. 3 birds? 5? 7? New for 2018
c.. Eurasian Collared-Dove – one along northeast edge of park
d.. Spotted Sandpiper – one below weir – First of 2018
e.. Green Heron – two along slough. Pair?
f.. Western Screech-Owl – one heard predawn
g.. Great Horned Owl – one heard west of park entrance predawn
h.. Pileated Woodpecker – one probably heard, one glimpsed
i.. Hutton’s Vireo – Margaret heard one singing
j.. Hermit Thrush – one heard predawn
k.. American Pipit – one over Fields 7-8-9
l.. Western Meadowlark – one near Fields 7-8-9
m.. BULLOCK’S ORIOLE – male singing SW of mansion just after 6:00am. First of 2018
n.. Orange-crowned Warbler – maybe 4 total
o.. Wilson’s Warbler – one heard
p.. Black-headed Grosbeak – heard about 10, saw one.
Before today, our latest Spring sighting of SNOW GOOSE was 2018-03-01. Prior to this year, we’d never had one later than FEBRUARY 10! Also, we’ve rarely had more than 10 Snow Geese on any one day, and have only had a flock of more than 50 five times before ever, twice in October, twice in November, and once in early January. So today’s sighting was exceptional for Marymoor. Looking on eBird, there are occasional large flocks in early May in the county, though.
This was our 4th earliest SPOTTED SANDPIPER; earlier ones were 2016-04-21, 2016-04-28, and 2005-05-01.
The BULLOCK’S ORIOLE was our 5th earliest ever. We’ve had them 3 times on May 1st previously, with our earliest on 2016-04-21.
Misses today included Gadwall, Bufflehead, Pied-billed Grebe, Band-tailed Pigeon, Vaux’s Swift, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Warbling Vireo, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and Western Tanager; all those species have been seen more than half of the past 25 years during Week 18.
Sunday, Matt & I had CALIFORNIA QUAIL (heard well from across the slough), PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER, and BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, all then new for 2018.
For today, 64 species. For 2018, I believe we’re up to 122 species.
I was observing on site at 1201 yesterday afternoon. By 4 pm, one egg was clearly showing a large pip mark. Saw pip marks on second egg a short time later.
First egg eventually hatched while out of sight under the adult. First "light of day" where I could see it at 1827. Could hear both chicks calling from inside the eggs through their pip holes.
Noticed that the hatch was inadvertently assisted by the adult as it kept moving around and settling in on the eggs repeatedly. Far more often than normal. She certainly applied pressure on the delicate, cracking shells. Peregrines get really restless at this stage as they clearly know the chicks are hatching from their vocalizations.
Date: 5/2/18 8:45 pm From: Byers <byers345...> Subject: [Tweeters] Out at Hansville
Hello Tweeters,
Ever since we moved to Edmonds last year, we have intended to get on the ferry and go over to the peninsula. We finally did this today and made it as far as Point No Point, Norwegian Point, and Foulweather Bluff, all right near Hansville. We probably couldn't have had a more beautiful day. I put the best pictures of the day in a folder on Flickr.
Some of these are birds you see in your backyard, such as the Violet-green Swallow. Others are less common like the breeding plumaged Pacific Loon. Most of the pictures are Bill's. He took a series of three gulls excited about the mouthful of small fish that one of these gulls had. I'm thinking these gulls are all Glaucous-winged/Western hybrids. If any of you think differently, I would be happy to hear from you.
Date: 5/2/18 7:31 pm From: <jstewart...> Subject: [Tweeters] web cams
Good Morning,
On trying to view several of Cornell's web cams, I receive "your browsers does not recognize video formats available (HTML5?).
How can I access these cams?
Thanks,
Jane
Jane Stewart
121 Solar Lane
Sequim, WA 98382-8324
(360) 681-2827
<jstewart...>
From: <tweeters-bounces...> <tweeters-bounces...> On Behalf Of Tucker, Trileigh Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2018 6:36 PM To: <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Peregrine hatching! 1201 Third Ave
Hi Tweets,
Just now I was watching the 1201 Third Ave falcon cam - and was thrilled to see the nest-sitting bird move and expose a hatchling! The adult moved the eggshell and I could clearly see a baby wing. It looked like the other 3 eggs were intact. (I have screen grabs if anyone's interested.)
I haven't seen much about these peregrines on Tweeters, but I'm sure others are keeping a hatch watch. It looks like the Falcon Research website doesn't include minute-by-minute news; I'd love to know if there's a place I can get updates when I can't watch the cam. Great news for our urban falcons!
Just now I was watching the 1201 Third Ave falcon cam and was thrilled to see the nest-sitting bird move and expose a hatchling! The adult moved the eggshell and I could clearly see a baby wing. It looked like the other 3 eggs were intact. (I have screen grabs if anyones interested.)
I havent seen much about these peregrines on Tweeters, but Im sure others are keeping a hatch watch. It looks like the Falcon Research website doesnt include minute-by-minute news; Id love to know if theres a place I can get updates when I cant watch the cam. Great news for our urban falcons!
Cheers,
Trileigh
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Trileigh Tucker, PhD
Professor Emerita of Environmental Studies
Seattle University
A morning walk in Marymoor Park this morning produced one FOY bird for me, a male Bullock’s Oriole foraging in small trees just south of clearing containing restrooms in the dog run area along the slough. Best viewed from the other side, I was sorting through a mixed flock of yellow-rumps - both Myrtle and Audubon - and saw it there. Popular shrubbery for birds, as goldfinches were there, too, and sawt one Orange-crowned Warbler, as well.
The American Avocet reported by Michael Hobbs was still present at 2:15. We could see it with a scope from a pullout on 124th, but could not see it from the Willows Road side.
While walking in the Issaquah Highlands neighborhood on Monday, I spotted a small flock of golden-crowned sparrows. We have lots of song sparrows and white-crowned sparrows, but had never seen them in the neighborhood before.
Date: 5/2/18 12:49 pm From: Sarah Atwood Black <seatwo...> Subject: [Tweeters] ID help - similar coloring to Robin but much larger
Hello all,
I'm quite new to birding so bear with me! I saw a bird this morning that I'm not able to identify (I'm in Columbia City). The bird was perching at the very top of a large tree in my neighbor's yard. It hung out for at least 20 minutes after I noticed it, and was still there when I left the house. An hour and a half later, when I got home, it returned to the same spot for a few minutes.
The bird had very similar coloring to a Robin, but the breast was more orange. No streaking. Straight yellow beak. It seemed at least 1.5 - 2x larger than a Robin, and huskier. Behavior was peering around and preening, and completely silent. The size when I first noticed it made me think it was a hawk, but when I pulled out my binoculars I saw that the beak was long and straight.
Unfortunately I was not able to get a photo. Any thoughts? Or was I simply seeing an extremely large Robin?
Date: 5/2/18 12:41 pm From: Steve Giles <jfsgiles01...> Subject: [Tweeters] Eide Rd Black necked Stilts
At noon today there were a male and female Black necked Stilt in the first marshy area on the right after descending from hwy 532. After 15 minutes they flew East into the slough.
Date: 5/2/18 10:46 am From: B&PBell <bellasoc...> Subject: RE: [Tweeters] American Avocet in Redmond
Hi Tweets
The American Avocet, reported by Michael Hobbs, was still present at 10:30 AM in the southwest corner of the flooded field/pond south of NE 124th St. and east of Willows Rd. in Redmond.
There were at least 5 Greater Yellowlegs present.
Thanks Michael, it’s nice when a county bird shows up 4 miles from home.
Brian H. Bell
Woodinville WA
From: <tweeters-bounces...> [mailto:<tweeters-bounces...>] On Behalf Of Michael Hobbs
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2018 9:20 AM
To: Tweeters
Subject: [Tweeters] American Avocet in Redmond
An American Avocet is currently feeding in the pond on the south side if 124th St. in Redmond, just east of Willows Rd.
Also present are Greater Yellowlegs and Dowitchers
Date: 5/2/18 10:29 am From: Peggy Mundy <peggy_busby...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Lewis's at Magnuson Pk
Lewis' woodpecker persists at the Magnuson Park ponds this morning. Several birders had sightings. Beautiful!
Peggy <MundyPeggy_busby...>
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Tue, May 1, 2018 at 10:01 PM, Nadine Drisseq<drisseq.n...> wrote: Observed at the western-most Promontory pond between 2 & 5pm today. Lots of fly-catching/sallying. I did get shots of him sticking his bill into a snag too. No drumming or calling noted. He was harangued by the odd Crow, Red-winged BB, and Flicker, so he sometimes hunkered just below the foliage-sky line, but mostly he was out on the snags. Had to move around a lot to keep up. Definitely had some favorite snags.
I learned today that Lewis's Woodpecker was named after Meriwether Lewis.
I want to thank Ben for helping me locate this Lifer, and to say hi to all the cool Birders I met today! I managed to get some decent shots, and they can be seen on the Western Washing Birders Facebook Group (which is an open group, so you don't need to be a member to browse). Just search the left column for Lewis or my name.
Thanks to everyone who posted and helped me find this bird. It was love at first sight!
Date: 5/2/18 9:49 am From: Vicki King <vkbirder...> Subject: [Tweeters] Photos of the Lewis' Woodpecker at Magnuson
My husband Jim took some photos of the Lewis's Woodpecker at Magnuson yesterday, mostly perched on various snags. If you'd like to see them, click on this link: https://flic.kr/s/aHskArzrzG.
In the ‘90’s, when we lived in California, I did pretty much the same for an Anna’s nest. IIRC that happened during a December – February time frame. The video was just a live feed to my computer from a camera I’d mounted in the tree to watch her from building to fledging. I never thought to make it into a nicely titled presentation like you did…then again, I don’t think we had the tools or means to do that in those days. 😊
Happily, I did get to see them hover and then fly off. It was a fun time. Thanks again for the great job, my lady.
Dusty
Off of a dirt road, on a hill, in the forest NW of Granite Falls
From: <tweeters-bounces...> <tweeters-bounces...> On Behalf Of Nancy Morrison
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2018 13:09
To: <tweeters...>
Subject: [Tweeters] Hummingbird nest
I compiled a video of an Anna's Hummingbird nest from last year. The video is over 11 minutes long, so I had to upload it to YouTube. It is from hatching to fledging. This was recorded from May 9th to June 4th, 2017 at Yost Park in Edmonds. Sit down with a cup of coffee and enjoy.
Observed at the western-most Promontory pond between 2 & 5pm today. Lots of fly-catching/sallying. I did get shots of him sticking his bill into a snag too. No drumming or calling noted. He was harangued by the odd Crow, Red-winged BB, and Flicker, so he sometimes hunkered just below the foliage-sky line, but mostly he was out on the snags. Had to move around a lot to keep up. Definitely had some favorite snags.
I learned today that Lewis's Woodpecker was named after Meriwether Lewis.
I want to thank Ben for helping me locate this Lifer, and to say hi to all the cool Birders I met today! I managed to get some decent shots, and they can be seen on the Western Washing Birders Facebook Group (which is an open group, so you don't need to be a member to browse). Just search the left column for Lewis or my name.
Thanks to everyone who posted and helped me find this bird. It was love at first sight!
Meri May Day all! :)
Nadine Drisseq Ps. If you happen to be a British particle physicist do keep in touch! -- *Biologist,* *Bear Smart WA*
Date: 5/1/18 6:09 pm From: Philip Dickinson <pdickins...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Flycatcher ID
Both, as well as Dusky, have eyerings. Hammond’s has shorter wings. PS can show yellowish throat area. Gray is the known tailpumper, but doubt it was that.
Our Pilchuck trip today had several Hammonds and one PS in Darrington area.
Phil Dickinson
Sent from my iPhone
> On May 1, 2018, at 5:54 PM, Linda Phillips <linda_phillips1252...> wrote:
>
> Today May 1st, I was birding Wallace Swamp Creek Park in Kenmore. I saw a flycatcher that I can’t identify. I got several brief looks from several different angles but never got the opportunity to really study the bird. It was perhaps 20 feet above me and on the opposite side of Swamp Creek from the park. It was about the size of a house finch. The wings extended a little past it’s body but well short of the length of its tail. It pumped its tail a few times but not consistently. If it had an eye-ring it was inconspicuous. It did not have a “vest” but there was somewhat of a yellow streak on the middle of its breast. Its bill was ½ inch or maybe a little longer. From my vantage point it just looked dark, I couldn’t make out any difference in color between top and bottom mandible.
> I’m torn between Hammond’s and Pacific-Slope. Of course it was silent.
> Anyone want to give me your thoughts as which it might be?
> Linda Phillips
> Kenmore
>
> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 5/1/18 5:57 pm From: Linda Phillips <linda_phillips1252...> Subject: [Tweeters] Flycatcher ID
Today May 1st, I was birding Wallace Swamp Creek Park in Kenmore. I saw a flycatcher that I cant identify. I got several brief looks from several different angles but never got the opportunity to really study the bird. It was perhaps 20 feet above me and on the opposite side of Swamp Creek from the park. It was about the size of a house finch. The wings extended a little past its body but well short of the length of its tail. It pumped its tail a few times but not consistently. If it had an eye-ring it was inconspicuous. It did not have a vest but there was somewhat of a yellow streak on the middle of its breast. Its bill was inch or maybe a little longer. From my vantage point it just looked dark, I couldnt make out any difference in color between top and bottom mandible.
Im torn between Hammonds and Pacific-Slope. Of course it was silent.
Anyone want to give me your thoughts as which it might be?
Linda Phillips
Kenmore
Wow, whew! These past few days in Pierce County have been remarkable! Besides returning summer breeders, we have had some vagrants that has had us going from one corner to another.
The wintering Black Phoebe continues at Gog-le-hi-tee. Lesser Goldfinches are being seen regularly on Riverside Drive near Sumner. We are pretty sure they are breeding in this area.
A Western Kingbird was seen at JBLM on April 26. A Yellow- headed Blackbird was seen by several at the 56 Street Mitigation ponds on the 26-27. On April 27, four White Pelicans at the same ponds, were found by Christopher Clark and remained on the 28th for the WOS trip I was leading!
While on this trip, I get a message from Will Brooks that he has just found a Black-headed Gull, in breeding plumage, at the McNeil trail overlook in DuPont!! Second record for Pierce, the first since 1993! Our group tried for it but the tide was not in our favor. Meanwhile, another Western Kingbird was found by Will off Taylor street in the tide-flats.
On the 29th, several of us were able to re-find the gull! Later at this site, 4 Whimbrel were seen which are very rare for Pierce.
Several of us also saw the Kingbird on Taylor street.
So, as I am going to a birthday party, Tom Mansfield, who saw the gull earlier, goes out to Riverside Drive to look for the goldfinches and finds Pierce County’s first Lark Sparrow. At the party, I finally excuse myself and rush out to see it. Success! Several others also got to see this one day wonder.
Meanwhile, Will finds a migrating Lewis’s Woodpecker in Ashford. Also a Mountain Bluebird was seen in Tacoma, by Scott Saunders.
Yesterday and today one Whimbrel remains and 5 Long-billed Dowitchers were found at 56 street by Ed Pullen today.
Off to ballgame tonight and see what tomorrow brings. Many thanks to all who are exploring Pierce!
Bruce LaBar
Tacoma
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Date: 5/1/18 2:55 pm From: Al n Donna <alndonna...> Subject: [Tweeters] Monday trip to Ocean Shores/Grays Harbor NWR
Arrived at Ocean Shores jetty about 2 hours before high tide. Immediately found 3 Wandering Tattlers on the jetty just above the incoming tide.
Picture at
http://www.pbase.com/alndonna/image/167405868
As we stood on the beach next to the jetty, trying to avoid the tide (unsuccessfully), three Black Oystercatchers flew onto the beach. That picture is at
http://www.pbase.com/alndonna/image/167405956
After a great lunch at “Our Place”, we went to the beach on Chance A La Mer Ave, where we were treated to at least 2000 shorebirds, mostly Western Sandpipers, many Dunlins, a few Semipalmated Plovers plus ???
Then we arrived at the Grays Harbor NWR right at high tide. During the next hour, we saw another 1000 or so shorebirds, which included a few Black Bellied Plovers and a few Caspian Terns.
Date: 5/1/18 10:51 am From: Josh Adams <xjoshx...> Subject: RE: [Tweeters] Monroe swifts
Hi Larry and Tweeters, Vuaxhappening.COM is some sort of asian real estate blog. For the Monroe webcam you'll want to go to vauxhappening.ORG or perhaps your email reader will turn the below into a link:
Date: 5/1/18 10:08 am From: Joe Sweeney <sweeneyfit...> Subject: [Tweeters] Lewis’s Woodpecker @ Magnuson tues 9:45am
Toward the end of the Seattle Audubon neighborhood bird walk, we spotted the Lewis’s woodpecker at one of the promontory ponds, and then it soon flew to one of the other ponds and then took flight once again.
Date: 5/1/18 10:03 am From: H Heiberg <h.heiberg...> Subject: [Tweeters] Neal Road Yellow-headed Blackbird
There is a Yellow-headed Blackbird where Neal Road (Fall City) narrows to one lane. It’s in with a flock of Starlings, Cowbirds & Red-winged Blackbirds in the mowed field.
Date: 5/1/18 7:33 am From: BRAD <bradliljequist...> Subject: [Tweeters] Lewis woodpecker at Magnusson
I watched a Lewis Woodpecker for about 20 minutes last night at 7 at the SW pond. I have good photos and will post later. Maybe previously reported I'm not sure.
Date: 5/1/18 7:25 am From: Larry Schwitters <leschwitters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Monroe swifts
7 to 8 thousand Vaux’s Swifts are currently in the Monroe Wagner roost. Their morning adventures can be reveled by our in chimney live streaming camera. Link is on our websites home page. vauxhappening.com
Date: 5/1/18 6:45 am From: Scott Ramos <lsr...> Subject: [Tweeters] Magnuson Park Lewis's Woodpecker
Following a heads-up from Kevin Aanerud, I was able to relocate a Lewis’s Woodpecker late yesterday afternoon, in the Promontory Ponds at Magnuson Park. It was a little nervous, moving around the various snags, fleeing from crows, yet doing a little fly-catching.
Date: 4/30/18 10:10 pm From: Laura Busby <fauna46...> Subject: [Tweeters] Yakima River Canyon Bird Fest Follow up
The BirdFest Weekend Pass is $35. There is no additional registration fee. The Pass provides admission to numerous programs and activities, including Birding by Ear, Eagle Nest Photography, Raptors in the Park, Bird Banding by MAPS, Get the Dirt on Wine, and several other outstanding programs. The Yakima River Float Trip, Field Trips (transportation provided), Keynote – John Marzluff at the Bird Fest Dinner/Auction and several other activities have a separate fee.
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. Juanita bay part 2, Yellow-headed Blackbird!! (Cindy Marzolf)
2. Re: O.T. RFI Giant Salamanders (Mark Robinson)
3. Hummingbird nest (Nancy Morrison)
4. American White Pelicans in Puyallup (Christopher Clark)
5. Pierce County birding, 4/27/18 (Christopher Clark)
6. Swainson's Thrush at Yesler Swamp/Union Bay Natural Area
(Jeff Birek)
7. Re: Yakima River Canyon Bird Fest (J Christian Kessler)
8. FIrst Osprey of the year (Catherine)
9. Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co.) 2018-04-26 (Michael Hobbs)
10. Re: Marymoor report (Michael Hobbs)
11. Gatewood Great Horned Owls (Janeanne Houston)
12. oddly quiet and still morning (<amk17...>)
13. Deer Lagoon American White Pelicans (<earthman1950...>)
14. Bald eagles etc. (Teresa Stokes)
15. Magnuson Park, 27 April 2018 (Scott Ramos)
Date: 4/30/18 5:21 pm From: <amk17...> Subject: [Tweeters] Union Bay Natural Area
Today's late visit to the fill yielded a continuing solitary sandpiper that was joined by 5 least sandpipers in the second pond (Boy Scout Pond?). Also observed a female blue winged teal but not the male at the larger pond that used to be a parking lot.
At Yesler Swamp, it looks like the Canada Goose nest has failed as there were several eggs in the water (a couple still on the nest) and no goose in site. I did observe a pair of wood ducks and American wigeon in the same area. Also a very large, at least 10-12" across, invasive softshell turtle in proximity to the Canada goose nest.
Date: 4/30/18 3:09 pm From: Lorna Tangren <kloshe...> Subject: [Tweeters] Possible Douglas Co. Bean Goose
This morning (4/30) around 11, Lorna and I saw a bird we thought was a possible candidate for Bean Goose at Atkins Lake in Douglas Co. We saw it at about 75 yards on the north end of the lake standing on the mud. It was a relatively long-necked, tall goose; Lorna at first glimpse when we drove up thought it was a crane, but quickly corrected herself. The body was brown with no outstanding markings on the face or the belly; the legs were orange colored; and the bill was dark. It only stayed in the open for a few moments before it walked into tall weeds and we lost sight of it.
A group of prospective Master Birders for Seattle Audubon took a trip
yesterday down to Grays Harbor. We left at 0600 and it looked like it was
going to be a fine day, temperature was 49F with a high overcast.
On I-5 we saw AMERICAN CROW, MALLARD, RED-TAILED HAWK, and ROCK PIGEON. In
the Tacoma area we added GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, RED-TAILED HAWK, AMERICAN
CROW, OSPREY, EUROPEAN STARLING, and ROCK PIGEON.
At our rest stop in Olympia we had GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, ROCK PIGEON,
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, WILSONS WARBLER. Along SR-8 we saw AMERICAN ROBIN,
CACKLING GOOSE, MALLARD and as we came into Aberdeen TURKEY VULTURE. On
SF-105 there were AMERICAN ROBIN, EUROPEAN STARLING, SONG SPARROW, AMERICAN
CROW, STELLERS JAY, and DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT.
We were early enough, and high tide was late, so we made a stop at Twin
Harbors State Park and walked the campground and found VARIED THRUDH, DOWNY
WOODPECKER, ANNAS HUMMINGBIRD, GREAT BLUE HERON, AMERICAN ROBIN, AMERICAN
CROW, DARK-EYED JUNCO, PURPLE FINCH, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, BEWICKS WREN,
HOUSE FINCH, SONG SPARROW, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, SPOTTED TOWHEE, PINE
SISKIN, BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, PACIFIC WREN, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (really
early but with definite crisp vested look, big head and white flank
patches), CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, WILSONS
WARBLER, and SWAINSONS THRUSH?.
A stop at Graveyard Spit had the tide way out and the birds were distant,
but we managed to pick up RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, NORTHERN HARRIER, BALD
EAGLE, COMMON LOON, LONG-BILLED CURLEW, WHIMBREL, WESTERN GULL, TREE
SWALLOW, BARN SWALLOW, RING-BILLED GULL, MEW GULL, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER,
GREEN-WINGED TEAL, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, MARBLED GODWIT, CASPIAN TERN,
WESTERN SANDPIPER, PINE SISKIN, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, and GOLDEN-CROWNED
SPARROW.
At the Tokeland Marina there were AMERICAN ROBIN, EUROPEAN STARLING,
EURASIAN COLLARD-DOVE, COMMON LOON, PIGEON GUILLEMOT, RED-NECKED GREBE,
MARBLED GODWIT, WILLET, LEAST SANDPIPER, WESTERN GULL, GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL,
TURKEY VULTURE, RED-THROATED LOON, HOUSE SPARROW, ROCK PIGEON, VIOLET-GREEN
SWALLOW, GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW, BREWERS BLACKBIRD, and GREATER YELLOWLEGS.
A quick trip back up to Bottle Beach State Park and we arrived about 2
hours before high tide perfect. We saw SONG SPARROW, MARSH WREN, GREATER
YELLOWLEGS, SAVANNAH SPARROW, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (lots), RED KNOTS (a
bunch all in great plumage with great views), WHIMBREL, DUNLIN (lots),
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER (close enough to identify), WESTERN SANDPIPER, LEAST
SANDPIPER, SEMI-PALMATED PLOVER, CASPIAN TERN, RUDDY TURNSTONE, BAIRDS
SANDPIPER (rare for the time of year but no red on head, silvery-brown back
with dark spots, tan upper breast with a clearly demarked break to the white
lower breast, black legs and bill), COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, RING-BILLED GULL,
CACKLING GOOSE, GREAT BLUE HERON, MALLARD.
A quick stop in Twin Harbors SP for lunch and into Westport. At the Coast
Guard Station, COMMON LOON, HOUSE SPARROW, BROWN PELICAN, WESTERN GREBE,
WESTERN GULL, GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, PIGEON GUILLEMOT. At the viewing
platform up north we saw YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, SURFSCOTER, WHITE-WINGED
SCOTER, PELAGIC CORMORANT, BRANT, BRANDTS CORMORANT, RED-NECKED GREBE.
Along SR-105 another RED-TAILED HAWK. In Aberdeen, TURKEY VULTURE, EUROPEAN
STARLING, AMERICAN CROW, AMERICAN ROBIN.
This major part of the day we had overcast, some sun, more overcast, a hint
of mist, and 10-15 mph winds
On the way home we stopped at Brady Loop and saw CALIFORNIA SCRUB-JAY,
AMERICAN CROW, TURKEY VULTURE, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, TREE SWALLOW, BREWERS
BLACKBIRD, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, SONG SPARROW, AMERICAN KESTREL, BARN
SWALLOW, BALD EAGLE, CACKLING GOOSE, RED-TAILED HAWK, AMERICAN ROBIN,
KILLDEER, LEAST SANDPIPER, BUFFLEHEAD, MALLARD, WESTERN SANDPIPER, DARK-EYED
JUNCO, RING-NECKED DUCK, SAVANNAH SPARROW, COMMON RAVEN and HOUSE SPARROW.
At one point one of the folks along also saw an COMMON GOLDENEYE.
It was an excellent day with good companions, sharp eyes and ears and lots
of excellent looks at the birds. We finished with 87 species, but most folks
agreed that the Red Knots were one of the highlights.
Last Friday, Seattle Audubon took a trip down to Grays Harbor. We left at 0630 under cloudy skies and a not bad 53R. On the way down I-5 we saw EUROPEAN STARLING, AMERICAN CROW and a single RED-TAILED HAWK (somewhat unusual - there are usually more around). As we passed thru the Tacoma area we added another RED-TAILED HAWK, an unidentified gull (bad light and backlit) and ROCK PIGEONs.
In the Olympia area, with the light much better we saw AMERICAN CROW, ROCK PIGEON, GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, MALLARD, AMERICAN ROBIN, and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH (many of these at our brief stop in W. Olympia).
The first part of the drive out SR-8 was pretty dull with no birds, but the spring foliage was beautiful and we had some breaks in the clouds. In the Elma area we picked up MALLARDs ( a bunch in a field), ROCK PIGEON, GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL and TURKEY VULTURE. Aberdeen was quiet except for GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL.
As we started out SR-105 toward Westport it clouded over again, but didn't threaten any rain. We saw EUROPEAN STARLING, AMERICAN CROW, ROCK PIGEON, STELLER'S JAY (the only one of the day) and TURKEY VULTURE.
We arrived at Bottle Beach State Park at 9:15, well before high tide. In the parking lot and on the walk out to the beach we saw or heard WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, SAVANNAH SPARROW, MARSH WREN, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, GREAT BLUE HERON, MALLARD (two in the slough), BARN SWALLOW, SONG SPARROW, HOUSE FINCH, TREE SWALLOW, EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE, SPOTTED TOWHEE, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (Audubon's race), AMERICAN ROBIN. At the beach (high clouds and about a 10 mph wind - it was chilly) we had good numbers of birds scattered along the beach but not the huge numbers of some years. They included KILLDEER, WESTERN SANDPIPER, NORTHERN FLICKER, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (several hundred), SEMI-PALMATED PLOVER, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER (close enough to identify), DUNLIN (again several hundred), CASPIAN TERN, HERRING GULL (just one), RING-BILLED GULL, BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (rare for this time of year, but close and definite), LEAST SANDPIPER. On the way back out we stopped at the slough and got more looks at LEAST SANDPIPER, BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, CANADA GOOSE, CACKLING GOOSE, PURPLE FINCH, CASSIN'S VIREO, COMMON MERGANSER and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD.
Down the road to Twin Harbors State Park and a stop for lunch. We saw AMERICAN ROBIN, AMERICAN CROW, PURPLE FINCH, DARK-EYED JUNCO, and VARIED THRUSH. On SR-105 thru Grayland we found AMERICAN ROBIN, EUROPEAN STARLING, AMERICAN CROW. We anticipated a big group of gulls at North Cove, but the tide was in and the cove was without birds.
In Tokeland we found AMERICAN CROW, DOUBLED-CRESTED CORMORANT, EURASIAN-COLLARED DOVE, EUROPEAN STARLING, AMERICAN ROBIN, GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, ROCK PIGEON, WESTERN GREBE, COMMON LOON, WESTERN GULL, 5 WILLETs, PIGEON GUILLEMOT, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, BRANT, GREAT-BLUE HERON, a single MARBLED-GODWIT, CANADA GOOSE.
At Graveyard Spit there were large numbers of shorebirds including: MARBLED GODWIT, WHIMBREL, LONG-BILLED CURLEW (2), RING-BILLED GULL, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, CASPIAN TERN, WESTERN GULL, GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, CALIFORNIA GULL, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (in the bushes as we pulled up), DUNLIN, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER and BREWER'S BLACKBIRD and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD.
Into Westport and the Coast Guard Station end of the marina - a couple of COMMON LOONs, a couple of WESTERN GREBEs, lots of WESTERN GULLs, ROCK PIGEON, up at the north end of the marina and the viewing platform, HOUSE SPARROW, EUROPEAN STARLING, BRANDT'S CORMORANT, BRANT, PIGEON GUILLEMOT, PACIFIC LOON, RED-NECKED GREBE, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, SURF SCOTER, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER and PELAGIC CORMORANT.
As we passed the Brady Loop area on the way home we finally saw a BALD EAGLE.
At various spots we also saw COMMON RAVEN.
It was a good day, with relatively decent weather, good folks, and a total of 65 species.
Date: 4/30/18 1:43 pm From: Devorah the Ornithologist <birdologist...> Subject: [Tweeters] Might Epigenetics Hold The Secret To Super-Fast Adaptation?
hello everyone,
i just published a piece that explores epigenetics as a potential aid to an invasive bird species, the house sparrow. The study i'm sharing was conducted by an Australian group and replicates an earlier study in house sparrows introduced into Kenya. Basically, the researchers ask how invasive species overcome the genetic bottleneck created by having a tiny founder population:
i hope you find this piece interesting and educational, and of course, i hope you share it with your friends and colleagues, on social media and via twitter, since readership is how i get paid for my work.
Date: 4/30/18 1:17 pm From: Joan Miller <jemskink...> Subject: [Tweeters] White-crowned Sparrows in yard
I was pleased to find two White-Crowned Sparrows in my yard yesterday. They were in the company of four of their Golden-Crowned cousins. I believe the White Crowns were Gambels, as they had orange bills.
Joan Miller West Seattle jemskink at gmail dot com
Date: 4/30/18 12:25 pm From: Larry Schwitters <leschwitters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Live in bird keeper
Need a warm place to stay and frolic with hummingbirds?
Tucson Audubon is seeking to hire a Coordinator for the Paton Center for Hummingbirds in Patagonia AZ. The Coordinator will live on site at a premier birding destination and be responsible for managing volunteers, interacting with guests, ensuring the upkeep and care of the Center (grounds and facilities).
The Paton Center Coordinator is a robust role that involves multiple components to effectively coordinate the activities that take place at the Tucson Audubon Society’s Paton Center for Hummingbirds. The Coordinator will live onsite and perform duties related to day-to-day upkeep and operations, along with aspects of education, outreach and volunteerism that happen on site. This coordinator will support onsite birding, which is open to the public, and may help with activities such as leading bird walks, developing Center programs, and giving lectures. The coordinator will be an important representative of the Tucson Audubon Society to the Paton Center’s daily visitors and the Patagonia community. The coordinator will need to be nimble and flexible in their job duties in order to meet the evolving needs of the Paton Center.
The entire job description, and instructions to apply, can be found at tucsonaudubon.org/jobs <http://tucsonaudubon.org/jobs>
Date: 4/30/18 8:48 am From: Daniel Lipinski <dano135...> Subject: [Tweeters] Bainbridge Island Warbler fallout + Pacific slope flycatchers
This past weekend 4/28 and 4/29 I experienced a warbler influx during the breaks between the storms in my 1 acre Bainbridge Island property. Dozens, if not more, yellow rumped warblers both Audubon's and myrtle (male and female) with what seemed like a greater occurrence of Audubon's. Also mixed in the group were at least 3 Townsends warblers, one orange crowned, and two or more Black-throated gray warblers (black-throated stayed high in the maples/alder so there could have been more) Also mixed in were multiple FOY Pacific slope flycatchers - small empid- slight yellowish on bellow- dog whistle "chu-wee"call- feeding low in the forest/apple trees. Is this an early or on-time arrival- (I am 100% on the ID, very common in my yard all summer, close visuals and calling)? Also had calling thrushes- either a weird sounding Swainson's or a Hermit- matched neither call I am familiar with but sounded close to both- no visual ID made. Swallows were overhead, likely violet green/tree, too high and not calling for positive ID. I was hoping to add Wilson's warbler during the fallout completing my annual my yard warbler list- but no such luck on Saturday. Sunday of course had at least 2 Wilson individuals calling from the alders/blackberry thicket where they nest/occur all summer, but the major fallout had moved on only with a few yellow-rumped remaining in the mix on Sunday. Additionally, I saw my FOY large swallows, very likely purple martins (ID at a glance while driving by) on the martin gourds near the head of Eagle Harbor.
Date: 4/30/18 5:57 am From: Matt Bartels <mattxyz...> Subject: [Tweeters] King County Big Day - 29 April 2018
Hi Tweets
Yesterday [29 April 2018], Michael Hobbs and I ran a King County Big Day - We’ve done King Co Big Days maybe a dozen times in the past, but usually with a lot more planning. We were also worried this year about the late-coming spring migrants [it seems] and the fact that this was on the early side for a big day — so much will be arriving in a week or so. That said, running the day earlier gave us the advantage of hoping more winter birds would still be around.
In the end, the weather largely cooperated, and we had a great day with everything going smoothly and lots of birds popping up. We finished the day with 123 species - the record is 126, so we came close and probably had our 2nd or 3rd highest big day total ever for King Co [and we believe the April record for King Co]. I believe our ‘average’ for King Co big days hovers around 117.
Route & highlights:
We began on our home turf at Marymoor — Owls were not particularly cooperative, with only Barn Owl showing for us, but once it got light, the birds showed up. We managed 67 species in our run through Marymoor - A great start to tick off over half the day’s species. Highlights were mostly ‘regular’ birds, but we did enjoy a heard only California Quail [across the Weir], our first Black-headed Grobeak and Pacific-slope Flycatcher of the year, Hutton’s and Warbling Vireo, and a good showing from Wilson’s Warbler and still-lingering Ruby-crowned Kinglets [we expected them to be hard to come by].
Moving on, along Red Brick Rd. we added Cackling Geese, Least Sandpiper and a couple ducks, and had a tantalizing ‘maybe’ Swainson’s Hawk that we let go w/o a solid id.
A brief stop at Perrigo Park Ponds gave us 2 Solitary Sandpipers and a Spotted Sandpiper.
Next we moved over to the Snoqualmie Valley - Along W. Snoqualmie Valley Rd., we picked up Northern Harrier, Cooper’s Hawk, Sora, Northern Shoveler, and the ever desirable Eurasian Collared-Dove, Rock Pigeon & House Sparrow.
Along Cherry Valley Rd., from the Holy Innocents church parking lot, we picked up Blue-winged and Cinnamon Teal. At Stoessel Crek we added Hairy Woodpecker, Hammnod’s Flycatcher, Varied Thrush and Black-throated Gray Warbler. At Lake Joy, we found Ring-necked Duck, Band-tailed Pigeon and Evening Grosbeak. And then along the Stillwater trail, we enjoyed great looks at an American Bittern, and had several Mourning Doves flying and calling.
Tokul Creek, still running high, did not have any Dippers available for us, but at Snoqualmie Falls we quickly found a perched Peregrine Falcon,. presumably on or close to the usual cliff-side nest.
Our next run was through the Kent Valley with the new birds coming more slowly.
Emerald Downs held a few nice flocks of peeps - we added Western Sandpiper - and Ruddy Duck & Lesser Scaup in the water.
I think it was about here when we hit #100 for the day - a bit ahead of our normal schedule. At Kent Ponds, w found our first American Coot of the day from the Grassy Knoll [several more followed], and California Scrub-Jay popped up on Frager Rd. 204th Street fields were hopping with American Pipits - not new for the day, but with over 200 there, it was fun to watch. Also in the area was a Western Meadowlark, an Amercian Kestrel, and a Great Horned Owl, being mobbed by a crow [thanks, crow!].
For our last big portion, we headed over to West Seattle for saltwater birds.
T-107 Park produced Caspian Tern, Barrow’s Goldeneye and Pigeon Guillemot. Jack Block Park had several Brandt’s Cormorant and Red-necked Grebe. At Duwamish Head, we added Western Grebe, and off Alki we added Brant, Surf Scoter, and Pelagic Cormorant. Moving around the corner to Constellation Park, we picked up Harlequin Duck, White-winged Scoter, Horned Grebe, Rhino Auklet, and Mew Gull. At Me Kwa Mooks, we added our last saltwater bird of the day, with Common Loon.
A stop in Lincoln Park hoping for Barred Owl was not successful, so we ended our West Seattle route with a return to T-107 Park, where at dusk the Purple Martins had returned to their gourds and were an overdue tick.
During the day, we’d recalled a spot we should have checked in the morning that we just forgot — Willows Rd north of Marymoor is flooded and is probably loaded with good birds — we headed there before calling it a day back at Marymoor, and could quickly hear another almost-embarrassing miss, Greater Yellowlegs.
Notable misses for the day:
Brewer’s Blackbird [sigh]
Northern Pintail
Fox or Lincoln’s Sparrow [we had hopes of a lingering one or two]
Nashville , Townsend’s & MacGillivray's Warbler
Western Tanager
more owls
Sighted a Nashville Warbler today in the Barnes State forest. Past the gate on Killian Rd (off Barnes Rd) near where the older forest ends. Gray headed bird, prominent eye-ring, yellow chin and belly, drag olive upper body.
Date: 4/29/18 6:20 pm From: B B <birder4184...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] RFI Cle Elum location
It is Charter Road, buy the area is generally just referred to as the Northern Pacific Railroad Ponds which is the Ebird Hotspot
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Sun, Apr 29, 2018 at 9:05 PM, <amk17...><amk17...> wrote: Hi
As I filled out my ebird report, I realized that the location may not be correct. The road I traveled is accessed under I90 through a single lane road with a traffic light that then opens up to ponds/wetlands on the left and pines and scrub on the right (and I90). The road leads to the fish hatchery.
Today Louis Kreemer, Connie Sidles, a group of intermediate birders, and I went on the monthly Montlake Fill survey. Although the plan was to record all the species observed for the survey count, most of us were trying to reach seventy species. By the time we past seventy, half the group had left and the other half was ready to leave as well (accept Louis and I). After the group left, Louis and I tried to push for eighty but came up short at 78 :(
Here are some of the highlights: - Blue-winged Teal (2): The male and female pair continue on Shoveler's and Boy Scout Pond. - Green-winged Teal (intergrade, 1): One in the bathtub with a few American GWTEs, see eBird checklist for photos. - Solitary Sandpiper (2!): One joined the one seen yesterday (or maybe just undetected). - American Kestrel: Female flew by Kiosk. - California Scrub-Jay (2): Rare at the fill, two flew into the cottonwood grove by the Kiosk.
Spring Arrivals: - Cinnamon Teal (4) - Least Sandpiper (17) - Vaux's Swift (1) - Hammond's Flycatcher (1) - Pacific-slope Flycatcher (1) - Warbling Vireo (2) - Black-throated Gray Warbler (1) - Wilson's Warbler (3) - Western Tanager (1)
As I filled out my ebird report, I realized that the location may not be correct. The road I traveled is accessed under I90 through a single lane road with a traffic light that then opens up to ponds/wetlands on the left and pines and scrub on the right (and I90). The road leads to the fish hatchery.
Date: 4/29/18 5:21 pm From: <amk17...> Subject: [Tweeters] In search of warblers - Stampede Pass and Cle Elum
I headed to Stampede Pass to see if I could find any migrating warblers. I found the usual Townsend's and yellow-rumped warblers. Other birds included a male pileated woodpecker and a red-breasted sapsucker. It was mostly quiet and cold with a bit of rain mixed in.
Decided to head east some more to Railroad Ponds/Charter Rd. As soon as I opened the windows at the first patch of cattails, a sora was calling from the marsh and a warbler was singing loudly in the brush where I pulled over. This was to be the first of 17+ Nashville warblers from this point to just beyond hatchery entrance. (I lost count after 17 but I am pretty sure I had just over 20 with no duplicate counts) Nashville's were singing everywhere, raising their reddish-brown crown feathers and chasing each other about. These warblers were textbook perfect with picture perfect poses. (of course I failed to get even one sharp photo). It was a delight to say the least for this warbler addict.
Just past the hatchery a lone male western tanager stood on the road.
As of the time of this post (sun 3:30 pm) there is a LASP hanging out in a lone pine tree opposite 7441 Riverside Road E in Sumner. May be a Pierce County First Record or at least Code 5. The pine is directly behind 4 concrete barricades along the road shoulder. It has been feeding around the blocks then flying into the pine to sing softly. Cool!
I went to Magnuson this morning with my 10 year old son. We saw what you might expect:
White crowned sparrows, golden crowned sparrows, both kinds of yellow-rumps, spotted towhee, bewicks wren, red-wings, osprey, pied billed grebe and of course mallards.
I was hoping to see more warblers, but I had to balance my curiosity with his patience to stare at any given grove of trees for much time. We did see a Wilsons warbler, which was a treat.
The highlights for him were standing about 10 yards from a GBH, and having a male Annas buzz us with display flight for what seemed like several minutes.
Gull returned to kelpy area just north of river mouth and continues now. Thanks Bruce and Marcus; especially Will!
Tom Mansfield making the trek back
Sent from my iPhone
> On Apr 29, 2018, at 11:33 AM, Bruce <blabar...> wrote:
>
> Being seen now from lookout off McNeil trail in DuPont. Found yesterday by Will Brooks. Low tide is best.
> Bruce
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Date: 4/29/18 11:34 am From: Bruce <blabar...> Subject: [Tweeters] Black-Headed Gull
Being seen now from lookout off McNeil trail in DuPont. Found yesterday by Will Brooks. Low tide is best.
Bruce
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Date: 4/29/18 10:05 am From: Jeremy Schwartz <jschwartz1124...> Subject: [Tweeters] Big Day May 5 in Lake Forest Park Area?
Hello Tweeters!
Is anyone in the general Lake Forest Park area planning to do any sort of local Big Day on May 5? I've been toying with the idea of trying to hit as many Lake-Forest-Park-area parks as possible that day, but it would be way more fun with others than all by my lonesome.
Just wondering! Feel free to reply to me personally if you're interested.
Keep watching the skies,
Jeremy Schwartz Lake Forest Park jschwartz1124 at gmail dot com
Date: 4/28/18 10:01 pm From: Marcus Roening <marcus...> Subject: [Tweeters] Am White Pelicans in Puyallup & Pt Grenville.
Hi Tweets,
The 4 American White Pelicans were still at the 56th St Stormwater Retention ponds off the Puyallup River Road Saturday evening. Nice breeding knobs on their bills.
And from the Shorebird Festival, we saw a Western Kingbird on our Pt Grenville coastal field trip (Quinalt tribal land with tribal Guide required), along with our first Osprey for this location. Biggest movement was Pacific Loons in an almost continuous line.
Date: 4/28/18 7:10 pm From: Bill Anderson <billandersonbic...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Bald Eagle nest?
Eagles are sitting on eggs in the two nests that I photograph in the Edmonds-Woodway area. Until the eaglets are large enough to look out of the nest, your best bets for confirming the nest is active is to catch an adult poking its head up out of the nest or to observe a change of shift when one eagle flies into the nest and the other flies out. Photos of both can be seen by scrolling down page three of this thread:
Hi Tweeters community,
This bout of rain somewhat dampened my enthusiasm for Spring birding. Usually I'm birding at the break of dawn (only quiet time in a house with four kids!), but today I didn't quite have the drive to get out in this rain after a number of beautiful mornings. Odd, because the rain didn't stop me from birding through the winter. A matter of perspective, I suppose.
Anyways, since the rain was letting up in Everson, I took my squirrely boys out for a little hike at Ostrom Conservation Site along South Pass Road in north Whatcom County. The rain picked up again, and we were all in cranky moods, so we got back in the van and took the long way home. That meant North Pass Road this time. Just north of the corner of North Pass and Minaker near Sumas there's a deep seasonal pond. It stays flooded through the winter and is one of the last ponds to dry up in the Spring. It was still quite deep this afternoon. In the drizzle, at least 150 swallows swirled. The bulk were Tree, with decent numbers of Violet-green and Cliff (my FOY). I also counted a couple Northern Rough-winged, about a dozen Barn, and for the win I had excellent looks at a single Bank Swallow. eBird didn't flag it as rare; however it is notable for being Whatcom County's earliest ever report of Bank on eBird - and the first record of April. Pretty cool! I don't totally understand the swallow-rain connection, but I guess it turned out to be not so bad after all. There were quite a few winter ducks in this pond still too - about a dozen or so Buffleheads and another dozen Ring-necked Ducks.
Date: 4/28/18 4:13 pm From: William Brooks <willbrooks.0...> Subject: [Tweeters] More on BLACK-HEADED GULL
Hey All,
Here is a bit more on the BLACK-HEADED GULL at Nisqually Reach in Pierce County. The bird was fairly distant, though still readily viewable. The viewing location is a bit odd, there is a trail that runs from the end of McNeil st in Dupont. About a quarter mile down the trail, a little after the bend in the trail there is an opening in the trees were you can look down on the flats. Also there are a few trails that run down the hill but I would not recommend these as they are steep and you end up on active railroad tracks at the bottom.
As far as I know the bird has not yet been relocated but I suspect it will stick around a bit.
Date: 4/28/18 2:57 pm From: Anne Bengelink <aebengelink...> Subject: [Tweeters] Bald Eagle nest?
I am wondering where our (i.e. Western WA) Bald Eagles are right now in their breeding cycle. I am asking because I think we have a new nest on the Green River in NE Auburn. At least it is new to me and we have lived here for 27 years. A lot of eagle sightings this winter along the river and then I noticed the "nest" high in a cottonwood and always an adult perched nearby. I have never actually seen an adult on the nest. The leaves have mostly obscured the nest in the last two or so weeks, but it can still be seen from a viewing spot across the river. If anyone is interested in seeing it, I can give directions.
Date: 4/28/18 1:34 pm From: Hubbell <ldhubbell...> Subject: [Tweeters] Union Bay Watch } The Air Dance
Tweeters,
If I only had wings I too could do an air dance. Sadly, among humans I doubt it would have quite the same appeal. See photos of an Osprey Air Dance from Union Bay.
I visited the Mima Mounds yesterday hoping to see a profusion of Camas blooms. They’ve just begun popping, along with lots of other wildflowers, but no profusion yet. Cold, windy and very gray day with song birds hunkered down. But I did see;
1 White-tailed Kit
1 Northern Harrier, female
1 American Kestrel
1 Osprey
1 Pt White-crowned Sparrows
2 pr Savanna Sparrows
Date: 4/28/18 12:17 pm From: Mike Charest <mcharest...> Subject: [Tweeters] Black headed Gull- Pierce County
Message from Will Brooks today
Black-headed gull at Nisqually reach, best seen from McNeil st trail
Sent for Will.
Michael Charest
Tacoma, Washington
<Mcharest...>
--
Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.
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Date: 4/28/18 11:57 am From: Scott Ramos <lsr...> Subject: [Tweeters] Magnuson Park, 27 April 2018
Friday was not as nice as earlier in the week—overcast and chilly—but no rain and once away from the lake, the breeze was tolerable. Sharon Aagard joined me for the park walkabout. Unfortunately, she arrived just after a Barn Owl came for a brief visit to the nesting box. Not too much new today, but there were some interesting events. In particular, an intently hunting River Otter was in Promontory Pond. Couldn’t see whether it was successful. And a Long-tailed Weasel entertained us for several minutes in the north end of the park. This is first weasel I have seen in the park. https://flic.kr/p/26AW1h8
Wood Duck - a couple of quick fly-by males; first of year
Mallard - first set of babies
Other water birds were scarce - 1 Ring-necked Duck, 2 Green-winged Teal, 2 Western Grebe
Common Merganser - a single flock of 21, mostly male, fly-over
Cooper’s Hawk - an immature bird was hunting the meadows; the adult female appears to be sitting on eggs, while the adult male was preening nearby when we were on the point, though earlier, we saw the male with prey at the Entrance Pond—can’t quite make out what it is. Body and head seem like Opossum, but the legs are perplexing. https://flic.kr/p/JuRuuG Band-tailed Pigeon - 2 flocks, total of maybe a dozen birds
Anna’s Hummingbird - at least one nest still with young
Yellow-rumped Warbler - literally hundreds. Several groups of 20-30 warblers were flying among the trees at every location we visited in the park. Our reported total of about 150 birds is surely an undercount, there were just too many to be sure. Unlike in past weeks where the visible birds were predominantly male, most of what we saw on Friday were females, and about a 10:1 ratio of Audubon’s to Myrtle.
Other warblers - many Common Yellowthroat and Orange-crowned; a couple Black-throated Gray and Townsend’s (two were perched sitting still—don’t see that often!), and a first of year, heard-only Wilson’s
White-throated Sparrow - 1 with a group of other sparrows; first of year
Purple Finch - singing
Date: 4/28/18 10:01 am From: Teresa Stokes <tlstokespoetry...> Subject: [Tweeters] Bald eagles etc.
Two weeks in Snoqualmie has given me lots of time to observe one of the local bald eagle pairs, possibly a new female as she looks much much larger than what I remember the long-time female's size and behavior. Her wingspan is so wide she takes longer to obtain enough lift to leave the lake and her fishing techniques seem to take longer for success. Sometimes she seems to just wait for her mate to bring her something. The pair seem much less vocal. The female has a single note call when waiting for the male, and of course they both use loud alert calling when there's an invader. Other than that, they are pretty quiet. The one I believe is the female likes to sit on the left high branch of their fishing tree and the one believed to be male sits on the top of a long bare branch off to the right. The female preened for hours yesterday morning. The male likes to sit on his perch when the sun is setting. Crossing fingers for a successful breeding season! Photo links below.
Also watched two wood duck pairs, along with a single mallard pair. Showing up daily at the lake. The mallards nest along the lake every year and their young quickly disappear as there are many predators in the area. (coyote, bald eagles, great blue heron, etc.) Link below.
Delighted to watch a male Belted Kingfisher two days ago. Also, watched hummingbirds gather fluff from cattails! New for me.
Date: 4/28/18 7:57 am From: <amk17...> Subject: [Tweeters] oddly quiet and still morning
The mornings have been busy with birds, all paired up and gathering nesting materials. Yesterday I went in search of warblers at UBNA to no avail but upon returning home found a nice flock of yellow-dumped warblers in the garden lilacs and apple tree blossoms.
This morning not a sound. Odd. No crows, no sparrows, no pine siskins, no chickadees, no Bewick's wrens. Silence. Still. Any one else finding a silent morning?
Date: 4/28/18 7:56 am From: <earthman1950...> Subject: [Tweeters] Deer Lagoon American White Pelicans
The pelicans have shown up at Deer Lagoon again for the third year in a
row, and earlier than in the past. Two years ago, the first pelicans
arrived on June 16th, last year the first arrivals were on May 7th, and
this year, a single bird was seen on April 13th, and then 11-16 birds were
sighted April 24th-26th. Yesterday, there was a larger group, and when they
all started feeding in the same area, I was able to count 44 birds. Also
worthy of note is that most of the pelicans at Padilla Bay have flown down
to Deer Lagoon and joined the others on the 13th and 14 of July the past
two years, bringing the total to around 200 both years.
The water on the marsh side of the area, where the pelicans like to hang
out, is higher than the past two years. I am hoping that will allow for a
safe place for them to breed, something that hasn't happened at this
location the past two years. Two years ago, some folks suggested that the
reason the pelicans flew up to the lagoon and Padilla Bay was because it
was so dry in parts south, such as the Malheur Refuge, but last year was a
good water year for that area and the pelicans still arrived.
About 20 minutes ago, I was typing an email, and heard what sounded like a Great Horned Owl through the window. Thinking I was out of my mind, I walked out on to the deck, where the cat was looking scared, and heard one calling from atop a Cedar, then a second flew into the nearby Fir. They had a conversation for a while, then dipped south. My husband came running upstairs with his camera 😊, but did get to hear the concert. It has been an interesting spring here in West Seattle.
My report from yesterday (Thursday) appears to have just gotten through the email fog. Where it says “today”, it was, of course, yesterday the 26th. The weather description was the giveaway...
Date: 4/27/18 9:19 pm From: Michael Hobbs <birdmarymoor...> Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co.) 2018-04-26
Tweets – A great day at Marymoor this morning, with sunshine and blue skies. The real rarities seem unwilling to show up on Thursdays, but we had some good birds even so.
Highlights:
a.. Ring-necked Duck – A pair on the Rowing Club pond might be the ones Mark spotted earlier. Probably our last until fall.
b.. Virginia Rail – at least two heard predawn from boardwalk
c.. Common Loon – two calling while flying just before 6, and 1 on the lake. One on Monday was the First of 2018
d.. Great Blue Heron – babies heard doing grum-grum-grum calls, also heard last week
e.. Turkey Vulture – one off to the west
f.. Osprey – four, I believe
g.. Barn Owl – Matt saw one at the windmill ridiculously early
h.. Western Screech-Owl – Mason heard one pre-dawn
i.. Great Horned Owl – Michael had one at the model airplane field pre-dawn
j.. - All 5 common woodpeckers
k.. WARBLING VIREO – Several. First of 2018 and 2nd earliest date ever, beaten only by a 23-Apr-15 sighting
l.. American Pipit – about 20 in grass/gravel lot near Climbing Rock
m.. American Goldfinch – finally seeing/hearing several birds
n.. Western Meadowlark – two north of fields 7-8-9
o.. Orange-crowned Warbler – finally seen/heard in large numbers
p.. NASHVILLE WARBLER – just as we were about to leave the Rowing Club – First of 2018
q.. WILSON’S WARBLER – two heard singing. First of 2018, and earliest record ever by a day (though 7 years we’ve had them one day later!)
r.. WESTERN TANAGER – two males at Rowing Club. First of 2018, and earliest sighting ever by 4 days!
After the main walk, a late lake view turned up three additional species for the count:
a.. Common Goldeneye – one or maybe two females. We’ve had only 2 sightings later in spring.
b.. Pied-billed Grebe – one
c.. Cliff Swallow – at least 2
We also had a nice look at a RIVER OTTER from the 2nd Dog Swim Beach.
This week had a lot of birders and photographers out, and we/they found many additional birds, some of which were reported on Tweeters and/or Facebook:
a.. Hooded Merganser on Monday
b.. WESTERN KINGBIRD – 1 on Wednesday, photographed by Kazuto Shibata
c.. LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE – 1 on Monday, photographed by Kazuto, and 1 Wednesday as well, also seen by him! That makes 3 or 4 LOSH for 2018, with only 5 sightings ever noted before.
d.. Ruby-crowned Kinglet – 1 on Monday may be last until fall
e.. MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD – 2 on Sunday (technically last week), photographed by Kazuto
f.. Hermit Thrush – 1 on Tuesday
g.. Lincoln’s Sparrow – 1 on Monday
So that’s 69 species today, plus at least 6 more earlier in the week (75 for Week 17 so far). Our year list is up to 115 species.
Date: 4/27/18 5:05 pm From: J Christian Kessler <1northraven...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Yakima River Canyon Bird Fest
Thanks, but does that mean the Weekend Pass that is required is gratis with
registration? I'd assumed not, but the schedule does not provide a cost
for it.
Chris Kessler
On Thu, Apr 26, 2018 at 8:55 AM, Laura Busby <fauna46...> wrote:
> Thanks for requesting the clarification! Click on the Schedule at a Glance
> button – prices are listed there.
>
>
>
> *From: *J Christian Kessler <1northraven...>
> *Sent: *Wednesday, April 25, 2018 8:57 PM
> *To: *Laura Busby <fauna46...>
> *Cc: *Tweeters (E-mail) <tweeters...>
> *Subject: *Re: [Tweeters] Yakima River Canyon Bird Fest
>
>
>
> why can we not see the prices before we start the registration process and
> make blind choices?
>
> Chris Kessler
>
>
>
> On Wed, Apr 25, 2018 at 7:16 PM, Laura Busby <fauna46...> wrote:
>
> Registration is open for the Yakima River Canyon Bird Fest May 11-13, 2018
> at Helen McCabe State Park near Ellensburg! The festival is in conjunction
> with the Get Intimate with the Shrub-Steppe event. John Marzluff is the
> keynote speaker and there are numerous exciting programs and birding field
> trips. Catch shrub-steppe obligates like sagebrush sparrows, sage
> thrashers, Brewer's sparrows and more! See the full agenda at
> https://www.ycic.org/yakima-river-canyon-bird-fest >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
>
>
>
> --
>
> "moderation in everything, including moderation"
> Rustin Thompson
>
>
>
--
"moderation in everything, including moderation"
Rustin Thompson
Date: 4/27/18 3:21 pm From: Christopher Clark <cjbirdmanclark...> Subject: [Tweeters] Pierce County birding, 4/27/18
Well, despite the gloomy clouds present today, I decided to get out and chase down a couple rarities. And boy today sure didn't disappoint!
After doing a quick check for the American Bittern in Sumner reported recently (didn't see it), I stopped at the 56th st retention ponds in Puyallup for the continuing Yellow-headed Blackbird. Though I already mentioned it in another message, imagine my surprise when I saw 4 American White Pelicans resting on the levee! Plus I got the blackbird, so I was able to add 2 new birds to my Pierce County list, bringing me up to 214 species!
Next I drove over to Chambers Bay. First thing I noticed was that a new Osprey nest is being built... Well, it is built, but the Ospreys were just adding a few extra details I guess. This new nest is on the large central concrete building in the middle of the large grassy field. You can't miss it! Sadly it looks like a Canada Goose pair beat them to the nesting platform, but its nice to see the Ospreys adapting. Heck, some geese tried to confiscate their new nest, but were promptly chased off by one of the Ospreys. Quite I sight! Towards the end of my visit the Osprey pair copulated, so they should have a nice clutch of youngsters in the not too distant future. Other highlights included a close flyover Bald Eagle, a tame singing Western Meadowlark, and a flyby flock that consisted of Dunlin, Western, and Least Sandpipers. All in all an excellent morning, with great sightings and some nice photos taken too!
Date: 4/27/18 1:44 pm From: Christopher Clark <cjbirdmanclark...> Subject: [Tweeters] American White Pelicans in Puyallup
Sorry for being a tad late, but at 10:30am this morning there were 4 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS resting at the 56th ave (st? I can never remember) ponds in Puyallup. Yellow-headed Blackbird was still present too.
I compiled a video of an Anna's Hummingbird nest from last year. The video is over 11 minutes long, so I had to upload it to YouTube. It is from hatching to fledging. This was recorded from May 9th to June 4th, 2017 at Yost Park in Edmonds. Sit down with a cup of coffee and enjoy.
I don't have any data for you, but these species are on my wanted list. If you do get any leads I'd love to hear, and maybe if you were interested we could share a trip (I know my son-in-law would be interested in an expedition).
Mark
On 27 April 2018 at 06:14, STEVEN ELLIS <sremse...> wrote:
> I'm still hoping for a chance to see either/both of the giant salamander > species. Any in your area? I've received a couple of tips from Tweeters but > would appreciate any advice you may have for my Amphibian/Reptile/Fish Big > Year. > > > Steve Ellis > > <sremse...> > > Coupeville, Wa > > (Whidbey Island) > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > <Tweeters...> > http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > >
Date: 4/27/18 9:45 am From: <kayliningalls...> Subject: [Tweeters] Juanita bay part 2, Yellow-headed Blackbird!!
Hi tweeters!
I’m still at Juanita Bay, this time I just saw a male Yellow-headed Blackbird!! It perched on the westmost boardwalk and sang a bit before flying over the bay to some reeds by the middle boardwalk. I can still hear it singing but I can’t see it currently.
(I also have seen a Chipping Sparrow since my last email.)
Good luck chasing
-kaylin Ingalls
Kirkland WA _______________________________________________
Tweeters mailing list
<Tweeters...>
http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 4/27/18 9:09 am From: Jeff Birek <jeff.birek...> Subject: [Tweeters] Black-headed Grosbeak North Beacon Hill
Hi all!
I had a Black-headed Grosbeak sing briefly and then fly west. It disappeared at about 11th Ave S and S Atlantic St heading down toward the Duwamish Greenbelt. Seems like there are a lot of new birds up in our neighborhood today in general.
Happy birding!
Jeff Birek (530) 400-5301 linkedin.com/in/jeffbirek
Date: 4/27/18 8:30 am From: <kayliningalls...> Subject: [Tweeters] Quail at Juanita Bay
Hi tweeters!
I am somehow looking at a California Quail on the causeway of Juanita Bay. I’m not quite sure what it’s doing here, but ok!
Also of note so far are two pairs of Cinnamon Teals in the bay, and some songbird migrants: Black-headed Grosbeak, a Wilson’s Warbler and an Orange-crowned Warbler.
Migration is fun!
Date: 4/27/18 6:17 am From: STEVEN ELLIS <sremse...> Subject: [Tweeters] O.T. RFI Giant Salamanders
I'm still hoping for a chance to see either/both of the giant salamander species. Any in your area? I've received a couple of tips from Tweeters but would appreciate any advice you may have for my Amphibian/Reptile/Fish Big Year.
Date: 4/26/18 9:09 pm From: B B <birder4184...> Subject: [Tweeters] Super Day in Eastern Washington
In beautiful weather with no wind, Ann Marie Wood, Steve Pink and I had a wonderful long trip to Kittitas, Grant and Adams Counties today.
We started with 20 plus Rufous Hummingbirds at the Hyak feeders. Our next stop was at Bullfrog Pond where highlights were Red Naped Sapsucker, Western Bluebird, Chipping Sparrow, Mountain Chickadee and a probable Warbling Vireo. At the Railroad Ponds in South Cle Elum, we had numerous Pygmy Nuthatches and an FOY Nashville Warbler.
On our way to the County Line ponds on Highway 26, we had several Western Kingbirds. At the Ponds we had Black Necked Stilts and American Avocets plus some Least Sandpipers and 5 duck species. After more Western Kingbirds, we made it to Para Ponds starting with 200 Cliff Swallows at nests. Four species of Blackbirds including great looks at a dozen plus Tricolored Blackbirds and 20 plus Yellow Headed Blackbirds. Lots of Ruddy Ducks, 4 Cinnamon Teal and 2 Redheads, plus White Pelicans and Great Egrets. Also 2 Virginia Rails, and more Black Necked Stilts and Avocets.
On Lemaster Road we had some Horned Larks and quickly found a Burrowing Owl at its burrow surprisingly close to the road. We headed back west via Lower Crab Creek. Notable observations included numerous Loggerhead Shrikes, dozens of White Crowned Sparrows, Swainson's Hawks, two Gray Partridge and a Chukar plus California Quail.
At Frenchman's Coulee, we found 10 plus White Throated Swifts, a Rock Wren and many Cliff and Violet Green Swallows. Then following a lead from Deb Essman we found a Cinnamon Teal and especially 3 Least Sandpipers - a Code 4 in Kittitas County - at a tiny pool of water at Old Highway 10 and Highway 97 - and a new County bird for all of us.
We continued west along Highway 10 and found a small pond with Wood Ducks, a Sora and possibly either Nashville or MacGillivray Warblers (too distant to tell). Finally saw the Dippers at the Teanaway Bridge and ended our day.
All told we had about ninety species and had a great time finding all our main targets except Long Billed Curlew but compensating with some surprises. Migration is definitely starting. Enjoy!!
Blair Bernson
Date: 4/26/18 12:38 pm From: Christine Southwick <clsouth...> Subject: [Tweeters] Thanks for the pictures
Greetings all,
Once again, I counted on the Tweeters collective to donate pictures for my latest article.
Thanks to each and every one of you who sent me Jay pictures. I can only use three/four per article, and I almost always have more good ones than I can use.
Rest assured, even if I didn't use one of your pictures, I enjoyed viewing every pictures. The process of looking at lots of pictures really helps "gel" some points.
Date: 4/26/18 11:41 am From: Snell Margaret <masnell...> Subject: [Tweeters] Black-necked Stilt reappears
At 10:45 one black-necked stilt flew into the ponds where it was found yesterday along Homeacres Road in Snohomish County. It was still there when we left just after 11. Margaret Snell and Ruth Godding
Date: 4/26/18 9:11 am From: Bill Anderson <billandersonbic...> Subject: [Tweeters] Cinnamon Teal: Sprague Pond/Mini Park, Lynnwood, 4-25-18
Wednesday morning and afternoon I saw a male cinnamon teal in bright breeding plumage at Sprague Pond/Mini Park in Lynnwood. Photos can be seen by scrolling down page 6:
Date: 4/26/18 8:57 am From: Laura Busby <fauna46...> Subject: RE: [Tweeters] Yakima River Canyon Bird Fest
Thanks for requesting the clarification! Click on the Schedule at a Glance button – prices are listed there.
From: J Christian Kessler
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2018 8:57 PM
To: Laura Busby
Cc: Tweeters (E-mail)
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Yakima River Canyon Bird Fest
why can we not see the prices before we start the registration process and make blind choices?
Chris Kessler
On Wed, Apr 25, 2018 at 7:16 PM, Laura Busby <fauna46...> wrote:
Registration is open for the Yakima River Canyon Bird Fest May 11-13, 2018 at Helen McCabe State Park near Ellensburg! The festival is in conjunction with the Get Intimate with the Shrub-Steppe event. John Marzluff is the keynote speaker and there are numerous exciting programs and birding field trips. Catch shrub-steppe obligates like sagebrush sparrows, sage thrashers, Brewer's sparrows and more! See the full agenda at https://www.ycic.org/yakima-river-canyon-bird-fest
Date: 4/26/18 8:57 am From: Josh Adams <xjoshx...> Subject: [Tweeters] Snohomish Stilts - No, Mountain Bluebird - Yes
Hello Tweets, I made a quick stop before dropping my daughter off at preschool this morning, but I couldn't relocate the stilts in the location they were yesterday. About half a mile south I found a female Mountain Bluebird, likely the same one Ann Marie Wood and Steve Pink had nearby Tuesday.
My FOY Warbling Vireo was singing this morning from our Big Leaf Maple.
Date: 4/25/18 11:37 pm From: Kevin Lucas <vikingcove...> Subject: [Tweeters] Extra Special Sandhill Crane
Today I was very pleasantly surprised to hear then see a new yardbird -- a flock of Sandhill Cranes flying over. One looked white, above and below. I've little bird watching experience outside of Yakima County, so haven't seen lots of Sandhill Cranes other than once in Bosque del Apache, and there didn't notice any light or white ones. I was simply lost in the amazing spectacle. This white one stood out the whole time they passed over. My photos aren't very good, but they show what I'm writing about. I posted a cropped photo on Flickr at:
A quick google search for leucistic Sandhill Crane yielded a link to an article in SORA (Searchable Ornithological Research Archive) from Condor vol. 62 issue 3 1960: Imperfect Albinism in a Sandhill Crane
And I found other mentions such as "Agency works to dispel myth of 'white sandhill cranes'", and and another "Rare, Nearly All-White Sandhill Crane at Bosque del Apache NWR" from 2014
Date: 4/25/18 9:15 pm From: <festuca...> Subject: [Tweeters] Nisqually NWR Weekly Walk - Wednesday 25 April 2018
Hi folks,
It was a beautiful day in the south Puget Sound for today’s Wednesday Bird Walk at Nisqually NWR. Our USFWS Volunteer ‘leadership’ was absent, and we sincerely missed Phil Kelley, Eric Slagle, Russ Smith, and Shep Thorp who were out for a variety of reasons. So, I was ‘elected’ to be the leader of the walk. Thirty-two of us started along on the “usual” route - from the Visitors' Center to the Environmental Education Center, through the old orchard, around the service road and back to the west side of the loop trail boardwalk to the Twin Barns.
We missed the expected sapsucker in the orchard, but saw lots of Audubon’s and Myrtle Yellow-rumped Warblers in their spring finery, as well as many Orange-crowned Warblers. A number of birders had good views of a Nashville Warbler in an orchard apple tree. We noted that the Anna’s Hummingbird nest in the pear tree was empty, but have no information whether the nest failed or if it was successful and the birds have fledged. There were at least four male Rufous Hummingbirds in the orchard area, and great views of others throughout the walk. The large flocks of Cackling Geese were not on the Refuge today, and have apparently departed for their nesting grounds on the outer coast of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in western Alaska
We walked along the west side of the boardwalk loop to the Twin Barns’ overlook, then went out on the dike between the freshwater marsh and the estuary reclamation area, and saw several broods of newly-hatched Canada Goose goslings. Most of the participants turned back at the estuary, as usual, but the “determined hard-core” continued out to the north end of the estuary overlook. The tide was coming in, concentrating the flocks of Least Sandpipers, and we finally got views of a couple Western Sandpipers mixed in the flocks, as well as some Greater Yellowlegs. A dark, streaked Peregrine made a pass past a Bald Eagle, and there was an adult on the south Eagle nest, but no young were seen. A Purple Martin called over our heads, and we saw more Martins at the Luhr Beach nest boxes.
We couldn’t see much out onto the Nisqually Reach due to heat shimmer, but did pick up the expected birds - including the Spotted Sandpiper along McAllister Creek. The flock of Black Brant continue out on the mudflats of the estuary; they should soon be following the Cackling geese to the Y-K Delta. On the way back to the dike, we watched a Merlin make a few passes at the sandpiper flocks, but it appeared to come up empty-taloned.
The walk to the Nisqually River overlook and along the boardwalk back to the Visitors’ Center was full of warblers - mostly Yellow-rumps, along with quite a number of Orange-crowns, and we picked out a Wilson’s Warbler, another Nashville Warbler in a big-leaf maple, and Kyle L’s sharp ear revealed a FOY Pacific-slope Flycatcher.
We saw 78 species of birds "(+10 other taxa)", as well as eastern cottontails, muskrats, Columbian Black-tailed deer, and a Chickaree (Douglas’ squirrel). There were several Harbor seals in McAllister Creek. And, garter snakes, Pacific chorus frogs, and Red-eared Sliders (turtles) seen along the route.
Date: 4/25/18 9:00 pm From: J Christian Kessler <1northraven...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Yakima River Canyon Bird Fest
why can we not see the prices before we start the registration process and make blind choices?
Chris Kessler
On Wed, Apr 25, 2018 at 7:16 PM, Laura Busby <fauna46...> wrote:
> Registration is open for the Yakima River Canyon Bird Fest May 11-13, 2018 > at Helen McCabe State Park near Ellensburg! The festival is in conjunction > with the Get Intimate with the Shrub-Steppe event. John Marzluff is the > keynote speaker and there are numerous exciting programs and birding field > trips. Catch shrub-steppe obligates like sagebrush sparrows, sage > thrashers, Brewer's sparrows and more! See the full agenda at > https://www.ycic.org/yakima-river-canyon-bird-fest > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > <Tweeters...> > http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > >
-- "moderation in everything, including moderation" Rustin Thompson
Date: 4/25/18 7:21 pm From: Laura Busby <fauna46...> Subject: [Tweeters] Yakima River Canyon Bird Fest
Registration is open for the Yakima River Canyon Bird Fest May 11-13, 2018 at Helen McCabe State Park near Ellensburg! The festival is in conjunction with the Get Intimate with the Shrub-Steppe event. John Marzluff is the keynote speaker and there are numerous exciting programs and birding field trips. Catch shrub-steppe obligates like sagebrush sparrows, sage thrashers, Brewer's sparrows and more! See the full agenda at https://www.ycic.org/yakima-river-canyon-bird-fest
Date: 4/25/18 5:29 pm From: Gene Revelas <grevelas...> Subject: [Tweeters] Westport Seabirds, April 22nd trip Report - Spring Migration
Hi Tweets -
Westport Seabirds had another successful pelagic trip on Sunday, April 22rd, our third trip of 2018. The trip was originally scheduled for Saturday, April 21st, but the weather forced a change to Sunday and 16 intrepid seabirders graciously accommodate this 24-hour delay. We left to dock at 6 am and in the harbor we picked up Pigeon Guillemots, and all three loon species, most in breeding plumage, as well as Pelagic and Brandt's Cormorants, and a lingering Mew Gull among the "big guys" (Western Gulls and Western X Glaucous-winged hybrids). The inner shelf was birdy with migrating waterfowl, including Brant, groups of White-winged and Surf Scoter, Green-winged Teal, and Northern Pintail. We also picked up many Common Murres and our first of what would about 1500 Sooty Shearwaters for the day, their numbers growing off our coast as the summer approaches.
On the mid-shelf, we ran into a nice patch of birds on the water, Sooties, murres, gulls, including our first Herring Gull, and our only Jaeger for the day, a Pomarine that flushed close off the water but headed directly away. The real treat at this stop was about 80 Red-necked Phalaropes, nearly all females in bright breeding (alternate) plumage, these birds allowed great looks as they paddled on the water by the boat. Remarkably for an April trip, the skies were mostly clear all day and the north wind was light. The seas were bumpy with a residual swell from earlier in the week, but this swell dissipated throughout the day. As we got out to the outer shelf, we saw our first Cassin's Auklets, Northern Fulmars, Pink-footed Shearwaters, and a Black-footed Albatross. A few Sabine's Gulls were also noted in the distance on the way out, but Bonaparte's Gulls proved to be the more common small gull offshore for the day. As we approached the shelf edge, two Tufted Puffin flew fast across our bow providing a brief look. We continued to our regular chum spot in deep water over Grays Canyon at about 125 degrees west and set out our fish/veggie oil and suet mix. A light breeze was up and the chum worked slowly but well over a 30 minute period, bringing in about 50 Black-footed Albatross, smaller numbers of Fulmar, more Sooties, and good looks at a couple of Short-tailed Shearwaters. Many of these birds provided great photo opportunities landing just behind the boat on the slick. During the chum watch, a group of approximately 300 Cackling Geese, including two White-Fronted Geese, flew over us to continue the day's migrating waterfowl theme.
Captain Phil then noted a few shrimpers to our north and we motored about three miles to intersect them. Unfortunately, they did not have many birds with them and so we turned to the east-southeast for a smooth ride home. Migrating waterfowl and Pacific loons continued to be noted on the way in, the latter in stunning breeding plumage in great light. The only new species we added on the return trip were a couple of Humpback Whales and several Steller's Sea Lions (we had seen five Gray Whales close in on the way out). Back in the harbor, we noted two Surfbirds and a single Black Turnstone on the jetty.
Once again, Captain Phil Anderson and is wife Chris made sure everyone had a fun trip. The final numbers and complete species list will be posted on Westport Seabirds.com and on ebird. Spotters for the trip were Bruce Labar, Gene Revelas, and Scott Mills. Please check http://westportseabirds.com/ for the 2018 trip schedule and other information. Upcoming trips include May 5th, May 19th, and June 23rd. Hope to see you out there soon!
Gene Revelas
Olympia, WA
Date: 4/25/18 4:57 pm From: Peggy Mundy <peggy_busby...> Subject: [Tweeters] update on Snohomish County black-necked stilts
Kudos to David Poortinga for initially finding these birds. I am not familiar with that area, and was sure I was in the wrong place at first (thanks to Ann Marie Wood for the virtual hand holding). If you go looking for these birds, they are off a 2-lane road with limited paved shoulder for parking. The birds are on private property, and I didn't see anyone around to ask permission for access. Their pond is a long reach from the road, so I recommend spotting scope and/or big lenses. Be careful of cars, as the road curves as it approaches the bridge over the slough. My 200-500mm nikon lens was not quite up to the challenge (perhaps if I had had my tripod). Lots of ducks in the area, too (so many northern shovelers), and other wading birds in addition to the stilts.
If you want to see my admittedly poor quality photos, I included 4 in my ebird checklist to document the sighting. I hope the link below works:
ebird.org/view/checklist/S44944911
Got home from school to find a calling Dusky Flycatcher off my back porch and a second calling farther away! Mercer Island strikes yet again with DUFL magnetism, the reasons for which I am still trying to figure out. The previous individuals have been from Ellis Pond the past two years; these two are the first from my yard!
Get out there and bird - the weather is fine and the birds even better!!
Date: 4/25/18 2:10 pm From: Peggy Mundy <peggy_busby...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Good news! The Black-necked Stilts have returned.
Tweeters... stilts persist. About 2pm.Home Acres Rd. SE of bridge in a "pond" near a green pipeline(?). Ebird gives this location: 5201-5999 Home Acres Road, Snohomish, Washington, US (47.947, -122.158)
Sparse parking. Bring a scope or really long lens! Also cinnamon teal, shovelers, etc.
Peggy <MundyBothellPeggy_busby...>
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Wed, Apr 25, 2018 at 12:20 PM, AnnMarie Wood<amw.5737...> wrote: I just received a call with the news. The two Stilts found by David Poortinga this morning have returned they are foraging in the flooded pasture off of Homeacres Rd in Everett.
Date: 4/25/18 12:21 pm From: AnnMarie Wood <amw.5737...> Subject: [Tweeters] Good news! The Black-necked Stilts have returned.
I just received a call with the news. The two Stilts found by David Poortinga this morning have returned they are foraging in the flooded pasture off of Homeacres Rd in Everett.
Date: 4/25/18 10:00 am From: David Poortinga <dpoortinga...> Subject: [Tweeters] Black-necked Stilts, Snohomish Co.
Looking at two Black-necked Stilts in a flooded field on east side of Ebey Slough Bridge, Home Acres Rd. If heading toward Snohomish from Everett, they are on the left after you cross the bridge, puddle in front of the large white pipe.
Date: 4/25/18 8:21 am From: Andy Stepniewski <steppie...> Subject: [Tweeters] WOS fieldtrip to the Yakima Training Center-22 April
Tweeters and Yakkers,
Fifteen Washington Ornithological Society members met in the very chilly predawn at 5 am in Selah to meet Colin Leingang, Wildlife Program Manager for the Yakima Training Center (YTC). Though cold, there was only a light breeze. The forecast for light winds held for the day and it was pleasantly warm in the afternoon sun, the makings for a nice day out in Washington's single biggest chunk of shrub-steppe habitat. Our check-in to the military base was straightforward and soon we were on our way east. Colin offered an opportunity to view one of three known leks of Greater Sage-Grouse on the installation. I mentioned this to the group and, without any delay, we headed towards that site without any stops. A couple Short-eared Owls flopped over the bunchgrass-mantled slopes, but still we pressed on east to the lek, hoping to see the action before the grouse dispersed. Along the way, we passed Taylor Pond, set in a sort of a basin and the temperature reading in one of our cars read 24 0 F! It was only slightly warmer at the lek site when we stopped and I, wasn't the only one wishing I had brought more layers. It took us a few minutes to find the grouse as they'd evidently finished displaying. We did find five male grouse half-hidden in the grass and sagebrush and eventually these moved more into the open to allow a scope views of this iconic, though sadly vanishing symbol of the Great Basin shrub-steppe! Other birds here included Sage Thrashers performing their elegant courtship flights undulating through and over the sagelands. Vesper and Brewer's Sparrows, and Western Meadowlarks were singing all around, too. Migrant White-crowned Sparrows were everywhere, indeed probably the most numerous bird we encountered on this trip. Wow, what a great start!
We then headed over the Selah/Cold Creek divide and towards "East Gate," where we walked in an area of what DNR ecologist Tex Crawford has called "the closest parcel to "historic shrub-steppe we have remaining in Washington." I conveyed a little about shrub-steppe ecology with notes on the Big Sagebrush and the conspicuous Bluebunch Wheatgrass, as well the pristine biologic crust. Easy to see here was Nine-leaved Desert Parsley (Lomatium triternatum), one of the 10 or so species of biscuitroots on YTC. The roots of these plants were important to the Native Americans, especially for a winter carbohydrate source. Sagebrush Sparrows sang, but oddly other members of the shrub-steppe bird cast usually singing their heads off here had gone quiet.
Heading back west up Cold Creek, the riparian drainage was lined with Water Birch and Black Cottonwoods just beginning to bud. We peered into a Red-tailed Hawk nest with three young. Overhead, one of the adults chased off a marauding Common Raven. Just above the road the grass that had been burned in a fire last summer was showing new bright green growth. Here we had great views of Chukars walking up the slope.
Westward over the Selah/Cold Creek divide, we took a nice walk at Greely Pond where Swainson's Hawks soared beautifully overhead, and Red-tailed Hawks complained loudly. We had but brief views of a Great Horned Owl. By now it had warmed into the 40s and migrants were getting more active. Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warblers were the most conspicuous warblers, but several Orange-crowns and a Nashville were also flitting about the leafless cottonwoods. Several Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets sang.
Still continuing west, the high clouds present at dawn had drifted away, giving us splendid views of Mt. Rainier. At Taylor Pond, we stopped for another walk. Bufflehead and American Coots were the only obvious waterbirds. In the willow thickets we discovered a Long-eared Owl nest with five eggs. The group had views of these owls perched for a moment. Overhead, Northern Harriers and Swainson's Hawks soared.
Not far away, we stopped for a large soaring bird and, after a moments deliberation, settled on Golden Eagle, always a stirring sight. It was being harassed by a raven, giving us good comparison between the two. Going past a military lookout, we noted a Great Horned Owl on its nest atop of a big air conditioning unit.
Descending the Selah Creek drainage, we detoured north to a brushy-lined tributary of the creek and took another walk. Most interesting was a small falcon, brown-backed bird I initially called a Prairie, but soon became confused because it appeared too small and pointy-winged. I didn't notice the tail barings but others in the group did which would indicate a Richardson's Merlin, the pale prairie subspecies. Photos were not obtained. As this is quite a rare bird in the Columbia Basin and the latter part of April would seem late for its occurrence here, we decided to leave it as "falcon sp." In the warm sunshine, Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warblers flitted in the willows and we had great views of two more Nashville Warblers, which were brilliant reminders of just how exquisite warblers are in their spring finery! On the rocky slopes a Say's Phoebe called its plaintive note.
Heading towards the west entrance, we stopped for two Loggerhead Shrikes perched on power line wires, dropping to the ground, presumably for insects. This was the final typical shrub-steppe species we expected to encounter.
