From mattxyz at earthlink.net Fri Apr 1 05:10:28 2022 From: mattxyz at earthlink.net (Matt Bartels) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] vBird: Birding beyond the crowds... Message-ID: <6837EAEE-E162-4B22-9704-C6146519B25B@earthlink.net> For years now, eBird has been revolutionizing birding. The work of the Cornell Lab to provide a centralized location for birders to collect and report their sightings has changed the way birders approach their passion. In the process, they?ve built up a database of bird status and distribution that is unmatched. But it hasn?t solved everything. In fact, some of the biggest controversies in the birding community have not been addressed by eBird. Until now. ?The birding community is somewhat unique in the level of in-group critique it brings to an otherwise peaceful activity? says noted sociologist John Retter. ?Birders love to tell each other how they are doing it wrong, or even how their practice is actively harming the world. Many non-birders hold a quaint image of birders as a group of peaceful, if dowdy, nature-lovers. The reality once you study the community, is that in-group critique is constant.? According to Retter, among other things, birders regularly call out other birders for driving too much, for ?chasing? rarities, for reporting dubious sightings, for disturbing other people, for harming birds by feeding them, and for being too competitive. ?What is remarkable in this community is how rarely the criticism turns inward - in effect, you have a community characterized by a group where each individual is sure they are virtuous while many others in the group are doing it wrong.? Enter eBird, with its newest venture aimed at solving all these problems: vBird: Birding the Metaverse. Beginning today, eBird released their first version of ?vBird? a virtual reality massive multiplayer online birding app. vBirders, with the purchase of a custom eBird VR headset, can now bird anywhere in the world without leaving home. Much as Pokemon Go! brought a digital game into nature, vBird will bring birding into the metaverse. How will another game solve the birding community?s problems? eBird is bullish. Once birding moves online, most of the community?s problems will vanish in a flash: Concerned that others are driving too much to chase birds? Problem solved - all the travel will now be virtual. Concerned about ?stringers? ? birders with a rep for fake reports of birds not actually present? The Metaverse knows which birds are present [using eBird?s amazing dataset] and will be able to instantly verify all sighting claims. Annoyed by crowds, playback, or noise? Because the same ?location? can exist in parallel ?multiverses?, you now have the option to control which other birders [and how many] are present when you chase that rarity. No real-life birds, neighbors, parks, or roadside shoulders will be impacted. How it works: vBird?s platform promises to be easy to use at any level. There?s a free version that gives birders access to unlimited virtual visits to locations within 50 miles of their [real world] home. ?Travelling? beyond 50 miles begins to incur cost. To avoid vBirders instantaneously covering the entire world, users will need to ?pay? either money or time to access more distant locales. The user will have to either be suspended from vBirding for the time it would take in the real world to travel to a new location, or they can opt to pay for fast transit. There?s also a training mode, where vBirders can choose any location in the world and bird for practice, receive feedback on their sightings and learn, all without sightings being ?counted? towards their vBird life lists. Finally tour organizers can still create custom trips and itineraries, where an expert guide can lead a group through a virtual location. When asked why they had created this new app, eBird was a bit vague in their response. On the one hand, vBird promises to reduce much of the conflict in the birding community and might reduce the impact birders allegedly have on the planet. On the other hand, there?s little doubt that eBird has a financial stake in being first-in-line to profit from birders? deep pockets and tech curiosity. The current eBird platform is free and funded through sponsored partnerships and grants. As it has grown, and become more valuable to birders, it is only natural that the temptation to cash in has become stronger. When asked whether diverting birders to a virtual world might not be at cross-purposes with the ongoing collection of sighting data in the real world, eBird executives had a surprising response: ?Honestly, our dataset is large enough now with medium-quality data that we think the best improvement we can make is to push casual birders away from reality to allow scientists to focus on cleaning up the data from here on out. Matt Bartels Seattle, WA From constancesidles at gmail.com Fri Apr 1 06:55:42 2022 From: constancesidles at gmail.com (Constance Sidles) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] And now please: A standing OVATION for the RF Bluetail and Nancy Morrison!!! In-Reply-To: References: <349052706.410070.1648767789283.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <349052706.410070.1648767789283@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: I second (third?) these comments. Nancy, you handled this stakeout in a generous, creative way that helped us birders and gave the bird its needed space too. You *are* the best. And by the way, thank you so much for allowing us to experience this wonder of nature. - Connie > On Mar 31, 2022, at 5:55 PM, Sammy Catiis wrote: > > Fantastic and well said Ed ?? Thank you Nancy, you are the best. I always knew that, but now, everyone else does too.. and I'm good with that ? LOL Shout out to you and your wonderful way of making this work for everyone including the bird. You are the best! > > Sammy > > From: Tweeters > on behalf of Ed Newbold > > Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2022 4:03 PM > To: Tweeters Tweeters > > Subject: [Tweeters] And now please: A standing OVATION for the RF Bluetail and Nancy Morrison!!! > > > Hi All, > Those of us who remember back to the first days of the Bluetail stakeout recall a skittish bird, empty-handed birders and some angry neighbors. Nancy Morrison stepped in and made changes in the stakeout design and her approach had a method: address the bird?s needs first. > As Frank Caruso wrote to me, ?Nancy certainly gets as much credit as possible for being the most gracious of hostesses. She should also get credit for being an excellent problem solver. She realized that the hordes of birders roaming around the yards and neighborhood were negatively impacting the behavior of the bird and some of the neighbors. She fixed the problem by keeping birders out of the neighboring vacant lot. The bird then returned on a regular basis to her yard. When that happened, she created the area where we saw the bird yesterday. That resulted in increased reliability in seeing the bird and birders only parking by her house and going into her yard. She totally solved all of the issues.? > In the ensuing days the LFP Bluetail stakeout became arguably, in the limited memory of Delia and me, a stakeout for the ages. It didn?t hurt that this bird may actually hold the title of ?World?s most adorable bird.? We know it has a ton of competition, but it?s in the hunt for sure. > > Nancy has put her link to her blog which includes one movie of the Bluetail which we thought was far superior to "The Godfather" or even ?Citizen Kane? and doesn?t take as much of your precious time. If anyone hasn?t gone to this link and watched this movie, it is here: > https://naturebynancy.zenfolio.com/blog/2022/3/red-flanked-bluetail---her-final-days-in-lake-forest-park > > So thank you Nancy! Delia and I are standing and clapping, here in our living room. > And thanks to the enchanting little blue-tailed bird from Asia?Good Luck!!! > Ed Newbold and Delia Scholes > > PS. Still unresolved is how to monetize a stakeout. We can?t in the future expect that every homeowner is going to be a brilliant, committed Nature-lover who incidentally has control over her own schedule like Nancy. If we can hold ourselves open to any ideas involving remuneration of hosts, it might be to our advantage in the future. Duck hunters have lost some of the high ground in recent times but their original idea of stepping up and making themselves pay to enjoy their sport led to them to become an extraordinarily effective group of conservationists. If we could give private landowners an incentive to have rare birds on their land, birds and birders could both be the beneficiaries in the long run. > > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From benedict.t at comcast.net Fri Apr 1 08:09:52 2022 From: benedict.t at comcast.net (THOMAS BENEDICT) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] vBird: Birding beyond the crowds... In-Reply-To: <6837EAEE-E162-4B22-9704-C6146519B25B@earthlink.net> References: <6837EAEE-E162-4B22-9704-C6146519B25B@earthlink.net> Message-ID: <1473587049.1955489.1648825792361@connect.xfinity.com> Happy April 1st. Enjoy, Tom Benedict Seahurst, WA > On 04/01/2022 5:10 AM Matt Bartels wrote: > > > For years now, eBird has been revolutionizing birding. The work of the Cornell Lab to provide a centralized location for birders to collect and report their sightings has changed the way birders approach their passion. In the process, they?ve built up a database of bird status and distribution that is unmatched. > > > But it hasn?t solved everything. > > > In fact, some of the biggest controversies in the birding community have not been addressed by eBird. > > Until now. > > > ?The birding community is somewhat unique in the level of in-group critique it brings to an otherwise peaceful activity? says noted sociologist John Retter. ?Birders love to tell each other how they are doing it wrong, or even how their practice is actively harming the world. Many non-birders hold a quaint image of birders as a group of peaceful, if dowdy, nature-lovers. The reality once you study the community, is that in-group critique is constant.? According to Retter, among other things, birders regularly call out other birders for driving too much, for ?chasing? rarities, for reporting dubious sightings, for disturbing other people, for harming birds by feeding them, and for being too competitive. ?What is remarkable in this community is how rarely the criticism turns inward - in effect, you have a community characterized by a group where each individual is sure they are virtuous while many others in the group are doing it wrong.? > > > Enter eBird, with its newest venture aimed at solving all these problems: vBird: Birding the Metaverse. > > > Beginning today, eBird released their first version of ?vBird? a virtual reality massive multiplayer online birding app. vBirders, with the purchase of a custom eBird VR headset, can now bird anywhere in the world without leaving home. Much as Pokemon Go! brought a digital game into nature, vBird will bring birding into the metaverse. > > > How will another game solve the birding community?s problems? eBird is bullish. Once birding moves online, most of the community?s problems will vanish in a flash: Concerned that others are driving too much to chase birds? Problem solved - all the travel will now be virtual. Concerned about ?stringers? ? birders with a rep for fake reports of birds not actually present? The Metaverse knows which birds are present [using eBird?s amazing dataset] and will be able to instantly verify all sighting claims. Annoyed by crowds, playback, or noise? Because the same ?location? can exist in parallel ?multiverses?, you now have the option to control which other birders [and how many] are present when you chase that rarity. No real-life birds, neighbors, parks, or roadside shoulders will be impacted. > > How it works: vBird?s platform promises to be easy to use at any level. There?s a free version that gives birders access to unlimited virtual visits to locations within 50 miles of their [real world] home. ?Travelling? beyond 50 miles begins to incur cost. To avoid vBirders instantaneously covering the entire world, users will need to ?pay? either money or time to access more distant locales. The user will have to either be suspended from vBirding for the time it would take in the real world to travel to a new location, or they can opt to pay for fast transit. > > There?s also a training mode, where vBirders can choose any location in the world and bird for practice, receive feedback on their sightings and learn, all without sightings being ?counted? towards their vBird life lists. Finally tour organizers can still create custom trips and itineraries, where an expert guide can lead a group through a virtual location. > > When asked why they had created this new app, eBird was a bit vague in their response. On the one hand, vBird promises to reduce much of the conflict in the birding community and might reduce the impact birders allegedly have on the planet. On the other hand, there?s little doubt that eBird has a financial stake in being first-in-line to profit from birders? deep pockets and tech curiosity. The current eBird platform is free and funded through sponsored partnerships and grants. As it has grown, and become more valuable to birders, it is only natural that the temptation to cash in has become stronger. When asked whether diverting birders to a virtual world might not be at cross-purposes with the ongoing collection of sighting data in the real world, eBird executives had a surprising response: ?Honestly, our dataset is large enough now with medium-quality data that we think the best improvement we can make is to push casual birders away from reality to allow scientists to focus on cleaning up the data from here on out. > > Matt Bartels > > Seattle, WA From teresa at avocetconsulting.com Fri Apr 1 08:22:36 2022 From: teresa at avocetconsulting.com (Teresa Michelsen) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] vBird: Birding beyond the crowds... In-Reply-To: <6837EAEE-E162-4B22-9704-C6146519B25B@earthlink.net> References: <6837EAEE-E162-4B22-9704-C6146519B25B@earthlink.net> Message-ID: Ahaha up until the very end I was like, I would totally buy that game. ? I have already decided, as a climate scientist, that I can no longer justify long trips even for work, much less leisure. Sorry to inject that note of realism to this (always amazing) April Fools letter - but if I could bird locally and have another way to bird globally, I would be all over that in an instant ? Happy April to all of you!! Teresa Michelsen Hoodsport, WA -----Original Message----- From: Tweeters On Behalf Of Matt Bartels Sent: Friday, April 1, 2022 5:10 AM To: Tweeters Subject: [Tweeters] vBird: Birding beyond the crowds... For years now, eBird has been revolutionizing birding. The work of the Cornell Lab to provide a centralized location for birders to collect and report their sightings has changed the way birders approach their passion. In the process, they?ve built up a database of bird status and distribution that is unmatched. But it hasn?t solved everything. In fact, some of the biggest controversies in the birding community have not been addressed by eBird. Until now. ?The birding community is somewhat unique in the level of in-group critique it brings to an otherwise peaceful activity? says noted sociologist John Retter. ?Birders love to tell each other how they are doing it wrong, or even how their practice is actively harming the world. Many non-birders hold a quaint image of birders as a group of peaceful, if dowdy, nature-lovers. The reality once you study the community, is that in-group critique is constant.? According to Retter, among other things, birders regularly call out other birders for driving too much, for ?chasing? rarities, for reporting dubious sightings, for disturbing other people, for harming birds by feeding them, and for being too competitive. ?What is remarkable in this community is how rarely the criticism turns inward - in effect, you have a community characterized by a group where each individual is sure they are virtuous while many others in the group are doing it wrong.? Enter eBird, with its newest venture aimed at solving all these problems: vBird: Birding the Metaverse. Beginning today, eBird released their first version of ?vBird? a virtual reality massive multiplayer online birding app. vBirders, with the purchase of a custom eBird VR headset, can now bird anywhere in the world without leaving home. Much as Pokemon Go! brought a digital game into nature, vBird will bring birding into the metaverse. How will another game solve the birding community?s problems? eBird is bullish. Once birding moves online, most of the community?s problems will vanish in a flash: Concerned that others are driving too much to chase birds? Problem solved - all the travel will now be virtual. Concerned about ?stringers? ? birders with a rep for fake reports of birds not actually present? The Metaverse knows which birds are present [using eBird?s amazing dataset] and will be able to instantly verify all sighting claims. Annoyed by crowds, playback, or noise? Because the same ?location? can exist in parallel ?multiverses?, you now have the option to control which other birders [and how many] are present when you chase that rarity. No real-life birds, neighbors, parks, or roadside shoulders will be impacted. How it works: vBird?s platform promises to be easy to use at any level. There?s a free version that gives birders access to unlimited virtual visits to locations within 50 miles of their [real world] home. ?Travelling? beyond 50 miles begins to incur cost. To avoid vBirders instantaneously covering the entire world, users will need to ?pay? either money or time to access more distant locales. The user will have to either be suspended from vBirding for the time it would take in the real world to travel to a new location, or they can opt to pay for fast transit. There?s also a training mode, where vBirders can choose any location in the world and bird for practice, receive feedback on their sightings and learn, all without sightings being ?counted? towards their vBird life lists. Finally tour organizers can still create custom trips and itineraries, where an expert guide can lead a group through a virtual location. When asked why they had created this new app, eBird was a bit vague in their response. On the one hand, vBird promises to reduce much of the conflict in the birding community and might reduce the impact birders allegedly have on the planet. On the other hand, there?s little doubt that eBird has a financial stake in being first-in-line to profit from birders? deep pockets and tech curiosity. The current eBird platform is free and funded through sponsored partnerships and grants. As it has grown, and become more valuable to birders, it is only natural that the temptation to cash in has become stronger. When asked whether diverting birders to a virtual world might not be at cross-purposes with the ongoing collection of sighting data in the real world, eBird executives had a surprising response: ?Honestly, our dataset is large enough now with medium-quality data that we think the best improvement we can make is to push casual birders away from reality to allow scientists to focus on cleaning up the data from here on out. Matt Bartels Seattle, WA _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters@u.washington.edu http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters From pdickins at gmail.com Fri Apr 1 08:36:25 2022 From: pdickins at gmail.com (Philip Dickinson) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] vBird: Birding beyond the crowds... In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <76E31617-F59C-4498-AA2F-1FEFE75F2656@gmail.com> Available today only! Sent from my iPhone > On Apr 1, 2022, at 8:23 AM, Teresa Michelsen wrote: > > ?Ahaha up until the very end I was like, I would totally buy that game. ? > > I have already decided, as a climate scientist, that I can no longer justify long trips even for work, much less leisure. Sorry to inject that note of realism to this (always amazing) April Fools letter - but if I could bird locally and have another way to bird globally, I would be all over that in an instant ? > > Happy April to all of you!! > > Teresa Michelsen > Hoodsport, WA > > -----Original Message----- > From: Tweeters On Behalf Of Matt Bartels > Sent: Friday, April 1, 2022 5:10 AM > To: Tweeters > Subject: [Tweeters] vBird: Birding beyond the crowds... > > For years now, eBird has been revolutionizing birding. The work of the Cornell Lab to provide a centralized location for birders to collect and report their sightings has changed the way birders approach their passion. In the process, they?ve built up a database of bird status and distribution that is unmatched. > > > But it hasn?t solved everything. > > > In fact, some of the biggest controversies in the birding community have not been addressed by eBird. > > Until now. > > > ?The birding community is somewhat unique in the level of in-group critique it brings to an otherwise peaceful activity? says noted sociologist John Retter. ?Birders love to tell each other how they are doing it wrong, or even how their practice is actively harming the world. Many non-birders hold a quaint image of birders as a group of peaceful, if dowdy, nature-lovers. The reality once you study the community, is that in-group critique is constant.? According to Retter, among other things, birders regularly call out other birders for driving too much, for ?chasing? rarities, for reporting dubious sightings, for disturbing other people, for harming birds by feeding them, and for being too competitive. ?What is remarkable in this community is how rarely the criticism turns inward - in effect, you have a community characterized by a group where each individual is sure they are virtuous while many others in the group are doing it wrong.? > > > Enter eBird, with its newest venture aimed at solving all these problems: vBird: Birding the Metaverse. > > > Beginning today, eBird released their first version of ?vBird? a virtual reality massive multiplayer online birding app. vBirders, with the purchase of a custom eBird VR headset, can now bird anywhere in the world without leaving home. Much as Pokemon Go! brought a digital game into nature, vBird will bring birding into the metaverse. > > > How will another game solve the birding community?s problems? eBird is bullish. Once birding moves online, most of the community?s problems will vanish in a flash: Concerned that others are driving too much to chase birds? Problem solved - all the travel will now be virtual. Concerned about ?stringers? ? birders with a rep for fake reports of birds not actually present? The Metaverse knows which birds are present [using eBird?s amazing dataset] and will be able to instantly verify all sighting claims. Annoyed by crowds, playback, or noise? Because the same ?location? can exist in parallel ?multiverses?, you now have the option to control which other birders [and how many] are present when you chase that rarity. No real-life birds, neighbors, parks, or roadside shoulders will be impacted. > > > How it works: vBird?s platform promises to be easy to use at any level. There?s a free version that gives birders access to unlimited virtual visits to locations within 50 miles of their [real world] home. ?Travelling? beyond 50 miles begins to incur cost. To avoid vBirders instantaneously covering the entire world, users will need to ?pay? either money or time to access more distant locales. The user will have to either be suspended from vBirding for the time it would take in the real world to travel to a new location, or they can opt to pay for fast transit. > > > > There?s also a training mode, where vBirders can choose any location in the world and bird for practice, receive feedback on their sightings and learn, all without sightings being ?counted? towards their vBird life lists. Finally tour organizers can still create custom trips and itineraries, where an expert guide can lead a group through a virtual location. > > > > > When asked why they had created this new app, eBird was a bit vague in their response. On the one hand, vBird promises to reduce much of the conflict in the birding community and might reduce the impact birders allegedly have on the planet. On the other hand, there?s little doubt that eBird has a financial stake in being first-in-line to profit from birders? deep pockets and tech curiosity. The current eBird platform is free and funded through sponsored partnerships and grants. As it has grown, and become more valuable to birders, it is only natural that the temptation to cash in has become stronger. When asked whether diverting birders to a virtual world might not be at cross-purposes with the ongoing collection of sighting data in the real world, eBird executives had a surprising response: ?Honestly, our dataset is large enough now with medium-quality data that we think the best improvement we can make is to push casual birders away from reality to allow scientists to focus on cleaning up the data from here on out. > > > > > Matt Bartels > > Seattle, WA > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters From birdmarymoor at gmail.com Fri Apr 1 08:56:21 2022 From: birdmarymoor at gmail.com (birdmarymoor@gmail.com) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] eBird takes on the "ABA Area" Message-ID: The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which operates the web-based ornithological database eBird that is the world?s largest citizen-science project, has announced that they will be developing a set of regions for competitive birding. Many North American birders currently focus on getting as many species as possible in the ?ABA area? which is defined by the American Birding Association to encompass Canada and the United States. However, as Hans Pedersen at Cornell says, ?The ABA Area is arbitrary and totally unscientifically defined. The southern border is merely a political division that is meaningless to birds, the western edge goes well into Asia, and don?t even get me started on the inclusion of Hawaii!? So the folks at eBird would like to create some new birding areas that will excite competitive birders while being much more scientifically based. They are almost ready to roll out the first such area, with the name ?North America?. This would comprise Canada, the lower 48 states, and Alaska east of 169 degrees latitude (which would exclude St. Lawrence Island and all of the Aleutians west of Unalaska Island). The Bahamas would also be included. Additionally, it would include much of Mexico, with the southern border being the Tropic of Cancer, just north of Mazatlan. Hawaii would not be included. ?This just makes much more sense,? says Pedersen. ?It?s absurd to count the western Aleutians as part of North America, and totally crazy to count Hawaii.? The southern demarcation, though, is still under discussion at eBird. ?There are some who think the border should be much further north, at a line above all influence of the tropics,? admitted Pedersen. ?Several researchers at Cornell argue the line should cut off the southern parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, and well as the tip of Florida. Some say this better excludes the range of ?tropical? birds.? It will be a while before eBird comes out with the final boundaries of ?North America?, but they are already at work defining ?Central America? and ?Southern America?. By 2025, they hope to have divided the rest of the world into additional competitive bird regions. ?Dividing Europe from Asia is going to be a bit problem,? admits Pedersen. ?It?s basically just one big lump of land.? -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From 1northraven at gmail.com Fri Apr 1 09:23:43 2022 From: 1northraven at gmail.com (J Christian Kessler) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] vBird: Birding beyond the crowds... In-Reply-To: <6837EAEE-E162-4B22-9704-C6146519B25B@earthlink.net> References: <6837EAEE-E162-4B22-9704-C6146519B25B@earthlink.net> Message-ID: Matt -- when I got up this morning, got a cup of coffee, and opened my computer, first thing I did was look for a "message of the day" from you. Thank you, once again, an amusing riff on ourselves ... as I got towards the end, I started to wonder if you might weave the ABA into the competition theme ... Chris On Fri, Apr 1, 2022 at 5:11 AM Matt Bartels wrote: > For years now, eBird has been revolutionizing birding. The work of the > Cornell Lab to provide a centralized location for birders to collect and > report their sightings has changed the way birders approach their passion. > In the process, they?ve built up a database of bird status and distribution > that is unmatched. > > > But it hasn?t solved everything. > > > In fact, some of the biggest controversies in the birding community have > not been addressed by eBird. > > Until now. > > > ?The birding community is somewhat unique in the level of in-group > critique it brings to an otherwise peaceful activity? says noted > sociologist John Retter. ?Birders love to tell each other how they are > doing it wrong, or even how their practice is actively harming the world. > Many non-birders hold a quaint image of birders as a group of peaceful, if > dowdy, nature-lovers. The reality once you study the community, is that > in-group critique is constant.? According to Retter, among other things, > birders regularly call out other birders for driving too much, for > ?chasing? rarities, for reporting dubious sightings, for disturbing other > people, for harming birds by feeding them, and for being too competitive. > ?What is remarkable in this community is how rarely the criticism turns > inward - in effect, you have a community characterized by a group where > each individual is sure they are virtuous while many others in the group > are doing it wrong.? > > > Enter eBird, with its newest venture aimed at solving all these problems: > vBird: Birding the Metaverse. > > > Beginning today, eBird released their first version of ?vBird? a virtual > reality massive multiplayer online birding app. vBirders, with the purchase > of a custom eBird VR headset, can now bird anywhere in the world without > leaving home. Much as Pokemon Go! brought a digital game into nature, vBird > will bring birding into the metaverse. > > > How will another game solve the birding community?s problems? eBird is > bullish. Once birding moves online, most of the community?s problems will > vanish in a flash: Concerned that others are driving too much to chase > birds? Problem solved - all the travel will now be virtual. Concerned about > ?stringers? ? birders with a rep for fake reports of birds not actually > present? The Metaverse knows which birds are present [using eBird?s amazing > dataset] and will be able to instantly verify all sighting claims. Annoyed > by crowds, playback, or noise? Because the same ?location? can exist in > parallel ?multiverses?, you now have the option to control which other > birders [and how many] are present when you chase that rarity. No real-life > birds, neighbors, parks, or roadside shoulders will be impacted. > > > How it works: vBird?s platform promises to be easy to use at any level. > There?s a free version that gives birders access to unlimited virtual > visits to locations within 50 miles of their [real world] home. > ?Travelling? beyond 50 miles begins to incur cost. To avoid vBirders > instantaneously covering the entire world, users will need to ?pay? either > money or time to access more distant locales. The user will have to either > be suspended from vBirding for the time it would take in the real world to > travel to a new location, or they can opt to pay for fast transit. > > > > There?s also a training mode, where vBirders can choose any location in > the world and bird for practice, receive feedback on their sightings and > learn, all without sightings being ?counted? towards their vBird life > lists. Finally tour organizers can still create custom trips and > itineraries, where an expert guide can lead a group through a virtual > location. > > > > > When asked why they had created this new app, eBird was a bit vague in > their response. On the one hand, vBird promises to reduce much of the > conflict in the birding community and might reduce the impact birders > allegedly have on the planet. On the other hand, there?s little doubt that > eBird has a financial stake in being first-in-line to profit from birders? > deep pockets and tech curiosity. The current eBird platform is free and > funded through sponsored partnerships and grants. As it has grown, and > become more valuable to birders, it is only natural that the temptation to > cash in has become stronger. When asked whether diverting birders to a > virtual world might not be at cross-purposes with the ongoing collection of > sighting data in the real world, eBird executives had a surprising > response: ?Honestly, our dataset is large enough now with medium-quality > data that we think the best improvement we can make is to push casual > birders away from reality to allow scientists to focus on cleaning up the > data from here on out. > > > > > Matt Bartels > > Seattle, WA > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -- "moderation in everything, including moderation" Rustin Thompson -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From bellasoc at isomedia.com Fri Apr 1 10:13:54 2022 From: bellasoc at isomedia.com (B P Bell) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor boundaries Message-ID: <002101d845eb$de21fc70$9a65f550$@isomedia.com> Hi Tweets As many of you know, intensive birding has been occurring at Marymoor Regional Park for about 30 years! This has come to include a large group of Marymoorons and has involved much discussion of the Boundaries of Marymoor. After many hours (days/months) of these discussions (arguments?) it has been decided that the following will be the "official" Boundaries of Marymoor: Marymoor South - including Lake Sammamish to at least Idlewood Park Marymoor West - including the ridge above SR 520 Marymoor East - including E.Lake Sammamaish Parkway NE and Evans Creek Natural Area Marymoor North - including Redmond along Willows Road and Avondale Road We look forward to much more intensive birding for the area! Of course, all this is dependent on the approval of the Chief Marymooron Michael Hobbs Cheers Brian H. Bell Woodinville Wa -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tml at uw.edu Fri Apr 1 11:48:38 2022 From: tml at uw.edu (Thomas M Leschine) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] monetizing a stakeout [Gary Bletsch] Message-ID: <43F8AE3D-F819-4A22-B215-539777114ABA@uw.edu> Dear Tweets, It is not often that Tweeters presents opportunity for policy discussion but today it seemingly does, thanks to Gary?s posting. So here goes. To my way of thinking, while it may not quite make economic sense to pay to see a bird that randomly appears in someone?s backyard, it does make sense to reward people who create and maintain bird-friendly habitat on land they own. This is a version of what economists call ?payment for ecological services?. If you want there to be mountain gorillas in Rwanda then figure out a way to get money into the hands of the people in Rwanda who most need to be persuaded to keep the gorillas and their habitat intact. Maybe it comes in the form of tourism dollars. In theory at least, such payments incentivize not only the individual receiving the payments for the protection they offer but possibly their neighbors to do the same. Of course, there?s a downside, though one that arguably exists even without such financial incentivizing. The neighbors may not feel the same way, experiencing instead what those same economists would call negative externalities. They may see having a bunch of birders showing up at all hours to wander around with binoculars as mostly a pain in the you-know-what. But the properly incentivized private property owner might even feel incentivized to take on managing that problem, as Nancy Morrison so ably did with her recent bluetail visitor. For what it?s worth, we have an example much closer to home than Texas. When the snowy owl set up in a West Queen Anne neighborhood in late 2019, an enterprising little girl who lived across the alley from one of the owl?s favorite rooftops set up, with the assistance of her father, an ?owl observatory?. It featured a hand-printed sign and a money collection jar on a kitchen chair with a little sign that said, ?Donations appreciated?. I thought it was just about the cutest thing I ever saw. I remember joking with the dad that it was a great way to start a college fund. But it didn?t take long for someone to steal the jar! Seriously though, most of the birds we?re going to see are likely spending major portions of their lives on private, not public land. It would be great if more private landowners were to think about their surroundings as habitat, not just their yard, so to my mind it?s worth our thinking about what it takes to get to such a place. Tom Leschine Seattle From ucd880 at comcast.net Fri Apr 1 11:53:34 2022 From: ucd880 at comcast.net (HAL MICHAEL) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] monetizing a stakeout [Gary Bletsch] In-Reply-To: <43F8AE3D-F819-4A22-B215-539777114ABA@uw.edu> References: <43F8AE3D-F819-4A22-B215-539777114ABA@uw.edu> Message-ID: <953250028.367126.1648839214062@connect.xfinity.com> It's been a while but when we were birding in SE AZ there were lots of locations that ran hummingbird feeders. They had a jar out front for donations for sugar. Many of the sites had even set up seats for better viewing. Especially when one is running feeders I think some sort of "sugar jar" is a great idea and very workable. At least where folks are honest enough not to steal the jar. Hal Michael Board of Directors,Ecologists Without Borders (http://ecowb.org/) Olympia WA 360-459-4005 360-791-7702 (C) ucd880@comcast.net > On 04/01/2022 11:48 AM Thomas M Leschine wrote: > > > Dear Tweets, > It is not often that Tweeters presents opportunity for policy discussion but today it seemingly does, thanks to Gary?s posting. So here goes. > > To my way of thinking, while it may not quite make economic sense to pay to see a bird that randomly appears in someone?s backyard, it does make sense to reward people who create and maintain bird-friendly habitat on land they own. This is a version of what economists call ?payment for ecological services?. If you want there to be mountain gorillas in Rwanda then figure out a way to get money into the hands of the people in Rwanda who most need to be persuaded to keep the gorillas and their habitat intact. Maybe it comes in the form of tourism dollars. In theory at least, such payments incentivize not only the individual receiving the payments for the protection they offer but possibly their neighbors to do the same. > > Of course, there?s a downside, though one that arguably exists even without such financial incentivizing. The neighbors may not feel the same way, experiencing instead what those same economists would call negative externalities. They may see having a bunch of birders showing up at all hours to wander around with binoculars as mostly a pain in the you-know-what. But the properly incentivized private property owner might even feel incentivized to take on managing that problem, as Nancy Morrison so ably did with her recent bluetail visitor. > > For what it?s worth, we have an example much closer to home than Texas. When the snowy owl set up in a West Queen Anne neighborhood in late 2019, an enterprising little girl who lived across the alley from one of the owl?s favorite rooftops set up, with the assistance of her father, an ?owl observatory?. It featured a hand-printed sign and a money collection jar on a kitchen chair with a little sign that said, ?Donations appreciated?. I thought it was just about the cutest thing I ever saw. I remember joking with the dad that it was a great way to start a college fund. But it didn?t take long for someone to steal the jar! > > Seriously though, most of the birds we?re going to see are likely spending major portions of their lives on private, not public land. It would be great if more private landowners were to think about their surroundings as habitat, not just their yard, so to my mind it?s worth our thinking about what it takes to get to such a place. > > Tom Leschine > Seattle > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters From skepsou at icloud.com Fri Apr 1 13:13:11 2022 From: skepsou at icloud.com (Debbie Mcleod) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] vBird: Birding beyond the crowds... Message-ID: Not sure I'm ready for vBirding. Even if it's only on April 1st. However, I do quite a bit of TVbirding. (And I don't mean Turkey Vulture.) Sent from my iPhone From festuca at comcast.net Fri Apr 1 14:11:22 2022 From: festuca at comcast.net (Jon. Anderson and Marty Chaney) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Bluetail Gender Message-ID: <1125178584.2384641.1648847482936@connect.xfinity.com> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From zoramon at mac.com Fri Apr 1 14:32:21 2022 From: zoramon at mac.com (Zora Monster) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] monetizing a stakeout [Gary Bletsch] In-Reply-To: <953250028.367126.1648839214062@connect.xfinity.com> References: <953250028.367126.1648839214062@connect.xfinity.com> Message-ID: <75D3324A-8DA8-42EF-8C08-AE8B5862B347@mac.com> The Paton Center for Hummingbirds (https://tucsonaudubon.org/go-birding/tucson-audubons-paton-center-for-hummingbirds/) is one such site. It is operated by Tucson Audubon but was originally set up by the owners of the property. They have installed more secure ?sugar jars? for collecting donations. It would be nice to see more of these sorts of places closer to home. Zora Dermer Sent from my iPhone > On Apr 1, 2022, at 12:57 PM, HAL MICHAEL wrote: > > ?It's been a while but when we were birding in SE AZ there were lots of locations that ran hummingbird feeders. They had a jar out front for donations for sugar. Many of the sites had even set up seats for better viewing. Especially when one is running feeders I think some sort of "sugar jar" is a great idea and very workable. At least where folks are honest enough not to steal the jar. > > > Hal Michael > Board of Directors,Ecologists Without Borders (http://ecowb.org/) > Olympia WA > 360-459-4005 > 360-791-7702 (C) > ucd880@comcast.net > >> On 04/01/2022 11:48 AM Thomas M Leschine wrote: >> >> >> Dear Tweets, >> It is not often that Tweeters presents opportunity for policy discussion but today it seemingly does, thanks to Gary?s posting. So here goes. >> >> To my way of thinking, while it may not quite make economic sense to pay to see a bird that randomly appears in someone?s backyard, it does make sense to reward people who create and maintain bird-friendly habitat on land they own. This is a version of what economists call ?payment for ecological services?. If you want there to be mountain gorillas in Rwanda then figure out a way to get money into the hands of the people in Rwanda who most need to be persuaded to keep the gorillas and their habitat intact. Maybe it comes in the form of tourism dollars. In theory at least, such payments incentivize not only the individual receiving the payments for the protection they offer but possibly their neighbors to do the same. >> >> Of course, there?s a downside, though one that arguably exists even without such financial incentivizing. The neighbors may not feel the same way, experiencing instead what those same economists would call negative externalities. They may see having a bunch of birders showing up at all hours to wander around with binoculars as mostly a pain in the you-know-what. But the properly incentivized private property owner might even feel incentivized to take on managing that problem, as Nancy Morrison so ably did with her recent bluetail visitor. >> >> For what it?s worth, we have an example much closer to home than Texas. When the snowy owl set up in a West Queen Anne neighborhood in late 2019, an enterprising little girl who lived across the alley from one of the owl?s favorite rooftops set up, with the assistance of her father, an ?owl observatory?. It featured a hand-printed sign and a money collection jar on a kitchen chair with a little sign that said, ?Donations appreciated?. I thought it was just about the cutest thing I ever saw. I remember joking with the dad that it was a great way to start a college fund. But it didn?t take long for someone to steal the jar! >> >> Seriously though, most of the birds we?re going to see are likely spending major portions of their lives on private, not public land. It would be great if more private landowners were to think about their surroundings as habitat, not just their yard, so to my mind it?s worth our thinking about what it takes to get to such a place. >> >> Tom Leschine >> Seattle >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Tweeters mailing list >> Tweeters@u.washington.edu >> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From pirangas at hotmail.com Fri Apr 1 14:37:29 2022 From: pirangas at hotmail.com (Steve Pink) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] monetizing a stakeout [Gary Bletsch] Message-ID: Hi, I started birding in the UK many years ago. By the time I left for the Seattle in 1994, it was common, sometimes compulsory, especially if you had got a tick to make a donation. Back then it was a UK pound, probably more now. Usually, the money went to a charity of the home-owners choice. If on a bird reserve, it went to them (the RSPB or another Birding organisation). Bear in mind that typical twitches in the UK often attract many more birders than typically seen in WA. The famous Golden-winged Warbler twitch attracted about 3000 birders per day for the 1st weekend - the news broke on national radio on the Friday evening: a rallying call to all birders in the country. Feb 1989 - happy days. I believe the biggest twitch ever! But no donations for that bird! A young couple hosted an Olive-backed Pipit in their back garden in Bracknell, not far from Windsor in 1984. It was a postage stamp size garden and you could only see the bird by being invited into their house. The chose the donation money go to replacing their hall carpet - no one begrudged them after hundreds of people walked through the house to the kitchen to see the rare pipit. Sometimes I even miss the crowds of twitchers! Cheers, Steve Steve Pink Edmonds, WA mailto: pirangas@hotmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mombiwheeler at gmail.com Fri Apr 1 14:49:14 2022 From: mombiwheeler at gmail.com (Lonnie Somer) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] cranes at County Line Ponds (Grant County) Message-ID: Hi Tweeters, I stopped by County Line Ponds in Grant County yesterday afternoon, mostly to see my FOY Black-necked Stilts (3 were present). While there, I was treated to the sight of approximately 180 Sandhill Cranes just south of the southern portion of the pond. Good birding Lonnie Somer Seattle -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From klboz12 at gmail.com Fri Apr 1 18:01:58 2022 From: klboz12 at gmail.com (Karen L Bosley) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Bluetail and nancy Message-ID: Yay nancy for her generosity. Thank you thank you.??-- ?Be curious not judgmental? Walt whitman -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From rogermoyer1 at hotmail.com Fri Apr 1 19:30:02 2022 From: rogermoyer1 at hotmail.com (Roger Moyer) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] monetizing a stakeout [Gary Bletsch] In-Reply-To: <75D3324A-8DA8-42EF-8C08-AE8B5862B347@mac.com> References: <953250028.367126.1648839214062@connect.xfinity.com> <75D3324A-8DA8-42EF-8C08-AE8B5862B347@mac.com> Message-ID: Beaties Bed and Breakfast at Hereford, AZ does the same thing. They have feeders and a special area to sit and watch hummingbirds. ________________________________ From: Tweeters on behalf of Zora Monster Sent: Friday, April 1, 2022 2:32 PM To: HAL MICHAEL Cc: Thomas M Leschine ; tweeters@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: [Tweeters] monetizing a stakeout [Gary Bletsch] The Paton Center for Hummingbirds (https://tucsonaudubon.org/go-birding/tucson-audubons-paton-center-for-hummingbirds/) is one such site. It is operated by Tucson Audubon but was originally set up by the owners of the property. They have installed more secure ?sugar jars? for collecting donations. It would be nice to see more of these sorts of places closer to home. Zora Dermer Sent from my iPhone On Apr 1, 2022, at 12:57 PM, HAL MICHAEL wrote: ?It's been a while but when we were birding in SE AZ there were lots of locations that ran hummingbird feeders. They had a jar out front for donations for sugar. Many of the sites had even set up seats for better viewing. Especially when one is running feeders I think some sort of "sugar jar" is a great idea and very workable. At least where folks are honest enough not to steal the jar. Hal Michael Board of Directors,Ecologists Without Borders (http://ecowb.org/) Olympia WA 360-459-4005 360-791-7702 (C) ucd880@comcast.net On 04/01/2022 11:48 AM Thomas M Leschine wrote: Dear Tweets, It is not often that Tweeters presents opportunity for policy discussion but today it seemingly does, thanks to Gary?s posting. So here goes. To my way of thinking, while it may not quite make economic sense to pay to see a bird that randomly appears in someone?s backyard, it does make sense to reward people who create and maintain bird-friendly habitat on land they own. This is a version of what economists call ?payment for ecological services?. If you want there to be mountain gorillas in Rwanda then figure out a way to get money into the hands of the people in Rwanda who most need to be persuaded to keep the gorillas and their habitat intact. Maybe it comes in the form of tourism dollars. In theory at least, such payments incentivize not only the individual receiving the payments for the protection they offer but possibly their neighbors to do the same. Of course, there?s a downside, though one that arguably exists even without such financial incentivizing. The neighbors may not feel the same way, experiencing instead what those same economists would call negative externalities. They may see having a bunch of birders showing up at all hours to wander around with binoculars as mostly a pain in the you-know-what. But the properly incentivized private property owner might even feel incentivized to take on managing that problem, as Nancy Morrison so ably did with her recent bluetail visitor. For what it?s worth, we have an example much closer to home than Texas. When the snowy owl set up in a West Queen Anne neighborhood in late 2019, an enterprising little girl who lived across the alley from one of the owl?s favorite rooftops set up, with the assistance of her father, an ?owl observatory?. It featured a hand-printed sign and a money collection jar on a kitchen chair with a little sign that said, ?Donations appreciated?. I thought it was just about the cutest thing I ever saw. I remember joking with the dad that it was a great way to start a college fund. But it didn?t take long for someone to steal the jar! Seriously though, most of the birds we?re going to see are likely spending major portions of their lives on private, not public land. It would be great if more private landowners were to think about their surroundings as habitat, not just their yard, so to my mind it?s worth our thinking about what it takes to get to such a place. Tom Leschine Seattle _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters@u.washington.edu http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters@u.washington.edu http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From birdbooker at zipcon.net Sat Apr 2 11:29:56 2022 From: birdbooker at zipcon.net (Ian Paulsen) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Black-headed Gull King County Message-ID: <25e47e9d-b934-b229-dbf1-6d18273d423@zipcon.net> HI ALL: A Black-headed Gull was reported to eBird today 2 April 2022 from Saltwater State Park, King County, WA State by Raphael Fennimore. This would be the state's 24th record if accepted. https://ebird.org/checklist/S106096366 sincerely Ian Paulsen Bainbridge Island, WA, USA Visit my BIRDBOOKER REPORT blog here: https://birdbookerreport.blogspot.com/ From bradliljequist at msn.com Sat Apr 2 17:59:28 2022 From: bradliljequist at msn.com (BRAD Liljequist) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] FOY Common Yellowthroat at Fill Message-ID: I thought I had something special until I noticed even earlier FOY's in other locations...heard but not seen east of Shoveler's Pond in some blackberries. Nice to have some spring crossover, with incoming (CY) and outgoing (such as Buffleheads) in one spot - very nice birding day today actually. Local Cooper's was quite vocal. A good day to be out with bins in hand. Brad Liljequist Phinney Ridge -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From yakteachr at yahoo.com Sun Apr 3 12:30:19 2022 From: yakteachr at yahoo.com (Craig Cummings) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Black-headed Gull Sunday -- Saltwater State Park (Des Moines) and Dumas Sanctuary (Federal Way) References: <704039429.710380.1649014219707.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <704039429.710380.1649014219707@mail.yahoo.com> I was at Dumas Sanctuary this morning counting the many, new-this-week Bonaparte's gulls, when the serious King County birds showed up en-masse. They shared they had been viewing the Black-headed Gull at Saltwater park this morning (before 10:15am) and had seen it fly south toward Dumas. Within ten minutes we were all getting good 100-yards views of the Black-headed gull (10:30am) thanks to the good eyes of the newly arrived searchers. The bird was still being seen well at Dumas when I left around 11am. It was on shore preening in the middle of the scallop-shape beach (right of the trail end as you reach the beach area). Also, from the same trail end viewpoint I found a single, male Redhead a couple hundred yards offshore associating with the smaller flock of Surf Scoter. In the marshy area next to trail end/viewpoint was a single American Coot. Both are firsts for me in visits over the last fall/winter. Good birding,Craig CummingsFederal Way newbie -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From benedict.t at comcast.net Sun Apr 3 12:48:32 2022 From: benedict.t at comcast.net (THOMAS BENEDICT) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Black-headed Gull King County In-Reply-To: <25e47e9d-b934-b229-dbf1-6d18273d423@zipcon.net> References: <25e47e9d-b934-b229-dbf1-6d18273d423@zipcon.net> Message-ID: <966009083.2029976.1649015312643@connect.xfinity.com> Yesterday early evening, Saturday, April 2, just a couple of miles south of Saltwater State Park, at Dumas Bay Sanctuary, we also spotted some black-headed gulls, but they were Bonapartes! 18 total, 2 with black heads. FOY for me (First in a few decades for actually!). Tom Benedict Seahurst, WA > On 04/02/2022 11:29 AM Ian Paulsen wrote: > > HI ALL: > A Black-headed Gull was reported to eBird today 2 April 2022 from > Saltwater State Park, King County, WA State by Raphael Fennimore. This > would be the state's 24th record if accepted. > https://ebird.org/checklist/S106096366 > > sincerely > Ian Paulsen > Bainbridge Island, WA, USA From jriegsecker at pobox.com Sun Apr 3 15:13:52 2022 From: jriegsecker at pobox.com (John Riegsecker) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Bald Eagle and Great Blue Heron Message-ID: All, Thursday, March 31, I watched a Bald Eagle attack and kill a Great Blue Heron at Theler Wetlands. It began in the air and moved to the river when the heron dove for the water, going completely under. The eagle landed in the water some yards away, then flew into the heron, killing or incapacitating it in less than 2 seconds. I was amazed at how effortless it all seemed. There was more drama when a juvenile Bald Eagle tried to claim the heron, but was driven off by the mate of the first eagle. I've put together an album showing the action from start to finish. These are heavy crops, but you can get a sense of the action: https://skygardener.zenfolio.com/p320189561 I wrote a running commentary in the caption of each photo trying to give a sense of what was happening. John Riegsecker Gig Harbor, WA -- John Riegsecker From kathy_wade at mac.com Sun Apr 3 15:20:16 2022 From: kathy_wade at mac.com (KATHY M WADE) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Bald Eagle and Great Blue Heron In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Wow! They is an incredible series! Never seen anything like that. Thank you so much for sharing your images! > On Apr 3, 2022, at 3:16 PM, John Riegsecker wrote: > > ?All, > > Thursday, March 31, I watched a Bald Eagle attack and kill a Great Blue Heron at Theler Wetlands. It began in the air and moved to the river when the heron dove for the water, going completely under. The eagle landed in the water some yards away, then flew into the heron, killing or incapacitating it in less than 2 seconds. I was amazed at how effortless it all seemed. There was more drama when a juvenile Bald Eagle tried to claim the heron, but was driven off by the mate of the first eagle. > > I've put together an album showing the action from start to finish. These are heavy crops, but you can get a sense of the action: > > https://skygardener.zenfolio.com/p320189561 > > I wrote a running commentary in the caption of each photo trying to give a sense of what was happening. > > John Riegsecker > Gig Harbor, WA > > -- > John Riegsecker > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters From bellasoc at isomedia.com Sun Apr 3 16:38:40 2022 From: bellasoc at isomedia.com (B P Bell) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Black-headed Gull on 4/3/2022 at Saltwater S.P. Message-ID: <000001d847b3$f31fdf60$d95f9e20$@isomedia.com> Hi Tweets At 2:45 PM today, the Black-headed Gull was with other gulls at Saltwater State Park. Somewhat bigger and nicely differentiated from the Bonaparte's Gulls- Blackish head with the hood covering somewhat less of the head than on a Bonaparte's, Red bill, red legs. Some of the Bonaparte's were showing Blackish heads, most only some black. All with Black bills. Good Birding! Brian H. Bell Woodinville WA mailto be ll aso c a t is omed ia d ot co m -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From maxcamf4 at gmail.com Sun Apr 3 18:31:14 2022 From: maxcamf4 at gmail.com (Max Warner) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Bald Eagle and Great Blue Heron In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Wow! What a remarkable series. As the pro bird photographer Aurthur Morris says, " If something unusual happens, SHOOT! Don't pause to adjust your camera. You may get nothing, but occasionally get something great." Max Warner On Sun, Apr 3, 2022 at 3:20 PM KATHY M WADE wrote: > Wow! They is an incredible series! Never seen anything like that. Thank > you so much for sharing your images! > > > > On Apr 3, 2022, at 3:16 PM, John Riegsecker > wrote: > > > > ?All, > > > > Thursday, March 31, I watched a Bald Eagle attack and kill a Great Blue > Heron at Theler Wetlands. It began in the air and moved to the river when > the heron dove for the water, going completely under. The eagle landed in > the water some yards away, then flew into the heron, killing or > incapacitating it in less than 2 seconds. I was amazed at how effortless > it all seemed. There was more drama when a juvenile Bald Eagle tried to > claim the heron, but was driven off by the mate of the first eagle. > > > > I've put together an album showing the action from start to finish. > These are heavy crops, but you can get a sense of the action: > > > > https://skygardener.zenfolio.com/p320189561 > > > > I wrote a running commentary in the caption of each photo trying to give > a sense of what was happening. > > > > John Riegsecker > > Gig Harbor, WA > > > > -- > > John Riegsecker > > _______________________________________________ > > Tweeters mailing list > > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From leschwitters at me.com Mon Apr 4 11:19:28 2022 From: leschwitters at me.com (Larry Schwitters) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Vaux's Happening Message-ID: <98D10400-35F1-4E6D-B310-C89234467D7F@me.com> Tweeters, We?re about a week away from getting serious about looking for migrating Vaux?s Swifts roosting roosting in North America. Documented 1,800,000 of them last year. You are invited to join the party. Larry Larry Schwitters-Issaquah Project coordinator Audubon Vaux?s Happening http://www.vauxhappening.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From davearm at uw.edu Mon Apr 4 12:59:56 2022 From: davearm at uw.edu (David A. Armstrong) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Deer Lagoon Message-ID: Great day at Deer Lagoon after the wind dropped some. Highlights: - 12 greater white-fronted geese (we've never seen them there before) in grass on the freshwater side near the end of the raised trail as it approaches the Sound - FOY caspian tern. All by itself on a tideflat with 100+ short billed/mew gulls - well over 500 brant on tidefalts across the mouth of Deer Lagoon as it empties into Useless Bay - Savannah sparrows are back with bright yellow highlights david armstrong -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From stevechampton at gmail.com Mon Apr 4 17:04:04 2022 From: stevechampton at gmail.com (Steve Hampton) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Port Townsend Kumlien's and Blue Jay Message-ID: This afternoon there was a 1st cycle KUMLIEN'S ICELAND GULL at Pt Hudson, Port Townsend. Pics and description at https://ebird.org/checklist/S106294930 There's sometimes a nice gull flock at low tide. I suspect the same birds end up on the Flagler spit as well. Also, the over-wintering BLUE JAY is still around, now spending more time south of F St near Cherry/Rose and A. I managed Blue, Calif Scrub, and Steller's all in my yard this morning! Pics and audio from this morning here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S106287154 good birding, -- Steve Hampton Port Townsend, WA (qat?y) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From krtrease at gmail.com Tue Apr 5 14:45:53 2022 From: krtrease at gmail.com (Ken Trease) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Red-naped Sapsucker Lake Ballinger Message-ID: <2763B1AA-1166-4ABE-9194-2F525EB3F62E@gmail.com> Being seen now north side of the pond closest to the fishing dock Sent from my iPhone From bdriskell at comcast.net Tue Apr 5 18:41:00 2022 From: bdriskell at comcast.net (William Driskell) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] osprey at Union Bay Fill Message-ID: <4cbbe26e-91f1-115c-4a3a-a2faaa13ffdb@comcast.net> Had an osprey fly low across the Fill late this afternoon (post hail storm)--calling softly. Perhaps it was cooing for its yet-to-return mate or just grumbling about the weather.? First one I've seen there this year.? Keep an eye on the nest site @ light pole across from QFC. From bennetts10 at comcast.net Tue Apr 5 19:02:21 2022 From: bennetts10 at comcast.net (ANDREA BENNETT) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] FOY Osprey Message-ID: <339510759.2134363.1649210541191@connect.xfinity.com> At Magnuson (king county, Seattle) near the dog park, my FOY Osprey! Also: 5 common bushtit 1 house finch 2 chestnut backed-chickadee 3 black capped chickadee 4 american robins 5 violet-green swallows 1 western grebe 2 dark-eyed junco 15 american crows 1 anna?s hummingbird 3 canada geese 2 mallards 25 european starlings 1 song sparrow -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From cariddellwa at gmail.com Wed Apr 6 09:28:49 2022 From: cariddellwa at gmail.com (Carol Riddell) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Edmonds Roundup - March 2022 Message-ID: Hi Tweets, We added eight species in March to our 2022 year list, for a year total of 116. They are: Barred Owl (code 2), at Pine Ridge Park 3-6-22 Tree Swallow (code 3), at the marsh 3-12-22 Violet-green Swallow (code 1), at the marsh 3-13-22 Savannah Sparrow (code 2), 1 at Marina Beach 3-22-22 Eared Grebe (code 4), 2 in the marina 3-30-22 Greater Yellowlegs (code 3), 1 at the marsh 3-30-22 Wilson?s Snipe (code 3), 1 at the marsh 3-23-22 Rufous Hummingbird (code 2), at a feeder in the Edmonds Lake Ballinger neighborhood, quickly followed by two other sightings at Point Edwards and Perrinville. There were Sanderling (code 2) reports on the waterfront 3-5 and 3-8-22. A Great Horned Owl (code 4) was again heard calling in the Seaview neighborhood, 3-10-22. White-throated Sparrow (code 3) continued to be reported at two private feeders in central Edmonds. The big miss this year have been Northern Shoveler (code 1). Two were reported at the marsh on 12-30 and 12-31-21 but none since. We have managed to conclude winter with no Eurasian Wigeon (code 3) sighting. None was reported in 2021. As always, I appreciate it when birders get in touch with me to share sightings, photos, or audio. It helps us build our collective year list. If you would like a copy of our 2022 city checklist, please request it from checklistedmonds at gmail dot com. The 2022 checklist is posted in the bird information box at the Visitor Station at the base of the public pier and is up to date through March. Good birding, Carol Riddell Edmonds, WA Abundance codes: (1) Common, (2) Uncommon, (3) Harder to find, usually seen annually, (4) Rare, 5+ records, (5) Fewer than 5 records From krtrease at gmail.com Wed Apr 6 09:46:41 2022 From: krtrease at gmail.com (Ken Trease) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Red-naped Sapsucker Lake Ballinger Message-ID: <2522BA1D-4FDB-4EEC-AEEF-C76445258987@gmail.com> Showing well this morning in a tall bare cottonwood, northwest corner of the small pond closest to the fishing pier. This a great bird not often seen on the west side. Sent from my iPhone From dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com Wed Apr 6 11:58:07 2022 From: dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com (Dan Reiff) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] LOS ANGELES TIMES: The avian soap opera unfolding atop this Berkeley bell tower has humans riveted Message-ID: <5A9B0235-9E66-48A3-812E-7F3B3EC265D6@gmail.com> The avian soap opera unfolding atop this Berkeley bell tower has humans riveted Nesting in UC Berkeley's bell tower, peregrine falcons Annie and Grinnell always seemed to soar above the world of human drama. In the last year, all that changed. Read in Los Angeles Times: https://apple.news/Av2CaT0CSSn-PHSjQIfynow Shared from Apple News Sent from my iPhone -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From chandirah at gmail.com Wed Apr 6 17:18:06 2022 From: chandirah at gmail.com (Chandira H) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Red Naped Sapsucker Message-ID: As of about 4.30 this afternoon it was way up high, very top of the shorter cottonwood furthest away from the water, the 2 at the end of the small pond. Good views but the light was bad for photos. Sent from my iPhone > On Apr 6, 2022, at 12:05 PM, tweeters-request@mailman11.u.washington.edu wrote: > > Message: 1 > Date: Tue, 5 Apr 2022 14:45:53 -0700 > From: Ken Trease > To: tweeters > Subject: [Tweeters] Red-naped Sapsucker Lake Ballinger > Message-ID: <2763B1AA-1166-4ABE-9194-2F525EB3F62E@gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > Being seen now north side of the pond closest to the fishing dock From dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com Thu Apr 7 01:22:07 2022 From: dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com (Dan Reiff) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Long-term monitoring reveals widespread and severe declines of understory birds in a protected Neotropical forest | PNAS Message-ID: <63A9F091-9AAC-4439-A84D-7C6E6E245AA1@gmail.com> https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2108731119 Sent from my iPhone From dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com Thu Apr 7 01:23:41 2022 From: dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com (Dan Reiff) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Bird populations in Panama rainforest in severe decline, study finds | Birds | The Guardian Message-ID: <05DDAE15-AFC9-4FBA-BED0-9A129FCF66A8@gmail.com> https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/04/bird-populations-in-panama-rainforest-in-severe-decline-study-finds Sent from my iPhone From dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com Thu Apr 7 01:25:54 2022 From: dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com (Dan Reiff) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Wind energy company kills 150 eagles in US, pleads guilty | AP News Message-ID: https://apnews.com/article/science-business-billings-eagles-birds-a5538efc2c386c661194fe64904cffe2 Sent from my iPhone From dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com Thu Apr 7 01:28:06 2022 From: dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com (Dan Reiff) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] =?utf-8?q?This_is_the_best_of_the_three_articles_on_th?= =?utf-8?q?is_topic=3A_=E2=80=94=E2=80=94Protected_tropical_forest_sees_ma?= =?utf-8?q?jor_bird_declines_over_40_years_--_ScienceDaily?= Message-ID: <613CF664-F215-4A06-AAF7-07D3765899CF@gmail.com> https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220404152705.htm Sent from my iPhone From dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com Thu Apr 7 01:29:12 2022 From: dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com (Dan Reiff) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Birds are laying their eggs a month earlier, and climate change is to blame: Hundred-year-old museum collections help show that birds are nesting earlier in the spring -- ScienceDaily Message-ID: <2274AF01-998B-4ECD-9AA2-57B5597E716D@gmail.com> https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220325093824.htm Sent from my iPhone From louiserutter1000 at gmail.com Thu Apr 7 10:33:55 2022 From: louiserutter1000 at gmail.com (louiserutter1000) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Lake Ballinger Message-ID: <624f2087.1c69fb81.2c4a.b397@mx.google.com> I am currently sapsucker hunting if anyone wants to keep In touch about it.Louise? RutterSent via the Samsung Galaxy A6, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tvulture at gmx.com Thu Apr 7 14:01:40 2022 From: tvulture at gmx.com (Diann MacRae) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] March 2022 turkey vulture report Message-ID: An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jemskink at gmail.com Thu Apr 7 15:49:35 2022 From: jemskink at gmail.com (Joan Miller) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Brant in West Seattle Message-ID: Hi Tweets, I thought I'd mention this, as it was surprising to me. Today I was down at Constellation Park, just south of Alki Beach and saw a large flock of brant. They were feeding and hanging out, and occasionally took to the air when a bald eagle flew in. It was lovely to see and hear them. I imagine they are on their way north. There might have been 100-200 birds. There was also a flock of peeps, not sure whether they were dunlin. Spring is happening! Joan Miller West Seattle jemskink at gmail dot com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From plkoyama at comcast.net Thu Apr 7 17:29:38 2022 From: plkoyama at comcast.net (PENNY & DAVID KOYAMA) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] March 2022 turkey vulture report In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <863951070.599046.1649377778424@connect.xfinity.com> Diann, I was surprised to see a lone TUVU from our Bothell Way condo grounds, soaring in the distance across the Sammamish River, seen just over the tall cottonwoods, dipping below the treeline, then reappearing twice. I have seen them in our area on just 2 other occasions in the almost 19 years we've lived here, once at the UW Bothell in Oct 2020 and again in nearby Wayne Golf Course Preserve in late March 2021. So maybe this will be a yearly occurrence, ha ha. Penny Koyama, Bothell > On 04/07/2022 2:01 PM Diann MacRae wrote: > > > > Hi, Tweets > > I thought I had e-bird figured out last month, but it was not to be this month. I properly put in species, location, time, etc. but nada. So . . . this month's report is from those who sent in observations - thanks so much - and covers a bit of January and February plus Oregon and California. > > JANUARY > > 23 -- One turkey vulture at Kennedy Creek Estuary (earliest sighting in four decades here.) > > FEBRUARY > > 05 -- heading south, the first sighting was south of Shasta, California (I assume just one bird). > > 25 -- One flying over a home near Pine Ridge Park. > > MARCH > > 05 -- Two flying over a yard in Belfair - FOY; 17 between Grants Pass and Roseburg, Oregon, along I-5; 13 betweeb Roseburg and Eugene; 10 between Eugene and the Corvallis exit; (none observed between Corvallis and Olympia on I-5). > > 06 -- Two more over Belfair circling higher then drifting to the east. > > 07 -- One FOY turkey vulture over a yard in Yakima County along with a very nice photo. > > 09 -- One turkey vulture flying north in NE Olympia, Thurston County ca.1330 - FOY. > > 13 -- Five flying over our yard in Belfair heading west towards Theler Wetlands. > > 15 -- Two at Kennedy Creek Estuary, Mason County > > 18 -- One over Six Prong Road, Klickitat County, with another nice photo; 13 at Kennedy Creek Estuary. > > 19 -- Three at Kennedy Creek Estuary; Six at Watershed Park, Olympia, landing at roost. > > 20 -- Eleven at Kennedy Creek Estuary. > > 25 -- Six at Kennedy Creek Estuary > > 26 -- Three turkey vultures between 1100-1500m soaring at differnt times above the cliffs at Oak Creek Wildlife Area; t\Traveling south on I-5 near Toledo, two turkey vultures were winging northward FOY birds. > > **27 -- 87 at Kennedy Creek Estuary.** > > 28 -- First turkey vulture of the year over property in northeast Olympia this afternoon, flying north. > > 29 -- Four at Steamboat Island exit, Hwy 101, Thurston County landing at roost. > > 30 -- 28 at Kennedy Creek Estuary; A single turkey vulture circling and heading north over Seattle?s Harbor Island in alternating sunshine and cloud/rain. SW wind. > > 31 -- One turkey vulture over the East Meadow in Marymoor Park on a springlike day. FOYhere, > > > They?re back and still on their way!! Thanks again for the great reports. > > > Cheers, Diann > > Diann MacRae > Olympic Vulture Study > 22622 - 53rd Avenue S.E.Bothell, WA 98021 > tvulture@gmx.com > > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From plkoyama at comcast.net Thu Apr 7 18:35:34 2022 From: plkoyama at comcast.net (PENNY & DAVID KOYAMA) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] King County Black-headed Gull, Dumas Bay Centre Message-ID: <1224735690.572906.1649381734968@connect.xfinity.com> Tweets, Noting that there hadn't been a positive dBird report on the BH Gull since 4/3, David and I couldn't waste the sunny afternoon, so we headed south to give it a try. We stopped first at Saltwater State Park, where there were scads of Bonys and Short-billed (I really want to say Mew) Gulls. but we couldn't pull out a Black-headed. Our next stop was Dumas Bay Centre, which, unlike Saltwater, crawling with spring-break families, had few visitors. One cannot get to the water from this site, but we could look down from the lawn at a smallish group of gulls (no BHGU) and moved on to the fenced area, where we readied to scope the huge flock, even though David announced "This will be impossible!") Not a gull expert, but a real "Where's Waldo" expert at spotting the "unusual," it only took him a minute to spot the only big, black-headed gull. We made careful study, and noted that it was smaller than the Mews (ouch-Short-billed) Gull, but considerably bigger than the Bonaparte's.! So it's still around. Questions for Matt B, Ryan M and Co.--is this one BHGU that flies amongst BOGu flocks, or is/was there a Saltwater St Pk BHGU and a Dumas BHGU? Also, not being familiar with this area, is it the same gull seen at another eBird pindrop at "Dumas Bay Park?" Or maybe this pin drop is just a different, probably beach access, to this large gull flock? From our scope views, it looked like a first summer gull, or is it just in an adult in a molt process? Thanks! Penny Koyama, Bothell -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From panmail at mailfence.com Thu Apr 7 18:45:01 2022 From: panmail at mailfence.com (pan) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] King Cty. Black-headed Gull Message-ID: <1810773488.1329153.1649382300435@ichabod.co-bxl> Tweets, The Black-headed Gull continues in south King County today.? I was fairly sure I saw it at Dumas Bay yesterday afternoon, but went back this afternoon and eventually got a great look at what seemed the same bird.? Hundreds of gulls, mostly Bonaparte's and a fair number of Short-billed, loafed and preened on the beach at lower tides both afternoons.? I spotted it this time when it flew in to join a small bathing party around 4:30, then watched it rejoin the larger flock on the flats and preen for ten-plus minutes before seeing it fly far off to the north and light on the water near Vashon Island.? The rest of the flock had been slowly trickling away to spread out on the calm water, as well.? 7 April, 2022, Alan Grenon Seattle panmail AT mailfence.com -- Sent with https://mailfence.com Secure and private email -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From benedict.t at comcast.net Thu Apr 7 19:33:14 2022 From: benedict.t at comcast.net (Tom Benedict) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Brant in West Seattle In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <70D52BAA-BB64-492A-A314-EE7D1A4512AC@comcast.net> Constellation Park has been a reliable site for Brant since my youth, which was back when they were called Black Brant. Tom Benedict Seahurst, WA > On Apr 7, 2022, at 15:49, Joan Miller wrote: > > Hi Tweets, > > I thought I'd mention this, as it was surprising to me. Today I was down at Constellation Park, just south of Alki Beach and saw a large flock of brant. They were feeding and hanging out, and occasionally took to the air when a bald eagle flew in. It was lovely to see and hear them. I imagine they are on their way north. There might have been 100-200 birds. > > There was also a flock of peeps, not sure whether they were dunlin. > > Spring is happening! > > Joan Miller > West Seattle > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From shepthorp at gmail.com Thu Apr 7 19:33:40 2022 From: shepthorp at gmail.com (Shep Thorp) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Billy Frank Jr Nisqually NWR Wednesday Walk for 4/6/2022 Message-ID: Hi Tweets, We had nice weather and birds for our Wednesday Walk, which started out brisk with temperatures in the mid 30's, sunny skies warmed things up quickly into low 60's degrees Fahrenheit. There was a High 11.7ft Tide at 8:49am so we skipped the Orchard until the afternoon and marched out to the Nisqually Estuary Trail or new dike to chase the tide. Highlights included FOY CASPIAN TERN, many good looks at COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER at the Puget Sound Viewing Platform, continuing GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE and EURASIAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL, and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS in the flooded field just south of the McAllister Creek access road. Starting out at the Visitor Center at 8am we had great looks of RING-NECKED DUCK, WOOD DUCK, HOODED MERGANSER and PIED-BILLED GREBE. TREE SWALLOWS are securing nest cavities in area snags and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS were singing from the parking lot. A CALIFORNIA SCRUB-JAY showed up to say good morning with its squeaky gate call. >From the access road west of the west parking lot where the old McAllister Creek access road is gated, we had nice looks of LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, WILSON SNIPE and many GREATER YELLOWLEGS foraging in the fields.The fields remain well flooded, perfect for migration, and many of our wintering ducks can be easily enjoyed. Great looks of NORTHERN SHOVELER, NORTHERN PINTAIL, GREEN-WINGED TEAL and AMERICAN WIGEON. A breeding pair of BALD EAGLE continue to sit on the next over the Twing Barns. Out on the new dike or Nisqually Estuary Trail, we had excellent views of COMMON YELLOWTHROAT WARBLER, RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, SAVANNAH SPARROW and MARSH WREN. A second breeding pair of BALD EAGLE are nesting along the Nisqually River just east of the surg plain. The swallows were actively feeding and we had great looks of VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW, BARN SWALLOW, CLIFF SWALLOW and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW. The Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk Trail was great for viewing CASPIAN TERN, SHORT-BILLED GULL, breeding plumage HORNED GREBE and COMMON LOON, BUFFLEHEAD, and COMMON GOLDENEYE. From the Puget Sound Viewing Platform we were able to get good scope views of BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, DUNLIN with a single WESTERN SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER, BRANT GEESE and a large flock of RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. There were a few COMMON MERGANSER mixed in with the Red-breasted. Spotted Sandpiper was seen along the west bank of McAllister Creek. The Twin Barns Overlook had many great sightings including GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, EURASIAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL, EURASIAN WIGEON, and CINNAMON TEAL. Additional Common Mergansers were seen at the Nisqually River Overlook. The Riparian Forest Overlook is closed due to fallen tree damage. A number of trees came down over the weekend with the windy conditions. The Orchard in the afternoon was good for GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW. We had really good numbers of Myrtle and Audubon varieties of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER along the west side of the Twin Barns Loop Trail. The Northern Saw-whet Owl roost along the trail remains active. We observed 79 species for the day with 114 species for the year. Mammals seen included Eastern Cotton-tailed Rabbit, Harbor Seal, Eastern Gray Squirrel, Columbian Black-tailed Deer, and Coyote. Have a great week and happy birding, Shep -- Shep Thorp Browns Point 253-370-3742 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From bellasoc at isomedia.com Thu Apr 7 21:04:46 2022 From: bellasoc at isomedia.com (B P Bell) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor 7 April 2022 Message-ID: <001401d84afd$c9508bb0$5bf1a310$@isomedia.com> Hi Tweets Michael is in Panama, so Matt, Mason and I substituted for him. Here is our day! Brian H. Bell Woodinville Wa Mail t o b e ll as oc a t is om edia d ot com Marymoor Park 0430-1056; 40-56F; partly overcast; 3.72 water level 69 species A really good day, slightly overcast early , some sun later, good temperature. Lots of birds singing. Canada Goose - 20; some squabbling going on Wood Duck - male; female; about 20 Cinnamon Teal - pair - 2 - first of season Northern Shoveler - male; 1 Gadwall - male; female; about 20 Mallard - male; female; 20 Green-winged Teal - male; female; about 24 Ring-necked Duck - about 9 - seen from Cabana Bufflehead - male; female; about 20 Common Goldeneye - male; female; 2 Hooded Merganser - 4 Common Merganser - male; female; 6 Ring-necked Pheasant - male; 1 Pied-billed Grebe - 3 on lake Rock Pigeon - 2 Eurasian Collared-Dove - 1 Anna's Hummingbird - 7 males; (nest was vacant when we observed it) Rufous Hummingbird - 5 males Virginia Rail - 1 called from Boardwalk bend American Coot - 1 Killdeer - 3 Wilson's Snipe - 4?? Glaucous-winged Gull - 2 Gull sp. - 3 Double-crescent Cormorant - 4 Great Blue Heron - at least 42 on nests, probably another 15 scattered around Osprey - 1 - first of season Accipiter - seen very high Bald Eagle - 2 adults, I imm. Red-tailed Hawk - 1 being chased by American Crow Barn Owl - 1 seen by Crawfords from mound Western Screech Owl - 1 near nest tree Red-breasted Sapsucker - 1 Downy Woodpecker - 1 seen, another heard Northern Flicker - 2 seen, several calling Pileated Woodpecker - 1 seen (also heard) Steller's Jay - 4 American Crow - at least 40 Black-capped Chickadee - 7? Chestnut-backed Chickadee - 5 Tree Swallow - 12 - on nest box, also E. Meadow Violet-green Swallow - at least 25 Barn Swallow - 2 at lake Swallow sp. - 10 Bushtit - 4 Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 10; singing Golden-crowned Kinglet - 3 Red-breasted Nuthatch - 2 heard Brown Creeper - 1 singing Pacific Wren - 1 singing (at rowing club) Marsh Wren - 8 - singing Bewick's Wren - 4 singing European Starling - 12 American Robin - at least 30 House Finch - male; female; 3 Purple Finch - male; 4 singing Pine Siskin - heard American Goldfinch - 3; singing Fox Sparrow - 8; singing Dark-eyed Junco - male; 10?? - singing White-crowned Sparrow - pugetensis singing; gambelli singing; 8 Golden-crowned Sparrow - 7 Savannah Sparrow - 10 Singing Song Sparrow - 20+ ; singing Spotted Towhee - male; female; 4 male/1female (14 total); singing Western Meadowlark - 1 singing Red-winged Blackbird - 4; singing Orange-crowned Warbler - 1 singing Common Yellowthroat - many singing, 1 seen Yellow-rumped Warbler - 8 - calling -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com Fri Apr 8 01:50:09 2022 From: dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com (Dan Reiff) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Jim Karr, UW Professor Emeritus Is a Founder of the Study and Sent Me This Link Regarding the Declines in Panama Forest Birds Message-ID: Hello Tweeters Community, Jim Karr, UW Professor Emeritus Is a Founder of the Study and Sent Me This Link Regarding the Declines in Panama Forest Birds. "SAFS Professor Emeritus Jim Karr began a long-term bird study in Panama 55 years ago while he was a PhD student and later as a professor of ecology at the University of Illinois." Has he been a speaker for WOS? If not I would enjoy hearing him present regarding his research. And I am sure he has great stories to tell of his time there. Great work and thank you for your efforts, Jim! "Hi Dan - Thanks for your effort to circulate announcements re the recent paper on long-term populations declines in Panama forest birds. Here is a local University of Washington press release on that paper: https://fish.uw.edu/2022/04/protected-tropical-forest-sees-major-bird-declines-over-40-years/ Jim /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\//\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ James R. Karr, Professor Emeritus School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences University of Washington, Seattle, WA" -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From palmer.r.violin at gmail.com Fri Apr 8 12:22:14 2022 From: palmer.r.violin at gmail.com (Ralph Palmer) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Osprey at Magnuson Park Field 7 Message-ID: Hi, All - The Osprey at Field 7 in Magnuson Park is now a pair. They were on the nest this morning. All the best, Ralph -- Ralph Palmer Seattle USA (he, him, his) palmer.r.violin@gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From charleseasterberg at gmail.com Fri Apr 8 12:50:31 2022 From: charleseasterberg at gmail.com (Charles Easterberg) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Osprey at Magnuson Park Field 7 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: At least one osprey has returned to Meadowbrook Pond in NE Seattle and was chirping to another soaring above it. My daughter reports that she saw an eagle sitting on the osprey nest at Nathan Hale HS, however. Might be interesting. Charley On Fri, Apr 8, 2022 at 12:23 PM Ralph Palmer wrote: > Hi, All - > > The Osprey at Field 7 in Magnuson Park is now a pair. They were on the > nest this morning. > > All the best, > > Ralph > > -- > Ralph Palmer > Seattle > USA > (he, him, his) > palmer.r.violin@gmail.com > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From aclark at wamail.net Fri Apr 8 13:55:06 2022 From: aclark at wamail.net (Al) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Black-headed gull at Dumas Bay-Yes Message-ID: <3fats2h27e-1@m0247478.ppops.net> I went to Dumas Bay on April 3 and found hundreds of gulls, many with black heads so I didn?t find Waldo. Friday morning I went to Dumas Bay and found only 50 gulls, only one with a black head. The group of gulls were north of the park, beyond the No Trespassing signs. There were no other birders- Great easy lifer. High tide at 10 am made the gulls much closer. Al in Tacoma -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From aclark at wamail.net Fri Apr 8 15:50:01 2022 From: aclark at wamail.net (Al) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Black-headed gull at Dumas Bay-Yes In-Reply-To: <3fats2h27e-1@m0247478.ppops.net> References: <3fats2h27e-1@m0247478.ppops.net> Message-ID: <3f8ea7h4jm-1@m0247473.ppops.net> Whoops. In reviewing my pictures, I find two black headed gulls. This picture may be found at: https://pbase.com/image/172492164 I?m guessing the bird on the left is a Bonaparte?s gull, pink legs, larger cap. I?m guessing the bird on the right is a Dark-Headed Gull, orange legs, smaller cap. What do you think? Al in Tacoma From: Al Sent: Friday, April 8, 2022 1:57 PM To: Tweeters Subject: [Tweeters] Black-headed gull at Dumas Bay-Yes I went to Dumas Bay on April 3 and found hundreds of gulls, many with black heads so I didn?t find Waldo. Friday morning I went to Dumas Bay and found only 50 gulls, only one with a black head. The group of gulls were north of the park, beyond the No Trespassing signs. There were no other birders- Great easy lifer. High tide at 10 am made the gulls much closer. Al in Tacoma -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From benedict.t at comcast.net Fri Apr 8 16:21:23 2022 From: benedict.t at comcast.net (THOMAS BENEDICT) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Black-headed gull at Dumas Bay-Yes In-Reply-To: <3f8ea7h4jm-1@m0247473.ppops.net> References: <3fats2h27e-1@m0247478.ppops.net> <3f8ea7h4jm-1@m0247473.ppops.net> Message-ID: <378377309.2542385.1649460083957@connect.xfinity.com> I'm starting to think that the two 'black-headed' gulls we saw at Dumas Bay Sanctuary on Saturday were not Bonapartes after all and were the gulls you are describing. Our view was quite distant and yours was much closer. In our case the two gulls with black heads were associated with 15 or so unmistakable Bonapartes in winter/immature plumage (dot behind eye, no black heads). We could not discern the bill color, except that it was darkish and any size difference was not obvious given the distance. Tom Benedict Seahurst, WA > On 04/08/2022 3:50 PM Al wrote: > > > Whoops. In reviewing my pictures, I find two black headed gulls. This picture may be found at: > > https://pbase.com/image/172492164 > > I?m guessing the bird on the left is a Bonaparte?s gull, pink legs, larger cap. > > I?m guessing the bird on the right is a Dark-Headed Gull, orange legs, smaller cap. > > What do you think? > > Al in Tacoma > > From: Al mailto:aclark@wamail.net > > Sent: Friday, April 8, 2022 1:57 PM > To: Tweeters mailto:tweeters@u.washington.edu > Subject: [Tweeters] Black-headed gull at Dumas Bay-Yes > > I went to Dumas Bay on April 3 and found hundreds of gulls, many with black heads so I didn?t find Waldo. > > Friday morning I went to Dumas Bay and found only 50 gulls, only one with a black head. The group of gulls were north of the park, beyond the No Trespassing signs. > > There were no other birders- Great easy lifer. High tide at 10 am made the gulls much closer. > > Al in Tacoma > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From zoramon at mac.com Fri Apr 8 18:09:19 2022 From: zoramon at mac.com (Zora Monster) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Black-headed gull at Dumas Bay-Yes In-Reply-To: <378377309.2542385.1649460083957@connect.xfinity.com> References: <378377309.2542385.1649460083957@connect.xfinity.com> Message-ID: Question? What makes those black-headed gulls and not Bonaparte gulls? Zora Dermer Seattle Sent from my iPhone > On Apr 8, 2022, at 4:23 PM, THOMAS BENEDICT wrote: > > ? > I'm starting to think that the two 'black-headed' gulls we saw at Dumas Bay Sanctuary on Saturday were not Bonapartes after all and were the gulls you are describing. Our view was quite distant and yours was much closer. In our case the two gulls with black heads were associated with 15 or so unmistakable Bonapartes in winter/immature plumage (dot behind eye, no black heads). We could not discern the bill color, except that it was darkish and any size difference was not obvious given the distance. > > Tom Benedict > Seahurst, WA >> On 04/08/2022 3:50 PM Al wrote: >> >> Whoops. In reviewing my pictures, I find two black headed gulls. This picture may be found at: >> >> https://pbase.com/image/172492164 >> >> I?m guessing the bird on the left is a Bonaparte?s gull, pink legs, larger cap. >> >> I?m guessing the bird on the right is a Dark-Headed Gull, orange legs, smaller cap. >> >> What do you think? >> >> Al in Tacoma >> >> From: Al >> >> Sent: Friday, April 8, 2022 1:57 PM >> To: Tweeters >> Subject: [Tweeters] Black-headed gull at Dumas Bay-Yes >> >> I went to Dumas Bay on April 3 and found hundreds of gulls, many with black heads so I didn?t find Waldo. >> >> Friday morning I went to Dumas Bay and found only 50 gulls, only one with a black head. The group of gulls were north of the park, beyond the No Trespassing signs. >> >> There were no other birders- Great easy lifer. High tide at 10 am made the gulls much closer. >> >> Al in Tacoma >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Tweeters mailing list >> Tweeters@u.washington.edu >> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From thefedderns at gmail.com Fri Apr 8 18:18:44 2022 From: thefedderns at gmail.com (Hans-Joachim Feddern) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Birders Corner Drying Out? Message-ID: I did a little birding in Eastern Washington yesterday and stopped at Birders Corner. For those not familiar with it, it is located at the corner of Dodson - and Frenchman Hills Road in Grant County (see Opperman page 356). The water in the pond there is extremely low and the surrounding wetlands are drying out with cattle grazing. This appears to be private land and maybe the rancher is draining it? This is one of the Washington Birding Trail Hotspots and usually there are a lot and a good variety of birds found there. Yesterday all I saw were 6 Black-necked stilts, a pair of Buffleheads and a lone female Green-winged Teal flying in. Also a very small number of Red-winged Blackbirds were present. In addition a male Northern Harrier was hunting towards Dodson Road. It would be a shame if this productive birding area would become a cow pasture! Of note is the closure of Frenchman Hills Road at I Road SW when coming from the west on 7 SW and one mile west of Dodson Road. The detour will take you north on dusty I SW , a gravel road - tp 4 SW (paved) east to Dodson Road. Good Birding! Hans *Hans Feddern* Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA thefedderns@gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From garybletsch at yahoo.com Sat Apr 9 22:20:47 2022 From: garybletsch at yahoo.com (Gary Bletsch) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] excellent Upper Skagit birding References: <1755783064.181826.1649568047404.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1755783064.181826.1649568047404@mail.yahoo.com> Dear Tweeters, Today, the ninth of April, Mike Nelson and I enjoyed a very fine day of birding in the Upper Skagit. The weather bordered upon the absurd, with alternating sun, clouds, rain, sleet, and snow flurries. Lather, rinse, repeat. I think that the changeable weather helped the birding. At the roadside by Ovenell's Heritage Inn, across the Skagit River from Concrete, we were unable to relocate the Vesper Sparrow that Mike had seen yesterday, and which Joel Brady-Power had relocated earlier this morning. However, we did see four Mountain Bluebirds and a Chipping Sparrow. Twelve Turkey Vultures landed in a cow pasture and foraged near some crows, too. Along the Concrete-Sauk Valley Road, by Kinley Road, we ran into a flock of about eight Townsend's Solitaires. We'd seen one earlier in my yard near Lyman, so this was a good day for them. Bryson Road was fantastic. We saw a pair of Mountain Bluebirds foraging with a pair of WESTERN BLUEBIRDS. A dark-morph Harlan's Hawk was there when we arrived, but soon flew off, as Harlan's Hawks usually do when people get within a few hundred meters of them. After walking around the trails at Bryson Road, we were getting ready to leave, but a quick final scan revealed a SAY'S PHOEBE! Then, just as we were getting ready to leave again, a flock of Townsend's Solitaires arrived. There were at least six of them. At the Skagit County part of Sauk Prairie, we heard a bird calling a strange, four-note call. We never did see the bird. The call sounded tit-like, high-low, high-low.? Large flocks of American Robins were almost everywhere. Yours truly, Gary Bletsch -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From genebullock at comcast.net Sun Apr 10 06:19:12 2022 From: genebullock at comcast.net (GENE BULLOCK) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Poulsbo Osprey nest removal April 13th Message-ID: <1179556696.2638660.1649596752629@connect.xfinity.com> A seven-year-old osprey nest on North Kitsap High Shool's athletic field will be removed on April 13, despite the return of the osprey pair four days ago. The North Kitsap School District has declared the nest a safety hazard and obtained WDFW authorization to remove the nest. Kitsap Audubon and the Poulsbo Rotary had offered to pay for installation of a new nest platform nearby, but the timing and logistics dd not work out. Gene Bullock Past President and Vice President Kitsap Audubon Society Poulsbo, WA -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From cariddellwa at gmail.com Sun Apr 10 12:53:54 2022 From: cariddellwa at gmail.com (Carol Riddell) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Poulsbo Osprey nest removal April 13th Message-ID: <2626A8BB-4AA7-4680-9219-3C7AF5E05416@gmail.com> There are multiple Osprey nests on cell towers in SW Snohomish County (and probably at many other locations). What I have observed is the cell companies remove the nests about every three years. The Osprey pairs return and rebuild. Fingers crossed that this Kitsap pair waits out the nest removal and just starts to rebuild. In the long-term, an alternate nest site would be ideal, even if it doesn?t work out for the near term. One of our cell tower nests is along Hwy 99 near Ballinger Park. I have often thought the placement of a nest tower there would be compatible with park development objectives (more of a nature park) and would put the Ospreys a bit closer to Lake Ballinger, which is one of their feeding sites and really no further away from the Sound. It would take some dealing with Mountlake Terrace Parks and a search for funding a nest tower. Carol Riddell Edmonds, WA From samgterry at gmail.com Sun Apr 10 14:58:49 2022 From: samgterry at gmail.com (Samuel Terry) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Black-headed Gull Dumas Bay Message-ID: Hi tweeters, For anyone still looking for the king county BHGU it?s on the beach at Dumas Bay right now. Good birding, Sam Terry Seattle -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ldhubbell at comcast.net Sun Apr 10 17:01:19 2022 From: ldhubbell at comcast.net (Hubbell) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Union Bay Watch } Striking - PIWO Message-ID: <6ACD5BB7-1489-4604-B100-CA50D17E6167@comcast.net> Tweeters, This week?s post is an update on our local pair of Pileated Woodpeckers. https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2022/04/striking.html? I hope you enjoy the post! Have great day on Union Bay, where nature lives in the city! Larry Hubbell ldhubbell at comcast dot net -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From bennetts10 at comcast.net Sun Apr 10 20:32:27 2022 From: bennetts10 at comcast.net (ANDREA BENNETT) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] osprey nest Message-ID: <718245298.658394.1649647947080@connect.xfinity.com> Does anyone know why the school district in Kitsap considers the nest a hazard? It seems as though any trees in the vicinity would be a hazard, do they remove those as well? The nests I?ve seen in King County seem as stable as the tall trees with minimal roots. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From palmer.r.violin at gmail.com Sun Apr 10 20:51:18 2022 From: palmer.r.violin at gmail.com (Ralph Palmer) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Northern Harrier @ Magnuson Park? Message-ID: Hi - Probable Northern Harrier at Magnuson Park this afternoon. Flying just above some trees near the northern end of the park (South of the dog walk), then being chased by crows. All the best, Ralph -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From gjpluth at gmail.com Sun Apr 10 22:31:13 2022 From: gjpluth at gmail.com (Greg Pluth) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Early Swainson's Thrush Message-ID: On a short walk into Farrell's Marsh (Steilacoom) today, the first bird Cathy and I saw was our FOY Orange-crowned Warbler. While confirming it through binoculars, another bird flushed up nearby and perched on a branch not more than 30 feet away. It was a FOY Swainson's Thrush! It moved to another perch just another 20 feet farther giving us a good look at the breast streaking. Though it is a common bird for Farrell's Marsh, it is considerably early (by at least a week or ten days). I wonder what the earliest observation is for Pierce County. Where might I find such info? Climate change can have many effects I guess (?). Greg Pluth University Place -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From rjw103146 at aol.com Sun Apr 10 23:38:41 2022 From: rjw103146 at aol.com (Richard Wright) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] FOY American Goldfinch References: <1894377819.412955.1649659121196.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1894377819.412955.1649659121196@mail.yahoo.com> FOY American Goldfinch today, one male and one female, at my thistle feeder near Point No Point. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From hank.heiberg at yahoo.com Tue Apr 12 08:22:43 2022 From: hank.heiberg at yahoo.com (Hank Heiberg) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] =?utf-8?q?Sauvie_Island_Sandhill_Cranes_=26_Birder?= =?utf-8?q?=E2=80=99s_Dashboard?= References: Message-ID: <10EBB4AD-E430-4C6D-B0F1-5FD1E4BA5B58@yahoo.com> ? >> ?Sunday we returned from visiting our granddaughter in Portland, a trip that was delayed 25 months due to Covid. On the way home we went to Sauvie Island northwest of Portland to view the Sandhill Cranes. Since Sauvie Island is in Oregon we used the US & Canada version of Birder?s Dashboard >> >> https://birddash.net/us/ >> >> instead of Washington Dashboard >> >> https://birddash.net/us/wa/ >> >> We chose Oregon for the region and then used ?Look for a Species? to find checklists that included Sandhill Cranes. We then selected a checklist >> >> https://ebird.org/checklist/S106807723 (example only) >> >> to find the exact location by tapping on the little flag right of the location Sauvie Island etc. This entered the location into our phone?s map app and led us directly to the cranes. >> >> Here is Randy Robinson?s more thorough description of how to use the Dashboards. >> >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_SWJYdKzKk >> >> We knew nothing about Sauvie Island, but went directly to the Sandhill Cranes thanks to eBird and Birder?s Dashboard. >> >> Anyway, here is our photo album >> >> https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/albums/72177720298015932 >> >> and eBird trip report >> >> https://ebird.org/tripreport/47343 >> >> for our trip to visit family that also included some excellent incidental birding >> >> https://ebird.org/tripreport/47343 >> >> Hank & Karen Heiberg >> Issaquah, WA >> -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From genebullock at comcast.net Tue Apr 12 11:39:35 2022 From: genebullock at comcast.net (GENE BULLOCK) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Poulsbo osprey nest removal delayed Message-ID: <304460075.713113.1649788775871@connect.xfinity.com> I am happy to report that the North Kitsap School District has agreed to delay removal of the osprey nest on the NK High School athletic field until we can install a new nest platform nearby. Kitsap Audubon and the Poulsbo Roatry have agreed to pay for the new nest platform. Although the pair have nested on the stadium light tower for seven years, the school district has a valid concern about health and safety hazards. Falling sticks and feces can fall on passing students. The nest materials near the lights also represent a fire hazard. However, the immediate concern is that ospreys add nest material every year, and the seven-year accumulation of weight threatens to collapse the supporting structure. Gene Bullock Kitsap Audubon Society -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From gjpluth at gmail.com Tue Apr 12 11:41:39 2022 From: gjpluth at gmail.com (Greg Pluth) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Tailess Towhees Message-ID: Tweets - Over the last few days I've been noticing a male Spotted Towhee with absolutely no tail feathers. I have seen this several times with towhees only over the years. I'm not sure if they were all at this time in the spring. Though I've never heard other birders (or anyone for that matter) discussing it, I'm nearly positive I can't be the only one to have observed it. I also have not seen tailess birds subsequently sprouting new stubby tail feathers. I have conjectured to myself that there may be a cat somewhere with a mouthful of tail feathers, and I can't imagine an April Towhee molting out all tail feathers at once. Anyone out there knowledgeable on the subject? I'd be interested to know! Greg Pluth University Place -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From garybletsch at yahoo.com Tue Apr 12 12:18:53 2022 From: garybletsch at yahoo.com (Gary Bletsch) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Tailess Towhees In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <948436602.159626.1649791133668@mail.yahoo.com> Dear Greg, Interestingly enough, the only record of a tailless SPTO in my personal database is one that I saw on 12 April 2007 on Orcas Island, exactly fifteen years ago today. Other tailless passerines that I have noted include the ones listed below. Song Sparrow, 25 August 2003, 1 April 2010, 6 July 2021; Red-winged Blackbird, 27 August 2008; White-crowned Sparrow, 19 August 2011, 9 August 2012; Golden-crowned Sparrow, 11 October 2011; Swainson's Thrush, 8 August 1993; Black-capped Chickadee, 12 February 2020. That seems like a small set of data from which to draw conclusions, but it is interesting that, out of ten records, two were from April and five from August. I could probably find more of these records, but my database includes so many comments regarding cattails, white-tailed deer, long-tailed weasels, cottontail rabbits, and such like, that I am disinclined to go through the entire list! All of these were adult birds; I have excluded fledglings and juveniles that had short tails, because sometimes those young birds simply have not yet grown a full tail yet. I have always suspected that most small passerines missing tail feathers were lucky individuals that had escaped from attacks by raptors or "outdoor cats." Yours truly, Gary Bletsch On Tuesday, April 12, 2022, 11:42:47 AM PDT, Greg Pluth wrote: Tweets -Over the last few days I've been noticing a male Spotted Towhee with absolutely no tail feathers. I have seen this several times with towhees only over the years. I'm not sure if they were all at this time in the spring. Though I've never heard other birders (or anyone for that matter) discussing it, I'm nearly positive I can't be the only one to have observed it. I also have not seen tailess birds subsequently sprouting new stubby tail feathers. I have conjectured to myself that there may be a cat somewhere with a mouthful of tail feathers, and I can't imagine an April Towhee molting out all tail feathers at once. Anyone out there knowledgeable on the subject? I'd be interested to know! Greg PluthUniversity Place _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters@u.washington.edu http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From zest4parus at hotmail.com Tue Apr 12 12:34:16 2022 From: zest4parus at hotmail.com (Faye McAdams Hands) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Tailess Towhees In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Dear Greg and Tweets, I just found some Junco tail feathers near my front yard ground feeding station -- hopefully evidence that the little fellow escaped without further harm? I will be looking for any tail-less DEJU these next few days... Happy Birding, Faye Hands Belfair, WA Get Outlook for iOS ________________________________ From: Tweeters on behalf of Greg Pluth Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2022 11:42 AM To: Tweeters Subject: [Tweeters] Tailess Towhees Tweets - Over the last few days I've been noticing a male Spotted Towhee with absolutely no tail feathers. I have seen this several times with towhees only over the years. I'm not sure if they were all at this time in the spring. Though I've never heard other birders (or anyone for that matter) discussing it, I'm nearly positive I can't be the only one to have observed it. I also have not seen tailess birds subsequently sprouting new stubby tail feathers. I have conjectured to myself that there may be a cat somewhere with a mouthful of tail feathers, and I can't imagine an April Towhee molting out all tail feathers at once. Anyone out there knowledgeable on the subject? I'd be interested to know! Greg Pluth University Place -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tcstonefam at gmail.com Tue Apr 12 13:38:12 2022 From: tcstonefam at gmail.com (Tom and Carol Stoner) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Mystery bird call Message-ID: My son and family got a recording of a bird call--a single note, pause, single note, pause. To my ear it sounds like "whooa". They are on Orcas Island, in a forested area. There was a Raven, calling from the treetops, that took flight, but this was very different, melodious. Any hints of where we should look for that call? Many thanks for any help solving this intriguing problem-- Carol Stoner West Seattle -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From m.egger at comcast.net Tue Apr 12 15:42:24 2022 From: m.egger at comcast.net (Mark Egger) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] re tailless towhee Message-ID: A reasonable hypothesis is that the tail feathers were lost to a cat attack the bird survived. Being ground-feeders, towhees are not infrequently taken by cats. Mark From jimbetz at jimbetz.com Tue Apr 12 15:50:04 2022 From: jimbetz at jimbetz.com (jimbetz@jimbetz.com) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Tuesday, April 12th, 2022, Lower Skagit County In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <20220412155004.Horde.2kcUq1Bf7z9yubeWi5r_znt@webmail.jimbetz.com> Birding Report for Tuesday, 12 April 2022 This was a driving around 'survey' kind of trip. Samish Flats, Bayview, Skagit Flats along Best Road, a circle around Fir Island, then back to the Skagit Flats further East towards the river. After stopping at the Wild Bird Supply I went East on College and North on 9 and West on 20. 1) Saw 2,000 to 3,000 Snow Geese at Samish Flats. Stopped at the Bread Farm to pick up a loaf of their excellent bread. The Snows were, if it is possible, even more 'excitable/agitated' than the last time I saw some (about a week/10 days ago). This may have been my LOY sighting. 2) Saw 40 Trumpeter/Tundra Swans at Skagit Flats - unexpected! Highly probably LOY. 3) Was seeing Harriers "everywhere" - most were hunting along ditches. 4) Saw mature and juvenile Bald Eagles - matures especially where ever there was a nest within a mile or so. 5) Lots of ducks - mostly Mallards but also a few each of Buffleheads, Shovelers, and other "definitely not Mallard, not sure which". 6) More GBH than recently - over 10 but not 20. And 4 Canada Geese. 7) A fair number of Ravens (at least 20, probably 30). Stopped at The Rex for lunch. 8) A few Red-Winged Blackbirds here and there and a few Brewers. 9) No Red-taileds or Kestrels - but one unidentified hawk that was not a Harrier and probably a Cooper's. I did not even attempt to count the ever present passerines or gulls. The farms were working the fields on Fir Island and the gulls were right there behind any moving piece of farm equipment ... as usual. The low point of the day was a quick trip into Wylie Slough. No apparent recovery from the way it was devastated by the WDFW this Fall. Tried to find someone at the headquarters building but no one around (I was there during lunch). There were 4 other people there but none were identifiably birders nor walkers/hikers. Looked for Bob (and his dog River) but didn't see him - he'd know more than just about anyone about what was happening. I did go out the road to Hayton and was the only one out there - except for the Eagles and Mallards and other birds. Oh yes - the tulips are out in all their glory! And the mountains to the East got a dusting of snow last night that is still there now in the late afternoon. The light was "variable" so sometimes sun, sometimes overcast, and sometimes open shadows. - TAFN ... Jim From ornithologyfiend at gmail.com Tue Apr 12 20:12:08 2022 From: ornithologyfiend at gmail.com (Natalie Bird) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Blue-Winged Teal Billy Frank Jr Nisqually Message-ID: Beautiful blue-winged teal hanging out with cinnamon teal in small ponded area to west of main parking lot and south of McAllister Cross Dike. Seen very late in crazy weather day (6pm) on Tuesday. Pics: https://ebird.org/checklist/S106911478 Natalie B (she/her) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From flick at gorge.net Tue Apr 12 21:59:29 2022 From: flick at gorge.net (flick@gorge.net) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] April 11 & 12, 2022 - spectacular songbird migration at Bingen Pond, WA Message-ID: <2.149e7568138184298726@GNMAIL6> Bingen Pond, WA April 11 & 12, 2022 April 11th: Evening was spectacular for our overnight April 10th snowstorm / bird-migration stopover - Audubon's Warbler to the maximum everywhere we walked along paved roads & gravel paths (I'd say 90% of AuWAs were AFTER 2nd-year males). Also, pushes of migratory Western Bluebird, Oregon Junco (especially males), & American Robins + a bonus, American Pipits. Even OUR local human residents noticed the bird # increase while walking their dogs! April 12: Tuesday morning & evening had less overall#s but still sweet: continuation of AUWAs, WEBLs, AMROs & ORJUs + Nashville Warblers-2 (photo taken) & more Orange-Crowned Warblers (photo taken). No longer Amercian Pipits : ( cjflick/white salmon, wa -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jackdaynes at gmail.com Wed Apr 13 04:31:19 2022 From: jackdaynes at gmail.com (Jack Daynes) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] 2022-04-10 The Road To Mount Olympus Message-ID: Greetings Washington Birders, Near the end of last February, I began a slow trip north from southern California with intentions of following the entire Pacific Coast to northwestern Washington. Last week I journeyed north through Western Washington and completed my mission for this phase of my North American RV tour. The weather was not my friend through most of the trip. Things took a turn for the better when I was in Sekiu. Bald Eagles, two adults and an immature, swooped into the scene I was photographing, and began interacting with each other and the gulls scavenging the remains that the fishermen tossed them when they cleaned their catches. (There are 42 images with dates, locations, and descriptions in this episode?s gallery.) Be well, -- -- -- Jack -- ================================== > Wildlife Photography with Emphasis on Birds 858-442-1907 Jack Daynes Based in San Diego County, California. ================================== I do not chase birds as much as I chase places. I can enjoy the birds I meet, if I enjoy the place I meet them. ================================== I live in a world that exists somewhere in between "See spot run" and "E=MC?". ================================== Find me at the intersection of Anywhere and Everywhere in North America. ================================== Birding is where you find it. Such places don?t always show up in brochures. ================================== https://shadetreeimaging.com/category/bird-destinations/san-diego-locations/ ================================== -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jstephens62 at comcast.net Wed Apr 13 08:27:18 2022 From: jstephens62 at comcast.net (Jack Stephens) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Bird rap song Message-ID: Tweeters, We all know sweet bird songs (Blackbird by the Beatles) We all know rock bird songs (Freebird by Lynyrd Skinner)It has come to my attention that there is now a rap bird song. I can't resist sharing. (216) Birding - YouTube Jack Stephens Edmonds -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From hank.heiberg at yahoo.com Wed Apr 13 10:37:18 2022 From: hank.heiberg at yahoo.com (Hank Heiberg) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] =?utf-8?q?Wilson=E2=80=99s_Snipe_at_Juanita_Bay_Park?= References: <8213C1D5-E046-43E2-9890-2632CF6EC4DB@yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1CC0F461-EF0C-45E2-9E23-311514FFDBD8@yahoo.com> > ?We have seen Snipes bob and feed, but this one was engaged in extreme bobbing without feeding. > > https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/52002390889/in/dateposted/ Video > > Hank Heiberg > Issaquah, WA > > Sent from my iPad -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tcstonefam at gmail.com Thu Apr 14 10:37:39 2022 From: tcstonefam at gmail.com (Tom and Carol Stoner) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Mystery bird call Message-ID: Thanks to the generous Tweeters Universe, I think the mostly likely candidate is a Barred Owl. I was not able to persuade Merlin to take a chance on an id. (Thanks for the import directions, Kirk.) But both Gary Bletsch and Dan McDougall-Treacy suggested Barred Owl and when I listened it sounded like a very soft "hoo-aaw" or the final note of the "Who cooks for you?" Several people suggested Varied Thrush and that was one of the possibilities on my list, but 'twasn't quite right. The other suggestion was Band-tailed Pigeon, which I hadn't thought of at all, and it was close, as well. Thanks all-- Carol Stoner West Seattle, bridgeless day 752 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From hadleyj1725 at gmail.com Thu Apr 14 12:23:34 2022 From: hadleyj1725 at gmail.com (Jane Hadley) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Volunteers needed Message-ID: <51ddf953-fe81-c012-a135-82c040c2181f@gmail.com> Dear Tweeters - The spring North American Migration Count (NAMC) for Klickitat County will take place on Saturday May 14, 2022. Though many territories have been assigned, there is still a need for volunteers to cover three territories. These are: 1. Snowden? (between Conboy NWR and the Columbia River at 2,320 feet elevation); 2. Goldendale; 3. Klickitat Wildlife Area (between Glenwood and Goldendale). If you are able to volunteer for one of these areas, please contact Marc Harvey at oakharvest@gmail.com This Klickitat County NAMC has been taking place twice a year since 1997, thanks in large part to Bob Hansen. To see the sightings over the years by territories (which sometimes change) go to: https://birdingwashington.info/Klickitat/SpringNAMC.htm This page gives the species numbers countywide; to get breakdown by territory, click on the years at the top of the columns. Jane Hadley Seattle, WA -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From bellasoc at isomedia.com Thu Apr 14 15:36:05 2022 From: bellasoc at isomedia.com (B P Bell) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor 14 April 2022 Message-ID: <005201d85050$0750c810$15f25830$@isomedia.com> Hi Tweets With Michael still out of town, Mason and I got to "be" Michael. Today was not what we might have expected for April - cold, overcast, slightly rainy, and most important it was very slow birding. In spite of that, we had a good day, even if many of the birds came slowly and in low numbers (in some cases only one or two). We wound up with 62 species for the day, with much effort. Notable: Cackling Goose Mallard Green-winged Teal (decent numbers) Bald Eagle Osprey Sharp-shinned Hawk White-crowned Sparrow (both pugentensis and gambelli) A few Golden-crowned Sparrow still around Savannah Sparrow Wilson's Snipe Misses: American Wigeon, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Coot, Steller's Jay Brian H. Bell Woodinville Wa mail to bel lasoc a t iso me dia do t com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dgrainger at birdsbydave.com Thu Apr 14 15:37:33 2022 From: dgrainger at birdsbydave.com (dgrainger@birdsbydave.com) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Tailess Towhees In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <940f2b4463e743791bd7fce6541e4811@birdsbydave.com> I saw examples of that last year, was explained as "fright molt" where a grab from a predator would pull out tail feathers easily because they are anchored more loosely than other feathers, thus letting MOST of the bird live to grow them back... On 2022-04-12 11:41, Greg Pluth wrote: > Tweets - > Over the last few days I've been noticing a male Spotted Towhee with > absolutely no tail feathers. I have seen this several times with > towhees only over the years. I'm not sure if they were all at this > time in the spring. Though I've never heard other birders (or anyone > for that matter) discussing it, I'm nearly positive I can't be the > only one to have observed it. I also have not seen tailess birds > subsequently sprouting new stubby tail feathers. I have conjectured to > myself that there may be a cat somewhere with a mouthful of tail > feathers, and I can't imagine an April Towhee molting out all tail > feathers at once. > > Anyone out there knowledgeable on the subject? I'd be interested to > know! > > Greg Pluth > University Place > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters From zinke.pilchuck at gmail.com Thu Apr 14 15:54:30 2022 From: zinke.pilchuck at gmail.com (Brian Zinke) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Need help learning eBird? Message-ID: Hi Tweets, eBird has become a powerful tool for conservation, but it can be intimidating for first time users (even second and third timers!). If you'd like to learn more about eBird and have someone walk you through it, then we invite you to join our upcoming class on April 19 & 26. In the class, you'll learn the basics of how to record, share, and manage your lists while using eBird as a tool to learn new regional birds and prepare for upcoming departures near and far. This is a two-week class, so you'll have an opportunity to practice after week one, and come back to have your questions answered in week two. If you've ever felt intimidated or unsure where to start with using eBird, this is the class for you. For more information please see our webpage: https://www.pilchuckaudubon.org/classes Thanks! Brian -- [image: Logo] Brian Zinke Executive Director phone: (425) 232-6811 email: director@pilchuckaudubon.org Pilchuck Audubon Society 1429 Avenue D, PMB 198, Snohomish, WA 98290 [image: Facebook icon] [image: Twitter icon] [image: Instagram icon] -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From stevechampton at gmail.com Thu Apr 14 16:06:59 2022 From: stevechampton at gmail.com (Steve Hampton) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Tailess Towhees In-Reply-To: <940f2b4463e743791bd7fce6541e4811@birdsbydave.com> References: <940f2b4463e743791bd7fce6541e4811@birdsbydave.com> Message-ID: Yes, this is generally assumed to be from a cat, although I suppose other mammalian predators are possible. On Thu, Apr 14, 2022 at 3:40 PM wrote: > I saw examples of that last year, was explained as "fright molt" where a > grab from a predator would pull out tail feathers easily because they > are anchored more loosely than other feathers, thus letting MOST of the > bird live to grow them back... > > On 2022-04-12 11:41, Greg Pluth wrote: > > Tweets - > > Over the last few days I've been noticing a male Spotted Towhee with > > absolutely no tail feathers. I have seen this several times with > > towhees only over the years. I'm not sure if they were all at this > > time in the spring. Though I've never heard other birders (or anyone > > for that matter) discussing it, I'm nearly positive I can't be the > > only one to have observed it. I also have not seen tailess birds > > subsequently sprouting new stubby tail feathers. I have conjectured to > > myself that there may be a cat somewhere with a mouthful of tail > > feathers, and I can't imagine an April Towhee molting out all tail > > feathers at once. > > > > Anyone out there knowledgeable on the subject? I'd be interested to > > know! > > > > Greg Pluth > > University Place > > _______________________________________________ > > Tweeters mailing list > > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -- ?Steve Hampton? Port Townsend, WA (qat?y) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From hank.heiberg at yahoo.com Thu Apr 14 20:57:22 2022 From: hank.heiberg at yahoo.com (Hank Heiberg) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] 2 Bobcats & some Crows References: <56DBE9D6-CB6B-4FBE-B4D3-5F51E73E1F12@yahoo.com> Message-ID: <426E638C-408F-416D-8A4B-1C3794659C94@yahoo.com> > I was sitting in the living room of our condo reading sci-fi when sci-reality interceded. A bobcat appeared on our back patio 5 feet from me and then backed out. I called Karen. She came with the camera, but the photo-op appeared to be gone. However, the Crows were doing their job and telling the world where the bobcat was. This allowed us to move to the dining room window and get some photos. While I was shooting photos, Karen noticed a second even larger bobcat following behind the original. All of the photos are of the original, smaller bobcat. Thank you Crows! > Slide show: > https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/52005892800/in/dateposted/ > Photos: > https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/52005892110/in/dateposted/ > > https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/52005431203/in/dateposted/ > > https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/52005430573/in/dateposted/ > > Hank & Karen Heiberg > Issaquah, WA > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jimbetz at jimbetz.com Thu Apr 14 21:05:56 2022 From: jimbetz at jimbetz.com (jimbetz@jimbetz.com) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Wylie Slough - update ... In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <20220414210556.Horde.kFevk99SZIblWfm3JvrcwsX@webmail.jimbetz.com> Hi all, I actually got to talk to some of the people at WDFW today. The bottom line (my interpretation) is that they are trying to eliminate the "non-native" cattails in order to produce a "healthier" environment. The cattails had taken over and had converted the Wylie wetlands into a 'mono-environment' (very little vegetation other than cattails). After additional probing he finally seemed to admit that the cattails aren't so much 'exotics' with respect to the PNW ... they just aren't natural (historically verifiable) as being present in the Skagit delta. Some (most?) of that history has been provided by the tribes in the area. The area was sprayed with an "approved for wetlands herbicide". It pretty much killed all plant life it touched - it was not "specific to just or even mostly the cattails" ... other than in their attempts to only spray the cattails. The most knowledgeable person I talked with said "we are learning as we go" (my read is that this is -not- a process with enough understanding to know what will/won't happen). He did say they expected new growth to start happening "soon" (4 weeks? or more?). He does not know if the new growth will be cattails or the more desired sedges, etc. and is hoping for the best. When I drove in to Wylie earlier this week I saw 'hints' of what might have been new growth - but I did not attempt to ID it as cattails or something else. There are some "reference wetlands" that they are using as a target. Those are close to the Wylie Slough area. They are not accessible without being in a boat. It is possible to see some of them from the South End of The Big Ditch Trail - but only across the waterway - you can't actually walk these areas because they are either not publicly accessible or are tidal areas that would be impossible to traverse without specialized equipment or from a boat at a high enough tide. But, in my opinion and experience, you'd still have to figure out how to get from your boat to any walkable area - which would mean crossing as much as 10 or more feet of mud/marsh. To the best of my knowledge there are very few areas of the Skagit delta that are easily walkable - you will encounter deep mud and sink in 'just about everywhere' ... unless it has been built up into a trail/dike using rock (such as the walking trails at Wylie). Perhaps with some hunting waders and a small inflatable? So ... for now ... all we can do is wait and hope. OPINION - I, for one, think it will be several years before we will have a similar environment to what Wylie was like in the Winter of 2020/2021 (last year). We should expect that Wylie will be similar to what Leque is like now - which will mean some ducks and shorebirds - and very little else. I don't have much hope for the swallows, robins, Redwings, Marsh Wrens, etc., etc., etc. - Jim in Burlington From patti.loesche at gmail.com Thu Apr 14 21:09:59 2022 From: patti.loesche at gmail.com (Patti Loesche) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] seeking used spotting scopes Message-ID: Hi Tweeters, I?m writing on behalf of motivated volunteers for Urban Raptor Conservancy with limited finances who need better optics for reading ID bands on Cooper?s hawks, peregrine falcons, and merlins. If you have an affordable used scope to sell, please contact me off list. Thanks, Patti Loesche Urban Raptor Conservancy https://urbanraptorconservancy.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From contopus at telus.net Thu Apr 14 23:06:15 2022 From: contopus at telus.net (Wayne Weber) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Wylie Slough - update ... In-Reply-To: <20220414210556.Horde.kFevk99SZIblWfm3JvrcwsX@webmail.jimbetz.com> References: <20220414210556.Horde.kFevk99SZIblWfm3JvrcwsX@webmail.jimbetz.com> Message-ID: <006a01d8508e$eb37a420$c1a6ec60$@net> Jim and Tweeters, As someone with a strong background in plant ecology (as well as ornithology), I can assure readers that any assertion that cattails are not native to the Skagit estuary is ridiculous. A comparison with the Fraser estuary in BC (a much bigger river, to be sure) would be instructive. The Fraser has 3 main mouths-- the North Arm, the main arm, and Canoe Pass (which discharges between Westham Island and Brunswick Point). Many hundreds of acres in the upper intertidal zone, between the 3 mouths and for a fair distance to the north and south, are covered with a dense stand of vegetation dominated by cattails, and have been as long as anyone can remember. Cattails (Typha latifolia) are mainly a freshwater marsh plant, although they also grow well in brackish estuaries with large amounts of freshwater inflow, such as the Fraser and Skagit estuaries. They cannot survive where high salinities prevail all the time, although they can withstand great variation in salinity. Cattail stands are also highly productive from a biological point of view-- for birds and other critters. Estuarine cattail stands provide excellent habitat for Red-winged Blackbirds, Marsh Wrens, Virginia Rails, American Bitterns, Common Yellowthroats, Northern Harriers, and other species. Wherever there are openings in the plant cover, they also provide good feeding areas for shorebirds and dabbling ducks. I am not sure what kind of habitat WDFW would like to create, or what kind would be more productive than cattail marsh. It should be noted that the Skagit Wildlife Area was created mainly for the protection and production of wildlife, not fish. However, the widespread breaching of dikes in western Washington and elsewhere, and reflooding with salt or brackish water, was forced by fishery interests, with no concern whatsoever for effects on wildlife. They thought it would increase the survival of juvenile salmon. Perhaps there should have been more consultation between fishery and wildlife biologists and plant ecologists beforehand, in order to determine what kind of habitat would eventually result from this gigantic experiment. It seems to be evolving in directions that many of us did not expect. It remains to be seen whether the expansion of intertidal areas will in fact result in improved salmonid survival, or whether the whole experiment will go down in history as a failure. However, from a wildlife point of view, it seems to me there are much worse things than cattail stands that could have resulted, and I am wondering what the wildlife managers would like to see instead. Wayne C. Weber, Ph.D. Delta, BC, Canada contopus@telus.net -----Original Message----- From: Tweeters [mailto:tweeters-bounces@mailman11.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of jimbetz@jimbetz.com Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2022 9:06 PM To: tweeters@u.washington.edu Subject: [Tweeters] Wylie Slough - update ... Hi all, I actually got to talk to some of the people at WDFW today. The bottom line (my interpretation) is that they are trying to eliminate the "non-native" cattails in order to produce a "healthier" environment. The cattails had taken over and had converted the Wylie wetlands into a 'mono-environment' (very little vegetation other than cattails). After additional probing he finally seemed to admit that the cattails aren't so much 'exotics' with respect to the PNW ... they just aren't natural (historically verifiable) as being present in the Skagit delta. Some (most?) of that history has been provided by the tribes in the area. (Jim's message truncated for brevity) From stevechampton at gmail.com Fri Apr 15 07:44:26 2022 From: stevechampton at gmail.com (Steve Hampton) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] wind farm proposal offshore of Westport Message-ID: These wind proposals rarely come to be -- too many logistical issues -- but I'm wondering how this location compares to the Westport pelagic trips and associated fishing fleet. It seems beyond that, though clearly at the shelf break. There is a nice map in the article. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/seattle-developer-pushes-for-was-first-floating-offshore-wind-farm-off-olympic-peninsula/ -- Steve Hampton Port Townsend, WA (qat?y) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From festuca at comcast.net Fri Apr 15 08:46:32 2022 From: festuca at comcast.net (Jon. Anderson and Marty Chaney) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Nisqually Refuge Wednesday Walk - 13 April 2022 Message-ID: <1519176636.799312.1650037592391@connect.xfinity.com> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ucd880 at comcast.net Fri Apr 15 10:39:18 2022 From: ucd880 at comcast.net (HAL MICHAEL) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Wylie Slough - update ... In-Reply-To: <006a01d8508e$eb37a420$c1a6ec60$@net> References: <20220414210556.Horde.kFevk99SZIblWfm3JvrcwsX@webmail.jimbetz.com> <006a01d8508e$eb37a420$c1a6ec60$@net> Message-ID: <1609595283.2807797.1650044359081@connect.xfinity.com> Having worked within a F&W agency it was obvious to me that fish biologists knew fish and wildlife biologists knew wildlife but neither knew the other. And, there was very little understanding of ecology and how an ecosystem functions. The initial diking of estuaries destroyed one type of habitat (intertidal) and replaced it with another (Non-tidal). These changes favored some animals and plants and not others. This is simple ecology. In an attempt to restore intertidal habitat, which will benefit intertidal species, the non-tidal habitat is destroyed at the loss of animals and plants that are not salt tolerant. So yes, the fish folks pushing for dike removal are valuing the marine resources above the non-marine. In the same way that the original dikers valued non-saline habitats. To me, a solution would be mitigation for the loss of upland habitat. If your dike removal destroys, say, 100 acres of upland habitat than you must replace the lost uplands with at least 100 contiguous acres of uplands. Otherwise, not requiring mitigation puts us into the position that my resources are more important than yours. Hal Michael Board of Directors,Ecologists Without Borders (http://ecowb.org/) Olympia WA 360-459-4005 360-791-7702 (C) ucd880@comcast.net > On 04/14/2022 11:06 PM Wayne Weber wrote: > > > Jim and Tweeters, > > As someone with a strong background in plant ecology (as well as > ornithology), I can assure readers that any assertion that cattails are not > native to the Skagit estuary is ridiculous. A comparison with the Fraser > estuary in BC (a much bigger river, to be sure) would be instructive. The > Fraser has 3 main mouths-- the North Arm, the main arm, and Canoe Pass > (which discharges between Westham Island and Brunswick Point). Many hundreds > of acres in the upper intertidal zone, between the 3 mouths and for a fair > distance to the north and south, are covered with a dense stand of > vegetation dominated by cattails, and have been as long as anyone can > remember. > > Cattails (Typha latifolia) are mainly a freshwater marsh plant, although > they also grow well in brackish estuaries with large amounts of freshwater > inflow, such as the Fraser and Skagit estuaries. They cannot survive where > high salinities prevail all the time, although they can withstand great > variation in salinity. > > Cattail stands are also highly productive from a biological point of view-- > for birds and other critters. Estuarine cattail stands provide excellent > habitat for Red-winged Blackbirds, Marsh Wrens, Virginia Rails, American > Bitterns, Common Yellowthroats, Northern Harriers, and other species. > Wherever there are openings in the plant cover, they also provide good > feeding areas for shorebirds and dabbling ducks. > > I am not sure what kind of habitat WDFW would like to create, or what kind > would be more productive than cattail marsh. It should be noted that the > Skagit Wildlife Area was created mainly for the protection and production of > wildlife, not fish. However, the widespread breaching of dikes in western > Washington and elsewhere, and reflooding with salt or brackish water, was > forced by fishery interests, with no concern whatsoever for effects on > wildlife. They thought it would increase the survival of juvenile salmon. > Perhaps there should have been more consultation between fishery and > wildlife biologists and plant ecologists beforehand, in order to determine > what kind of habitat would eventually result from this gigantic experiment. > It seems to be evolving in directions that many of us did not expect. It > remains to be seen whether the expansion of intertidal areas will in fact > result in improved salmonid survival, or whether the whole experiment will > go down in history as a failure. However, from a wildlife point of view, it > seems to me there are much worse things than cattail stands that could have > resulted, and I am wondering what the wildlife managers would like to see > instead. > > Wayne C. Weber, Ph.D. > Delta, BC, Canada > contopus@telus.net > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Tweeters [mailto:tweeters-bounces@mailman11.u.washington.edu] On > Behalf Of jimbetz@jimbetz.com > Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2022 9:06 PM > To: tweeters@u.washington.edu > Subject: [Tweeters] Wylie Slough - update ... > > Hi all, > > I actually got to talk to some of the people at WDFW today. The > bottom line (my interpretation) is that they are trying to eliminate > the "non-native" cattails in order to produce a "healthier" environment. > The cattails had taken over and had converted the Wylie wetlands into > a 'mono-environment' (very little vegetation other than cattails). > After additional probing he finally seemed to admit that the cattails > aren't so much 'exotics' with respect to the PNW ... they just aren't > natural (historically verifiable) as being present in the Skagit delta. > Some (most?) of that history has been provided by the tribes in the > area. > > (Jim's message truncated for brevity) > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters From jimbetz at jimbetz.com Fri Apr 15 12:12:45 2022 From: jimbetz at jimbetz.com (jimbetz@jimbetz.com) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Wylie Slough - update ... Message-ID: <20220415121245.Horde.fB62x1Q13LMOEQk5alcOUzF@webmail.jimbetz.com> Wayne Webber/all, Thanks for confirming what I thought was going on. It certainly seems to me that the people I talked to at WDFW were both not talking with each other/consulting others -and- pretty much flying blind ... with respect to the "cattail mitigation at Wylie". I have had a couple of people from this list contact me directly off list about this and their experience/knowledge seems to confirm what you are saying, Wayne. I will add this to the facts (rumors?). There is a gentleman named Bill who rides his bicycle on the levies/trails around Wylie. He lives in one of the houses along Mann road and is usually seen with his dog, River. He seems to be connected to the WDFW there and told me that the WDFW is concerned about the pH of the water in the wetlands (the part where it was sprayed) and that they needed a different (I think lower) pH in order for that area to be a better habitat for salmonid. I do not know or understand whether or not there is a direct relationship between the cattails and the pH - perhaps it is a "if there were more of another vegetation (such as sedges) then the pH would be different"? I did learn something just today. I was researching salmon and discovered that "salmonid" does not refer to the young salmon but rather to all of the various species such as trout, cutthroat, king, silver, sockeye, blackmouth, steelhead, etc. I tried, but have not yet learned what phase of the life of a salmon would use/be in the area at Wylie. It is not an area that spawning would occur since that requires clear fresh water running over gravel beds and Wylie is -mud- and vegetation and waterways. - Jim > Jim and Tweeters, > > As someone with a strong background in plant ecology (as well as > ornithology), I can assure readers that any assertion that cattails are not > native to the Skagit estuary is ridiculous. A comparison with the Fraser > estuary in BC (a much bigger river, to be sure) would be instructive. The > Fraser has 3 main mouths-- the North Arm, the main arm, and Canoe Pass > (which discharges between Westham Island and Brunswick Point). Many hundreds > of acres in the upper intertidal zone, between the 3 mouths and for a fair > distance to the north and south, are covered with a dense stand of > vegetation dominated by cattails, and have been as long as anyone can > remember. > > Cattails (Typha latifolia) are mainly a freshwater marsh plant, although > they also grow well in brackish estuaries with large amounts of freshwater > inflow, such as the Fraser and Skagit estuaries. They cannot survive where > high salinities prevail all the time, although they can withstand great > variation in salinity. > > Cattail stands are also highly productive from a biological point of view-- > for birds and other critters. Estuarine cattail stands provide excellent > habitat for Red-winged Blackbirds, Marsh Wrens, Virginia Rails, American > Bitterns, Common Yellowthroats, Northern Harriers, and other species. > Wherever there are openings in the plant cover, they also provide good > feeding areas for shorebirds and dabbling ducks. > > I am not sure what kind of habitat WDFW would like to create, or what kind > would be more productive than cattail marsh. It should be noted that the > Skagit Wildlife Area was created mainly for the protection and production of > wildlife, not fish. However, the widespread breaching of dikes in western > Washington and elsewhere, and reflooding with salt or brackish water, was > forced by fishery interests, with no concern whatsoever for effects on > wildlife. They thought it would increase the survival of juvenile salmon. > Perhaps there should have been more consultation between fishery and > wildlife biologists and plant ecologists beforehand, in order to determine > what kind of habitat would eventually result from this gigantic experiment. > It seems to be evolving in directions that many of us did not expect. It > remains to be seen whether the expansion of intertidal areas will in fact > result in improved salmonid survival, or whether the whole experiment will > go down in history as a failure. However, from a wildlife point of view, it > seems to me there are much worse things than cattail stands that could have > resulted, and I am wondering what the wildlife managers would like to see > instead. > > Wayne C. Weber, Ph.D. > Delta, BC, Canada > contopus@telus.net From gjpluth at gmail.com Fri Apr 15 12:34:54 2022 From: gjpluth at gmail.com (Greg Pluth) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] A different kind of FOY Message-ID: Tweets - This morning I got a First-Of-Yard bird. The Chipping Sparrow I photographed at my seed feeder was yard bird #65. According to eBird checklists, this species seems to not frequent my neck of the non-woods, including a wide surrounding area. This is my 10th spring here in my University Place single-story condo association and in fact, CHSP was not even on my still-hoping-to-see list. Thx for letting me gloat. Greg Pluth -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From peggy_busby at yahoo.com Fri Apr 15 12:58:34 2022 From: peggy_busby at yahoo.com (Peggy Mundy) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Wylie Slough - update ... In-Reply-To: <20220415121245.Horde.fB62x1Q13LMOEQk5alcOUzF@webmail.jimbetz.com> References: <20220415121245.Horde.fB62x1Q13LMOEQk5alcOUzF@webmail.jimbetz.com> Message-ID: <314206690.278015.1650052714522@mail.yahoo.com> Yes, salmonid is a catch-all term for any fish in the family Salmonidae.I have never done (nor seen) a fish survey from the area where Wylie is, but that sort of off-channel rearing habitat can be very important for juvenile salmonids.? Coho salmon come to mind particularly, due to their life history and where I have found juvenile coho in other areas (e.g., beaver ponds are great rearing habitat for coho).? Peggy Mundy(soon to be retired fish bio?)Bothell, WApeggy_busby@yahoo.com On Friday, April 15, 2022, 12:13:15 p.m. PDT, jimbetz@jimbetz.com wrote: Wayne Webber/all, ? Thanks for confirming what I thought was going on.? It certainly seems to me that the people I talked to at WDFW were both not talking with each other/consulting others -and- pretty much flying blind ... with respect to the "cattail mitigation at Wylie". ? I have had a couple of people from this list contact me directly off list about this and their experience/knowledge seems to confirm what you are saying, Wayne. ? I will add this to the facts (rumors?).? There is a gentleman named Bill who rides his bicycle on the levies/trails around Wylie.? He lives in one of the houses along Mann road and is usually seen with his dog, River.? He seems to be connected to the WDFW there and told me that the WDFW is concerned about the pH of the water in the wetlands (the part where it was sprayed) and that they needed a different (I think lower) pH in order for that area to be a better habitat for salmonid.? I do not know or understand whether or not there is a direct relationship between the cattails and the pH - perhaps it is a "if there were more of another vegetation (such as sedges) then the pH would be different"? ? I did learn something just today.? I was researching salmon and discovered that "salmonid" does not refer to the young salmon but rather to all of the various species such as trout, cutthroat, king, silver, sockeye, blackmouth, steelhead, etc.? I tried, but have not yet learned what phase of the life of a salmon would use/be in the area at Wylie.? It is not an area that spawning would occur since that requires clear fresh water running over gravel beds and Wylie is -mud- and vegetation and waterways. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? - Jim > Jim and Tweeters, > > As someone with a strong background in plant ecology (as well as > ornithology), I can assure readers that any assertion that cattails are not > native to the Skagit estuary is ridiculous. A comparison with the Fraser > estuary in BC (a much bigger river, to be sure) would be instructive. The > Fraser has 3 main mouths--? the North Arm, the main arm, and Canoe Pass > (which discharges between Westham Island and Brunswick Point). Many hundreds > of acres in the upper intertidal zone, between the 3 mouths and for a fair > distance to the north and south, are covered with a dense stand of > vegetation dominated by cattails, and have been as long as anyone can > remember. > > Cattails (Typha latifolia) are mainly a freshwater marsh plant, although > they also grow well in brackish estuaries with large amounts of freshwater > inflow, such as the Fraser and Skagit estuaries. They cannot survive where > high salinities prevail all the time, although they can withstand great > variation in salinity. > > Cattail stands are also highly productive from a biological point of view-- > for birds and other critters. Estuarine cattail stands provide excellent > habitat for Red-winged Blackbirds, Marsh Wrens, Virginia Rails, American > Bitterns, Common Yellowthroats, Northern Harriers, and other species. > Wherever there are openings in the plant cover, they also provide good > feeding areas for shorebirds and dabbling ducks. > > I am not sure what kind of habitat WDFW would like to create, or what kind > would be more productive than cattail marsh. It should be noted that the > Skagit Wildlife Area was created mainly for the protection and production of > wildlife, not fish. However, the widespread breaching of dikes in western > Washington and elsewhere, and reflooding with salt or brackish water, was > forced by fishery interests, with no concern whatsoever for effects on > wildlife. They thought it would increase the survival of juvenile salmon. > Perhaps there should have been more consultation between fishery and > wildlife biologists and plant ecologists beforehand, in order to determine > what kind of habitat would eventually result from this gigantic experiment. > It seems to be evolving in directions that many of us did not expect. It > remains to be seen whether the expansion of intertidal areas will in fact > result in improved salmonid survival, or whether the whole experiment will > go down in history as a failure. However, from a wildlife point of view, it > seems to me there are much worse things than cattail stands that could have > resulted, and I am wondering what the wildlife managers would like to see > instead. > > Wayne C. Weber, Ph.D. > Delta, BC, Canada > contopus@telus.net _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters@u.washington.edu http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ucd880 at comcast.net Fri Apr 15 13:33:41 2022 From: ucd880 at comcast.net (HAL MICHAEL) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Wylie Slough - update ... In-Reply-To: <20220415121245.Horde.fB62x1Q13LMOEQk5alcOUzF@webmail.jimbetz.com> References: <20220415121245.Horde.fB62x1Q13LMOEQk5alcOUzF@webmail.jimbetz.com> Message-ID: <1288994629.833759.1650054821372@connect.xfinity.com> The primary use of an estuarial wetland is during the conversion from wholly freshwater (juvenile stage) to marine. Normally, in the spring, the juvenile salmonids leave FW and head to salt. In an estuary they can develop saltwater tolerance over days/weeks. Further, they can feed there and grow with larger size benefitting them in escaping predators. Hal Michael Board of Directors,Ecologists Without Borders (http://ecowb.org/) Olympia WA 360-459-4005 360-791-7702 (C) ucd880@comcast.net > On 04/15/2022 12:12 PM jimbetz@jimbetz.com wrote: > > > Wayne Webber/all, > > Thanks for confirming what I thought was going on. It certainly > seems to me that the people I talked to at WDFW were both not > talking with each other/consulting others -and- pretty much flying > blind ... with respect to the "cattail mitigation at Wylie". > I have had a couple of people from this list contact me directly > off list about this and their experience/knowledge seems to > confirm what you are saying, Wayne. > > I will add this to the facts (rumors?). There is a gentleman > named Bill who rides his bicycle on the levies/trails around > Wylie. He lives in one of the houses along Mann road and is > usually seen with his dog, River. He seems to be connected to > the WDFW there and told me that the WDFW is concerned about the pH > of the water in the wetlands (the part where it was sprayed) > and that they needed a different (I think lower) pH in order for > that area to be a better habitat for salmonid. I do not know or > understand whether or not there is a direct relationship between > the cattails and the pH - perhaps it is a "if there were more of > another vegetation (such as sedges) then the pH would be different"? > > I did learn something just today. I was researching salmon and > discovered that "salmonid" does not refer to the young salmon but > rather to all of the various species such as trout, cutthroat, > king, silver, sockeye, blackmouth, steelhead, etc. I tried, but > have not yet learned what phase of the life of a salmon would > use/be in the area at Wylie. It is not an area that spawning > would occur since that requires clear fresh water running over > gravel beds and Wylie is -mud- and vegetation and waterways. > > - Jim > > > > Jim and Tweeters, > > > > As someone with a strong background in plant ecology (as well as > > ornithology), I can assure readers that any assertion that cattails are not > > native to the Skagit estuary is ridiculous. A comparison with the Fraser > > estuary in BC (a much bigger river, to be sure) would be instructive. The > > Fraser has 3 main mouths-- the North Arm, the main arm, and Canoe Pass > > (which discharges between Westham Island and Brunswick Point). Many hundreds > > of acres in the upper intertidal zone, between the 3 mouths and for a fair > > distance to the north and south, are covered with a dense stand of > > vegetation dominated by cattails, and have been as long as anyone can > > remember. > > > > Cattails (Typha latifolia) are mainly a freshwater marsh plant, although > > they also grow well in brackish estuaries with large amounts of freshwater > > inflow, such as the Fraser and Skagit estuaries. They cannot survive where > > high salinities prevail all the time, although they can withstand great > > variation in salinity. > > > > Cattail stands are also highly productive from a biological point of view-- > > for birds and other critters. Estuarine cattail stands provide excellent > > habitat for Red-winged Blackbirds, Marsh Wrens, Virginia Rails, American > > Bitterns, Common Yellowthroats, Northern Harriers, and other species. > > Wherever there are openings in the plant cover, they also provide good > > feeding areas for shorebirds and dabbling ducks. > > > > I am not sure what kind of habitat WDFW would like to create, or what kind > > would be more productive than cattail marsh. It should be noted that the > > Skagit Wildlife Area was created mainly for the protection and production of > > wildlife, not fish. However, the widespread breaching of dikes in western > > Washington and elsewhere, and reflooding with salt or brackish water, was > > forced by fishery interests, with no concern whatsoever for effects on > > wildlife. They thought it would increase the survival of juvenile salmon. > > Perhaps there should have been more consultation between fishery and > > wildlife biologists and plant ecologists beforehand, in order to determine > > what kind of habitat would eventually result from this gigantic experiment. > > It seems to be evolving in directions that many of us did not expect. It > > remains to be seen whether the expansion of intertidal areas will in fact > > result in improved salmonid survival, or whether the whole experiment will > > go down in history as a failure. However, from a wildlife point of view, it > > seems to me there are much worse things than cattail stands that could have > > resulted, and I am wondering what the wildlife managers would like to see > > instead. > > > > Wayne C. Weber, Ph.D. > > Delta, BC, Canada > > contopus@telus.net > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters From shepthorp at gmail.com Fri Apr 15 13:40:21 2022 From: shepthorp at gmail.com (Shep Thorp) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Nisqually Refuge Wednesday Walk - 13 April 2022 In-Reply-To: <1519176636.799312.1650037592391@connect.xfinity.com> References: <1519176636.799312.1650037592391@connect.xfinity.com> Message-ID: Great report Jon, thanks so much. What a disappointment to have the Coyote killed, a real loss for the sanctuary. Did someone inform the Refuge? Thanks for the documentation and request for law enforcement help. I hope no one had to see the offense. I?ll be there is upcoming Wednesday, hopefully the winter weather will subside. Seems like you got to see some really interesting behavior in the inclement weather. Have a great weekend! Shep Get Outlook for iOS ________________________________ From: Jon. Anderson and Marty Chaney Sent: Friday, April 15, 2022 8:46:32 AM To: Tweeters ; Shep Thorp at eBird ; Eric Slagle ; Ken Brown ; Phil Kelley Subject: Nisqually Refuge Wednesday Walk - 13 April 2022 Hello Tweeters, Fourteen intrepid birders met at the Visitors? Center at 8 a.m. for the weekly Wednesday Walk at Nisqually Refuge, with the 34? F rain beginning just as we started the walk. At the Visitors? Center we observed RING-NECKED DUCKS and a PIED-BILLED GREBE among the mallards, and heard singing COMMON YELLOWTHROATS. A pair of HOODED MERGANSERS entertained us with the hen searching among the venerable big-leaf maples for a suitable nesting cavity. >From the deck of the Environmental Education Center, we watched a threesome of WOOD DUCKS engaged in ?courtship behavior?. The orchard was pretty quiet as far as bird activity, due to the steady rain, but we did see an ANNA?S HUMMINGBIRD vigilantly guarding his patch of red-flowering currants. As we approached the service road, several of our group noted spent 9mm brass, where someone had illegally discharged their sidearm along the entrance road. The discovery of a freshly-killed coyote completed the mystery of what the shooting was about: some yahoos had driven in, seen the half-tame coyote and murdered it on a Federal Wildlife Refuge. This, coupled with the recent parking lot break-ins, trespass into closed areas, illegal drone flights, etc. emphasize the need for active law enforcement presence at the Refuge. The flooded fields west of the Visitors? Center were being criss-crossed by hundreds of VIOLET-GREEN, TREE, BARN, and CLIFF SWALLOWS - all foraging just above the water in-between bouts of light and heavier rain squalls. From the green gate, an intrepid eye spotted our FOY male BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD. The rain kept many of the passerines under cover as we birded along the western side of the boardwalk loop, but a pair of ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS were found perched as the rain-mixed-with-snow increased. Is this really the middle of April? A bit further along, the larger flock of swallows had sought a bit of shelter among the branches of an Oregon ash tree, where 200 birds snuggled side-by-side with no regard as to which species they were huddled next to. A PACIFIC WREN?s song from across the pond was defiant in the face of the wet and cold, and a single male AMERICAN GOLDFINCH sang into the wind. We made a cursory stop at the Twin Barns overlook, but could not locate the CINNAMON OR ?COMMON? TEALS that had been seen there recently. Three ROCK PIGEONS sought shelter from the deluge under the eaves of the south barn. Half of our cold and wet group called it a morning, and returned to the warmth of their cars, but the remainder continued out the north dike to the estuary boardwalk. En route, the rain slacked a bit, and the SAVANNAH SPARROWS began to sing. The cattail marsh on the south side of the dike held good diversity, but declining numbers, of waterfowl. NORTHERN SHOVELERS are paired up and foraging as couples with their distinctive side-by-side circular swimming, which brings food from the marsh bottom toward the surface. WESTERN CANADA GEESE are paired up, with many birds on nests. NORTHERN PINTAIL, AMERICAN WIGEON, MALLARDS, GADWALL, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, AMERICAN COOTS, and a few BUFFLEHEAD foraged in good numbers. The tide was ebbing, so the tidal surge plain and estuary restoration area showed mostly mud. We were surprised to find no small shorebirds, although GREATER YELLOWLEGS were seen in good numbers. We always make an effort to find SPOTTED SANDPIPER along the intertidal zone of McAllister Creek, and were not disappointed. Often, the only ?twitch? of STELLER?S JAY for our list is hearing them vocalize from the timber on the west side of the Creek, but today a pair were seen foraging on the cobble beach. Amongst the flocks of wigeon on the creek?s intertidal, we found a bright male EURASIAN WIGEON. While enjoying the view of this bird, a sharp eye noticed that the hen next to him had a rufous-brown, rather than a grey, face, which proved her to be a female Eurasian! It is easy to overlook the ?drabber-plumaged? hens in flocks of wigeon. The HORNED GREBES are moulting into their beautiful alternate breeding plumages. >From the observation deck at the north end of the boardwalk, we scanned the edge of the marsh to find nearly 4 dozen BALD EAGLES. A trio of BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER were foraging just east of the deck. On the lower estuary and on the Reach, we used spotting scopes to pick out GREATER SCAUP, SURF SCOTER, COMMON GOLDENEYE, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, and - on their perch on a channel marker on the Reach - seven BRANDT?S CORMORANTS. Only one DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT was found, and we presume most of that species are attending their breeding colonies, as numbers here are considerably lower than just a couple of weeks ago. The sun was actually breaking out on our return, so we stopped again at the Twin Barns overlook to scan the rain-flooded fields, hoping to find the ?COMMON? TEAL. We did not, but instead found an ?intergrade? drake GREEN-WINGED X COMMON TEAL, showing characteristics of both taxa: a horizontal white stripe along the wing line and a white vertical stripe on his shoulder. At the ?picnic? area at the Barns, a male HAIRY WOODPECKER?s loud drumming attracted our attention. At the north end of the boardwalk loop, we stopped to check the CANADA GOOSE on her nest 20 feet above the ground in a cottonwood snag, in a cleft where Horned Owls nested a few years ago. A BUSHTIT nest at that spot appears to be finished, and we had good views of the dark-eyed male foraging nearby. A stop at the River Overlook rewarded us with views of 10 COMMON MERGANSERS, as well as a River Otter finishing its sushi lunch. Our return along the east side of the loop provided good looks at YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, with both AUDUBON?S and MYRTLE forms, and good numbers of BROWN CREEPERS. RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS were active in the flowering currant and salmonberry patches. The rain had ceased, so we made one more effort for birds in the fields west of the Visitors? Center, and were rewarded with views of a drake CINNAMON TEAL, and side-by-side comparisons of ?MINIMA? AND TAVERNER?S CACKLING GEESE. To end the day, a RED-TAILED HAWK soared over us as we adjourned to the neighboring Nisqually Grill to enjoy a warm dinner and good memories of a day well-spent. Shep was visiting his Dad family in Pennsylvania, so Rob Chrisler and Olympia?s Ken Brown ?led? the walk; I kept the eBird checklist: Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR, Thurston, Washington, US Apr 13, 2022 7:53 AM - 3:31 PM Protocol: Traveling 5.52 miles Checklist Comments: We endured the morning rains, until it broke out to partly sunny in the afternoon. Temperatures 34-40? F. There was a +4.62-foot low tide at 11:01 a.m., flooding toward a 10.62-foot high tide at 4:09 p.m. Mammals seen included Coyotes, Columbian Black-tailed Deer, eastern cottontail, eastern grey squirrel, harbor seals, and a river otter. Sadly, we found 9 mm cartridge brass near a freshly-killed coyote near the orchard. The NWR needs more enforcement agents in the area. 73 species (+9 other taxa) Brant (Black) (Branta bernicla nigricans) 95 Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) 225 Cackling Goose (minima) (Branta hutchinsii minima) 75 Cackling Goose (Taverner's) (Branta hutchinsii taverneri) 115 Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 48 Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 9 Cinnamon Teal (Spatula cyanoptera) 1 Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) 325 Gadwall (Mareca strepera) 65 Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca penelope) 4 American Wigeon (Mareca americana) 675 Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 80 Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) 255 Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) 425 Green-winged Teal (Eurasian x American) (Anas crecca crecca x carolinensis) 1 Scope views; adult male with distinct horizontal and vertical white stripes, facial pattern more like a Common Teal. Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) 6 Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) 8 Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) 5 Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) 120 Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) 9 Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) 2 Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) 10 Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) 3 Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 2 Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) 3 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Feral Pigeon)) 3 Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 2 Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) 2 Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) 9 hummingbird sp. (Trochilidae sp.) 3 American Coot (Fulica americana) 285 Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) 3 Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) 2 Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 2 Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) 40 Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus) 50 Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 28 Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens) 1 Western x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid) (Larus occidentalis x glaucescens) 2 Western/Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus occidentalis/glaucescens) 6 Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) 1 Brandt's Cormorant (Urile penicillatus) 7 Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) 1 Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 3 Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 46 Red-tailed Hawk (calurus/alascensis) (Buteo jamaicensis calurus/alascensis) 1 Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 2 Downy Woodpecker (Pacific) (Dryobates pubescens gairdnerii/turati) 1 Hairy Woodpecker (Pacific) (Dryobates villosus [harrisi Group]) 1 Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 3 Steller's Jay (Coastal) (Cyanocitta stelleri [stelleri Group]) 2 American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 12 Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 10 Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens) 1 Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) 2 Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) 125 Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina) 95 Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 65 Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) 35 Bushtit (Pacific) (Psaltriparus minimus [minimus Group]) 2 Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) 11 Pacific Wren (Troglodytes pacificus) 1 Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris) 4 Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 4 European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 20 American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 46 Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) 5 Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) 2 American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 1 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) (Junco hyemalis [oreganus Group]) 1 White-crowned Sparrow (pugetensis) (Zonotrichia leucophrys pugetensis) 1 Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla) 28 Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) 2 Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 25 Spotted Towhee (oregonus Group) (Pipilo maculatus [oregonus Group]) 1 Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 24 Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 1 Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata) 2 Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 4 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 35 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) (Setophaga coronata coronata) 10 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) (Setophaga coronata auduboni) 18 Hope you can join us on every Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. at the Nisqually Visitors? Center. Jon. Anderson Olympia -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From leschwitters at me.com Sat Apr 16 14:16:37 2022 From: leschwitters at me.com (Larry Schwitters) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Vaux's Happening Message-ID: We're seriously looking but no roosting Vaux?s detected yet in Washington State this year. Can still use observers. Larry Schwitters Issaquah From avnacrs4birds at outlook.com Sun Apr 17 12:21:44 2022 From: avnacrs4birds at outlook.com (Denis DeSilvis) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] JBLM Eagles Pride Golf Course Monthly Birdwalk - April 21 Message-ID: Hi Tweeters, The Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) Eagles Pride Golf Course (GC) birdwalk is scheduled for Thursday, April 21. 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. Although I won't be there on this trip, other usual JBLM birders will be there to make their way around. April is a great start to walking in the mainly forested area of the Eagles Pride Golf Course. Also, to remind folks that haven?t been here before, you don?t need any ID to attend these birdwalks. Hope you?re able to make it! May all your birds be identified, Denis DeSilvis avnacrs 4 birds at outlook dot com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mj.cygnus at gmail.com Sun Apr 17 12:22:29 2022 From: mj.cygnus at gmail.com (Martha Jordan) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Whooper from here to there Message-ID: It appears the whooper swan that visited us this winter is now at Marsh Lake, near Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Guess it wanted to attend the Swan Festival they have there at this time of year. Check out the article, including a photo: https://www.yukon-news.com/life/whooper-swan-far-from-home-spotted-in-the-yukon/ Martha Jordan Everett, WA -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From hadleyj1725 at gmail.com Sun Apr 17 14:05:14 2022 From: hadleyj1725 at gmail.com (Jane Hadley) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Ivory-billed Woodpecker -- here we go again! Message-ID: <849ee86d-3048-bd9d-f847-f84edd5798d0@gmail.com> Researchers from the National Aviary claim to have documented physical evidence that the bird is still alive in Louisiana. In apre-print research paper that has not yet been peer-reviewed, lead author Steve Latta and a number of other researchers lay out the evidence that while the Ivory-billed Woodpecker may be reclusive, it has not been wiped out entirely. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/13/ivory-bill-woodpecker-not-extinct-researchers-say https://www.aviary.org/conservation/project-principalis/ Jane Hadley Seattle, WA -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From hadleyj1725 at gmail.com Sun Apr 17 14:08:07 2022 From: hadleyj1725 at gmail.com (Jane Hadley) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Bird studies on WOS website Message-ID: <424a19ed-8274-e334-ff07-4f20efbfd859@gmail.com> Dear Tweetsters -- The Research page at the Washington Ornithological Society (WOS) website lists bird studies that are under way. This page has just been updated. Studies that are no longer active, such as an American Crow study at the University of Washington, have been removed. Details and contact information for studies still ongoing have been updated. Studies ongoing include Bank Swallows, coastal raptors, Cooper's Hawks, Merlins, Peregrine Falcons, Turkey Vultures, and Western Bluebirds. Please give the page a visit to find out how you may be able to help. https://wos.org/research/ Jane Hadley Seattle, WA -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From avosetta at hotmail.com Sun Apr 17 14:36:49 2022 From: avosetta at hotmail.com (Diane Yorgason-Quinn) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Fw: Ivory-billed Woodpecker -- here we go again! In-Reply-To: <849ee86d-3048-bd9d-f847-f84edd5798d0@gmail.com> References: <849ee86d-3048-bd9d-f847-f84edd5798d0@gmail.com> Message-ID: Thanks, Jane. The current April issue of BirdWatching magazine (can usually be found at Barnes & Noble) has an article about this and the many other birds and vertebrates that have been "rediscovered" after officialdom has pronounced them extinct (hundreds!). Diane Yorgason-Quinn Wauna, WA Avosetta@hotmail.com ________________________________ From: Tweeters on behalf of Jane Hadley Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2022 2:05 PM To: Tweeters, Dear Subject: [Tweeters] Ivory-billed Woodpecker -- here we go again! Researchers from the National Aviary claim to have documented physical evidence that the bird is still alive in Louisiana. In a pre-print research paper that has not yet been peer-reviewed, lead author Steve Latta and a number of other researchers lay out the evidence that while the Ivory-billed Woodpecker may be reclusive, it has not been wiped out entirely. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/13/ivory-bill-woodpecker-not-extinct-researchers-say https://www.aviary.org/conservation/project-principalis/ Jane Hadley Seattle, WA T -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mattxyz at earthlink.net Sun Apr 17 15:00:42 2022 From: mattxyz at earthlink.net (Matt Bartels) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Ivory-billed Woodpecker -- here we go again! In-Reply-To: <849ee86d-3048-bd9d-f847-f84edd5798d0@gmail.com> References: <849ee86d-3048-bd9d-f847-f84edd5798d0@gmail.com> Message-ID: <10231561-BB16-450C-8571-7514E2C60ACC@earthlink.net> Here?s a decent skeptical take on this latest round of claims: https://twitter.com/Alexander_Lees/status/1514290140365082631 my favorite quote from the thread: ?If you find a mountain of evidence suggesting the creature you are hunting is common and there is no biological rationale for why you can't find the creature, then you need to reappraise your evidence threshold? Matt Bartels Seattle WA > On Apr 17, 2022, at 2:05 PM, Jane Hadley wrote: > > Researchers from the National Aviary claim to have documented physical evidence that the bird is still alive in Louisiana. In a pre-print research paper that has not yet been peer-reviewed, lead author Steve Latta and a number of other researchers lay out the evidence that while the Ivory-billed Woodpecker may be reclusive, it has not been wiped out entirely. > https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/13/ivory-bill-woodpecker-not-extinct-researchers-say > https://www.aviary.org/conservation/project-principalis/ > > > Jane Hadley > > Seattle, WA > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From birder4184 at yahoo.com Sun Apr 17 16:16:40 2022 From: birder4184 at yahoo.com (B B) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Big Month in March References: <925469665.366319.1650237400652.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <925469665.366319.1650237400652@mail.yahoo.com> In March I had a goal of finding 200+ species in Washington for the month.? I had done that in previously for January, February, April and May and wanted to continue the streak.? It was very up and down with some great birds and some bad misses.? Thanks to a rescheduled pelagic trip on March 27th, I made it.? Until that trip, there were some nervous moments though. I have written up the month in four blog posts.? Here are the first two: https://blairbirding.com/2022/04/17/big-march-2022-part-i-setting-the-stage-project-management/ https://blairbirding.com/2022/04/17/big-march-2022-part-ii-another-week-of-project-management/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dennispaulson at comcast.net Sun Apr 17 17:06:07 2022 From: dennispaulson at comcast.net (Dennis Paulson) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Ivory-billed Woodpecker -- here we go again! In-Reply-To: <10231561-BB16-450C-8571-7514E2C60ACC@earthlink.net> References: <849ee86d-3048-bd9d-f847-f84edd5798d0@gmail.com> <10231561-BB16-450C-8571-7514E2C60ACC@earthlink.net> Message-ID: Hello, tweets. Having followed the Arkansas and Florida ?rediscoveries? and the failure to have had anything come of them, I?m afraid I?m no more convinced by this one, after having read the preprint paper word for word. Alex Lees? argument makes complete sense (even though I?m a little surprised that Twitter is the news medium he felt was the best place to present it). Dennis Paulson Seattle > On Apr 17, 2022, at 3:00 PM, Matt Bartels wrote: > > > Here?s a decent skeptical take on this latest round of claims: > https://twitter.com/Alexander_Lees/status/1514290140365082631 > > my favorite quote from the thread: > ?If you find a mountain of evidence suggesting the creature you are hunting is common and there is no biological rationale for why you can't find the creature, then you need to reappraise your evidence threshold? > > Matt Bartels > Seattle WA > > >> On Apr 17, 2022, at 2:05 PM, Jane Hadley > wrote: >> >> Researchers from the National Aviary claim to have documented physical evidence that the bird is still alive in Louisiana. In a pre-print research paper that has not yet been peer-reviewed, lead author Steve Latta and a number of other researchers lay out the evidence that while the Ivory-billed Woodpecker may be reclusive, it has not been wiped out entirely. >> https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/13/ivory-bill-woodpecker-not-extinct-researchers-say >> https://www.aviary.org/conservation/project-principalis/ >> >> >> Jane Hadley >> >> Seattle, WA >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Tweeters mailing list >> Tweeters@u.washington.edu >> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From scottratkinson at hotmail.com Sun Apr 17 20:50:47 2022 From: scottratkinson at hotmail.com (Scott Atkinson) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Easter birding: FOS Black-throated Gray Warbler in n. Lake Stevens Message-ID: Tweeters: Heard a singing Black-throated Gray Warbler here in n. Lake Stevens (we are about midway between Marysville and Granite Falls) this morning. After perhaps the coldest single week in April here in modern history (or at least in the 25+ years we've been here), I was downright elated by the encounter. I note on EBird that Steve Pink had one yesterday as well, at Yost Park in Edmonds. Seems that in the colder years, FOS birds more typically show in the April 20-25 window. Other notable migrants included a Townsend's Solitaire and a flyover flock of 80 Gr. White-fronted Geese. Full list of 33 species on EBird at: eBird Checklist - 17 Apr 2022 - 13704 84th Street NE, Tiny's Lane, Lake Stevens, WA 98258 - 33 species (+2 other taxa). Scott Atkinson -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tcstonefam at gmail.com Mon Apr 18 07:52:42 2022 From: tcstonefam at gmail.com (Tom and Carol Stoner) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] FOY Caspian Terns Message-ID: Heard the first squawks of Caspian Terns over West Seattle Sunday. Carol Stoner -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From stevechampton at gmail.com Mon Apr 18 10:29:16 2022 From: stevechampton at gmail.com (Steve Hampton) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] early Cassin's Vireo vs Purple Finch (heard only) Message-ID: I'm putting this out here because I see it's not yet been brought up this spring. Purple Finches have a ?disjunct song? that sounds remarkably like the classic Cassin?s Vireo ?question-answer? song. This fooled me the first time I heard it. What?s more, PUFI tend to give this in March and April, just before Cassin?s Vireos arrive in spring migration. If you hear an early Cassin?s Vireo, it?s been suggested there?s a 110% chance that it?s a Purple Finch. I know that's not quite true -- I've seen a lot of early CAVI reports on eBird but at least one had a photo and several others mentioned visual confirmation. If your first Cassin?s Vireo of the year is heard-only, it?s worth trying hard to confirm with a visual, or wait and see if it launches into a typical Purple Finch song (which sounds a bit like the spiralling song of the Swainson's Thrush, though more warbling than ethereal). Cassin's Vireo should just be starting to arrive about now, but don't really peak for a few weeks. Three examples of the Purple Finch?s "disjunct song" are here: https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/peterson-field-guide-to-bird-sounds/?speciesCode=purfin&species=Purple%20Finch%20-%20Haemorhous%20purpureus Some examples of Cassin?s Finch?s "question-answer" song are here: https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/peterson-field-guide-to-bird-sounds/?speciesCode=casvir&species=Cassin%27s%20Vireo%20-%20Vireo%20cassinii good birding, Steve Hampton Port Townsend, WA (qat?y) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From benedict.t at comcast.net Mon Apr 18 10:53:12 2022 From: benedict.t at comcast.net (THOMAS BENEDICT) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] FOY Caspian Terns In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <48819266.2371337.1650304392459@connect.xfinity.com> Indeed, saw a number of Caspian Terns at Alki on Sunday morning. Also, on the previous Saturday, April 9th, at Marginal Way and Nevada St there were many (50+) CATE overhead. I believe that location is near last year's rooftop colony. None that I've noticed yet here in Burien, though. Tom Benedict Seahurst, WA > On 04/18/2022 7:52 AM Tom and Carol Stoner wrote: > > Heard the first squawks of Caspian Terns over West Seattle Sunday. > > Carol Stoner > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From marvbreece at q.com Mon Apr 18 11:28:51 2022 From: marvbreece at q.com (Marv Breece) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] 4 zono day & eagle/goose chase Message-ID: <739329431.88830831.1650306531307.JavaMail.zimbra@q.com> Yesterday the Thomle Road (Snohomish County) HARRIS'S & WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS continued. Both looked rather unkempt compared to the spiffy GOLDEN & WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS. Also along Thomle Rd was a late light morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. A flock of hundreds of SNOW GEESE along Boe Rd included 2 or more minima CACKLING GEESE. There were also hundreds of SNOW GEESE at the West 90 on the Samish Flats. Included were a few minima and an adult GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. At the Field Road 90 were 4 WILSON'S SNIPES. At Hayton Reserve on Fir Island were 79 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, mostly in alternate plumage. Other shorebirds at Hayton: DUNLIN in numbers, WESTERN SANDPIPERS 4, LEAST SANDPIPERS 6, and GREATER YELLOWLEGS 9. There were 3 perched PEREGRINE FALCONS. The cake taker for the day was an interaction between an adult Bald Eagle and a juv Snow Goose at Hayton. Neil O'Hara and I were birding from the dike when a juv Snow Goose came from behind and carried the mail low over our heads. We looked at each other in surprise. In an instant we knew why. The next second, an adult Bald Eagle flew very low over our heads in hot pursuit. The goose was laboring and the eagle wing beats looked slow in comparison, but it appeared to be gaining on the goose as they flew to the east, over the lagoon. I thought the goose was toast. When the 2 birds reached the bushes near the far end, the goose dove for cover, and the eagle flew on a short distance and perched. The Snow Goose was difficult to locate under the bushes. When we finally did, we could see that it remained rather motionless for minutes. T he chase was over. These words do not capture the drama of the event. Some videos of the day: https://flic.kr/ps/376fhN Marv Breece Tukwila, WA marvbreece@q.com Pbase Images : https://www.pbase.com/marvbreece Flickr Videos : https://www.flickr.com/photos/138163614@N02/ Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHbkNzr4TaZ6ZBWfoJNvavw/featured -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From birder4184 at yahoo.com Mon Apr 18 11:36:14 2022 From: birder4184 at yahoo.com (B B) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:43 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Orange Crowned Warblers at Yost Park References: <678161175.512848.1650306974250.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <678161175.512848.1650306974250@mail.yahoo.com> Granted I have not birded there in a week plus, but it sure seemed like a lot of Orange Crowned Warblers may have just arrived at Yost Park in Edmonds.? I don't know if they are just moving through or are setting up territories.? I could there trilling song almost constantly.? I had visuals of 4 in discrete areas and may have heard at least two others although that may have been from overlap and movement. Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From garybletsch at yahoo.com Mon Apr 18 12:50:13 2022 From: garybletsch at yahoo.com (Gary Bletsch) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Purple Finch "vireo" songs and Song Sparrow "thrush" calls References: <1316507871.34393.1650311413786.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1316507871.34393.1650311413786@mail.yahoo.com> Dear Tweeters, Thanks to Steve Hampton for posting about the Purple Finch's vocalizations. That was a helpful reminder.? These finches can indeed sound almost exactly like Cassin's Vireos. A week or so ago, a friend and I were birding at Bryson Road, near Darrington. We heard two different Purple Finches giving astonishingly vireo-like songs. To me, these songs sounded more like Red-eyed Vireo songs than Cassin's Vireo songs. My friend and I agreed that many a birder would simply have recorded "Cassin's Vireo, heard only," or some such thing, since these finches were often out of sight when we heard them. Most of the time, when I've heard Purple Finches give vireo-like calls or songs, the finch has reverted to its more typical vocalizations, but the birds at Bryson Road stayed with the pseudo-vireo renditions for long periods of time.? On a similar note (pun semi-intended), there is another sound-alike bird vocalization that comes up just about every spring. I have noticed this one especially at the Fir Island Game Range, AKA Wylie Slough. A couple of weeks before Swainson's Thrushes show up, the Song Sparrows in that area will often append a "whit" note to the end of their songs. This note can sound almost precisely the same as the soft "whit" of a Swainson's Thrush. I have been birding with people there that time of year when this has happened. A couple of times I've actually gone to the trouble of tracking down the "offending" Song Sparrow, to prove to an incredulous birder that their thrush was really a sparrow! Yours truly, Gary Bletsch -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From blabar at harbornet.com Mon Apr 18 21:45:49 2022 From: blabar at harbornet.com (Bruce LaBar) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Westport Pelagic Trip, April 23. Message-ID: <33D604773E7D40AEB3ED28DFA41EF632@DESKTOPC93UPS5> There are three openings for this Saturdays trip. Weather looks favorable! Great time for Parakeet Auklets, Black-legged Kittiwakes, migrating waterfowl, loons, shearwaters, albatross. If interested visit our website to make reservations. On behalf of Westport Seabirds, Bruce LaBar -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From meetings at wos.org Tue Apr 19 03:01:41 2022 From: meetings at wos.org (meetings@wos.org) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] =?utf-8?q?WOS_Monthly_Meeting=2C_May_2=2C_Monday=2C_7?= =?utf-8?q?=3A30_pm=2C_Ed_Deal_to_present_a_10-Year_Retrospective_o?= =?utf-8?q?n_Seattle=E2=80=99s_Expanding_Urban__Cooper=E2=80=99s_Ha?= =?utf-8?q?wk_Population?= Message-ID: <20220419100141.31925.qmail@s401.sureserver.com> The Washington Ornithological Society is delighted to invite you to our May Monthly Meeting when Ed Deal will share what he and a group of volunteers in the Seattle Cooper?s Hawk Project have learned about these common but elusive raptors through 10 years of monitoring them in Seattle. Thirty years ago Cooper?s Hawks began colonizing urban and suburban landscapes throughout the US, developing a tolerance for living in proximity to humans. The Seattle Cooper?s Hawk Project is one of several studies in large US cities and the only all-volunteer, community science project. Since 2012 the group has monitored the local Cooper?s Hawk population nesting density and annual nest productivity.?? In 1991 Ed was introduced to the fascinating world of raptors when he signed up for a Hawk ID class with Bud Anderson.?? It proved to be a mid-life-changing event, leading to hawk banding in WA state and beyond; 17 years of volunteering on the Falcon Research Group?s study of nesting Peregrine Falcons in the San Juan Islands; 28 years of monitoring & banding nesting Peregrines in the Seattle area; and, of course, his work monitoring Seattle?s Cooper?s Hawks. When???Monday, May 2, 7:30 pm (sign-in begins at 7:15 pm) WOS Monthly Meetings remain open to all as we continue to welcome the wider birding community to join us online. For login information, go to http://wos.org/about-wos/monthly-meetings/.??While there, if you are not yet a member of WOS, I hope you will consider becoming one. Please join us! Vicki King WOS Program Coordinator From scottratkinson at hotmail.com Tue Apr 19 12:56:44 2022 From: scottratkinson at hotmail.com (Scott Atkinson) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Cassin's Vireo vs. Purple Finch songs, Cassin's Vireo arrival Message-ID: Tweeters: Good comments posted on Purple Finch alternate song likeness to Cassin's Vireo songs. Another helpful clue (not as a stand-alone however) is location of the singing bird. Singing Purples at this time of year especially are prone to treetop perches or close by, usually in the open for maximum broadcast. By contrast, Cassin's Vireo is prone toward mixed or coniferous forest interior, or at least interior of the tree chosen, for singing. Dates of arrival for Cassin's Vireo are a little different than as reported by Steve. Cassin's Vireo is long known as an April FOS bird; this cold year the migration peak may be reached after May 1st, but normally Cassin's Vireo migration is strongest in latter April in wWA lowlands. Exceptionally, Cassin's Vireo has even arrived in the w. WA lowlands in late March, though I don't recall any such encounters in recent years. I think 'ol Gary has explained well the reports we seem to get of very early Swainson's Thrush--that are in fact Song Sparrows (or other sp.). Seems clear enough that while a few birds have shown in the last decade of the month (especially the very last days of April), arrival in the first week of May is the norm. Scott Atkinson -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com Tue Apr 19 13:53:16 2022 From: dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com (Dan Reiff) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] =?utf-8?q?SCIENTIFIC_AMERICAN=3A_What_Birds_Really_Lis?= =?utf-8?q?ten_for_in_Birdsong_=28It=E2=80=99s_Not_What_You_Think=29?= Message-ID: <31BECB70-5F7D-4F34-BC51-EBA3CE9E7F5D@gmail.com> What Birds Really Listen for in Birdsong (It?s Not What You Think) Birds seem to pay more attention to fine acoustic details that humans cannot hear than to the melodies that captivate us Read in Scientific American: https://apple.news/ApNMn5sPfRUmaB7vR70OoIA Shared from Apple News Sent from my iPhone -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From acunha5112 at gmail.com Tue Apr 19 15:20:55 2022 From: acunha5112 at gmail.com (Anne C) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Purple Finch "vireo" songs and Song Sparrow "thrush" calls Message-ID: What a timely post, Gary Bletsch! I?ve just returned home from a walk in Southwest County Park (Edmonds), hearing/seeing the usual suspects when I was stopped in my tracks by a soft, and then repeated, ?whit? call. The song sparrow I proceeded to track down, just to be sure, was masterful as it returned to its typical song. Of note, there seems to be an influx now of black-throated gray warblers in the park - many more singing today (at least 4) compared with the single FOY one I heard on April 13th in the same area. Happy spring! Anne Cunha Lynnwood -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ldhubbell at comcast.net Tue Apr 19 15:34:57 2022 From: ldhubbell at comcast.net (Hubbell) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Union Bay Watch } Eaglets Aloft Message-ID: Tweeters, Monty and Marsha have done it again. They have new young in the nest! https://unionbaywatch.blogspot.com/2022/04/eaglets-aloft.html Have a great day on Union Bay where nature lives in the city! Larry Hubbell ldhubbell at comcast dot net -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From birdmarymoor at gmail.com Tue Apr 19 16:30:03 2022 From: birdmarymoor at gmail.com (Michael Hobbs) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Grasshopper Sparrow at Marymoor Message-ID: Just got photo confirmation of a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW at Marymoor Park, Redmond, King Co. Found by Shamik Ghosh about 3 hours ago in the East Meadow. Don't know if it's still there. - Michael Hobbs -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From birdmarymoor at gmail.com Tue Apr 19 17:42:56 2022 From: birdmarymoor at gmail.com (Michael Hobbs) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] GRSP - yes Message-ID: The Grasshopper Sparrow is currently being seen at the NE part of the East Meadow at Marymoor Park. - Michael Hobbs -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From baro at pdx.edu Tue Apr 19 21:07:08 2022 From: baro at pdx.edu (Robert O'Brien) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Cassin's Vireo vs. Purple Finch songs, Cassin's Vireo arrival In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: My $0.02 worth. I agree completely with Scott's comments re: Swainson's Thrush, and many, many kindred comments of others in WA and here in OR, especially this time of year.. But, perhaps there is a little more..... I've lived at this very rural location here, 20mi SE of Portland, for almost 50 years. I am outside, now that I'm retired, virtually every day, year round. Swainson's Thrushes nest here and pass through in small numbers, but are very reclusive at all times. I'm quite familiar with their song and their calls' 'whit, whit'. Now one would expect to hear their calls before their songs, all things being equal, in migration. On two separate days within the last week I've heard the whit, whit call. (not the whinnying call). Twice But only a single, short episode in each incidencence. Now, if Song Sparrows (or any other resident bird) were uttering this call I would hear it more often. Song sparrows are the most common, small, ground bird. here year round. and I know their ways very well.. I have no personal doubt that these whit whitters were very early, very reclusive (as usual) Swainson's Thrushes. Now these are single person sound records and I would never bother to 'report' them except in this particular situation.. *Whit whit* to all in the Pacific NW,or Cascadia, or wherever. Bob OBrien Portland https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/111048?__hstc=75100365.83ab5d52fab717998657a30479ee4ca1.1650427308778.1650427308778.1650427308778.1&__hssc=75100365.2.1650427308779&__hsfp=184334894&_gl=1*1ji5w13*_ga*MTQ5NDI5Mjk1Ni4xNjUwNDI3Mjk5*_ga_QR4NVXZ8BM*MTY1MDQyNzMwMC4xLjEuMTY1MDQyNzQ0Ni4z#_ga=2.89574290.846489492.1650427302-1494292956.1650427299 On Tue, Apr 19, 2022 at 12:57 PM Scott Atkinson wrote: > Tweeters: > > Good comments posted on Purple Finch alternate song likeness to Cassin's > Vireo songs. Another helpful clue (not as a stand-alone however) is > location of the singing bird. Singing Purples at this time of year > especially are prone to treetop perches or close by, usually in the open > for maximum broadcast. By contrast, Cassin's Vireo is prone toward mixed > or coniferous forest interior, or at least interior of the tree chosen, for > singing. > > Dates of arrival for Cassin's Vireo are a little different than as > reported by Steve. Cassin's Vireo is long known as an April FOS bird; this > cold year the migration peak may be reached after May 1st, but normally > Cassin's Vireo migration is strongest in latter April in wWA lowlands. > Exceptionally, Cassin's Vireo has even arrived in the w. WA lowlands in > late March, though I don't recall any such encounters in recent years. > > I think 'ol Gary has explained well the reports we seem to get of very > early Swainson's Thrush--that are in fact Song Sparrows (or other sp.). > Seems clear enough that while a few birds have shown in the last decade of > the month (especially the very last days of April), arrival in the first > week of May is the norm. > > Scott Atkinson > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From seattle1299 at aol.com Wed Apr 20 08:03:47 2022 From: seattle1299 at aol.com (Karen) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor GHSP yes References: <123208957.1628782.1650467027970.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <123208957.1628782.1650467027970@mail.yahoo.com> 8 am Grasshopper Sparrow feeding in short grass on east side of meadow? Karen SSeattle1299 at aol dot com Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From bellasoc at isomedia.com Wed Apr 20 08:51:15 2022 From: bellasoc at isomedia.com (B P Bell) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Grasshopper Sparrow at Marymoor Message-ID: <002e01d854ce$79995e00$6ccc1a00$@isomedia.com> Hi Tweets At 8 this morning the Grasshopper Sparrow was feeding on the path on the northeast side of the meadow at Marymoor. Good Birding! Brian H. Bell Woodinville Wa Mail to be llas oc atiso media.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From louiserutter1000 at gmail.com Wed Apr 20 10:31:36 2022 From: louiserutter1000 at gmail.com (louiserutter1000) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] FW: Grasshopper Sparrow at Marymoor In-Reply-To: <002e01d854ce$79995e00$6ccc1a00$@isomedia.com> Message-ID: <6260437b.1c69fb81.7bc0a.0776@mx.google.com> Showing well on trail now.Louise RutterKirklandSent via the Samsung Galaxy A6, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone -------- Original message --------From: B P Bell Date: 4/20/22 08:51 (GMT-08:00) To: Tweeters Subject: [Tweeters] Grasshopper Sparrow at Marymoor Hi Tweets?At 8 this morning the Grasshopper Sparrow was feeding on the path on the northeast side of the meadow at Marymoor. ?Good Birding!?Brian H. BellWoodinville WaMail to be llas oc atiso media.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From habarnes at earthlink.net Wed Apr 20 17:17:06 2022 From: habarnes at earthlink.net (Hilary Barnes) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Black-throated Gray Warblers and Pacific-slope Flycatchers on Cougar Mountain Message-ID: <54bfe946-604d-0aaa-4cd0-6669086b9ee3@earthlink.net> Yesterday morning heard and saw Black-throated Gray Warblers up at Sky Country Trailhead near the parking lot and the meadow. Pacific-slope Flycatchers heard all around while walking up the Clay Pit Road. ? Hilary Barnes ? ? From birder4184 at yahoo.com Wed Apr 20 17:24:47 2022 From: birder4184 at yahoo.com (B B) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Big March - Last Two Blog Posts References: <20605099.868952.1650500687272.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <20605099.868952.1650500687272@mail.yahoo.com> These posts detail the last two weeks in my pursuit of a Big March - 200+ species in the state during the month. http://blairbirding.com/2022/04/18/big-march-part-iii-week-3-a-critical-trip-east/ https://blairbirding.com/2022/04/21/big-march-week-4-the-final-push/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From paul.bannick at gmail.com Wed Apr 20 21:01:13 2022 From: paul.bannick at gmail.com (Paul Bannick) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Oaxaca Birding Message-ID: Hello Fellow Tweeters, Have any of you birded near Oaxaca Mexico in the last year or so? I am curious to hear of your experience. Thanks! Paul -- Now Available: Owl: A Year in the Lives of North American Owls at: http://paulbannick.com/shop/owl-a-year-in-the-lives-of-north-american-owls/ Paul Bannick Photography www.paulbannick.com 206-940-7835 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From nagi.aboulenein at gmail.com Thu Apr 21 04:46:23 2022 From: nagi.aboulenein at gmail.com (Nagi Aboulenein) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Oaxaca Birding In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <38446f63-dd00-4a0e-bd96-90aad528ba28@Spark> Hi Paul, Taghrid and I made a birding trip to Oaxaca in December 2019. Not as recent as you?re requesting, but if there?s any specific info you?re interested in please let me know. Best regards, Nagi On Apr 20, 2022, 21:01 -0700, Paul Bannick , wrote: > Hello Fellow Tweeters, > > Have any of you birded near Oaxaca Mexico in the last year or so?? I am curious to hear of your experience. > > Thanks! > > Paul > > -- > Now Available: > Owl: A Year in the Lives of North American Owls at: > http://paulbannick.com/shop/owl-a-year-in-the-lives-of-north-american-owls/ > > > Paul Bannick Photography > www.paulbannick.com > 206-940-7835 > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mattxyz at earthlink.net Thu Apr 21 06:06:36 2022 From: mattxyz at earthlink.net (Matt Bartels) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor (king co) grasshopper sparrow still present this motning Message-ID: <7CB9A6E9-A24E-4887-882B-044729156323@earthlink.net> For anyone interested in a morning run ? ? the grasshopper sparrow is still at Marymoor Park in Redmond King County as of 6 AM Matt Bartels Seattle wa Sent from my iPhone From hank.heiberg at yahoo.com Thu Apr 21 08:20:06 2022 From: hank.heiberg at yahoo.com (Hank Heiberg) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Kittitas County Birding References: Message-ID: ? > ?Maybe it was the weather (sunny & little wind) or reduced concerns about Covid, but certainly the birds. Easter weekend was one of our most enjoyable birding trips to Kittitas County. The bird of the trip was a Nashville Warbler seen in Irene Rhinehart Park (Ellensburg) in the marsh along the gated road just past the tarped hay piles. > > https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/52018531032/in/dateposted/ > > Close to Irene Rhinehart park is Rotary Park where we found 2 Yellow-headed Blackbirds, a Sora (heard) and a Virginia Rail (heard). To get to the Rotary Park wetlands cross the soccer fields from the parking lot towards the large barn. Pass through the woods up onto the trail. The wetlands will be immediately in front of you. > > At the Northern Pacific Railroad Ponds (Cle Elum) are 2 pairs of nesting Pygmy Nuthatches. Here is a video of one of them excavating. > > https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/52016858394/in/dateposted/ > > Our first stop was the Hyak sewage treatment ponds. Of interest is a fairly new feeder house just before the right turn onto the road around the ponds. The feeders are in the woods on the left across the road from the house. The homeowners are friendly. One stood on her deck and chatted with us about the birds that she sees. > > Here is the eBird trip report > > https://ebird.org/tripreport/48447 > > To see where birds were seen such as the 3 Townsend?s Solitaire, tap on the number to the right of the species. > > Here is the photo album for the trip. > > https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/albums/72177720298197227 > > Hank & Karen Heiberg > Issaquah, WA -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From rogermoyer1 at hotmail.com Thu Apr 21 10:40:01 2022 From: rogermoyer1 at hotmail.com (Roger Moyer) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] T. Vulture migration Message-ID: To the individual who runs the Turkey Vulture survey. Migration is going pretty good. I drive truck between Chehalis ans The Dalles every day. I've averaged between 12-20 birds a day for the last couple weeks. The Dalles usually has 4-5 birds. Hood River seems to be the hotspot. I had a kettle of 6 birds yesterday. Roger Moyer Chehalis, WA -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From chandirah at gmail.com Thu Apr 21 12:45:12 2022 From: chandirah at gmail.com (Chandira H) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Turkey Vultures in the Nooksack Message-ID: I saw PLENTY of TVs on the way up to Glacier at the weekend. 10 circling on the way home near Van Zandt at least. Saw a few up as far as Glacier! I probably saw about 20-25 driving between Seattle and Mt Baker! We saw at least 6 near Lake Samish too on the way up. Sent from my iPhone > On Apr 21, 2022, at 12:09 PM, tweeters-request@mailman11.u.washington.edu wrote: > > Message: 7 > Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2022 17:40:01 +0000 > From: Roger Moyer > To: "tweeters@u.washington.edu tweeters" > Subject: [Tweeters] T. Vulture migration > Message-ID: > > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > To the individual who runs the Turkey Vulture survey. Migration is going pretty good. I drive truck between Chehalis ans The Dalles every day. I've averaged between 12-20 birds a day for the last couple weeks. The Dalles usually has 4-5 birds. Hood River seems to be the hotspot. I had a kettle of 6 birds yesterday. > > Roger Moyer > Chehalis, WA From birder4184 at yahoo.com Thu Apr 21 14:51:11 2022 From: birder4184 at yahoo.com (B B) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Oaxaca Birding References: <1145546761.35231.1650577871001.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1145546761.35231.1650577871001@mail.yahoo.com> Paul Cindy and I joined a group tour to Oaxaca last November.? Due in large part to the "approach" of the group, the birding was not as good as hoped for, but in every other way, it was quite good - culture, food, lodging etc,? we still managed 169 species but with a different approach, that number could have been significantly higher and more importantly with the exception of a wonderful trip to the Manialtepec Lagoon the quality could have been much better,? (Quality meaning views and some of the species not seen).? Perhaps of special interest to you, our only owl was a distant heard only Mottled Owl and we also had only 4 woodpeckers - poor interactions/views. Friends/acquaintances who are excellent birders were there about a week later - also for around 10 days and had extraordinary birding with far more species, better species and better views/photo ops.? The avifauna is terrific.? Will not be back as other places beckon and time is too short, but I know it would be worthwhile. Contact me off line if you wish. Blair Bernson -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From birdmarymoor at gmail.com Thu Apr 21 17:59:37 2022 From: birdmarymoor at gmail.com (birdmarymoor@gmail.com) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co.) 2022-04-21 Message-ID: <62840C013CA747869956C3C54AD3A46B@DESKTOPER2GUVC> Tweets ? It was colder and darker that we would have hoped for this morning, but the rain stopped at about 5:30 a.m. (before the walk), and we never got more than a few drops after that. It was pretty birdy, with a good mix of lingering winter birds and spring arrivals, but the birds were not always terribly cooperative. Highlights: (FOY) = First of Year for the survey. Most of our FOY birds had been seen in the park already before today a.. Cackling Goose ? low flyover of a flock of 50+. We?ve only ever had 5 later sightings in April, and none in May b.. American Wigeon ? several on grass soccier fields. Still 9 species of wintering ducks total c.. Wilson?s Snipe ? about 5 in the slough below the weir. These might stick around 1-2 more weeks d.. Great Blue Herons ? eggshells on the ground under the heronry, ?grum grum grum? baby noises from the nests e.. Northern Harrier ? one over the East Meadow ? (FOY) f.. Purple Martin ? one in a gourd ? (FOY) g.. Cliff Swallow ? several over the lake, seen from the Lake Platform (FOY) h.. American Pipit ? eleven flew over the Viewing Mound and landed in the East Meadow (FOY) i.. GRASSHOPPER SPARROW ? still returning to the mowed grass trail, NE part of the East Meadow ? New for the park Tuesday. j.. Fox Sparrow ? down to just one, heard only k.. White-crowned Sparrow ? quite numerous (25+), with all but one or two being Gambelii l.. Lincoln?s Sparrow ? one in the Pea Patch (FOY) m.. Western Meadowlark ? two in the East Meadow n.. Brown-headed Cowbird ? at least four or five (FOY) o.. Yellow-rumped Warbler - 50+, with about 1-in-8 being Myrtle, the rest Audubon?s. They were everywhere p.. Black-throated Gray Warbler ? one heard singing across the slough from the windmill (FOY) Misses today included Pied-billed Grebe, Hairy Woodpecker, Belted Kingfisher, and Hermit Thrush. For the day, 69 species. = Michael Hobbs = www.marymoor.org/birding.htm = BirdMarymoor@gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From avnacrs4birds at outlook.com Thu Apr 21 18:50:24 2022 From: avnacrs4birds at outlook.com (Denis DeSilvis) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Oaxaca Birding In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I was in Huatulco, Oaxaca yesterday while on a repositioning cruise. Only 2.5 hours birding with a guide: 35 species, including 4 endemics. Area businesses doing pretty well, quite a few visitors, masks on at least 90% of people, even outdoors in crowded places. May all your birds be identified, Denis DeSilvis avnacrs 4 birds at outlook dot com ________________________________ From: Tweeters on behalf of Paul Bannick Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2022 11:01:13 PM To: Tweeters Subject: [Tweeters] Oaxaca Birding Hello Fellow Tweeters, Have any of you birded near Oaxaca Mexico in the last year or so? I am curious to hear of your experience. Thanks! Paul -- Now Available: Owl: A Year in the Lives of North American Owls at: http://paulbannick.com/shop/owl-a-year-in-the-lives-of-north-american-owls/ Paul Bannick Photography www.paulbannick.com 206-940-7835 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From andy_mcc at hotmail.com Fri Apr 22 08:42:20 2022 From: andy_mcc at hotmail.com (Andy McCormick) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Continuing Grasshopper Sparrow Message-ID: The Grasshopper Sparrow was seen this morning about 8:00 a.m. and continues to forage in the Audubon Birdloop Trail just east of the observation mound as of 8:40. Andy McCormick Bellevue, WA Get Outlook for iOS -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From merdave at homenetnw.net Fri Apr 22 08:54:49 2022 From: merdave at homenetnw.net (merdave@homenetnw.net) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Douglas Co. Birds Message-ID: <2ab34c391cd82c26c58cb50d5dbf6f69@homenetnw.net> Hi birders. This morning I was told of an Am. Avocet at the Debris Basin Recreation Area behind Chief Joesph Dam. I think it is the first time I've seen one there. We also have one pelican below the dam. Has anyone else seen the odd Pintail reported earlier on Bridgeport Bar? I haven't seen any comments about it. Meredith Spencer, Bridgeport From ronpost4 at gmail.com Fri Apr 22 12:22:30 2022 From: ronpost4 at gmail.com (ronpost4@gmail.com) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] A big thank you Message-ID: An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From meetings at wos.org Fri Apr 22 19:06:01 2022 From: meetings at wos.org (meetings@wos.org) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] =?utf-8?q?Washington_Ornithological_Society_=28WOS=29_?= =?utf-8?q?Annual_Conference_Spokane_Valley=2C_Washington_=E2=80=93?= =?utf-8?q?_June_9_=E2=80=93_12=2C_2022?= Message-ID: <20220423020601.6401.qmail@s401.sureserver.com> On-line REGISTRATION for the WOS annual conference will open Sunday, April 24 at 8:00 a.m. PDT.??A link to the registration site (PlanetReg) is available through the WOS web site. Complete information about the conference (field trips, lodging, meals, programs, etc.) can be accessed NOW at our website, wos.org. Note: To get the group rate, make your hotel reservations at the Tru by Hilton Spokane Valley by May 1, 2022. See the WOS website for details. ?Shrub-steppe to Meadows to Peaks? ???????Plenty of half- and full-day field trips Thursday through Sunday ???????Friday photo identification challenge event with Dennis Paulson ???????Saturday banquet and keynote talk on Great Grey Owls by Mike Munts, Director, Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge What is WOS???A forum where birders meet to share information on bird identification, biology, population status, and?birding sites.??Membership is open to everyone interested in birds and birding. More information???www.wos.org Covid vaccinations required Vicki King WOS Program Coordinator From jimbetz at jimbetz.com Sat Apr 23 07:40:48 2022 From: jimbetz at jimbetz.com (jimbetz@jimbetz.com) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Short-eared Owls? In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <20220423074048.Horde.uCFYgfhBNctwoqbsLTzvKhp@webmail.jimbetz.com> Hi, Last year, particularly in Jan and Feb but well into May - we were seeing Short-Eared Owls on the Samish Flats and Fir Island. This year has been VERY few. Does anyone know: 1) Why they aren't here this year? 2) Where they ARE this year? I will speculate on #1 by noting that we had a very long cold spell this year and it may have affected the vole/rodent population. ??? I tried to use e-Bird to answer #2 and failed. I can get it to focus on Skagit County -or- on Short-eared Owls ... but not both ... in order to find "last seen". What am I doing wrong? - Jim in Burlington From heidi.kappes at gmail.com Sat Apr 23 07:49:57 2022 From: heidi.kappes at gmail.com (H. Kappes) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Grasshopper Sparrow continuing at Marymoor Message-ID: Just spotted it feeding in path south of mound and blackberry brambles - just east of small conifer. It was with a group of about 10 White-crowned Sparrows. -Heidi -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From zoramon at mac.com Sat Apr 23 07:54:41 2022 From: zoramon at mac.com (Zora Monster) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Short-eared Owls? In-Reply-To: <20220423074048.Horde.uCFYgfhBNctwoqbsLTzvKhp@webmail.jimbetz.com> References: <20220423074048.Horde.uCFYgfhBNctwoqbsLTzvKhp@webmail.jimbetz.com> Message-ID: <7B86DF19-BA3D-440D-9156-EAA7383ACA71@mac.com> Q1: Flooding likely severely limited the SEO?s food sources causing them to go elsewhere. Q2: I have seen reports of SEOs on Whitney Island on FB birding groups. Zora Dermer Seattle Sent from my iPhone > On Apr 23, 2022, at 7:42 AM, jimbetz@jimbetz.com wrote: > > ?Hi, > > Last year, particularly in Jan and Feb but well into May - we were seeing > Short-Eared Owls on the Samish Flats and Fir Island. This year has been > VERY few. Does anyone know: > > 1) Why they aren't here this year? > 2) Where they ARE this year? > > I will speculate on #1 by noting that we had a very long cold spell > this year and it may have affected the vole/rodent population. ??? > > I tried to use e-Bird to answer #2 and failed. I can get it to focus > on Skagit County -or- on Short-eared Owls ... but not both ... in order > to find "last seen". What am I doing wrong? > - Jim in Burlington > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters From jimbetz at jimbetz.com Sat Apr 23 08:02:48 2022 From: jimbetz at jimbetz.com (jimbetz@jimbetz.com) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Birds of note in Skagit County - to me - this week. In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <20220423080248.Horde.LUBbyuUMzr1wYmYXtZ_01WS@webmail.jimbetz.com> Hi again, Saw Snow Geese both Thursday and Friday (yesterday). Both times near "The T" on the Samish Flats. Did not see any swans this week (but did last week). The Violet Green Swallows have returned to Burlington Hill and are visible zooming here and there and everywhere. Also seeing lots of white-crowned sparrows, finches of all types (including Goldfinches and Pine Siskins), Robins, and only a few Towhees (when compared to last year and the year before). Essentially -every- eagle's nest we check has a pair sitting. Not sure when they will hatch out (haven't seen any grey heads yet). I found a new nest that I can watch thru my spotting scope from the house ... it is also "active". The leaves on the tree it is in are coming out - fast - and we are unlikely to be able to monitor this nest very well ... soon. If anyone knows when the eggs will probably hatch and when they will fledge that would be a nice data point. We know the general dates and durations ... but don't have good intel on "here in Skagit County". The duck groups on the flats are noticeably smaller than last week (which was noticeably smaller than a couple of weeks before that). The most common ducks are, as usual, Mallard drakes and hens. Still seeing some other types as well. *Sigh* We'll just have to wait for next fall when they return. There was a low tide on Padilla Bay yesterday afternoon - and the result was the predictable large numbers of Great Blue Herons out in the shallows wading and hunting. And, of course, very few anywhere on the Samish Flats or Fir Island (compared to "normal" - whatever that is). Not seeing a lot of Harriers or other hawks/falcons this year - but then last year was a "bumper crop" and the birding was plane phenomenal. But saw about 6 of these 'smaller' raptors on the wires/on the wing yesterday. Have been seeing a -few- vultures - mostly here around the Hill. Went to Wylie but didn't even get out of the car. There were a few ducks, some shorebirds, and one GBH. The place still looks like "s__t" compared to what it was like before the "cattail mitigation". There were very few birders/walkers/birds of any kind/any activity at all ... so sad. - Jim in Burlington From jimbetz at jimbetz.com Sat Apr 23 08:35:01 2022 From: jimbetz at jimbetz.com (jimbetz@jimbetz.com) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Short-eared Owls? In-Reply-To: <7B86DF19-BA3D-440D-9156-EAA7383ACA71@mac.com> References: <20220423074048.Horde.uCFYgfhBNctwoqbsLTzvKhp@webmail.jimbetz.com> <7B86DF19-BA3D-440D-9156-EAA7383ACA71@mac.com> Message-ID: <20220423083501.Horde.C7n78dClog1-K8eSQZD0Crx@webmail.jimbetz.com> Tweets, I live in Burlington and the Samish Flats and Fir Island are my primary birding locations. I am often out there 2 to 4 times a week. And, being the opportunistic birder that I am (I am not a life lister nor someone who seeks out rare/uncommon species) the larger birds are my primary focus (except for our backyard seed and hummer feeders). The flooding was not more than it was in the last two years - particularly on the Samish Flats where last year we were seeing SEOs in abundance. What was different this year was that snow followed by 2 weeks of very cold weather. I'm thinking that is what affected the vole population. And that the birds that prey upon them, seeking food elsewhere, just haven't returned in any sort of numbers. Even the other raptor counts, hawks, falcons, etc. are way down when compared to last year. The noticeable exceptions are the Bald Eagles and the Red-Tailed Hawks which seem to be at similar numbers to the last two/three years. So where -are- the SEOs this year? Scattered and not concentrated like they were on the Samish Flats last year? I like SEOs - because they are easier to find in the daylight hours. - Jim From paul.bannick at gmail.com Sat Apr 23 08:46:32 2022 From: paul.bannick at gmail.com (Paul Bannick) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Short-eared Owls? In-Reply-To: <20220423074048.Horde.uCFYgfhBNctwoqbsLTzvKhp@webmail.jimbetz.com> References: <20220423074048.Horde.uCFYgfhBNctwoqbsLTzvKhp@webmail.jimbetz.com> Message-ID: Hi Jim, It is all about the voles. Short-eared Owls are nomadic and show up where voles are plentiful. More Short-eared Owls is a sure sign that vole populations are especially high. The heavy flooding in Northwest Washington likely took a toll on vole populations and the owls moved to where they were more plentiful. Cold weather has not negative impact upon Short-eared Owls as they are adapted to the cold weather of the Arctic and winters in the intermountain areas of North America. Deep cold without snow can be problematic for voles though. Snow can insulate them and their runs, but a deep cold (which we did not have) can have a more negative impact. Paul On Sat, Apr 23, 2022 at 7:41 AM wrote: > Hi, > > Last year, particularly in Jan and Feb but well into May - we were > seeing > Short-Eared Owls on the Samish Flats and Fir Island. This year has been > VERY few. Does anyone know: > > 1) Why they aren't here this year? > 2) Where they ARE this year? > > I will speculate on #1 by noting that we had a very long cold spell > this year and it may have affected the vole/rodent population. ??? > > I tried to use e-Bird to answer #2 and failed. I can get it to focus > on Skagit County -or- on Short-eared Owls ... but not both ... in order > to find "last seen". What am I doing wrong? > - Jim in Burlington > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -- Now Available: Owl: A Year in the Lives of North American Owls at: http://paulbannick.com/shop/owl-a-year-in-the-lives-of-north-american-owls/ Paul Bannick Photography www.paulbannick.com 206-940-7835 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From leschwitters at me.com Sat Apr 23 10:05:14 2022 From: leschwitters at me.com (Larry Schwitters) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Vaux's Happening Message-ID: <95CF19EF-B994-4CC4-A184-8C913F8ACBEB@me.com> Monroe Wagners first flock of Vaux?s Swifts (about 20) arrived right at sunset last night. Same for Selleck and JBLM. The wee birds were still in Wagner this AM at 10:00. We know that because we have the inside video camera working again https://vaux-swift-inside1.click2stream.com/ This is our projects 29th migration and as usual we need committed observers for Wagner and Selleck. I know your busy but???. Larry Schwitters Issaquah From 2doug at dougplummer.com Sat Apr 23 10:38:17 2022 From: 2doug at dougplummer.com (Doug Plummer gmail) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] FOY Pacific Slope Flycatcher and Swainson's Thrush Message-ID: <5DF65814-04A6-4C9C-A055-3B43CC6D164B@gmail.com> This morning in Ravenna Park in Seattle I had a singing PSFL and a calling SWTH. Just below the picnic shelter off 20th Ave NE. Doug Plummer From dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com Sat Apr 23 11:30:41 2022 From: dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com (Dan Reiff) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Why China is using guard geese to uphold its zero-COVID policy Message-ID: <63DB7771-5B60-4CC7-B98F-A7F82BECED77@gmail.com> https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/why-china-is-using-guard-geese-to-uphold-its-zero-covid-policy Sent from my iPhone From dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com Sat Apr 23 13:10:26 2022 From: dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com (Dan Reiff) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Long-distance migratory shorebirds travel faster towards their breeding grounds, but fly faster post-breeding | Scientific Reports Message-ID: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-45862-0 Sent from my iPhone From stevechampton at gmail.com Sat Apr 23 21:20:59 2022 From: stevechampton at gmail.com (Steve Hampton) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Solitary Sandpiper and Marbled Godwit in Jefferson Co Message-ID: This morning I stumbled across a SOLITARY SANDPIPER at Shine Tidelands on the west side of the Hood Canal bridge. The bird was in the freshwater pond. Later in the day I visited East Beach on Marrowstone Island, where I quickly refound the MARBLED GODWIT that has been present for over a week. It was among 25 WHIMBREL and many other shorebirds. Full list and pics at https://ebird.org/checklist/S107853634. A special shout out to East Beach, especially at low tide. In addition to the shorebirds (most of which were 0.5 to 1 mile to the south of the parking lot, though the area to the north looked promising as well), offshore dozens of HORNED GREBES and SURF SCOTERS were staging and courting, with lots of grebe vocalizing and some dancing. There was even a pair of LONG-TAILED DUCKS in their nesting attire (which is actually basic plumage in their case). This seems like a promising shorebird location. good birding, -- Steve Hampton Port Townsend, WA (qat?y) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From constancesidles at gmail.com Sun Apr 24 09:33:18 2022 From: constancesidles at gmail.com (Constance Sidles) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Malheur question Message-ID: <4962CDB4-5E97-4D54-A7E7-4815DAC6383E@gmail.com> Hey tweets, I wonder if anyone out there in Tweeterland can tell me about the drought conditions at Malheur NWR? Are conditions still dry enough there to force birds such as American White Pelicans and White-face Ibises to leave? Or have things returned to normal, more or less? Many thanks for any insights. - Connie, Seattle From birdbooker at zipcon.net Sun Apr 24 14:57:36 2022 From: birdbooker at zipcon.net (Ian Paulsen) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] The Birdbooker Report Message-ID: <9d52bd71-fdee-27ff-992d-d0cd584d89@zipcon.net> HI ALL: This month's titles are: 1) Penguins (2nd edition) 2) Gulls of North America 3) A Sky Full of Kites 4) Birds of the Sun (about macaws) 5) The Remotest Island 6) Otherlands 7) Dinosaurs of Africa https://birdbookerreport.blogspot.com/2022/04/new-titles.html sincerely Ian Paulsen Bainbridge Island, WA, USA Visit my BIRDBOOKER REPORT blog here: https://birdbookerreport.blogspot.com/ From dougsantoni at gmail.com Sun Apr 24 18:17:16 2022 From: dougsantoni at gmail.com (Doug Santoni) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Grasshopper Sparrow Message-ID: The very cooperative Grasshopper Sparrow at Marymoor Park was still present feeding on the meadow trail not far from the mound at 6 pm. It was actively feeding on the meadow trail not far from the start of the trail, about ten yards beyond the 20 foot evergreens on the left, and immediately prior to the bird box that is on the right hand side of the trail. Doug Santoni Seattle DougSantoni@gmail.com From palmer.r.violin at gmail.com Sun Apr 24 19:10:49 2022 From: palmer.r.violin at gmail.com (Ralph Palmer) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Odd bird question Message-ID: Hi - I was talking about birds in Seattle today, and an issue came up that I'm curious about. Can anyone tell me which birds are the most populous (?) in Seattle? Or around Sand Point (i.e., Magnuson Park)? I'd like to know, if possible, which (let's say) five species are the most populous, as well as which are the largest in terms of gross total weight. We have lots of Crows, but we have lots of Juncos and House Sparrows and others. It seems possible that the Crows could be out-numbered but not out-weighed. Just curious. All the best, Ralph -- Ralph Palmer Seattle USA (he, him, his) palmer.r.violin@gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From thefedderns at gmail.com Mon Apr 25 00:07:31 2022 From: thefedderns at gmail.com (Hans-Joachim Feddern) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] "Ring-necked" Gadwall Message-ID: Yesterday, Saturday 4/23 - we took a walk out on the Des Moines Fishing Pier and saw an odd drake Gadwall there. It had an almost complete black ring around the neck with white above and below. Otherwise it was a perfectly normal looking male Gadwall. A quite interesting look! I looked online at hybrids, but none of them were close. It was paired off with a female Gadwall and accompanied by three other pairs of Gadwall with two additional drakes. Also seen from the pier looking south were three Marbled Murrelets, a pair of Pigeon Guillemots and a single Rhinoceros Auklet. Good Birding! Hans -- *Hans Feddern* Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA thefedderns@gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From thefedderns at gmail.com Mon Apr 25 00:14:11 2022 From: thefedderns at gmail.com (Hans-Joachim Feddern) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Dumas Bay Bonaparte's Gulls Message-ID: Today, Sunday 4/24 I birded at Dumas Bay Sanctuary in Federal Way at low tide. There was a massive concentration of Bonaparte's Gulls resting on the tidal flats on the eastside of the bay. I have never seen such a large number, I would estimate from 2000 to 3000 birds - and maybe more! A pair of Caspian Terns seemed slightly outnumbered! Good Birding! Hans -- *Hans Feddern* Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA thefedderns@gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jemskink at gmail.com Mon Apr 25 10:16:37 2022 From: jemskink at gmail.com (Joan Miller) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Turkey vulture over West Seattle Message-ID: I kept thinking there was a bald eagle flying low over my house lately, but just now saw a big black bird and saw no white, and I believe it was, in fact, a turkey vulture! I guess they are coming through, as others have noted! It's always a surprise to see one here. Joan Miller West Seattle jemskink at gmail dot com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From constancesidles at gmail.com Mon Apr 25 11:04:09 2022 From: constancesidles at gmail.com (Constance Sidles) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Off topic: Malheur Message-ID: <852881F3-EAC9-4B12-8F93-19BACEF3E92A@gmail.com> Hey tweets, many, many thanks to all of you who replied to my question about drought conditions at Malheur. You are such a great community! In particular I was interested in the drought conditions that forced American White Pelicans to leave several years ago, resulting in a new population of these birds in our part of the world, namely, at Deer Lagoon and Crockett Lake. I wanted to predict (at least insofar as any human can predict bird decisions!) whether we are likely to retain our migratory population of American White Pelicans, even if conditions improve at Malheur well enough to support the bird flocks that fled. On the suggestion of one tweeter, I called the refuge's gift shop, which is staffed by local volunteers, to ask about conditions there. According to what she said, and also in accord with the answers that many of you sent, the picture is mixed: Drought conditions continue to be severe. Malheur Lake is very low, and the natural spring near the refuge visitor center is just a fraction of itself. There is water in the reservoirs but at low levels. Similar drought conditions existed last year as well. This seems to have affected the populations of both American White Pelicans and White-faced Ibises, another species I was interested in. I did not ask about other species that might have been affected by the drought. According to nearly everyone who responded to my request, both ibises and pelicans have experienced a drop in population. However, depending on where you go on the refuge, you can still see these birds. In fact, eBird reports that this past week, there were 8 American White Pelicans sighted on one day, and 35 White-faced Ibises on another day. So some birds are still present and seem to be managing with the water that remains. I would predict, then, that we will continue to see American White Pelicans at Deer Lagoon, at least in the near future, and (I hope) permanently. The volunteer at Malheur pointed out that fluctuations in water conditions (drought vs. flooding) swing wildly in a place like Malheur. She told me that in the 1980s, flooding was severe, so much so that the roads had to be raised up on dikes. The flooding resulted in a big increase in carp, an invasive fish. It also encouraged plant growth which, along with all the water, ended up displacing several species of birds. Now we have the opposite condition. Perhaps the birds in such a place are adapted to these swings, as sporadic as they are, much the way species are adapted to hurricanes in other parts of the country, which are also quite sporadic but present over the long term. - Connie, Seattle From dammerecologist1990 at gmail.com Mon Apr 25 14:27:09 2022 From: dammerecologist1990 at gmail.com (Steven Dammer) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Strange Junco Behavior Message-ID: Hey Tweets, I was just sitting in my living room and kept hearing a tapping at the window where my feeders are on the patio. After watching for a moment I noticed a Junco sitting on the railing, and every 10 seconds or so would fly directly at the window, and put its feet out as though it wanted to perch, but just kicked off the window and went back to the railing. It repeated this pattern for about 5 minutes, and keeps coming back after a short break. It doesn't appear to be hurting itself at all, just bouncing off and landing on the railing. Has anyone else noticed this kind of odd behavior from any birds or Juncos in particular? Cheers, Steven Dammer -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From eebacher at gmail.com Mon Apr 25 15:13:55 2022 From: eebacher at gmail.com (Elizabeth Bacher) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Strange Junco Behavior In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Is is seeing its reflection and responding to the "intruder"? -Elizabeth, Seattle On Mon, Apr 25, 2022, 2:27 PM Steven Dammer wrote: > Hey Tweets, > > I was just sitting in my living room and kept hearing a tapping at the > window where my feeders are on the patio. After watching for a moment I > noticed a Junco sitting on the railing, and every 10 seconds or so would > fly directly at the window, and put its feet out as though it wanted to > perch, but just kicked off the window and went back to the railing. It > repeated this pattern for about 5 minutes, and keeps coming back after a > short break. It doesn't appear to be hurting itself at all, just bouncing > off and landing on the railing. > > Has anyone else noticed this kind of odd behavior from any birds or Juncos > in particular? > > Cheers, > > Steven Dammer > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From canyoneagle at mycci.net Mon Apr 25 17:04:41 2022 From: canyoneagle at mycci.net (LMarkoff) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Strange Junco Behavior In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <00a801d85901$3c2e5b60$b48b1220$@mycci.net> Hi Steve, With hormones raging in spring, birds will sometimes attack their reflections in windows, car mirrors, or anything shiny enough to reflect. They think that it is another bird and will try to chase it out of their territory by attacking it. If possible, you might want to cover that window with cardboard or whatever is handy so that the bird can no longer see its reflection. Although, sometimes that is easier said than done. When I lived in Texas my yard Mockingbird attacked the mirrors and side windows on my truck. I covered both doors with towels in order to hide the mirrors and windows. That worked for a while, but later I discovered that the Mocker was now attacking the side of truck which was apparently shiny enough for him to see himself! Luckily that house had a long driveway so I was able to move my truck away from his favorite set of shrubs. After that he calmed down and left my truck be. Good luck! Lori Markoff Citrus Heights, CA canyoneagle@mycci.net From: Tweeters On Behalf Of Steven Dammer Sent: Monday, April 25, 2022 2:27 PM To: Tweeters Subject: [Tweeters] Strange Junco Behavior Hey Tweets, I was just sitting in my living room and kept hearing a tapping at the window where my feeders are on the patio. After watching for a moment I noticed a Junco sitting on the railing, and every 10 seconds or so would fly directly at the window, and put its feet out as though it wanted to perch, but just kicked off the window and went back to the railing. It repeated this pattern for about 5 minutes, and keeps coming back after a short break. It doesn't appear to be hurting itself at all, just bouncing off and landing on the railing. Has anyone else noticed this kind of odd behavior from any birds or Juncos in particular? Cheers, Steven Dammer -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From hank.heiberg at yahoo.com Mon Apr 25 17:12:28 2022 From: hank.heiberg at yahoo.com (Hank Heiberg) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Rhinoceros Auklet Slide Show References: <93CF5FA8-7427-43B5-A134-8332CBCD3EF9@yahoo.com> Message-ID: <201E6AF9-21D3-4397-95D7-A6030A7669C6@yahoo.com> > ?Here is a slide show of a pair of Rhinoceros Auklets ?interacting? near the fishing pier in Edmonds yesterday. > > https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/52030467129/in/dateposted/ > > Hank Heiberg > Issaquah, WA > > Sent from my iPad -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From danerika at gmail.com Mon Apr 25 18:57:17 2022 From: danerika at gmail.com (dan&erika) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Little Stint / Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge Message-ID: Hi Tweets-- First let me apologize for the delay in my posting this record. Yesterday, 25 April 2022, I photographed a bird at the Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge. It was on the south side of the very beginning of the estuary boardwalk. Two birds are in the image, one clearly a Least Sandpiper. It slowly occurred to me that the other, brighter bird is a Little Stint. I shared the photo with Dennis Paulson, who concurs with my identification. Two photos are included in the following eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S107940245. Note apparent black legs, white-tipped wing coverts, and rusty breast, and note the black streaks against a pale chestnut wash on the sides of the breast and the chestnut color of the tertials. A refuge volunteer informed us that the shorebirds had been absent on Saturday the 24th, but that a large fallout of shorebirds occurred on Saturday night. I took the photos in eBird only because the birds presented a pretty composition. Dan -- Dan or Erika Tallman Olympia, Washington danerika@gmail.com ".... the best shod travel with wet feet...Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes ....??H. D. Thoreau -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From amk17 at earthlink.net Mon Apr 25 19:19:04 2022 From: amk17 at earthlink.net (AMK17) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Phinney yard birds Message-ID: <8a835beb-24b5-7691-3fff-a9f3d642733f@earthlink.net> Haven't seen many migrants yet but today an influx yellow?rumped?warblers. ?Many more than the usual two ?that spent all winter in the yard and all in breeding plumage. ?An occasional orange crowned passes through but also very few. ? Loads of siskins as well that seem to be lingering. ?Goldfinch have moved on. ?Any one else with more exciting spring yard birds? ? Cheers, AKopitov Seattle ? ? AMK17 From stevechampton at gmail.com Mon Apr 25 22:42:19 2022 From: stevechampton at gmail.com (Steve Hampton) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Little Stint / Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I've only seen Little Stint a few times, so I'm interested in more discussion of this bird. The bill shape and overall posture seem identical to Least Sandpiper to me. Plumage-wise, is the strong streaking on the sides of the breast possible on Little Stint? I'm interested in an explanation why this is not a bright adult Least Sandpiper and what the key marks are. thanks, On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 6:58 PM dan&erika wrote: > Hi Tweets-- > > First let me apologize for the delay in my posting this record. Yesterday, > 25 April 2022, I photographed a bird at the Billy Frank Jr National > Wildlife Refuge. It was on the south side of the very beginning of the > estuary boardwalk. Two birds are in the image, one clearly a Least > Sandpiper. It slowly occurred to me that the other, brighter bird is a > Little Stint. I shared the photo with Dennis Paulson, who concurs with my > identification. > > Two photos are included in the following eBird checklist: > https://ebird.org/checklist/S107940245. > > Note apparent black legs, white-tipped wing coverts, and rusty breast, and > note the black streaks against a pale chestnut wash on the sides of the > breast and the chestnut color of the tertials. > > A refuge volunteer informed us that the shorebirds had been absent on > Saturday the 24th, but that a large fallout of shorebirds occurred on > Saturday night. I took the photos in eBird only because the birds presented > a pretty composition. > > Dan > > -- > Dan or Erika Tallman > Olympia, Washington > danerika@gmail.com > > ".... the best shod travel with wet feet...Beware of all enterprises that > require new clothes ....??H. D. Thoreau > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -- ?Steve Hampton? Port Townsend, WA (qat?y) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From baro at pdx.edu Mon Apr 25 23:37:44 2022 From: baro at pdx.edu (Robert O'Brien) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Little Stint / Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: One giveaway is the legs. Least Sandpiper has yellow legs, visible in the photo. The Little Stint clearly has dark legs also visible in the excellent photos. I'd worry more about Western Sandpiper, which is the next excellent photo. There are obvious differences there but the legs don't help. Bob OBrien Portland PS Can anyone predict what time of day (tidewise?) would be best for chasing tomorrow, Tuesday? I guess it was seen around 9-10AM Saturday. Little Stint is my Most Wanted Stint................. On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 10:42 PM Steve Hampton wrote: > I've only seen Little Stint a few times, so I'm interested in more > discussion of this bird. The bill shape and overall posture seem identical > to Least Sandpiper to me. Plumage-wise, is the strong streaking on the > sides of the breast possible on Little Stint? I'm interested in an > explanation why this is not a bright adult Least Sandpiper and what the key > marks are. > > thanks, > > > > On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 6:58 PM dan&erika wrote: > >> Hi Tweets-- >> >> First let me apologize for the delay in my posting this record. >> Yesterday, 25 April 2022, I photographed a bird at the Billy Frank Jr >> National Wildlife Refuge. It was on the south side of the very beginning of >> the estuary boardwalk. Two birds are in the image, one clearly a Least >> Sandpiper. It slowly occurred to me that the other, brighter bird is a >> Little Stint. I shared the photo with Dennis Paulson, who concurs with my >> identification. >> >> Two photos are included in the following eBird checklist: >> https://ebird.org/checklist/S107940245. >> >> Note apparent black legs, white-tipped wing coverts, and rusty breast, >> and note the black streaks against a pale chestnut wash on the sides of the >> breast and the chestnut color of the tertials. >> >> A refuge volunteer informed us that the shorebirds had been absent on >> Saturday the 24th, but that a large fallout of shorebirds occurred on >> Saturday night. I took the photos in eBird only because the birds presented >> a pretty composition. >> >> Dan >> >> -- >> Dan or Erika Tallman >> Olympia, Washington >> danerika@gmail.com >> >> ".... the best shod travel with wet feet...Beware of all enterprises that >> require new clothes ....??H. D. Thoreau >> _______________________________________________ >> Tweeters mailing list >> Tweeters@u.washington.edu >> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >> > > > -- > ?Steve Hampton? > Port Townsend, WA (qat?y) > > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From stevechampton at gmail.com Tue Apr 26 07:22:16 2022 From: stevechampton at gmail.com (Steve Hampton) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Little Stint / Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Bob, Thanks for engaging me. I'm a bit confused about what you said about leg color in the photos, which you said appeared yellow in the Least photo and dark in the stint photos. But there are no photos of Least Sandpiper; there are just two photos of the presumed stint. To me, the legs have a hint of olive, which means they are probably yellow, just in shadow or with mud. My understanding is that Little Stint legs should be jet black, blacker than Western. Regarding plumage, I pulled out Veit and Jonsson (1987) from *American Birds, *which has excellent illustrations and discussion. The tertials and scapulars on both species (in alternate plumage) can be nearly identical. To me, the extensive streaking on the breast sides and the tail protruding beyond the wings suggest Least Sandpiper, as does the overall structure. Again, the pics are here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S107940245 I'm hoping others will weigh in. thanks, On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 11:37 PM Robert O'Brien wrote: > One giveaway is the legs. Least Sandpiper has yellow legs, visible in the > photo. The Little Stint clearly has dark legs also visible in the > excellent photos. > I'd worry more about Western Sandpiper, which is the next excellent > photo. There are obvious differences there but the legs don't help. > Bob OBrien Portland > PS Can anyone predict what time of day (tidewise?) would be best > for chasing tomorrow, Tuesday? I guess it was seen around 9-10AM > Saturday. Little Stint is my Most Wanted Stint................. > > > On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 10:42 PM Steve Hampton > wrote: > >> I've only seen Little Stint a few times, so I'm interested in more >> discussion of this bird. The bill shape and overall posture seem identical >> to Least Sandpiper to me. Plumage-wise, is the strong streaking on the >> sides of the breast possible on Little Stint? I'm interested in an >> explanation why this is not a bright adult Least Sandpiper and what the key >> marks are. >> >> thanks, >> >> >> >> On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 6:58 PM dan&erika wrote: >> >>> Hi Tweets-- >>> >>> First let me apologize for the delay in my posting this record. >>> Yesterday, 25 April 2022, I photographed a bird at the Billy Frank Jr >>> National Wildlife Refuge. It was on the south side of the very beginning of >>> the estuary boardwalk. Two birds are in the image, one clearly a Least >>> Sandpiper. It slowly occurred to me that the other, brighter bird is a >>> Little Stint. I shared the photo with Dennis Paulson, who concurs with my >>> identification. >>> >>> Two photos are included in the following eBird checklist: >>> https://ebird.org/checklist/S107940245. >>> >>> Note apparent black legs, white-tipped wing coverts, and rusty breast, >>> and note the black streaks against a pale chestnut wash on the sides of the >>> breast and the chestnut color of the tertials. >>> >>> A refuge volunteer informed us that the shorebirds had been absent on >>> Saturday the 24th, but that a large fallout of shorebirds occurred on >>> Saturday night. I took the photos in eBird only because the birds presented >>> a pretty composition. >>> >>> Dan >>> >>> -- >>> Dan or Erika Tallman >>> Olympia, Washington >>> danerika@gmail.com >>> >>> ".... the best shod travel with wet feet...Beware of all enterprises >>> that require new clothes ....??H. D. Thoreau >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Tweeters mailing list >>> Tweeters@u.washington.edu >>> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >>> >> >> >> -- >> ?Steve Hampton? >> Port Townsend, WA (qat?y) >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Tweeters mailing list >> Tweeters@u.washington.edu >> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >> > -- ?Steve Hampton? Port Townsend, WA (qat?y) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From garybletsch at yahoo.com Tue Apr 26 07:54:35 2022 From: garybletsch at yahoo.com (Gary Bletsch) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] exciting yard birds References: <1695280356.839465.1650984875522.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1695280356.839465.1650984875522@mail.yahoo.com> Dear Tweeters, Since Anna Kopitov inquired about interesting yard birds, I will chime in. About ten days ago, a large number of White-crowned Sparrows showed up at my place, near Lyman in the Skagit Valley. This was a larger than usual incursion. Yesterday I was able to count 48 White-crowned Sparrows in the yard, and this morning, 51! There have been only a handful of times when I've seen over ten here at one time, and the most I remember seeing was about 30, which was also in late April, just a few years ago. These birds are not the local breeding subspecies, which would be pugetensis. The routine naming of birds by their subspecies normally elicits at least a silent harrumph from me, if not an audible one. That goes for White-crowned Sparrows and a lot of other species as well. I think that there are now a lot of birders who have noticed lists of subspecific epithets on eBird;? then they automatically assign those names to the birds that they see in their particular area. Harrumph. Roger Tory Peterson addressed this matter in his classic?Field Guide to the Birds. In an appendix to this work, he quotes Dr. George Miksch Sutton at length. Sutton's remarks conclude with the following gem: "The use of the trinomial very often is a sort of four-flushing." I don't play poker, but I know what that means. Nonetheless, I can tell that the great majority of the White-crowned Sparrows visiting my place right are not the local breeders. I reckon they must be?gambelii. The local breeding birds had been here for several weeks before the migrants arrived. I had been hearing the local breeders singing their song, which always sounds like, "Hey, yooooou, gimme back my cheese!" Those birds must be pugetensis.?Over the last ten days or so, the songs of the migrant White-crowned Sparrows have been drowning out those of the locals. I can never figure out how to characterize the song of the migrant White-crowns,?but it is nothing like that of our local breeders. The migrants are almost certainly gambelii.? Yesterday the throng of sparrows and other birds at my feeders disappeared for a while. That was because an Accipiter flew in and perched on the bird-bath! This was a spiffy adult Cooper's Hawk, sporting an aluminum band on its right leg. Alas, I could not read the band through the windowpane. There were no color bands that I could see. This morning a female Black-headed Grosbeak visited the feeder. This is a few days early. Yours truly, Gary Bletsch -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From birder4184 at yahoo.com Tue Apr 26 09:59:24 2022 From: birder4184 at yahoo.com (B B) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Little Stint / Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <863599153.864252.1650992364818@mail.yahoo.com> This is my Ebird checklist from May 25, 2021 which includes a number of photos of the Little Stint found at Eide Road in Snohomish County.? Some potential differences between that individual and the one referenced in this chain:? The legs are clearly very black, the so-called "braces" on the back are clear, and there is a white stripe above the eye.? It is way above my pay grade to opine on what any of that means.? Just some data for others. https://ebird.org/checklist/S88981376 Blair Bernson On Tuesday, April 26, 2022, 07:23:01 AM PDT, Steve Hampton wrote: Bob,? Thanks for engaging me. I'm a bit confused about what you said about leg color in the photos, which you said appeared?yellow in the Least photo and dark in the stint photos. But there are no photos of Least Sandpiper; there are just two photos of the presumed stint. To me, the legs have a hint of olive, which means they are probably yellow, just in shadow or with mud. My understanding is that Little Stint legs should be jet black, blacker than Western.? Regarding plumage, I pulled out Veit and Jonsson (1987) from American Birds, which has excellent illustrations and discussion. The tertials and scapulars on both species (in alternate plumage) can be nearly identical. To me, the extensive streaking on the breast sides and the tail protruding beyond the wings suggest Least Sandpiper, as does the overall structure. Again, the pics are here:?https://ebird.org/checklist/S107940245?? I'm hoping others will weigh in.? thanks,? On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 11:37 PM Robert O'Brien wrote: One giveaway is the legs.? Least Sandpiper has yellow legs, visible in the photo.? The Little Stint clearly has dark legs also visible in the excellent photos.I'd worry more about Western Sandpiper, which is the next excellent photo.? There are obvious differences there but the legs don't help. Bob OBrien? PortlandPS? Can anyone predict what time of day (tidewise?) would be best for?chasing?tomorrow,?Tuesday?? I guess it was seen around 9-10AM Saturday.? Little Stint is my Most Wanted Stint................. On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 10:42 PM Steve Hampton wrote: I've only seen Little Stint a few times, so I'm interested in more discussion of this bird. The bill shape and overall posture seem identical to Least Sandpiper to me. Plumage-wise, is the strong streaking on the sides of the breast possible on Little Stint?? I'm interested in an explanation why this is not a bright adult Least Sandpiper and what the key marks are. thanks,? ? On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 6:58 PM dan&erika wrote: Hi?Tweets-- First?let me apologize for the delay in my posting this record. Yesterday, 25 April 2022, I photographed a bird at the Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge. It was on the south side of the very beginning?of the estuary boardwalk. Two birds are in the image, one clearly?a Least Sandpiper. It slowly occurred to me that the other, brighter bird is a Little Stint. I shared the photo with Dennis Paulson, who concurs with my identification.? Two photos are included in the following eBird checklist:?https://ebird.org/checklist/S107940245. Note apparent black legs, white-tipped wing coverts, and rusty breast, and note the black streaks against a pale chestnut wash on the sides of the breast and the chestnut color of the tertials. A refuge volunteer informed us that the shorebirds had been absent on Saturday the 24th, but that a large fallout of shorebirds?occurred on Saturday night. I took the photos in eBird only because the birds presented a pretty composition. Dan -- Dan or Erika Tallman Olympia, Washington? danerika@gmail.com ".... the best shod travel with wet feet...Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes ....??H. D. Thoreau_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters@u.washington.edu http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters -- ?Steve Hampton?Port Townsend, WA? (qat?y) _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters@u.washington.edu http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters -- ?Steve Hampton?Port Townsend, WA? (qat?y) _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters@u.washington.edu http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From baro at pdx.edu Tue Apr 26 10:29:35 2022 From: baro at pdx.edu (Robert O'Brien) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Little Stint / Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hi Steve- ?The bird to the left of the Stint in the eBird photos is a Least Sandpiper.? Note the yellow legs.Feet especially Bob OBrien On Tue, Apr 26, 2022 at 7:23 AM Steve Hampton wrote: > Bob, > > Thanks for engaging me. I'm a bit confused about what you said about leg > color in the photos, which you said appeared yellow in the Least photo and > dark in the stint photos. But there are no photos of Least Sandpiper; there > are just two photos of the presumed stint. To me, the legs have a hint of > olive, which means they are probably yellow, just in shadow or with mud. My > understanding is that Little Stint legs should be jet black, blacker than > Western. > > Regarding plumage, I pulled out Veit and Jonsson (1987) from *American > Birds, *which has excellent illustrations and discussion. The tertials > and scapulars on both species (in alternate plumage) can be nearly > identical. To me, the extensive streaking on the breast sides and the tail > protruding beyond the wings suggest Least Sandpiper, as does the overall > structure. > > Again, the pics are here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S107940245 > > I'm hoping others will weigh in. > > thanks, > > On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 11:37 PM Robert O'Brien wrote: > >> One giveaway is the legs. Least Sandpiper has yellow legs, visible in >> the photo. The Little Stint clearly has dark legs also visible in the >> excellent photos. >> I'd worry more about Western Sandpiper, which is the next excellent >> photo. There are obvious differences there but the legs don't help. >> Bob OBrien Portland >> PS Can anyone predict what time of day (tidewise?) would be best >> for chasing tomorrow, Tuesday? I guess it was seen around 9-10AM >> Saturday. Little Stint is my Most Wanted Stint................. >> >> >> On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 10:42 PM Steve Hampton >> wrote: >> >>> I've only seen Little Stint a few times, so I'm interested in more >>> discussion of this bird. The bill shape and overall posture seem identical >>> to Least Sandpiper to me. Plumage-wise, is the strong streaking on the >>> sides of the breast possible on Little Stint? I'm interested in an >>> explanation why this is not a bright adult Least Sandpiper and what the key >>> marks are. >>> >>> thanks, >>> >>> >>> >>> On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 6:58 PM dan&erika wrote: >>> >>>> Hi Tweets-- >>>> >>>> First let me apologize for the delay in my posting this record. >>>> Yesterday, 25 April 2022, I photographed a bird at the Billy Frank Jr >>>> National Wildlife Refuge. It was on the south side of the very beginning of >>>> the estuary boardwalk. Two birds are in the image, one clearly a Least >>>> Sandpiper. It slowly occurred to me that the other, brighter bird is a >>>> Little Stint. I shared the photo with Dennis Paulson, who concurs with my >>>> identification. >>>> >>>> Two photos are included in the following eBird checklist: >>>> https://ebird.org/checklist/S107940245. >>>> >>>> Note apparent black legs, white-tipped wing coverts, and rusty breast, >>>> and note the black streaks against a pale chestnut wash on the sides of the >>>> breast and the chestnut color of the tertials. >>>> >>>> A refuge volunteer informed us that the shorebirds had been absent on >>>> Saturday the 24th, but that a large fallout of shorebirds occurred on >>>> Saturday night. I took the photos in eBird only because the birds presented >>>> a pretty composition. >>>> >>>> Dan >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Dan or Erika Tallman >>>> Olympia, Washington >>>> danerika@gmail.com >>>> >>>> ".... the best shod travel with wet feet...Beware of all enterprises >>>> that require new clothes ....??H. D. Thoreau >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Tweeters mailing list >>>> Tweeters@u.washington.edu >>>> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >>>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> ?Steve Hampton? >>> Port Townsend, WA (qat?y) >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Tweeters mailing list >>> Tweeters@u.washington.edu >>> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >>> >> > > -- > ?Steve Hampton? > Port Townsend, WA (qat?y) > > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From baro at pdx.edu Tue Apr 26 10:41:18 2022 From: baro at pdx.edu (Robert O'Brien) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Little Stint / Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: You learn something every day! Decades ago photographed a small peep that I tried for decades to make into a Little Stint. Photos taken near Astoria. Noone could say anything for sure. Eventually I accepted it as a very petite male western. Hence my 'Most Wanted' for this stint. But, for old times sake I just Googled the comparison and came up with this 'cool' ID feature. https://blog.aba.org/2017/11/open-mic-a-new-field-mark-for-differentiating-stints-and-peeps.html Now, in one of the Stint photos you can barely make out the 'Gape Notch' (I'd never heard this term before). A more horizontal photo would have been better, but I believe it is visible as it is. Then click to the next eBird photo (Western Sandpiper) with the little arrow to the right. No Notch on the Western. I'm hardly an expert as I just discovered this. I would have helped a lot with my long ago photo that is here: http://www2.rdrop.com/users/green/Stint%3f/LIST02.JPG Note No Notch. Love to hear from Dennis Paulson on this whole subject. I'm sure these details were not known when he wrote his famous book so long ago. Bob OBrien Portland On Tue, Apr 26, 2022 at 10:29 AM Robert O'Brien wrote: > Hi Steve- > ?The bird to the left of the Stint in the eBird photos is a Least > Sandpiper.? Note the yellow legs.Feet especially > Bob OBrien > > On Tue, Apr 26, 2022 at 7:23 AM Steve Hampton > wrote: > >> Bob, >> >> Thanks for engaging me. I'm a bit confused about what you said about leg >> color in the photos, which you said appeared yellow in the Least photo and >> dark in the stint photos. But there are no photos of Least Sandpiper; there >> are just two photos of the presumed stint. To me, the legs have a hint of >> olive, which means they are probably yellow, just in shadow or with mud. My >> understanding is that Little Stint legs should be jet black, blacker than >> Western. >> >> Regarding plumage, I pulled out Veit and Jonsson (1987) from *American >> Birds, *which has excellent illustrations and discussion. The tertials >> and scapulars on both species (in alternate plumage) can be nearly >> identical. To me, the extensive streaking on the breast sides and the tail >> protruding beyond the wings suggest Least Sandpiper, as does the overall >> structure. >> >> Again, the pics are here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S107940245 >> >> I'm hoping others will weigh in. >> >> thanks, >> >> On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 11:37 PM Robert O'Brien wrote: >> >>> One giveaway is the legs. Least Sandpiper has yellow legs, visible in >>> the photo. The Little Stint clearly has dark legs also visible in the >>> excellent photos. >>> I'd worry more about Western Sandpiper, which is the next excellent >>> photo. There are obvious differences there but the legs don't help. >>> Bob OBrien Portland >>> PS Can anyone predict what time of day (tidewise?) would be best >>> for chasing tomorrow, Tuesday? I guess it was seen around 9-10AM >>> Saturday. Little Stint is my Most Wanted Stint................. >>> >>> >>> On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 10:42 PM Steve Hampton >>> wrote: >>> >>>> I've only seen Little Stint a few times, so I'm interested in more >>>> discussion of this bird. The bill shape and overall posture seem identical >>>> to Least Sandpiper to me. Plumage-wise, is the strong streaking on the >>>> sides of the breast possible on Little Stint? I'm interested in an >>>> explanation why this is not a bright adult Least Sandpiper and what the key >>>> marks are. >>>> >>>> thanks, >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 6:58 PM dan&erika wrote: >>>> >>>>> Hi Tweets-- >>>>> >>>>> First let me apologize for the delay in my posting this record. >>>>> Yesterday, 25 April 2022, I photographed a bird at the Billy Frank Jr >>>>> National Wildlife Refuge. It was on the south side of the very beginning of >>>>> the estuary boardwalk. Two birds are in the image, one clearly a Least >>>>> Sandpiper. It slowly occurred to me that the other, brighter bird is a >>>>> Little Stint. I shared the photo with Dennis Paulson, who concurs with my >>>>> identification. >>>>> >>>>> Two photos are included in the following eBird checklist: >>>>> https://ebird.org/checklist/S107940245. >>>>> >>>>> Note apparent black legs, white-tipped wing coverts, and rusty breast, >>>>> and note the black streaks against a pale chestnut wash on the sides of the >>>>> breast and the chestnut color of the tertials. >>>>> >>>>> A refuge volunteer informed us that the shorebirds had been absent on >>>>> Saturday the 24th, but that a large fallout of shorebirds occurred on >>>>> Saturday night. I took the photos in eBird only because the birds presented >>>>> a pretty composition. >>>>> >>>>> Dan >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> Dan or Erika Tallman >>>>> Olympia, Washington >>>>> danerika@gmail.com >>>>> >>>>> ".... the best shod travel with wet feet...Beware of all enterprises >>>>> that require new clothes ....??H. D. Thoreau >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> Tweeters mailing list >>>>> Tweeters@u.washington.edu >>>>> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> ?Steve Hampton? >>>> Port Townsend, WA (qat?y) >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Tweeters mailing list >>>> Tweeters@u.washington.edu >>>> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >>>> >>> >> >> -- >> ?Steve Hampton? >> Port Townsend, WA (qat?y) >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Tweeters mailing list >> Tweeters@u.washington.edu >> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >> > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From baro at pdx.edu Tue Apr 26 11:02:49 2022 From: baro at pdx.edu (Robert O'Brien) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Little Stint / Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: PS My Peep Photo was taken in Fall about 1985, scanned here from a slide. On Tue, Apr 26, 2022 at 10:41 AM Robert O'Brien wrote: > You learn something every day! Decades ago photographed a small peep that > I tried for decades to make into a Little Stint. Photos taken near Astoria. > Noone could say anything for sure. Eventually I accepted it as a very > petite male western. Hence my 'Most Wanted' for this stint. But, for old > times sake I just Googled the comparison and came up with this 'cool' ID > feature. > > https://blog.aba.org/2017/11/open-mic-a-new-field-mark-for-differentiating-stints-and-peeps.html > Now, in one of the Stint photos you can barely make out the 'Gape Notch' > (I'd never heard this term before). A more horizontal photo would have > been better, but I believe it is visible as it is. > Then click to the next eBird photo (Western Sandpiper) with the little > arrow to the right. No Notch on the Western. > I'm hardly an expert as I just discovered this. I would have helped a lot > with my long ago photo that is here: > http://www2.rdrop.com/users/green/Stint%3f/LIST02.JPG > Note No Notch. > Love to hear from Dennis Paulson on this whole subject. I'm sure these > details were not known when he wrote his famous book so long ago. > Bob OBrien Portland > > On Tue, Apr 26, 2022 at 10:29 AM Robert O'Brien wrote: > >> Hi Steve- >> ?The bird to the left of the Stint in the eBird photos is a Least >> Sandpiper.? Note the yellow legs.Feet especially >> Bob OBrien >> >> On Tue, Apr 26, 2022 at 7:23 AM Steve Hampton >> wrote: >> >>> Bob, >>> >>> Thanks for engaging me. I'm a bit confused about what you said about leg >>> color in the photos, which you said appeared yellow in the Least photo and >>> dark in the stint photos. But there are no photos of Least Sandpiper; there >>> are just two photos of the presumed stint. To me, the legs have a hint of >>> olive, which means they are probably yellow, just in shadow or with mud. My >>> understanding is that Little Stint legs should be jet black, blacker than >>> Western. >>> >>> Regarding plumage, I pulled out Veit and Jonsson (1987) from *American >>> Birds, *which has excellent illustrations and discussion. The tertials >>> and scapulars on both species (in alternate plumage) can be nearly >>> identical. To me, the extensive streaking on the breast sides and the tail >>> protruding beyond the wings suggest Least Sandpiper, as does the overall >>> structure. >>> >>> Again, the pics are here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S107940245 >>> >>> I'm hoping others will weigh in. >>> >>> thanks, >>> >>> On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 11:37 PM Robert O'Brien wrote: >>> >>>> One giveaway is the legs. Least Sandpiper has yellow legs, visible in >>>> the photo. The Little Stint clearly has dark legs also visible in the >>>> excellent photos. >>>> I'd worry more about Western Sandpiper, which is the next excellent >>>> photo. There are obvious differences there but the legs don't help. >>>> Bob OBrien Portland >>>> PS Can anyone predict what time of day (tidewise?) would be best >>>> for chasing tomorrow, Tuesday? I guess it was seen around 9-10AM >>>> Saturday. Little Stint is my Most Wanted Stint................. >>>> >>>> >>>> On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 10:42 PM Steve Hampton >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> I've only seen Little Stint a few times, so I'm interested in more >>>>> discussion of this bird. The bill shape and overall posture seem identical >>>>> to Least Sandpiper to me. Plumage-wise, is the strong streaking on the >>>>> sides of the breast possible on Little Stint? I'm interested in an >>>>> explanation why this is not a bright adult Least Sandpiper and what the key >>>>> marks are. >>>>> >>>>> thanks, >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 6:58 PM dan&erika wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Hi Tweets-- >>>>>> >>>>>> First let me apologize for the delay in my posting this record. >>>>>> Yesterday, 25 April 2022, I photographed a bird at the Billy Frank Jr >>>>>> National Wildlife Refuge. It was on the south side of the very beginning of >>>>>> the estuary boardwalk. Two birds are in the image, one clearly a Least >>>>>> Sandpiper. It slowly occurred to me that the other, brighter bird is a >>>>>> Little Stint. I shared the photo with Dennis Paulson, who concurs with my >>>>>> identification. >>>>>> >>>>>> Two photos are included in the following eBird checklist: >>>>>> https://ebird.org/checklist/S107940245. >>>>>> >>>>>> Note apparent black legs, white-tipped wing coverts, and rusty >>>>>> breast, and note the black streaks against a pale chestnut wash on the >>>>>> sides of the breast and the chestnut color of the tertials. >>>>>> >>>>>> A refuge volunteer informed us that the shorebirds had been absent on >>>>>> Saturday the 24th, but that a large fallout of shorebirds occurred on >>>>>> Saturday night. I took the photos in eBird only because the birds presented >>>>>> a pretty composition. >>>>>> >>>>>> Dan >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> Dan or Erika Tallman >>>>>> Olympia, Washington >>>>>> danerika@gmail.com >>>>>> >>>>>> ".... the best shod travel with wet feet...Beware of all enterprises >>>>>> that require new clothes ....??H. D. Thoreau >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> Tweeters mailing list >>>>>> Tweeters@u.washington.edu >>>>>> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> ?Steve Hampton? >>>>> Port Townsend, WA (qat?y) >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> Tweeters mailing list >>>>> Tweeters@u.washington.edu >>>>> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >>>>> >>>> >>> >>> -- >>> ?Steve Hampton? >>> Port Townsend, WA (qat?y) >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Tweeters mailing list >>> Tweeters@u.washington.edu >>> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >>> >> -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From birder4184 at yahoo.com Tue Apr 26 11:08:17 2022 From: birder4184 at yahoo.com (B B) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Little Stint / Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <1714050136.893433.1650996497811@mail.yahoo.com> Let's try this again as my first attempt cut part of the message. This is my Ebird checklist for the Little Stint at Eide Road last year with lots of photos.? Some useful details perhaps.? Very black legs, noticeable braces, white stripe over eye AND the gape notch noted in the great attachment from Bob O'Brien. https://ebird.org/checklist/S88981376 Blair Bernson? Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android On Tue, Apr 26, 2022 at 10:42 AM, Robert O'Brien wrote: _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters@u.washington.edu http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From birder4184 at yahoo.com Tue Apr 26 11:08:17 2022 From: birder4184 at yahoo.com (B B) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Little Stint / Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <1714050136.893433.1650996497811@mail.yahoo.com> Let's try this again as my first attempt cut part of the message. This is my Ebird checklist for the Little Stint at Eide Road last year with lots of photos.? Some useful details perhaps.? Very black legs, noticeable braces, white stripe over eye AND the gape notch noted in the great attachment from Bob O'Brien. https://ebird.org/checklist/S88981376 Blair Bernson? Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android On Tue, Apr 26, 2022 at 10:42 AM, Robert O'Brien wrote: _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters@u.washington.edu http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From birder4184 at yahoo.com Tue Apr 26 11:08:17 2022 From: birder4184 at yahoo.com (B B) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Little Stint / Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <1714050136.893433.1650996497811@mail.yahoo.com> Let's try this again as my first attempt cut part of the message. This is my Ebird checklist for the Little Stint at Eide Road last year with lots of photos.? Some useful details perhaps.? Very black legs, noticeable braces, white stripe over eye AND the gape notch noted in the great attachment from Bob O'Brien. https://ebird.org/checklist/S88981376 Blair Bernson? Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android On Tue, Apr 26, 2022 at 10:42 AM, Robert O'Brien wrote: _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters@u.washington.edu http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From chandirah at gmail.com Tue Apr 26 12:44:39 2022 From: chandirah at gmail.com (Chandira H) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Yellow Rumped Warblers Message-ID: Nothing here yet at Carkeek but I?m on the lookout! We saw several at Marymoor last week in full feathers! Lots of Siskins here though, constant chatter in my yard. And a very talkative Cooper?s Hawk! Hopefully it?s busy getting after the starlings and Siskins. ;) Sent from my iPhone > On Apr 26, 2022, at 12:08 PM, tweeters-request@mailman11.u.washington.edu wrote: > > Message: 6 > Date: Tue, 26 Apr 2022 02:19:04 +0000 > From: AMK17 > To: Tweeters@u.washington.edu > Subject: [Tweeters] Phinney yard birds > Message-ID: <8a835beb-24b5-7691-3fff-a9f3d642733f@earthlink.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > Haven't seen many migrants yet but today an influx yellow?rumped?warblers. ?Many more than the usual two ?that spent all winter in the yard and all in breeding plumage. ?An occasional orange crowned passes through but also very few. > ? > Loads of siskins as well that seem to be lingering. ?Goldfinch have moved on. ?Any one else with more exciting spring yard birds? > ? > Cheers, > AKopitov > Seattle From marvbreece at q.com Tue Apr 26 15:52:29 2022 From: marvbreece at q.com (Marv Breece) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Kent Valley birds today 4.26.22 Message-ID: <929176451.97369071.1651013549115.JavaMail.zimbra@q.com> M Street in Auburn: Greater White-fronted Geese - 7 Minima Cackling Geese - hundreds Semipalmated Plover - 1 [ https://flic.kr/p/2ngQtKy | https://flic.kr/p/2ngQtKy ] Least Sandpiper - 60 or more Western Sandpiper - 1 w/ leasts At 204th and Frager Rd in Kent: Western Kingbird - 1 inside horse track NOTE: There is now a locked gate at M Street, but it is possible to park and walk in. Marv Breece Tukwila, WA marvbreece@q.com Pbase Images : https://www.pbase.com/marvbreece Flickr Videos : https://www.flickr.com/photos/138163614@N02/ Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHbkNzr4TaZ6ZBWfoJNvavw/featured -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From deedeeknit at yahoo.com Tue Apr 26 17:24:55 2022 From: deedeeknit at yahoo.com (Dee Dee) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Subject: Phinney yard birds References: Message-ID: Always enjoy reading of others? yardbird experiences?will add my experiences the past several days. Brown-headed Cowbirds have been popping in and out, both male and female?have had them occasionally in past years but not frequently and will be curious to see how this continues. Usually we have only 2 to 4 yard Golden-crowned Sparrows off and on over the years, compared to 4 to 8 White-crowned (dependent on whether the kids are out of the nests enough to join the adults for awhile). This morning was extraordinary in that I counted 10 Golden-crowns in the yard at one time?a delightful first with these lovely birds! Spread somewhat out in 2 to 3 groups. This afternoon there are still at least 8 putting in an appearance where I can count them during a quick check. And only seeing 2 White-crowns. Go figure. Dee Warnock Edmonds Message: 6 Date: Tue, 26 Apr 2022 02:19:04 +0000 From: AMK17 To: Tweeters@u.washington.edu Subject: [Tweeters] Phinney yard birds Message-ID: <8a835beb-24b5-7691-3fff-a9f3d642733f@earthlink.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Haven't seen many migrants yet but today an influx yellow?rumped?warblers. ?Many more than the usual two ?that spent all winter in the yard and all in breeding plumage. ?An occasional orange crowned passes through but also very few. ? Loads of siskins as well that seem to be lingering. ?Goldfinch have moved on. ?Any one else with more exciting spring yard birds? ? Cheers, AKopitov Seattle ? ? AMK17 From dennispaulson at comcast.net Tue Apr 26 17:31:30 2022 From: dennispaulson at comcast.net (Dennis Paulson) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Little Stint / Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <6E37C829-CE35-4CEE-A311-D5DA20B7B609@comcast.net> Well, I did it again, misidentifying a common bird as a Little Stint. I was in a hotel in Wakulla Springs, Florida, tired after driving all day (and having driven 4100+ miles since we left Seattle on 4/13), and I should have looked at the photo more carefully. It looks quite like a Little Stint, but the shorter wings and primary projection make it easy to see that it is a Least Sandpiper. My apologies for so uncritically agreeing, Dan! But I suppose it?s better to get less critical in your old age rather than more critical . . . Dennis Paulson Seattle > On Apr 26, 2022, at 11:02 AM, Robert O'Brien wrote: > > PS My Peep Photo was taken in Fall about 1985, scanned here from a slide. > > On Tue, Apr 26, 2022 at 10:41 AM Robert O'Brien > wrote: > You learn something every day! Decades ago photographed a small peep that I tried for decades to make into a Little Stint. Photos taken near Astoria. > Noone could say anything for sure. Eventually I accepted it as a very petite male western. Hence my 'Most Wanted' for this stint. But, for old times sake I just Googled the comparison and came up with this 'cool' ID feature. > https://blog.aba.org/2017/11/open-mic-a-new-field-mark-for-differentiating-stints-and-peeps.html > Now, in one of the Stint photos you can barely make out the 'Gape Notch' (I'd never heard this term before). A more horizontal photo would have been better, but I believe it is visible as it is. > Then click to the next eBird photo (Western Sandpiper) with the little arrow to the right. No Notch on the Western. > I'm hardly an expert as I just discovered this. I would have helped a lot with my long ago photo that is here: > http://www2.rdrop.com/users/green/Stint%3f/LIST02.JPG > Note No Notch. > Love to hear from Dennis Paulson on this whole subject. I'm sure these details were not known when he wrote his famous book so long ago. > Bob OBrien Portland > > On Tue, Apr 26, 2022 at 10:29 AM Robert O'Brien > wrote: > Hi Steve- > ?The bird to the left of the Stint in the eBird photos is a Least Sandpiper.? Note the yellow legs.Feet especially > Bob OBrien > > On Tue, Apr 26, 2022 at 7:23 AM Steve Hampton > wrote: > Bob, > > Thanks for engaging me. I'm a bit confused about what you said about leg color in the photos, which you said appeared yellow in the Least photo and dark in the stint photos. But there are no photos of Least Sandpiper; there are just two photos of the presumed stint. To me, the legs have a hint of olive, which means they are probably yellow, just in shadow or with mud. My understanding is that Little Stint legs should be jet black, blacker than Western. > > Regarding plumage, I pulled out Veit and Jonsson (1987) from American Birds, which has excellent illustrations and discussion. The tertials and scapulars on both species (in alternate plumage) can be nearly identical. To me, the extensive streaking on the breast sides and the tail protruding beyond the wings suggest Least Sandpiper, as does the overall structure. > > Again, the pics are here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S107940245 > > I'm hoping others will weigh in. > > thanks, > > On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 11:37 PM Robert O'Brien > wrote: > One giveaway is the legs. Least Sandpiper has yellow legs, visible in the photo. The Little Stint clearly has dark legs also visible in the excellent photos. > I'd worry more about Western Sandpiper, which is the next excellent photo. There are obvious differences there but the legs don't help. > Bob OBrien Portland > PS Can anyone predict what time of day (tidewise?) would be best for chasing tomorrow, Tuesday? I guess it was seen around 9-10AM Saturday. Little Stint is my Most Wanted Stint................. > > > On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 10:42 PM Steve Hampton > wrote: > I've only seen Little Stint a few times, so I'm interested in more discussion of this bird. The bill shape and overall posture seem identical to Least Sandpiper to me. Plumage-wise, is the strong streaking on the sides of the breast possible on Little Stint? I'm interested in an explanation why this is not a bright adult Least Sandpiper and what the key marks are. > > thanks, > > > > On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 6:58 PM dan&erika > wrote: > Hi Tweets-- > > First let me apologize for the delay in my posting this record. Yesterday, 25 April 2022, I photographed a bird at the Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge. It was on the south side of the very beginning of the estuary boardwalk. Two birds are in the image, one clearly a Least Sandpiper. It slowly occurred to me that the other, brighter bird is a Little Stint. I shared the photo with Dennis Paulson, who concurs with my identification. > > Two photos are included in the following eBird checklist: > https://ebird.org/checklist/S107940245 . > > Note apparent black legs, white-tipped wing coverts, and rusty breast, and note the black streaks against a pale chestnut wash on the sides of the breast and the chestnut color of the tertials. > > A refuge volunteer informed us that the shorebirds had been absent on Saturday the 24th, but that a large fallout of shorebirds occurred on Saturday night. I took the photos in eBird only because the birds presented a pretty composition. > > Dan > > -- > Dan or Erika Tallman > Olympia, Washington > danerika@gmail.com > > ".... the best shod travel with wet feet...Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes ....??H. D. Thoreau > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > > > -- > ?Steve Hampton? > Port Townsend, WA (qat?y) > > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > > > -- > ?Steve Hampton? > Port Townsend, WA (qat?y) > > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dpdvm at whidbey.com Tue Apr 26 17:42:41 2022 From: dpdvm at whidbey.com (David Parent) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Black-billed Magpie on Beacon Hill, Seattle Message-ID: Hey Tweets, My son, an excellent birder, observed a Black-billed Magpie at 4:12pm near the corner of Graham and Beacon Ave S, today April 26. Best, Dave Parent dpdvm at Whidbey dot com, Freeland WA Sent from my iPad From jimbetz at jimbetz.com Tue Apr 26 19:36:32 2022 From: jimbetz at jimbetz.com (jimbetz@jimbetz.com) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] White-Crowned Sparrows and still Snow Geese In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <20220426193632.Horde.YQuSZ8NZx1J_HGSri9Ik1oq@webmail.jimbetz.com> Hi, I also saw a large number of White-Crowned Sparrows in my backyard today, Gary. This afternoon I found - STILL! - a few hundred Snow Geese on the Samish Flats near the T. Also, close by, about 8 or 10 White-Fronted Geese. ... interesting times ... Jim From dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com Wed Apr 27 01:03:54 2022 From: dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com (Dan Reiff) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Avian influenza outbreak spreads to Tampa Bay, is killing Florida birds Message-ID: https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2022/04/26/avian-influenza-outbreak-has-spread-to-tampa-bay/ Sent from my iPhone From dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com Wed Apr 27 01:05:30 2022 From: dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com (Dan Reiff) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Millions of birds currently migrating over Central New York | WSYR Message-ID: <64DC12D6-8A72-4F7F-8B33-7130792D75B5@gmail.com> https://www.informnny.com/abc50-now/millions-of-birds-currently-migrating-over-the-north-country/ Sent from my iPhone From dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com Wed Apr 27 01:16:11 2022 From: dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com (Dan Reiff) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Brains and brawn helped crows and ravens take over the world -- ScienceDaily Message-ID: <17615C72-A471-4D46-8994-56AC83FE9116@gmail.com> https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220421094104.htm Sent from my iPhone From davearm at uw.edu Wed Apr 27 12:48:39 2022 From: davearm at uw.edu (davearm@uw.edu) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] White pelicans Deer Lagoon Message-ID: <4D65A4D6-7B93-40C8-9A37-99317D140754@uw.edu> A bright calm day at Deer Lagoon this morning at low tide. Highlight was about 13 white pelicans on the freshwater side, along with a fair number of ducks: buffleheads, wigeons, gadwalls, shovelers, green wing teals, lesser scaups, and hooded mergansers. Also abundant were 4 species of swallows (tree, violet-green, northern rough wing, and barn), yellow rump warblers, and savannah sparrows. Yellow legs, whimbrels, and caspian terns were present on the estuarine tideflats. david armstrong Sent from my iPhone From elstonh at yahoo.com Wed Apr 27 13:23:17 2022 From: elstonh at yahoo.com (Elston Hill) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Everette GBH Rookery In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <934ACDC9-DB61-450D-9A3A-52E7D9A64D59@yahoo.com> Did they leave the yacht harbor this year? Have never seen. Went up three weeks ago to what I thought was the correct location but could not find the rookery. Thanks, Elston From hadleyj1725 at gmail.com Wed Apr 27 13:37:51 2022 From: hadleyj1725 at gmail.com (Jane Hadley) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Little Stint / Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge Message-ID: <8b465cb5-6410-abdd-2e93-015096ba0a3b@gmail.com> We have some citing the shorter wings and primary projection and the streaking on the sides of the breast to conclude that the reported bird is a Least Sandpiper. We have others citing the black legs and the gape notch to conclude that it is a Little Stint. How to decide? Pictures of the subject bird: https://ebird.org/checklist/S107940245 Discussion of the "gape notch" ID key: https://blog.aba.org/2017/11/open-mic-a-new-field-mark-for-differentiating-stints-and-peeps.html Jane Hadley Seattle, WA -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From marvbreece at q.com Wed Apr 27 16:47:03 2022 From: marvbreece at q.com (Marv Breece) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Kent Valley birds today 4.27.22 In-Reply-To: <929176451.97369071.1651013549115.JavaMail.zimbra@q.com> References: <929176451.97369071.1651013549115.JavaMail.zimbra@q.com> Message-ID: <2006856961.98531675.1651103223870.JavaMail.zimbra@q.com> M Street in Auburn: Greater White-fronted Geese - 7 Least Sandpiper - 30 or more Western Sandpiper - 2 w/ leasts Greater Yellowlegs - 2 Solitary Sandpiper - 1 (in front of barn) [ https://flic.kr/p/2nh8CEz | https://flic.kr/p/2nh8CEz ] At 204th and Frager Rd in Kent: Purple Martin - 1 male seen and heard inside track Western Kingbird - 1 inside horse track [ https://flic.kr/p/2nh2G2L | https://flic.kr/p/2nh2G2L ] NOTE: There is now a locked gate at M Street, but it is possible to park and walk in. Marv Breece Tukwila, WA marvbreece@q.com Pbase Images : https://www.pbase.com/marvbreece Flickr Videos : https://www.flickr.com/photos/138163614@N02/ Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHbkNzr4TaZ6ZBWfoJNvavw/featured -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From zoramon at mac.com Wed Apr 27 16:49:02 2022 From: zoramon at mac.com (Zora Monster) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Little Stint / Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge In-Reply-To: <8b465cb5-6410-abdd-2e93-015096ba0a3b@gmail.com> References: <8b465cb5-6410-abdd-2e93-015096ba0a3b@gmail.com> Message-ID: When looking at pictures of least sandpipers, I am seeing that gape notch mentioned in the article referenced below. This leads me to believe that this particular field mark cannot be used to distinguish between least sandpipers and little stints. Zora Dermer Seattle, WA > On Apr 27, 2022, at 1:37 PM, Jane Hadley wrote: > > We have some citing the shorter wings and primary projection and the streaking on the sides of the breast to conclude that the reported bird is a Least Sandpiper. We have others citing the black legs and the gape notch to conclude that it is a Little Stint. How to decide? > > Pictures of the subject bird: > > https://ebird.org/checklist/S107940245 > Discussion of the "gape notch" ID key: > > https://blog.aba.org/2017/11/open-mic-a-new-field-mark-for-differentiating-stints-and-peeps.html > Jane Hadley > > Seattle, WA > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jdanzenbaker at gmail.com Wed Apr 27 16:57:07 2022 From: jdanzenbaker at gmail.com (Jim Danzenbaker) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] April 23 Westport Seabirds trip report Message-ID: Hi Tweeters, Given the rough weather that April has brought to western Washington, any day with no rain and no wind is a gift. It's a great gift when a Westport Seabirds pelagic trip is scheduled for that day! Enthusiastic birders boarded the *Monte Carlo* for our 6 am departure under a beautiful pastel sunrise. A huge surprise awaited us before we even got to the mouth of Gray's Harbor. Fins broke the surface of the water and then a tall dorsal fin of an adult male Orca! Five mammals in all including two adult females (grandmother and mother), the adult male, and two young (ages 10 and 2). Alex P. was later able to tell us that it was a transient pod that isn't seen very often. Captain Phil said that he had never seen Orcas inside the harbor! Wow, what a way to start the day! The calm weather would stay with us throughout the day which made wildlife observation easy. Red-throated (27), Pacific (188), and Common (13) Loons flew overhead and Surf (72) and White-winged (114) Scoters greeted us as we passed the tip of the jetty. Sooty Shearwaters (925), Common Murres (189), Rhinoceros Auklets, (63) several Cassin's Auklets (3), and a flock of Red-necked Phalaropes (15) heralded the transition to offshore species. A flock of over 500 Sooty Shearwaters included a handful of Short-tailed Shearwaters (14) and the first Pink-footed Shearwaters (80). A foursome of alternate plumaged Bonaparte's Gulls (4) were beautiful. Our second big surprise of the day came in alcid form. Expert leader and naturalist Bill Tweit spotted a murre that looked a bit unlike the Common Murres that were scattered about. With Captain Phil's excellent boat maneuvering and with a big assist from photographers on board, we confirmed this bird as a THICK-BILLED MURRE, a life bird for many on board and a new Washington bird and Westport Seabirds bird for me! Captain Phil located one long-liner fishing boat near the edge of the continental shelf although the boat wasn't actively fishing. It did, however, have a line of Black-footed Albatrosses (86), Pink-footed Shearwaters and a few Northern Fulmars (19) near it. These birds proved to have no fear of our boat and the long lens photographers on board were having to back up to capture images. A good problem to have! I-phone photographers had no issues. 5 species of gulls wheeled about including an unusual for offshore almost full adult Ring-billed Gull. We headed toward Grays Canyon for some deep sea birding. We attracted several cooperative Fork-tailed Storm Petrels (5) and a far off Sabine's Gull (1) which never came close. A Black-leeged Kittiwake (2) was a good pickup. On the way back to shore, a Pomarine Jaeger (1) winged by, the only jaeger of the day and a photographer assisted identification. Pacific Loons dotted the sky as we neared the jetty and Pigeon Guillemots (5), Western Grebes (16), continuing scoters and a single Brown Pelican (1) were observed. The jetty held Surfbirds (11) and both Ruddy (2) and Black Turnstones (2). A single alternate plumaged Red-necked Grebe and numbers of all three cormorant species (Brandt's 82, Double-crested 9 and Pelagic 8) were a fitting end to the trip. Migrant waterfowl included Cackling Goose (8), Brant (48), Northern Pintail (2) and Green-winged Teal (17). A single Humpback Whale and Northern Fur Seal were encountered on the trip. Steller's Sea Lions (15) were draped over the channel buoys and Harbor Porpoise (5) on the way back rounded out the mammal show. Harbor Seals kept a watchful eye on our return to the dock. A big thanks to Captain Phil and first mate Chris as well as co-leaders Bill Tweit and Bruce LaBar and, of course, the enthusiastic birders on board for a great day! We invite you to come join us on a Westport Seabirds trip this year. Trips are filling so take a look at the schedule and secure your space. https://westportseabirds.com/2022-schedule/ Jim Danzenbaker for Westport Seabirds. -- Jim Danzenbaker Battle Ground, WA 360-702-9395 jdanzenbaker@gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From danerika at gmail.com Wed Apr 27 18:20:01 2022 From: danerika at gmail.com (dan&erika) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Little Stint / Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge In-Reply-To: References: <8b465cb5-6410-abdd-2e93-015096ba0a3b@gmail.com> Message-ID: With some creative photoshopping, I believe my stint candidate is, in fact, a Least Sandpiper. See the new photo posted on my eBird checklist-- https://ebird.org/checklist/S107940245. The bird appears to sport yellowish legs that just looked black under normal exposure. Dan On Wed, Apr 27, 2022 at 4:49 PM Zora Monster wrote: > When looking at pictures of least sandpipers, I am seeing that gape notch > mentioned in the article referenced below. This leads me to believe that > this particular field mark cannot be used to distinguish between least > sandpipers and little stints. > > Zora Dermer > Seattle, WA > > > On Apr 27, 2022, at 1:37 PM, Jane Hadley wrote: > > We have some citing the shorter wings and primary projection and the > streaking on the sides of the breast to conclude that the reported bird is > a Least Sandpiper. We have others citing the black legs and the gape notch > to conclude that it is a Little Stint. How to decide? > > Pictures of the subject bird: > > https://ebird.org/checklist/S107940245 > > Discussion of the "gape notch" ID key: > > > https://blog.aba.org/2017/11/open-mic-a-new-field-mark-for-differentiating-stints-and-peeps.html > > Jane Hadley > > Seattle, WA > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > > > -- Dan or Erika Tallman Olympia, Washington danerika@gmail.com ".... the best shod travel with wet feet...Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes ....??H. D. Thoreau -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From shepthorp at gmail.com Wed Apr 27 19:18:17 2022 From: shepthorp at gmail.com (Shep Thorp) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Wednesday Walk, Billy Frank Jr Nisqually NWR, 4/27/2022 Message-ID: Hi Tweets, We had a really nice spring day at the Refuge despite the intermittent rain and hail. Partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the 40's-50's degree Fahrenheit. Highlights included both LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS and SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS, high count of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER and VAUX'S SWIFT, FOY WARBLING VIREO and WHIMBREL, as well reports of PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER. The bird of the day for most of us was the 4 Orca Whale seen between the Nisqually Reach and Anderson Island from the Puget Sound Viewing Platform. Other mammals seen included River Otter and Muskrat. We observed 87 species for the day, and have seen 129 species for the year. Until next week when we bird again, happy birding. Shep eBird list pasted. -- Shep Thorp Browns Point 253-370-3742 Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR, Thurston, Washington, US Apr 27, 2022 6:52 AM - 4:30 PM Protocol: Traveling 7.86 mile(s) Checklist Comments: Wednesday Walk. Partly cloudy with intermittent showers, temperature in the 40?s to 50?s degree Fahrenheit. A Low 2.83ft Tide at 10:55am and a High 10.87ft Tide at 4:33pm. Mammals seen Eastern Cotton-tailed Rabbit, Eastern Gray Squirrel, Columbian Black-tailed Deer, River Otter, Muskrat, Harbor Seal, Orca(4 whale, one large male). 87 species (+7 other taxa) Cackling Goose (minima) 8 Canada Goose 60 Wood Duck 6 Cinnamon Teal 1 Northern Shoveler 250 Gadwall 30 Eurasian Wigeon 2 American Wigeon 175 Mallard 100 Mallard (Domestic type) 1 Northern Pintail 60 Green-winged Teal 1000 Green-winged Teal (Eurasian x American) 1 Continuing. Seen from the Twin Barn Overlook. Predominantly horizontal white line between folded wing and side, very slight vertical line from shoulder. Observed by many at 100-200 feet with spotting scopes. Ring-necked Duck 10 Surf Scoter 2 Bufflehead 150 Common Goldeneye 11 Hooded Merganser 6 Common Merganser 16 Red-breasted Merganser 8 Pied-billed Grebe 2 Horned Grebe 4 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 10 Mourning Dove 1 Vaux's Swift 150 Anna's Hummingbird 3 Rufous Hummingbird 2 American Coot 50 Black-bellied Plover 3 Semipalmated Plover 2 Killdeer 1 Whimbrel 6 Dunlin 20 Least Sandpiper 400 Western Sandpiper 150 Short-billed Dowitcher 23 Two groups observed in the tidal estuary along the Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk Trail. First group of 20 dowitchers flew directly overhead within 50 feet and distinctive ?tu, tu? call. The second group of three observed foraging on the mudflats with spotted sides of neck and sides. As these birds flew, also vocalizing ?tu, tu?. Long-billed Dowitcher 4 Spotted Sandpiper 2 Greater Yellowlegs 30 Pigeon Guillemot 2 Short-billed Gull 100 Ring-billed Gull 100 Glaucous-winged Gull 1 Western/Glaucous-winged Gull 15 Larus sp. 200 Caspian Tern 20 Banded Bird. Right Leg:black on yellow J987; Left Leg: Orange, Green, Silver. Brandt's Cormorant 4 Double-crested Cormorant 10 Great Blue Heron 18 Osprey 1 Bald Eagle 45 Belted Kingfisher 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 1 American Kestrel 3 Pacific-slope Flycatcher 1 Warbling Vireo 4 Steller's Jay 2 American Crow 8 Black-capped Chickadee 6 Chestnut-backed Chickadee 1 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 6 Tree Swallow 40 Violet-green Swallow 80 Tree/Violet-green Swallow 80 Bank Swallow 4 Flying over flooded fields in the morning. Small brown topped swallow with white throat and neck-tie. Barn Swallow 20 Cliff Swallow 100 Bushtit 4 Brown Creeper 1 Pacific Wren 1 Marsh Wren 6 Bewick's Wren 4 European Starling 30 American Robin 60 House Finch 1 Purple Finch 5 Pine Siskin 4 American Goldfinch 8 Dark-eyed Junco 1 White-crowned Sparrow 4 Golden-crowned Sparrow 15 Savannah Sparrow 12 Song Sparrow 15 Spotted Towhee 2 Red-winged Blackbird 60 Brown-headed Cowbird 20 Orange-crowned Warbler 8 Common Yellowthroat 12 Yellow Warbler 6 Yellow-rumped Warbler 50 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 20 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) 40 Townsend's Warbler 1 View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S108256008 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From baro at pdx.edu Wed Apr 27 22:51:04 2022 From: baro at pdx.edu (Robert O'Brien) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Little Stint / Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge In-Reply-To: References: <8b465cb5-6410-abdd-2e93-015096ba0a3b@gmail.com> Message-ID: Well, I'm certainly not vouching for it as I just found that mark yesteray it on the internet. But see next post. Bob OBrien -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From baro at pdx.edu Wed Apr 27 23:11:56 2022 From: baro at pdx.edu (Robert O'Brien) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Little Stint / Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: As if the waters weren't muddy enough already, how about this? In the first photo, look carefully at the clearly-visible toes of the left-hand, Least Sandpiper. https://ebird.org/checklist/S107940245 Then look carefully at the loooooong toes of the stint wannabe in the next 2 photos (2nd one, enhanced and better visible). Then check out these photos, mostly the last or 5th photo. https://ebird.org/checklist/S106678209 Hmmmmmmmm? Of course, both Least and L-T have yellow legs, but neither show up under all lighting conditions as at the last url posted here, where some appear somewhat yellow and others don't appear so.. Bob OBrien Portland On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 10:42 PM Steve Hampton wrote: > I've only seen Little Stint a few times, so I'm interested in more > discussion of this bird. The bill shape and overall posture seem identical > to Least Sandpiper to me. Plumage-wise, is the strong streaking on the > sides of the breast possible on Little Stint? I'm interested in an > explanation why this is not a bright adult Least Sandpiper and what the key > marks are. > > thanks, > > > > On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 6:58 PM dan&erika wrote: > >> Hi Tweets-- >> >> First let me apologize for the delay in my posting this record. >> Yesterday, 25 April 2022, I photographed a bird at the Billy Frank Jr >> National Wildlife Refuge. It was on the south side of the very beginning of >> the estuary boardwalk. Two birds are in the image, one clearly a Least >> Sandpiper. It slowly occurred to me that the other, brighter bird is a >> Little Stint. I shared the photo with Dennis Paulson, who concurs with my >> identification. >> >> Two photos are included in the following eBird checklist: >> https://ebird.org/checklist/S107940245. >> >> Note apparent black legs, white-tipped wing coverts, and rusty breast, >> and note the black streaks against a pale chestnut wash on the sides of the >> breast and the chestnut color of the tertials. >> >> A refuge volunteer informed us that the shorebirds had been absent on >> Saturday the 24th, but that a large fallout of shorebirds occurred on >> Saturday night. I took the photos in eBird only because the birds presented >> a pretty composition. >> >> Dan >> >> -- >> Dan or Erika Tallman >> Olympia, Washington >> danerika@gmail.com >> >> ".... the best shod travel with wet feet...Beware of all enterprises that >> require new clothes ....??H. D. Thoreau >> _______________________________________________ >> Tweeters mailing list >> Tweeters@u.washington.edu >> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >> > > > -- > Steve Hampton > Port Townsend, WA (qat?y) > > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From meetings at wos.org Thu Apr 28 08:22:34 2022 From: meetings at wos.org (meetings@wos.org) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] =?utf-8?q?REMINDER_-_WOS_MTG=2C_May_2=2C_7=3A30_pm=2C_?= =?utf-8?q?Ed_Deal_to_present_a_10-Year_Retrospective_on_Seattle?= =?utf-8?q?=E2=80=99s_Expanding_Urban__Cooper=E2=80=99s_Hawk_Popula?= =?utf-8?q?tion?= Message-ID: <20220428152234.30530.qmail@s401.sureserver.com> The Washington Ornithological Society is delighted to invite you to our May Monthly Meeting when Ed Deal will share what he and a group of volunteers in the Seattle Cooper?s Hawk Project have learned about these common but elusive raptors through 10 years of monitoring them in Seattle. Thirty years ago Cooper?s Hawks began colonizing urban and suburban landscapes throughout the US, developing a tolerance for living in proximity to humans. The Seattle Cooper?s Hawk Project is one of several studies in large US cities and the only all-volunteer, community science project. Since 2012 the group has monitored the local Cooper?s Hawk population nesting density and annual nest productivity.?? In 1991 Ed was introduced to the fascinating world of raptors when he signed up for a Hawk ID class with Bud Anderson.?? It proved to be a mid-life-changing event, leading to hawk banding in WA state and beyond; 17 years of volunteering on the Falcon Research Group?s study of nesting Peregrine Falcons in the San Juan Islands; 28 years of monitoring & banding nesting Peregrines in the Seattle area; and, of course, his work monitoring Seattle?s Cooper?s Hawks. When???Monday, May 2, 7:30 pm (sign-in begins at 7:15 pm) WOS Monthly Meetings remain open to all as we continue to welcome the wider birding community to join us online. For login information, go to http://wos.org/about-wos/monthly-meetings/.??While there, if you are not yet a member of WOS, I hope you will consider becoming one. Please join us! Vicki King WOS Program Coordinator From judyem at olypen.com Thu Apr 28 11:16:51 2022 From: judyem at olypen.com (judyem@olypen.com) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Port Angeles Townsend's solitaires Message-ID: <2ef0cb31de0a2377b97eff045482ee6c@olypen.com> I rarely see Townsend's solitaires on my home patch, so I felt especially blessed/lucky when I spotted one on the wire next to my driveway on March 30. I expected it to be a "one-day wonder" so I didn't post it anywhere other than my personal logs. I was pleasantly surprised to see one again on 4/1, then after a blustery day one on 4/5 about half a mile down the road in a more protected area. Then on 4/19 I saw 2 in the original location and on 4/28 one at the second location. Given how seldom I see this species in my neighborhood, I'm assuming these are the same birds hanging around rather than a sudden influx of migrants. Has me wondering why here, this year and why hang around. Any thoughts? On a separate note, I've tried clicking on the link provided about the "little stint", but it brings up an eBird listing for 4/24 with 5 photos, but none matching the ones everyone was discussing. Any idea what I'm doing wrong and how I can get to the much-discussed photos? From judyem at olypen.com Thu Apr 28 11:18:49 2022 From: judyem at olypen.com (judyem@olypen.com) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Port Angeles Townsends solitaire Message-ID: Ooops -- forgot to include the requested info Judy Mullally judyem at olypen dot com in Port Angeles WA From marvbreece at q.com Thu Apr 28 17:07:56 2022 From: marvbreece at q.com (Marv Breece) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Kent Valley birds today 4.28.22 In-Reply-To: <2006856961.98531675.1651103223870.JavaMail.zimbra@q.com> References: <929176451.97369071.1651013549115.JavaMail.zimbra@q.com> <2006856961.98531675.1651103223870.JavaMail.zimbra@q.com> Message-ID: <738311606.99691034.1651190876568.JavaMail.zimbra@q.com> M Street in Auburn: Greater White-fronted Geese - 7 Least Sandpiper - 60 or more Western Sandpiper - 1 Greater Yellowlegs - 2 Long-billed Dowitcher - 1 Wilson's Snipe - 1 Calif Scrub-Jay - 1 204th and Frager Rd in Kent: Least Sandpiper - 12 Greater Yellowlegs - 4 Solitary Sandpiper - 2 (west of horse track) American Bittern - 1 galunking in the swamp Marv Breece Tukwila, WA marvbreece@q.com For every feather, preen, preen, preen, there is a reason. From: "Marv Breece" To: "Tweeters" Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2022 4:47:03 PM Subject: Kent Valley birds today 4.27.22 M Street in Auburn: Greater White-fronted Geese - 7 Least Sandpiper - 30 or more Western Sandpiper - 2 w/ leasts Greater Yellowlegs - 2 Solitary Sandpiper - 1 (in front of barn) [ https://flic.kr/p/2nh8CEz | https://flic.kr/p/2nh8CEz ] At 204th and Frager Rd in Kent: Purple Martin - 1 male seen and heard inside track Western Kingbird - 1 inside horse track [ https://flic.kr/p/2nh2G2L | https://flic.kr/p/2nh2G2L ] NOTE: There is now a locked gate at M Street, but it is possible to park and walk in. Marv Breece Tukwila, WA marvbreece@q.com Pbase Images : https://www.pbase.com/marvbreece Flickr Videos : https://www.flickr.com/photos/138163614@N02/ Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHbkNzr4TaZ6ZBWfoJNvavw/featured -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From EdSwan2 at comcast.net Thu Apr 28 18:48:52 2022 From: EdSwan2 at comcast.net (EdSwan2@comcast.net) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] guide recommendations for Bogata, Columbia Message-ID: <009b01d85b6b$4849e420$d8ddac60$@comcast.net> I might have a chance to go to Bogata, Columbia this fall. Does anyone have any guide recommendations? Best, Ed Ed Swan Nature Educator and Guide www.theswancompany.com 206.949.3545 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dougsantoni at gmail.com Thu Apr 28 19:05:53 2022 From: dougsantoni at gmail.com (Doug Santoni) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Comment re E-Bird / Tweeters Posts Message-ID: <714D8CEC-0C1B-41E4-B240-F8D4C731CD39@gmail.com> I love getting news of Washingtonn bird sightings on both Tweeters and E-Bird, and I?m grateful for all of this great information?but wondering if posters could please try to help some of us out by avoiding cryptic acronyms and abbreviations. A recent Union Bay sighting referred to a ?ho? near ?UHC? (this sounds a bit unsavory), and I just saw comments, again relating to Union Bay, on K2 (isn?t that a mountain in the Himalayas?), which left me completely befuddled. Could I kindly ask that posters be sympathetic to those of us who may not be in on this insiders? language? Doug Santoni Seattle, WA Dougsantoni at gmail dot com From dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com Thu Apr 28 21:49:49 2022 From: dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com (Dan Reiff) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] CBS NEWS: Washington officials warn of "one of the worst invasive species on earth" Message-ID: Yikes!! Washington officials warn of "one of the worst invasive species on earth" African clawed frogs ? which are consuming native species ? can survive in drought, freezing weather and even outer space. Read in CBS News: https://apple.news/AuUQS_g9LQhWQzwbBQbcCKw Shared from Apple News Sent from my iPhone -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From benedict.t at comcast.net Thu Apr 28 21:58:10 2022 From: benedict.t at comcast.net (Tom Benedict) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Comment re E-Bird / Tweeters Posts In-Reply-To: <714D8CEC-0C1B-41E4-B240-F8D4C731CD39@gmail.com> References: <714D8CEC-0C1B-41E4-B240-F8D4C731CD39@gmail.com> Message-ID: I agree wholeheartedly with Doug?s request. Acronyms and abbreviations should be like pronouns and always have an antecedent. The American Psychological Association Style Guide has useful guidelines. Tom Benedict Seahurst, WA > On Apr 28, 2022, at 19:05, Doug Santoni wrote: > > I love getting news of Washingtonn bird sightings on both Tweeters and E-Bird, and I?m grateful for all of this great information?but wondering if posters could please try to help some of us out by avoiding cryptic acronyms and abbreviations. A recent Union Bay sighting referred to a ?ho? near ?UHC? (this sounds a bit unsavory), and I just saw comments, again relating to Union Bay, on K2 (isn?t that a mountain in the Himalayas?), which left me completely befuddled. Could I kindly ask that posters be sympathetic to those of us who may not be in on this insiders? language? > > Doug Santoni > Seattle, WA > Dougsantoni at gmail dot com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com Thu Apr 28 23:49:12 2022 From: dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com (Dan Reiff) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] =?utf-8?q?An_additional_suggestion_for_sending_emails_?= =?utf-8?q?to_Tweeters=E2=80=94=E2=80=94-Re=3A__Comment_re_E-Bird_/_Tweete?= =?utf-8?q?rs_Posts?= In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <3388EBD5-6C25-4E5F-B5E9-0E2A9A94ACAB@gmail.com> Hello Tom, Doug and the Tweeters Community, Yes, I agree and support those suggestions. I also understand that at times individuals are trying their best to quickly share time sensitive information with us about a find and location and are focused on sharing and then getting back to observations in the field. I tend to overlook the typos or abbreviations and am just impressed and grateful that they took time from their field observations to share the information with our community. If I would like clarification, I send an email to them requesting clarification. I would like to make an additional suggestion regarding sending emails to Tweeters. I would find it helpful for senders to respond to a original email for a sighting, question or anything else by ?reply all? and for all to continue to do so for the whole discussion. I believe this will result in clarity and efficiency and at times, honor the originator of the emails. At times, people will start a new email regarding the same subject and this is sometimes difficult to follow and makes it more difficult to find preceding comments. Also, at times I have taken ten or more minutes to consider my response as I am typing it, then send it, only to find someone replied with a similar or same thought before I touched send, which is mildly embarrassing, but part of the deal with emails. Also, I hope that the Tweeters administrators are still considering allowing at least one photo or sound recording to be attached to emails. I believe this will be a major improvement for species Identification purposes. This addition may also bring new people to the community as they ask for help identifying species and continue to learn from responses. Thank you to everyone for sharing information. I have always appreciated that. Dan Reiff MI Sent from my iPhone > On Apr 28, 2022, at 9:59 PM, Tom Benedict wrote: > > ?I agree wholeheartedly with Doug?s request. Acronyms and abbreviations should be like pronouns and always have an antecedent. The American Psychological Association Style Guide has useful guidelines. > > Tom Benedict > Seahurst, WA > >> On Apr 28, 2022, at 19:05, Doug Santoni wrote: >> >> I love getting news of Washingtonn bird sightings on both Tweeters and E-Bird, and I?m grateful for all of this great information?but wondering if posters could please try to help some of us out by avoiding cryptic acronyms and abbreviations. A recent Union Bay sighting referred to a ?ho? near ?UHC? (this sounds a bit unsavory), and I just saw comments, again relating to Union Bay, on K2 (isn?t that a mountain in the Himalayas?), which left me completely befuddled. Could I kindly ask that posters be sympathetic to those of us who may not be in on this insiders? language? >> >> Doug Santoni >> Seattle, WA >> Dougsantoni at gmail dot com > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From thefedderns at gmail.com Fri Apr 29 00:25:25 2022 From: thefedderns at gmail.com (Hans-Joachim Feddern) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] =?utf-8?q?An_additional_suggestion_for_sending_emails_?= =?utf-8?q?to_Tweeters=E2=80=94=E2=80=94-Re=3A_Comment_re_E-Bird_/_?= =?utf-8?q?Tweeters_Posts?= In-Reply-To: <3388EBD5-6C25-4E5F-B5E9-0E2A9A94ACAB@gmail.com> References: <3388EBD5-6C25-4E5F-B5E9-0E2A9A94ACAB@gmail.com> Message-ID: Your comments absolutely make sense Dan! I am in full agreement! Hans On Thu, Apr 28, 2022 at 11:49 PM Dan Reiff wrote: > Hello Tom, Doug and the Tweeters Community, > > Yes, I agree and support those suggestions. > > I also understand that at times individuals are trying their best to > quickly share time sensitive information with us about a find and location > and are focused on sharing and then getting back to observations in the > field. I tend to overlook the typos or abbreviations and am just impressed > and grateful that they took time from their field observations to share the > information with our community. > If I would like clarification, I send an email to them requesting > clarification. > > I would like to make an additional suggestion regarding sending emails to > Tweeters. > I would find it helpful for senders to respond to a original email for a > sighting, question or anything else by ?reply all? and for all to continue > to do so for the whole discussion. > I believe this will result in clarity and efficiency and at times, honor > the originator of the emails. > At times, people will start a new email regarding the same subject and > this is sometimes difficult to follow and makes it more difficult to find > preceding comments. > > Also, at times I have taken ten or more minutes to consider my response as > I am typing it, then send it, only to find someone replied with a similar > or same thought before I touched send, which is mildly embarrassing, but > part of the deal with emails. > > Also, I hope that the Tweeters administrators are still considering > allowing at least one photo or sound recording to be attached to emails. I > believe this will be a major improvement for species Identification > purposes. > This addition may also bring new people to the community as they ask for > help identifying species and continue to learn from responses. > > Thank you to everyone for sharing information. I have always appreciated > that. > Dan Reiff > MI > > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Apr 28, 2022, at 9:59 PM, Tom Benedict wrote: > > ?I agree wholeheartedly with Doug?s request. Acronyms and abbreviations > should be like pronouns and always have an antecedent. The American > Psychological Association Style Guide > has useful guidelines. > > Tom Benedict > Seahurst, WA > > On Apr 28, 2022, at 19:05, Doug Santoni wrote: > > I love getting news of Washingtonn bird sightings on both Tweeters and > E-Bird, and I?m grateful for all of this great information?but wondering if > posters could please try to help some of us out by avoiding cryptic > acronyms and abbreviations. A recent Union Bay sighting referred to a ?ho? > near ?UHC? (this sounds a bit unsavory), and I just saw comments, again > relating to Union Bay, on K2 (isn?t that a mountain in the Himalayas?), > which left me completely befuddled. Could I kindly ask that posters be > sympathetic to those of us who may not be in on this insiders? language? > > Doug Santoni > Seattle, WA > Dougsantoni at gmail dot com > > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -- *Hans Feddern* Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA thefedderns@gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From rondastark18 at gmail.com Fri Apr 29 09:26:54 2022 From: rondastark18 at gmail.com (Ronda Stark) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] =?utf-8?q?An_additional_suggestion_for_sending_emails_?= =?utf-8?q?to_Tweeters=E2=80=94=E2=80=94-Re=3A_Comment_re_E-Bird_/_?= =?utf-8?q?Tweeters_Posts?= In-Reply-To: References: <3388EBD5-6C25-4E5F-B5E9-0E2A9A94ACAB@gmail.com> Message-ID: Good morning, Since I did not see any other responses to Doug's original question, I will attempt to answer as I visit Union Bay almost every day. First, it CUH, or Center for Urban Horticulture, so it's likely the person posting is not that familiar w/that area. Second, I believe K2 refers to a banded Cooper's Hawk wearing that particular band ID. I only know this from talking with photographers who have a much better chance at reading bands from a distance. Ronda On Fri, Apr 29, 2022 at 12:26 AM Hans-Joachim Feddern wrote: > Your comments absolutely make sense Dan! I am in full agreement! > > Hans > > On Thu, Apr 28, 2022 at 11:49 PM Dan Reiff > wrote: > >> Hello Tom, Doug and the Tweeters Community, >> >> Yes, I agree and support those suggestions. >> >> I also understand that at times individuals are trying their best to >> quickly share time sensitive information with us about a find and location >> and are focused on sharing and then getting back to observations in the >> field. I tend to overlook the typos or abbreviations and am just impressed >> and grateful that they took time from their field observations to share the >> information with our community. >> If I would like clarification, I send an email to them requesting >> clarification. >> >> I would like to make an additional suggestion regarding sending emails to >> Tweeters. >> I would find it helpful for senders to respond to a original email for a >> sighting, question or anything else by ?reply all? and for all to continue >> to do so for the whole discussion. >> I believe this will result in clarity and efficiency and at times, honor >> the originator of the emails. >> At times, people will start a new email regarding the same subject and >> this is sometimes difficult to follow and makes it more difficult to find >> preceding comments. >> >> Also, at times I have taken ten or more minutes to consider my response >> as I am typing it, then send it, only to find someone replied with a >> similar or same thought before I touched send, which is mildly >> embarrassing, but part of the deal with emails. >> >> Also, I hope that the Tweeters administrators are still considering >> allowing at least one photo or sound recording to be attached to emails. I >> believe this will be a major improvement for species Identification >> purposes. >> This addition may also bring new people to the community as they ask for >> help identifying species and continue to learn from responses. >> >> Thank you to everyone for sharing information. I have always appreciated >> that. >> Dan Reiff >> MI >> >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >> On Apr 28, 2022, at 9:59 PM, Tom Benedict wrote: >> >> ?I agree wholeheartedly with Doug?s request. Acronyms and abbreviations >> should be like pronouns and always have an antecedent. The American >> Psychological Association Style Guide >> has useful >> guidelines. >> >> Tom Benedict >> Seahurst, WA >> >> On Apr 28, 2022, at 19:05, Doug Santoni wrote: >> >> I love getting news of Washingtonn bird sightings on both Tweeters and >> E-Bird, and I?m grateful for all of this great information?but wondering if >> posters could please try to help some of us out by avoiding cryptic >> acronyms and abbreviations. A recent Union Bay sighting referred to a ?ho? >> near ?UHC? (this sounds a bit unsavory), and I just saw comments, again >> relating to Union Bay, on K2 (isn?t that a mountain in the Himalayas?), >> which left me completely befuddled. Could I kindly ask that posters be >> sympathetic to those of us who may not be in on this insiders? language? >> >> Doug Santoni >> Seattle, WA >> Dougsantoni at gmail dot com >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Tweeters mailing list >> Tweeters@u.washington.edu >> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Tweeters mailing list >> Tweeters@u.washington.edu >> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >> > > > -- > *Hans Feddern* > Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA > thefedderns@gmail.com > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From constancesidles at gmail.com Fri Apr 29 10:05:59 2022 From: constancesidles at gmail.com (Constance Sidles) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] =?utf-8?q?An_additional_suggestion_for_sending_emails_?= =?utf-8?q?to_Tweeters=E2=80=94=E2=80=94-Re=3A__Comment_re_E-Bird_/_Tweete?= =?utf-8?q?rs_Posts?= In-Reply-To: <3388EBD5-6C25-4E5F-B5E9-0E2A9A94ACAB@gmail.com> References: <3388EBD5-6C25-4E5F-B5E9-0E2A9A94ACAB@gmail.com> Message-ID: <01611FE5-975F-4425-A367-52D775BA9E8F@gmail.com> Hey tweets, K2 refers to the second-highest point of Montlake Fill (just as K2 is the second-highest peak in the Himalayas, though our peak is rather lower), aka Union Bay Natural Area. It is located at the memorial bench on the Loop Trail a few meters to the east of the Osprey Pole. FYI, there are many highly localized names for sites at the Fill. Some are supplied by the official mapmakers of the state: eg., Wahkiakum Lane is an east-west gravel throughfare cutting through the middle of the Fill, more or less. Some names are supplied by the UWBG (UW Botanic Gardens), which administers the site: eg, Shoveler's Pond. Many names have been supplied by local birders and are not to be found on official UW maps. The best map for these sites (and it is a map I made that is sadly out of date, so I need to update it!) is here: https://wos.org/documents/Birding%20Resources/Sidles-fill-map.png The reason birders named so many tiny sites at the Fill is because the birds here often stay close to the place they were originally spotted. The Lesser Goldfinch (a First of Fill) a couple years ago, for example, stayed pretty much along University Slough within a few dozen meters of the Wooden Bridge. The Brewer's Sparrow a little while before that stayed within 20 or 30 feet of the bush where it was originally seen. The Fill is a place of micro-habitats. To help people locate birds reported on eBird and Tweeters, naming highly localized birding spots proved to be quite useful. For many years, a map was posted with the white board at the kiosk, which is located at the eastern terminus of Wahkiakum Lane. That map eventually disintegrated and needs to be replaced - hopefully with a new map that takes account of all the places that have changed over time. Many changes over the past 7 years were implemented by WSDOT as part of its mitigation plan to make up for habitat destruction caused the widening of the 520 bridge. For example, the Dime Lot, which used to be a parking lot that charged a dime to park, was transformed into a pond, renamed by birders The Bathrub. I can certainly appreciate how frustrating it is for people unfamiliar with the micro-spots of Montlake Fill to try to find a specific location mentioned in eBird or Tweeters. I have been working on creating a new map that gives all the latest names. If any of you want me to send you jpg's of the map (the map is in two parts), email me privately. Ironically, K2 is not on the new maps! But it will be ASAP. - Connie, Seattle constancesidles@gmail.com > On Apr 28, 2022, at 11:49 PM, Dan Reiff wrote: > > Hello Tom, Doug and the Tweeters Community, > > Yes, I agree and support those suggestions. > > I also understand that at times individuals are trying their best to quickly share time sensitive information with us about a find and location and are focused on sharing and then getting back to observations in the field. I tend to overlook the typos or abbreviations and am just impressed and grateful that they took time from their field observations to share the information with our community. > If I would like clarification, I send an email to them requesting clarification. > > I would like to make an additional suggestion regarding sending emails to Tweeters. > I would find it helpful for senders to respond to a original email for a sighting, question or anything else by ?reply all? and for all to continue to do so for the whole discussion. > I believe this will result in clarity and efficiency and at times, honor the originator of the emails. > At times, people will start a new email regarding the same subject and this is sometimes difficult to follow and makes it more difficult to find preceding comments. > > Also, at times I have taken ten or more minutes to consider my response as I am typing it, then send it, only to find someone replied with a similar or same thought before I touched send, which is mildly embarrassing, but part of the deal with emails. > > Also, I hope that the Tweeters administrators are still considering allowing at least one photo or sound recording to be attached to emails. I believe this will be a major improvement for species Identification purposes. > This addition may also bring new people to the community as they ask for help identifying species and continue to learn from responses. > > Thank you to everyone for sharing information. I have always appreciated that. > Dan Reiff > MI > > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On Apr 28, 2022, at 9:59 PM, Tom Benedict wrote: >> >> ?I agree wholeheartedly with Doug?s request. Acronyms and abbreviations should be like pronouns and always have an antecedent. The American Psychological Association Style Guide has useful guidelines. >> >> Tom Benedict >> Seahurst, WA >> >>> On Apr 28, 2022, at 19:05, Doug Santoni > wrote: >>> >>> I love getting news of Washingtonn bird sightings on both Tweeters and E-Bird, and I?m grateful for all of this great information?but wondering if posters could please try to help some of us out by avoiding cryptic acronyms and abbreviations. A recent Union Bay sighting referred to a ?ho? near ?UHC? (this sounds a bit unsavory), and I just saw comments, again relating to Union Bay, on K2 (isn?t that a mountain in the Himalayas?), which left me completely befuddled. Could I kindly ask that posters be sympathetic to those of us who may not be in on this insiders? language? >>> >>> Doug Santoni >>> Seattle, WA >>> Dougsantoni at gmail dot com >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Tweeters mailing list >> Tweeters@u.washington.edu >> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From vickibiltz at gmail.com Fri Apr 29 10:09:56 2022 From: vickibiltz at gmail.com (Vicki) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] A very late Varied Thrush and Magee Marsh or BUST! Message-ID: Hello, I do have to say, I?ve never had a VARIED THRUSH on our property in April, at least not THIS late! She?s been feeding on sunflower chips on the ground, and was accompanied by my regular pair of MOURNING DOVES, and HOUSE FINCHES as well. My Lesser Goldfinches have NOT shown up in a couple of months, I?m hoping they arrive soon. I?ll be in OHIO, May 5-15, and am so excited. I?ll be working on using eBird while I am there, it can be overwhelming there, but I?ll try to keep accurate records. Happy Birding, Vicki Biltz vickibiltz@gmail.com Buckley, WA -- vickibiltz@gmail.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/saw-whets_new/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From birdmarymoor at gmail.com Fri Apr 29 11:01:34 2022 From: birdmarymoor at gmail.com (birdmarymoor@gmail.com) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co.) 2022-04-28 Message-ID: <77097B42F6AE4DFA9C9D94DE7340420B@DESKTOPER2GUVC> Tweets ? Yesterday didn?t play out like I thought it would. First, the day was cold and dark, and really didn?t feel very spring-like. But secondly, I was expecting many common returning species that have already been seen around King County. For the most part, we DIDN?T get these. But we made up for them with uncommon birds. Still, it wasn?t very birdy in many ways (except we ended up with a high number of total species, so maybe I?m full of it). Highlights: a.. Cackling Goose ? Several flocks, 40+ birds total. Only once have we seen them later in spring (one reported 2010-05-02) b.. Cinnamon Teal ? Drake below the weir c.. Ring-necked Duck ? Pair seen on late scan of lake. Getting late d.. Vaux?s Swift ? At least two, First of Year (FOY) e.. SOLITARY SANDPIPER ? One seen below the weir soon after 6 a.m. Two seen at mitigation ponds south of Rowing Club about 11:00 a.m. (FOY) f.. Greater Yellowlegs ? One heard g.. Barred Owl ? One heard calling from the west side of the slough early h.. DUSKY FLYCATCHER ? Matt and I heard one (and I saw most of it), in rose thicket near windmill. NEW BIRD FOR THE PARK i.. Northern Rough-winged Swallow ? Two conveniently perched on poles at the Pea Patch (FOY) j.. Hermit Thrush ? One along east edge of Dog Meadow (FOY) k.. Bullock?s Oriole ? Matt?s group heard and saw a male along west edge of the East Meadow while the rest of us were on the east edge. (FOY) l.. Wilson?s Warbler ? Matt and I had one with the Dusky Flycatcher (distractingly in the same bush at the same time) (FOY) This was only the 8th time we?ve had SOLITARY SANDPIPER at Marymoor. This was the 2nd earliest BULLOCK?S ORIOLE. Most years, we?ve had HAMMOND?S FLYCATCHERS at the park during spring migration. We?ve been anticipating a DUSKY as well, and several times we?ve been aggravatingly uncertain whether a particular empid was Hammond?s or Dusky. But this year, Matt has been preparing especially for Dusky including having refreshed his knowledge of their early-season calls. He even had some cued up on his phone so we could compare call notes in the field while hearing the Dusky still calling. So this time we felt confident in our identification despite not getting a look at primary projection. Misses yesterday included Pied-billed Grebe, Rock Pigeon, Green Heron, and Belted Kingfisher. And we?re still waiting for FOS Spotted Sandpiper, Caspian Tern, Common Loon, Hammond?s Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Cassin?s Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Evening Grosbeak, Chipping Sparrow, Nashville Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Western Tanager, and Black-headed Grosbeak, all of which might have shown up yesterday. Maybe next week. For the day yesterday, 75 species! = Michael Hobbs = www.marymoor.org/birding.htm = BirdMarymoor@gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: wlEmoticon-smile[1].png Type: image/png Size: 1046 bytes Desc: not available URL: From vickibiltz at gmail.com Fri Apr 29 11:34:35 2022 From: vickibiltz at gmail.com (Vicki) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Looking for decent brands of walkie-talkies Message-ID: I need a decent long lasting pair of non squelching walkie-talkies. I?ve no idea what to look for, but I have several things scheduled and they would be very handy. The last two pairs didn?t do what was needed, so I need advice on this one. I don?t want to pay more than $150. That being said, I also have no clue what a decent set would cost. I?d like several miles for range, for when carpooling is again part of our program. You can answer via tweeters in case others are interested in them. Thanks, Vicki Biltz Vickibiltz@gmail.com -- vickibiltz@gmail.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/saw-whets_new/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From leschwitters at me.com Fri Apr 29 15:51:48 2022 From: leschwitters at me.com (Larry Schwitters) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Chimney Swift Message-ID: <53BF3293-D505-4CA7-932F-8B2401AE448B@me.com> The Audubon Vaux?s Happening project needs observers for the Monroe roost site. This is your best chance in all of Washington State to bag a Chimney Swift that?s in with a flock of 10,000 Vaux?s. Also a good chance for you to be involved with a wildlife conservation project. Bet that subject line got your heart rate up. Check out our website and then email me for details. Larry Larry Schwitters Project coordinator Audubon Vaux?s Happening http://www.vauxhappening.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From baro at pdx.edu Fri Apr 29 21:14:16 2022 From: baro at pdx.edu (Robert O'Brien) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] =?utf-8?q?An_additional_suggestion_for_sending_emails_?= =?utf-8?q?to_Tweeters=E2=80=94=E2=80=94-Re=3A_Comment_re_E-Bird_/_?= =?utf-8?q?Tweeters_Posts?= In-Reply-To: <3388EBD5-6C25-4E5F-B5E9-0E2A9A94ACAB@gmail.com> References: <3388EBD5-6C25-4E5F-B5E9-0E2A9A94ACAB@gmail.com> Message-ID: A couple of comments to add to Dan's. I second the photo/recording hope. All of Tweeters is archived but photos posted to anything other than the list or eBird will sooner or later be lost and the archived thread/discussion often then of limited value. On OBOL here in Oregon there is a limit to the number of Chain Emails allowed. I don't know if Tweeters has that. On OBOL if the (reTweeted) thread exceeds (I think it is 150 lines) then the next post does not go through. Then you are supposed to delete the previous posts before replying. I can understand that, but in that situation, if one finds/notices an interesting thread that has been partially deleted (including an image or even reference to an image elsewhere) it becomes almost impossible to figure out what that thread is about. Don't know if Tweeters has that limitation or if it is imposed at some higher level. But it has disadvantages. Bob OBrien Portland On Thu, Apr 28, 2022 at 11:49 PM Dan Reiff wrote: > Hello Tom, Doug and the Tweeters Community, > > Yes, I agree and support those suggestions. > > I also understand that at times individuals are trying their best to > quickly share time sensitive information with us about a find and location > and are focused on sharing and then getting back to observations in the > field. I tend to overlook the typos or abbreviations and am just impressed > and grateful that they took time from their field observations to share the > information with our community. > If I would like clarification, I send an email to them requesting > clarification. > > I would like to make an additional suggestion regarding sending emails to > Tweeters. > I would find it helpful for senders to respond to a original email for a > sighting, question or anything else by ?reply all? and for all to continue > to do so for the whole discussion. > I believe this will result in clarity and efficiency and at times, honor > the originator of the emails. > At times, people will start a new email regarding the same subject and > this is sometimes difficult to follow and makes it more difficult to find > preceding comments. > > Also, at times I have taken ten or more minutes to consider my response as > I am typing it, then send it, only to find someone replied with a similar > or same thought before I touched send, which is mildly embarrassing, but > part of the deal with emails. > > Also, I hope that the Tweeters administrators are still considering > allowing at least one photo or sound recording to be attached to emails. I > believe this will be a major improvement for species Identification > purposes. > This addition may also bring new people to the community as they ask for > help identifying species and continue to learn from responses. > > Thank you to everyone for sharing information. I have always appreciated > that. > Dan Reiff > MI > > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Apr 28, 2022, at 9:59 PM, Tom Benedict wrote: > > ?I agree wholeheartedly with Doug?s request. Acronyms and abbreviations > should be like pronouns and always have an antecedent. The American > Psychological Association Style Guide > has useful guidelines. > > Tom Benedict > Seahurst, WA > > On Apr 28, 2022, at 19:05, Doug Santoni wrote: > > I love getting news of Washingtonn bird sightings on both Tweeters and > E-Bird, and I?m grateful for all of this great information?but wondering if > posters could please try to help some of us out by avoiding cryptic > acronyms and abbreviations. A recent Union Bay sighting referred to a ?ho? > near ?UHC? (this sounds a bit unsavory), and I just saw comments, again > relating to Union Bay, on K2 (isn?t that a mountain in the Himalayas?), > which left me completely befuddled. Could I kindly ask that posters be > sympathetic to those of us who may not be in on this insiders? language? > > Doug Santoni > Seattle, WA > Dougsantoni at gmail dot com > > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From vickibiltz at gmail.com Sat Apr 30 08:00:08 2022 From: vickibiltz at gmail.com (Vicki) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Thanks for info on walkie talkie radios, found a pair! Message-ID: Thanks for the many replies! We settled on a new version of Motorola that was under 100 for the pair. Rechargeable but will take alkaline double A in an emergency. I?m sure they?ll be the last I?ll ever buy, at my age! Vicki Biltz Vickibiltz@gmail.com Buckley, Wa -- vickibiltz@gmail.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/saw-whets_new/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From lynnandstan at earthlink.net Sat Apr 30 11:32:41 2022 From: lynnandstan at earthlink.net (stan Kostka lynn Schmidt) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Snohomish County MacGillivray's Warbler Message-ID: <90B624C6-FD3A-409B-ADFE-B399F2C4211B@earthlink.net> Hi Tweets, After nearly three decades here in the woods East of Bryant in North Snohomish County, additions to our yard list have become very few and far between indeed, so we were quite surprised and pleased to be visited by a MacGillivray?s Warbler yesterday morning. It ducked in and out of the brush at the south edge of the pond, just below our kitchen window. It perched momentarily in plain view, before flying north across the pond, and was gone. Had a good look at it with binocs from about twenty feet away. All the field marks checked out. And it flew rather weakly, just like the Song Sparrow that is now feeding young at the edge of the same pond. After looking at eBird, I was also surprised to see there are no reports yet for the east side of Puget Sound, so I thought it noteworthy enough to report here on Tweeters. Looking forward to some warmer weather. Stan Kostka lynnandstan@earthlink.net Arlington WA From redpleco at protonmail.com Sat Apr 30 11:54:41 2022 From: redpleco at protonmail.com (redpleco) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Port Townsend Blue Jay Message-ID: <2Q2_fSTT-isQgIneuAAt-ukKUq_OMIvkxwS5NgIouubCOvh3V4tkBsmR7e39oA79HcWujsJIN8IFU28WGX5bYdvGoMEzWrktF5HeVLz9lFY=@protonmail.com> Hi Tweeters, Does anyone know whether the Port Townsend Blue Jay is still around? Thanks, Cordia Burlington WA Sent from ProtonMail mobile -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From markgirling at yahoo.com Sat Apr 30 12:15:06 2022 From: markgirling at yahoo.com (mark girling) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] White-crowned Sparrows. References: <618464337.2390930.1651346106502.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <618464337.2390930.1651346106502@mail.yahoo.com> I've just returned from a day and a half birding from Snoqualmie Summit to Othello to Wenas Campground and back via Umptanum rd and Ellensburg. Everywhere I went 9 times out of 10 it would be a White-crowned Sparrow. Good they are doing well but spent way to much time sighting tracking a bird to finally see that tell tale white stripe. Am I alone in this opinion. markgirling@yahoo.com?Woodridge? Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From pdickins at gmail.com Sat Apr 30 13:06:32 2022 From: pdickins at gmail.com (Philip Dickinson) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] White-crowned Sparrows. In-Reply-To: <618464337.2390930.1651346106502@mail.yahoo.com> References: <618464337.2390930.1651346106502.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <618464337.2390930.1651346106502@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: They were everywhere on Guemes Island this past Tuesday. Many in the Stillaguamish Valley, too. Phil Dickinson On Sat, Apr 30, 2022 at 12:15 PM mark girling wrote: > > I've just returned from a day and a half birding from Snoqualmie Summit to > Othello to Wenas Campground and back via Umptanum rd and Ellensburg. > Everywhere I went 9 times out of 10 it would be a White-crowned Sparrow. > Good they are doing well but spent way to much time sighting tracking a > bird to finally see that tell tale white stripe. Am I alone in this opinion. > > markgirling@yahoo.com > Woodridge > > Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From gene.beall at gmail.com Sat Apr 30 13:13:15 2022 From: gene.beall at gmail.com (Gene Beall) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] White-crowned Sparrows. In-Reply-To: References: <618464337.2390930.1651346106502.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <618464337.2390930.1651346106502@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: We've been seeing at least 5 times as many White-crowned Sparrows this spring on the shoulder of the Teanaway Valley (Kittitas County) as we've ever seen in the last 12 years of visiting this area. Gene Beall Sammamish, WA gene.beall@gmail.com On 4/30/22 13:06, Philip Dickinson wrote: > They were everywhere on Guemes Island this past Tuesday. Many in the > Stillaguamish Valley, too. > > > Phil Dickinson > > On Sat, Apr 30, 2022 at 12:15 PM mark girling > wrote: > > > I've just returned from a day and a half birding from Snoqualmie > Summit to Othello to Wenas Campground and back via Umptanum rd and > Ellensburg. Everywhere I went 9 times out of 10 it would be a > White-crowned Sparrow. Good they are doing well but spent way to > much time sighting tracking a bird to finally see that tell tale > white stripe. Am I alone in this opinion. > > markgirling@yahoo.com > Woodridge > > Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From blabar at harbornet.com Sat Apr 30 14:44:55 2022 From: blabar at harbornet.com (Bruce LaBar) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] WESTPORT SEABIRDS PELAGIC TRIP, APRIL 28, 2022 Message-ID: <798C2DEAC8414F7ABD1CF63B1C44A87E@DESKTOPC93UPS5> Captain Phil Anderson saw the weather forecast for the 29th looked iffy and changed the date to the 28th. Fourteen birders were able to make this rescheduled trip. This was a great change because we had excellent seas all day with no rain. Many of the birders were new to pelagic trips and saw many species of birds and 10 species of mammals! Our first few hours were somewhat slow in numbers of birds, but this was a good time to focus on the more common species, such as Sooty Shearwater, Common Murre, hybrid gulls, Rhinoceros Auklets and many migrating Pacific Loons. As we got out into deeper waters, closer to the shelf, we started getting the true pelagic birds that most came to see. Pink-footed Shearwaters, a few Short-tailed Shearwaters, Northern Fulmars, Cassin?s Auklets and 16 PARAKEET AUKLETS that most got to see, however, always flying away from the boat. Further out we came across two shrimp boats using large baskets lowered into deep water. We then encountered our first Black-footed Albatross and Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels. The week before, we had few migrating phalaropes and Sabine?s Gulls. However, in this area and out by our chum spot, we got good numbers of both Red and Red-necked Phalaropes in breeding plumage, and migrating Sabine?s Gulls. One of the highlights, near here, was the sighting of 15 Risso?s Dolphins(Grampus grisieus) that fed very close to the boat. Their rounded bent dorsal fin and all the body scarring were key identifying marks. We didn?t observe any last year. Our trip back, we had another mammal highlight when we spotted roughly 250 Pacific White-sided Dolphins. Phil slowly motored into the area and we had dolphins everywhere, surely a highlight for many. The bird highlight was a flying Tufted Puffin that was hoped for by many of the birders. Also a Parasitic Jaeger zipped by that only a few saw. In shore we had our first Heermann?s Gull of the year and six Brown Pelicans just returning for the summer. Some numbers of birds observed: Black-footed Albatross-31, Northern Fulmar-5, Pink-footed Shearwater-28, Sooty Shearwater-962, Short-tailed Shearwater-9, Fork-tailed Storm Petrel-23, Red-necked Phalarope-136, Red Phalarope-65, Common Murre-126, Pigeon Guillemot-4, Cassin?s Auklet-18, Rhinoceros Auklet-126, Sabine?s Gull-31, Bonaparte?s Gull-12, Arctic Tern-1. Mammal numbers: Humpback Whale-1, Gray Whale-5, Harbor Porpoise-1, Dall?s Porpoise-17, Harbor Seal-2, Elephant Seal-1(observed by Scott), California Sea Lion-3 and Steller?s Sea Lion-24. For complete numbers of all species seen on this trip, to make reservations and any other information, please visit our website at www.westportseabirds.com Most up coming trips are already full, however there might be some extra added in August. A huge thank you to all that came on the trip! Spotters were: Scott Mills, Gene Revelas and myself. Boat personnel and spotters were Phil and Chris Anderson. On behalf of Westport Seabirds, Bruce LaBar -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From stevechampton at gmail.com Sat Apr 30 14:53:29 2022 From: stevechampton at gmail.com (Steve Hampton) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Port Townsend Blue Jay In-Reply-To: <2Q2_fSTT-isQgIneuAAt-ukKUq_OMIvkxwS5NgIouubCOvh3V4tkBsmR7e39oA79HcWujsJIN8IFU28WGX5bYdvGoMEzWrktF5HeVLz9lFY=@protonmail.com> References: <2Q2_fSTT-isQgIneuAAt-ukKUq_OMIvkxwS5NgIouubCOvh3V4tkBsmR7e39oA79HcWujsJIN8IFU28WGX5bYdvGoMEzWrktF5HeVLz9lFY=@protonmail.com> Message-ID: I suspect it is not. I have not heard or seen it in several weeks. Sent from my iPhone > On Apr 30, 2022, at 11:55 AM, redpleco wrote: > > ?Hi Tweeters, > Does anyone know whether the Port Townsend Blue Jay is still around? > Thanks, > Cordia > Burlington WA > > > Sent from ProtonMail mobile > > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters From marvbreece at q.com Sat Apr 30 17:46:31 2022 From: marvbreece at q.com (Marv Breece) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] Kent Valley birds today 4.30.22 In-Reply-To: <738311606.99691034.1651190876568.JavaMail.zimbra@q.com> References: <929176451.97369071.1651013549115.JavaMail.zimbra@q.com> <2006856961.98531675.1651103223870.JavaMail.zimbra@q.com> <738311606.99691034.1651190876568.JavaMail.zimbra@q.com> Message-ID: <1513865222.101707157.1651365991009.JavaMail.zimbra@q.com> M Street in Auburn: Peregrine Falcon - adult hunting Greater Yellowlegs - 3 Lesser Yellowlegs - 3 Solitary Sandpiper - 1 Least Sandpiper - 30 or more Dunlin - 1 CA Scrub-Jay - 1 204th and Frager Rd in Kent: American Bittern - vocalizing Cooper's Hawk - potentially leucustic Long-billed Dowitcher - 1 in the field Greater Yellowlegs - 3 Lesser Yellowlegs - 1 Solitary Sandpiper - 1 Least Sandpiper - 20 Purple Martin - well heard, not seen Marv Breece Tukwila, WA marvbreece@q.com For every feather, preen, preen, preen, there is a reason. From: "Marv Breece" To: "Tweeters" Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2022 5:07:56 PM Subject: Kent Valley birds today 4.28.22 M Street in Auburn: Greater White-fronted Geese - 7 Least Sandpiper - 60 or more Western Sandpiper - 1 Greater Yellowlegs - 2 Long-billed Dowitcher - 1 Wilson's Snipe - 1 Calif Scrub-Jay - 1 204th and Frager Rd in Kent: Least Sandpiper - 12 Greater Yellowlegs - 4 Solitary Sandpiper - 2 (west of horse track) American Bittern - 1 galunking in the swamp Marv Breece Tukwila, WA marvbreece@q.com For every feather, preen, preen, preen, there is a reason. From: "Marv Breece" To: "Tweeters" Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2022 4:47:03 PM Subject: Kent Valley birds today 4.27.22 M Street in Auburn: Greater White-fronted Geese - 7 Least Sandpiper - 30 or more Western Sandpiper - 2 w/ leasts Greater Yellowlegs - 2 Solitary Sandpiper - 1 (in front of barn) [ https://flic.kr/p/2nh8CEz | https://flic.kr/p/2nh8CEz ] At 204th and Frager Rd in Kent: Purple Martin - 1 male seen and heard inside track Western Kingbird - 1 inside horse track [ https://flic.kr/p/2nh2G2L | https://flic.kr/p/2nh2G2L ] NOTE: There is now a locked gate at M Street, but it is possible to park and walk in. Marv Breece Tukwila, WA marvbreece@q.com Pbase Images : https://www.pbase.com/marvbreece Flickr Videos : https://www.flickr.com/photos/138163614@N02/ Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHbkNzr4TaZ6ZBWfoJNvavw/featured -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From rondastark18 at gmail.com Sat Apr 30 18:00:04 2022 From: rondastark18 at gmail.com (Ronda Stark) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] White-crowned Sparrows. In-Reply-To: References: <618464337.2390930.1651346106502.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <618464337.2390930.1651346106502@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: But what else did you see? I especially would like to know if the Sandhill Cranes are still near Othello. I had hoped to go see them about a month ago and then there were snowstorms in the pass and I did not get a chance to go there. Thanks, Ronda On Sat, Apr 30, 2022 at 1:13 PM Gene Beall wrote: > We've been seeing at least 5 times as many White-crowned Sparrows this > spring on the shoulder of the Teanaway Valley (Kittitas County) as we've > ever seen in the last 12 years of visiting this area. > > Gene Beall > Sammamish, WA > gene.beall@gmail.com > > > On 4/30/22 13:06, Philip Dickinson wrote: > > They were everywhere on Guemes Island this past Tuesday. Many in the > Stillaguamish Valley, too. > > > Phil Dickinson > > On Sat, Apr 30, 2022 at 12:15 PM mark girling > wrote: > >> >> I've just returned from a day and a half birding from Snoqualmie Summit >> to Othello to Wenas Campground and back via Umptanum rd and Ellensburg. >> Everywhere I went 9 times out of 10 it would be a White-crowned Sparrow. >> Good they are doing well but spent way to much time sighting tracking a >> bird to finally see that tell tale white stripe. Am I alone in this >> opinion. >> >> markgirling@yahoo.com >> Woodridge >> >> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Tweeters mailing list >> Tweeters@u.washington.edu >> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >> > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing listTweeters@u.washington.eduhttp://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From gene.beall at gmail.com Sat Apr 30 21:15:49 2022 From: gene.beall at gmail.com (Gene Beall) Date: Fri Mar 22 11:41:44 2024 Subject: [Tweeters] White-crowned Sparrows. In-Reply-To: References: <618464337.2390930.1651346106502.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <618464337.2390930.1651346106502@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <045c5af7-1eb7-c7b9-d305-88679ddee41f@gmail.com> Lots of goldfinches and juncos, a few Red-breasted Nuthatches, Cassin's finches, kestrels, Western Meadowlarks, Ravens, robins, Rufous Hummingbirds, grouse, a flicker, etc.? No sandhill cranes...and sorry I don't know if they are still around Othello. Gene On 4/30/22 18:00, Ronda Stark wrote: > But what else did you see? I especially would like to know if the > Sandhill Cranes are still near Othello. I had hoped to go see them > about a month ago and then there were snowstorms in the pass and I did > not get a chance to go there. > > Thanks, > Ronda > > > On Sat, Apr 30, 2022 at 1:13 PM Gene Beall wrote: > > We've been seeing at least 5 times as many White-crowned Sparrows > this spring on the shoulder of the Teanaway Valley (Kittitas > County) as we've ever seen in the last 12 years of visiting this area. > > Gene Beall > Sammamish, WA > gene.beall@gmail.com > > > On 4/30/22 13:06, Philip Dickinson wrote: >> They were everywhere on Guemes Island this past Tuesday. Many in >> the Stillaguamish Valley, too. >> >> >> Phil Dickinson >> >> On Sat, Apr 30, 2022 at 12:15 PM mark girling >> wrote: >> >> >> I've just returned from a day and a half birding from >> Snoqualmie Summit to Othello to Wenas Campground and back via >> Umptanum rd and Ellensburg. Everywhere I went 9 times out of >> 10 it would be a White-crowned Sparrow. Good they are doing >> well but spent way to much time sighting tracking a bird to >> finally see that tell tale white stripe. Am I alone in this >> opinion. >> >> markgirling@yahoo.com >> Woodridge >> >> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Tweeters mailing list >> Tweeters@u.washington.edu >> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Tweeters mailing list >> Tweeters@u.washington.edu >> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: