From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 1 06:57:55 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (AMK17 via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 1 06:58:00 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] FOS Seattle migrants Message-ID: <37d8e5b5-d5fb-ad27-e27a-a5dc294debff@earthlink.net> This morning, first Wilson's warblers fly catching in the yard. Unfortunately bird habitat in neighborhood affected by development as neighbor cleared lot and removed all trees and shrubs. While my yard remains in tact, the removal of cover, nesting and foraging habitat has affected birds. Clearing also removed hummingbird , junco and Robin nests -active nests. AKopitov Seattle, Wa AMK17 From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 1 06:57:55 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (AMK17 via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 1 06:58:01 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] FOS Seattle migrants Message-ID: <37d8e5b5-d5fb-ad27-e27a-a5dc294debff@earthlink.net> This morning, first Wilson's warblers fly catching in the yard. Unfortunately bird habitat in neighborhood affected by development as neighbor cleared lot and removed all trees and shrubs. While my yard remains in tact, the removal of cover, nesting and foraging habitat has affected birds. Clearing also removed hummingbird , junco and Robin nests -active nests. AKopitov Seattle, Wa AMK17 From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 1 12:40:59 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Jim Betz via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 1 12:41:05 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Unusual Backyard Migrant: Red-Winged Blackbird In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <1692c0cb-997d-4758-8982-1aa40f6fbc61@jimbetz.com> Ann, ? We all - myself included - tend to rely too heavily upon 'expert knowledge' as it applies to a species ... and then we turn around and easily accept individual behaviors as "normal". ? For example, I'm a birding photographer and have gained considerable knowledge about bird behavior as it relates to my getting images ... so if a particular individual (such as the well-known Short-eared Owl at the East 90) allows me close, long views ... I tend to expect that same behavior from other SEOWs and even from some random Red-tailed Hawk sitting on a pole along the road I'm driving.? But that's a "fallacy" because some individual birds have "non-standard behaviors". ? The difficulty/trick is to just accept that whatever you are seeing is well within the range of expected behavior.? The basics still apply - birds are motivated by food, sex, territory, and threats. ? On our recent trip to Ecuador literally -every place- we went had dozens of hummers.? Each time there was a different mix of species but the general behavior was essentially the same.? Then, after I had taken a hundred or so shots that time I started to 'slow down and watch/experience what was happening'.? Then I would set up my camera for a particular place/behavior and just wait for the shot to happen - worked like a charm.? Next day/next stop ... I was right back shooting the first 100 shots before I stopped to watch and observe. ? Just enjoy what you get to experience and let the "general behaviors" guide you to be more likely get the situations you'd like?? And then pay attention and get the experiences you want! ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? - Jim in Skagit From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 1 13:21:25 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Roger Moyer via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 1 13:21:30 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Unusual Backyard Migrant: Red-Winged Blackbird In-Reply-To: <2C25D5E6-5502-4294-8E68-63C4625487C8@comcast.net> References: <8A10D201-2791-4D10-ACBF-26B0B27AB6B6@comcast.net> <2C25D5E6-5502-4294-8E68-63C4625487C8@comcast.net> Message-ID: I've been feeding birds over the winter. This spring I had a male Red-winged Blackbird coming to the feeder. So they do occasionally come to feeders. I'm about 3/8th of a mile from some swampy ground. Roger Moyer Chehalis, WA ________________________________ From: Tweeters on behalf of Dennis Paulson via Tweeters Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2026 4:42 PM To: Ann Kramer Cc: TWEETERS tweeters Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Unusual Backyard Migrant: Red-Winged Blackbird Ann, that?s one I can?t answer other than to say that birds have wings and can turn up anywhere. I think most Red-winged Blackbirds would be in open country if not breeding, but they wander. We have had one or two fly over our house in a wooded neighborhood in Seattle, but I?ve never seen one otherwise anywhere nearer than Lake Washington. They emphatically wouldn?t occur with tanagers, grosbeaks and most warblers! So yeah, it?s unusual, and it seems unlikely he would commute daily between a wetland and your yard at that distance. Is he coming to a feeder? If a good enough source of food, that might attract him, and blackbirds can fly some distance between food and night-time roosts, although I don?t know if they would fly that far on a daily basis. And they really are flocking birds during the off season, so being by himself is definitely unusual. But I presume if he made it there from a marsh where he was hatched, presumably he can fly far enough to find another one. But his presence only during sunny weather is beyond me to try to explain! Dennis On Apr 30, 2026, at 3:25?PM, Ann Kramer wrote: Thank you for the clarification, Dennis, between a juvenile and one year old. To be more clear on my question, is it common for a marsh bird to wander into a sub rural community during migration and is it likely to find its way to a more suitable habitat eventually on his own? On Thu, Apr 30, 2026 at 9:12?AM Dennis Paulson > wrote: Ann, I think it?s too early for juveniles (birds hatched this year), so maybe it?s a one-year-old male. Many but perhaps not all of them breed. Dennis Paulson Seattle On Apr 29, 2026, at 5:06 PM, Ann Kramer via Tweeters > wrote: Tweets, I have a question about a juvenile Red-Winged Blackbird who has made my backyard his home for the past week. I thought he had left a few days ago but since then realized he frequents my backyard only when the sun is out. So he's back again today. I suspect he might be spending time near one of the marshy areas less than a mile from here. I'm still pretty new to this area and am used to Western Tanagers, Warblers and Evening Grosbeaks passing through in the Spring, but not marsh birds. I have an acre, tons of native trees in the back third, lots of natives in the front yard. But this is by no means a marsh. As the Wetlands I used to frequent when I lived in California was lousy with thousands of RWBB's, I love listening to his call but I'm concerned he is lost. There was another adult male with him the first few days, but he seems to have left now. Should I be concerned or should I trust he will find his way to his destination even without the company of his elder? Ann Ann Kramer, Wildlife and Nature Photographer www.annkramer.smugmug.com ?Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.? ? John Muir _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters@u.washington.edu http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 1 13:31:08 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (David Kreft via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 1 13:31:23 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Unusual Backyard Migrant: Red-Winged Blackbird In-Reply-To: References: <8A10D201-2791-4D10-ACBF-26B0B27AB6B6@comcast.net> <2C25D5E6-5502-4294-8E68-63C4625487C8@comcast.net> Message-ID: I?ve had RWBB at my feeder since late January here in NE WA. Happens every year even with snow and freezing temps. They?re pigs and bullies to the smaller birds. Dave Kettle Falls, WA On Fri, May 1, 2026 at 1:21?PM Roger Moyer via Tweeters < tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > I've been feeding birds over the winter. This spring I had a male > Red-winged Blackbird coming to the feeder. So they do occasionally come to > feeders. I'm about 3/8th of a mile from some swampy ground. > > Roger Moyer > Chehalis, WA > ------------------------------ > *From:* Tweeters on behalf > of Dennis Paulson via Tweeters > *Sent:* Thursday, April 30, 2026 4:42 PM > *To:* Ann Kramer > *Cc:* TWEETERS tweeters > *Subject:* Re: [Tweeters] Unusual Backyard Migrant: Red-Winged Blackbird > > Ann, that?s one I can?t answer other than to say that birds have wings and > can turn up anywhere. I think most Red-winged Blackbirds would be in open > country if not breeding, but they wander. We have had one or two fly over > our house in a wooded neighborhood in Seattle, but I?ve never seen one > otherwise anywhere nearer than Lake Washington. They emphatically wouldn?t > occur with tanagers, grosbeaks and most warblers! > > So yeah, it?s unusual, and it seems unlikely he would commute daily > between a wetland and your yard at that distance. Is he coming to a feeder? > If a good enough source of food, that might attract him, and blackbirds can > fly some distance between food and night-time roosts, although I don?t know > if they would fly that far on a daily basis. And they really are flocking > birds during the off season, so being by himself is definitely unusual. > > But I presume if he made it there from a marsh where he was hatched, > presumably he can fly far enough to find another one. But his presence only > during sunny weather is beyond me to try to explain! > > Dennis > > On Apr 30, 2026, at 3:25?PM, Ann Kramer wrote: > > Thank you for the clarification, Dennis, between a juvenile and one year > old. > > To be more clear on my question, is it common for a marsh bird to wander > into a sub rural community during migration and is it likely to find its > way to a more suitable habitat eventually on his own? > > On Thu, Apr 30, 2026 at 9:12?AM Dennis Paulson > wrote: > > Ann, I think it?s too early for juveniles (birds hatched this year), so > maybe it?s a one-year-old male. Many but perhaps not all of them breed. > > Dennis Paulson > Seattle > > On Apr 29, 2026, at 5:06 PM, Ann Kramer via Tweeters < > tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > > Tweets, > I have a question about a juvenile Red-Winged Blackbird who has made my > backyard his home for the past week. I thought he had left a few days ago > but since then realized he frequents my backyard only when the sun is out. > So he's back again today. I suspect he might be spending time near one of > the marshy areas less than a mile from here. I'm still pretty new to this > area and am used to Western Tanagers, Warblers and Evening Grosbeaks > passing through in the Spring, but not marsh birds. > > I have an acre, tons of native trees in the back third, lots of natives in > the front yard. But this is by no means a marsh. As the Wetlands I used > to frequent when I lived in California was lousy with thousands of RWBB's, > I love listening to his call but I'm concerned he is lost. There was > another adult male with him the first few days, but he seems to have left > now. Should I be concerned or should I trust he will find his way to his > destination even without the company of his elder? > > > > *Ann* > > Ann Kramer, Wildlife and Nature Photographer > > www.annkramer.smugmug.com > > > > *?Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.? > ? John Muir* > > _______________________________________________ > 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 tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 1 13:45:16 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Chuq Von Rospach via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 1 13:45:19 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Unusual Backyard Migrant: Red-Winged Blackbird In-Reply-To: <1692c0cb-997d-4758-8982-1aa40f6fbc61@jimbetz.com> References: <1692c0cb-997d-4758-8982-1aa40f6fbc61@jimbetz.com> Message-ID: On May 1, 2026 at 12:40:59, Jim Betz via Tweeters < tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > so > if a > particular individual (such as the well-known Short-eared Owl at the > East 90) > allows me close, long views ... I tend to expect that same behavior from > other SEOWs and even from some random Red-tailed Hawk sitting on a > pole along the road I'm driving. But that's a "fallacy" because some > individual birds have "non-standard behaviors". > > Agreed completely. Back in California there was one place where a family of rock wrens moved in, and got very comfortable with having people around ? it was not unusual for one to wander in and run under my chair looking for bugs. But most Rock wrens are not that amiable and friendly (?hey, can you back up? I can?t focus that close!? ? rarely a bird photography problem) We can understand humans generally act given ways when looked at as a region, or society ? but within that, individuals vary widely, and so do birds. That?s part of the fun of figuring them out. Where I live, I?m surrounded by a few acres of mostly undeveloped mostly pine and alder forest. Downhill a ways is a stream, so there?s water, but somewhere between here and there is some kind of regular water source, because in my ongoing Merlin monitoring, I?ve gotten hits on things like Great Blue Heron and Wood Duck. I?ve tried exploring a bit but have never found exactly where those sounds are coming from, but I know they?re too close to be the downhill stream. (I?ve also gotten flyover hits like Ring-Necked ducks headed somewhere). We are terrible habitat for Red-Winged blackbird, but a few times a year, I get Merlin hits. It?s most common in the spring, and it?s rarely more than a day in a row, but it seems to me it?s a bird moving from an old location to a new one. My guess would be a young male, not yet breeding time, shifting territories, and I?d guess the one that we?re talking about might be the same kind of thing, and which happened to find a place it liked to hang out a few days. One of the most amusing ?this is not what you?re supposed to be doing? behaviors I?ve run into is a single American Robin (we have plenty, need some?) that for three years running because a daily feeder bird. Robins, you will exclaim, do not visit bird feeders (unless maybe if you feed mealworms) but here is this one that?s settled in with the finches and the mourning doves eating the peanut and sunflower chips in the ground feeder. Why? It won?t tell me, but I guess it decided really easy calories was their jam. It?s notable only because it?s an individual behavior that?s way out of norm for the species ? but that?s what also makes it fun to notice, and a great reminder to be on the lookout for these fun and weird oddities. > Just enjoy what you get to experience and let the "general behaviors" > guide you to be more likely get the situations you'd like? And then > pay attention and get the experiences you want! > Amen chuq --------------------------------------- Chuq Von Rospach (http://www.chuq.me) Silverdale, Washington Birder, Nature and Wildlife Photographer Email me at: chuqvr@gmail.com Mastodon: @chuqvr@fosstodon.org Stay Updated with what I'm doing: https://www.chuq.me/6fps/ My latest e-book: https://www.chuq.me/ebooks I have opinions -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Sun May 3 07:45:59 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Dennis Paulson via Tweeters) Date: Sun May 3 07:46:03 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Grays Harbor and Pacific counties Message-ID: Netta Smith and I spent Friday and Saturday at the outer coast, with a few real highlights: The Brandt?s Cormorants are back at their nests at the opening to the Westport Marina, for any who didn?t know about them. Pointblank range for photo ops. And the gulls and pelicans are ridiculously tame on the crabbing dock on the way out to the cormorants. The beach from the Point Brown jetty north was covered with Sanderlings and Semipalmated Plovers, the most of the latter species I have ever seen in one day. The ocean access at Ocean Shores was alive with their activity, running back and forth and flying up in little flocks as people scared them. We stood still, and they sometimes came very close. There were very few other species present, but we did see a few Dunlins and Short-billed Dowitchers and Marbled Godwits. Between that access and a prominent Gray Whale carcass to the north was an absolutely gorgeous snow-white first-year Glaucous Gull, can?t miss if it it remains on the beach. It was sad but also interesting to see all the first-year Glaucous-winged Gulls trying to get a piece of whale meat. Yesterday afternoon as the tide came in, Bottle Beach had fewer birds than I have ever seen there at this time of year, but still fair numbers of birds and most of species were there, including Red Knots. Least and Western Sandpipers were feeding right below us in the channel you cross on the way to the beach, wonderful to see the comparison and to see all the aggression, with sandpipers juiced on hormones chasing and fighting with each other. There were two Long-billed Dowitchers and a Greater Yellowlegs there as well, the first Long-billed I had ever seen at Bottle Beach. They aren?t dowitcher sp out on the beach, they?re all Short-billed. Tokeland was not so great, never saw anything roosting in the marina, and most birds were at a distance. Perhaps that will change. There was a Red-necked Phalarope feeding right off the end of the dock. This is the time of year to be out there for shorebirds, and good luck! Dennis Paulson Seattle From tweeters at u.washington.edu Sun May 3 12:29:14 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Dee Dee via Tweeters) Date: Sun May 3 12:29:39 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Unusual Backyard Migrant: Red-Winged Blackbird References: Message-ID: ?Coming late to the party, contributing my experience with red-winged blackbirds (RWBB) in our mixed small-to-medium lot-sizes suburban neighborhood. Interesting hear what others experience in the broader region. My setting and backstory: Our lot is approximately one-third acre, a block inland from Puget Sound (the Sound) shoreline. Approximately 0.2 miles away is a small, creek-fed wetland, just onshore from the Sound, bordered by a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees. Been here 15 years and always had a birdbath, suet feeder and up to two sunflower-chip plus dried mealworms seed feeders. Several heavily-bearing native evergreen huckleberry bushes and 9 assorted blueberry bushes which 8 years ago were given over to the critters and birds, when we also gave up on our extensive organic veggie garden. Instead, we then planted several rows of seed-bearing sunflowers for about 4 years?unfortunately age and cost of watering restricts such the last few years. In first years, I sometimes heard RWBB but distant, down by the wetland, but no regular visitors. After a few years, saw them at times in the yard, mostly on the feeders during hard, snowy winters, or infrequently, males vocalizing on nearby utility lines. When the sunflower garden was in seed, we no surprise, frequently saw them in larger numbers, and year-round coming to the feeders even if no sunflowers in seed. Don?t recall ever seeing more than about 10 at one time, but their frequency finally forced me to add bird-size-control cages to seed feeders to keep within seed budget. They still can glean spillage with the other ground feeders, or go to the suet. Since adding the restrictive feeder cages, we still see them on occasion, year-round, just not in as great of numbers. I don?t have the knowledge to speculate on which are locals and which are migrants, but we see both male and female, though the majority are males, especially first-year. I love to hear and see these beautiful birds and am grateful that they persist in our local environment and occasional visits to my yard. Dee Warnock Edmonds -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Sun May 3 13:05:35 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Diann MacRae via Tweeters) Date: Sun May 3 13:05:39 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] TUVU report for April Message-ID: Hi, Tweets - I'm just finishing up the April report but if you have something else interesting to report, I'll be glad to add it before I send it out tomorrow. Thanks for the great reports! ? Cheers, Diann ? Diann MacRae Olympic Vulture Study 22622 - 53rd Avenue S.E. Bothell, WA 98021 tvulture@gmx.com From tweeters at u.washington.edu Sun May 3 17:23:28 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Ellen Cohen via Tweeters) Date: Sun May 3 17:23:33 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Columbia birds References: <1547323191.3931460.1777854208207.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1547323191.3931460.1777854208207@mail.yahoo.com> On 60 minutes tonight (Sunday, May 3rd): BIRDS OF WAR???In the mountains of western Colombia, correspondent?Anderson Cooper?travels off-the-beaten track, searching for rare species of birds you can?t find anywhere else in the world. ?He reports on how decades of armed conflict in Colombia preserved the birds? habitat, and how birds might help heal old wounds in this beautiful but still bitterly divided country. Andy Court is the producer?? -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Sun May 3 18:08:57 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Roger Moyer via Tweeters) Date: Sun May 3 18:09:00 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Pacific County Elegant Tern Message-ID: To the keeper of the Pacific County year list. There were 4 Elegant Terns at Graveyard Spit this afternoon. There are photos on Facebook's Western Washington Birds group. Roger Moyer Chehalis, WA -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Sun May 3 20:27:23 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Tom Benedict via Tweeters) Date: Sun May 3 20:27:39 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] 50+ Caspian Terns at Eagle Harbor Message-ID: <134AC68F-AB49-4B0F-9FB9-149F15975651@comcast.net> I was on Bainbrdige Island on Friday. After boarding the ferry to return to Seattle I scanned the north shore of Eagle Harbor and noticed what I think were Caspian Terns flitting about. I looked closer and found that there were at least 50 in a small flock on the beach. The shore was at about the limit of my binocs, so I can?t be sure they were CATE. Anybody else notice them? Tom Benedict Seahurst, WA From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 4 08:03:05 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (chris maden via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 4 08:03:21 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] New Zealand birding Message-ID: Planning trip to NZ next February. Any recommendations for locations and/or guides that time of year ? Thanks, Chris -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 4 12:14:58 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Michael Hobbs via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 4 12:15:18 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co.) 2026-04-30 Message-ID: Tweets - I didn't get a chance to write a Tweeters report for last Thursday, as I was racing down to scout for the upcoming WOS conference in Asotin. Thursday, it was sunny, and mostly not too hot. Windless too. And we were just before Beltane, the spring cross quarter, which in some ways marks the actual start of summer. It was amazingly not super-birdy, yet we ended up finding a good list of birds. Highlights: Cinnamon Teal - Three males, seen a couple of times. First of Year (FOY) for the survey Green-winged Teal - Two, probably our last until fall Killdeer - Adults with chicks, on the grass/gravel parking area Green Heron - One flying down the slough fairly high (thanks, Karen). (FOY) Barred Owl - Matt got serenaded along the boardwalk, pre-dawn Pileated Woodpecker - Observed what appeared to be a nest exchange in a dead cottonwood a little before the start of the boardwalk Hutton's Vireo - One singing, south of the windmill White-throated Sparrow - One SINGING in the middle of the Dog Meadow. 3rd latest spring sighting ever, and only the 4th time we've heard one sing at the park NASHVILLE WARBLER - One seen through the willows from the boardwalk (FOY) Wilson's Warbler - One singing, unseen, at the Rowing Club (FOY) Western Tanager - One high atop a fir ENE of the mansion (FOY) Black-headed Grosbeak - One seen singing (FOY) Misses included Hooded Merganser, Vaux's Swift, Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, Hairy Woodpecker, Western Warbling Vireo, Barn Swallow, and Pine Siskin For the day, 64 species (best yet for the year). Adding six new species, we're at 101 for the survey this year. = Michael Hobbs = BirdMarymoor@gmail.com = www.marymoor.org/birding.htm From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 4 12:27:11 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (BRAD Liljequist via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 4 12:27:15 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Lots of migrants on Cougar Mt. Message-ID: Continues to be a great underappreciated birding location - went up via Bear Ridge/West Tibbetts Creek Trails to Harvey Manning Trailhead. Always such a lovely hike, terrific lush understory, a handful of old growth Doug Firs along the way as well as nice views along Tibbetts ravine edge. Around 15 each Pacific Slope Flycatchers and Wilson's Warblers, a few Black Throated Grey Warblers, and threeish Black headed Grosbeaks, along with the locals (almost all by ear). Four Baldies soaring at the summit. This hike is about 1300' vertical, but is overall surprisingly low gradient, except for a middle section of about a half mile. Brad Liljequist Phinney Ridge Seattle -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 4 17:17:38 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Joan Miller via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 4 17:17:53 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Good day! Message-ID: Hi Tweets Morning bird songs had my attention as soon as I woke up. I heard my first Black-Headed Grosbeak, right on time in early May. Then I heard a Wilson's warbler and purple martins overhead. Just now a Western Tanager, singing and fly catching close by in a big cherry tree. What a delight. Joan Miller West Seattle jemskink at gmail dot com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 4 18:24:07 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Jim Betz via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 4 18:24:11 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] New Zealand Birding In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Chris, ? That's essentially the same time of year that we went.? We were on a fully guided birding tour.? Contact me directly for more info.? jim betz at jim betz dot com From tweeters at u.washington.edu Tue May 5 15:19:21 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Karen P via Tweeters) Date: Tue May 5 15:19:52 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] New Zealand Birding Message-ID: Hi Chris, I spent all of February and March in New Zealand this year with birding as my primary focus. I'd be happy to share tips as well as my ebird trip reports. I've written a great deal about Aotearoa's bird conservation efforts and inspiring conservation culture on my Substack wonderwildnature.substack.com if you'd like to check it out. It is a remarkable country and their culture of conservation is unlike anything I've ever experienced. I came back extremely inspired about what is possible when people share an intense love for their landscapes and wild creatures. -- Karen Povey karenpovey1@gmail.com Conservation Writer and Photographer Board of Directors, Washington's National Park Fund Read my WonderWild Nature Blog Here! IG: @wonderwild.nature -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Tue May 5 15:34:00 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Marv via Tweeters) Date: Tue May 5 15:34:21 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] King County Chat Message-ID: This morning there was a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT along S 204th Street in Kent. This is west of the intersection with Frager Rd. The bird sang from both sides of 204th at the west end of the old horse track. Actually, this is King County to the north and Tukwila to the south. Video: https://flic.kr/p/2sbpdys -- Marv Breece Tukwila, WA marvbreece@gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Tue May 5 16:38:46 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Diann MacRae via Tweeters) Date: Tue May 5 16:38:50 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] April TUVU report Message-ID: Hi, Tweets ? Such bright sunny weather! Just the day for soaring turkey vultures. A few are FOY birds and all are sightings from Tweeters, not ebird. Thanks everyone for the great reports. They are truly back for the summer and ready for nesting . . . etc. ? MARCH 22 --? Two soaring above Fall City, King County. 27+ -- Multiple turkey vultures in?Methow through the end of the month on, Okanogan County. 29 --? FOY, two near Lake Joy, near Carnation, King County 31 --? One soaring above Preston, King County ? APRIL 01 -- Five turkey vultures?sitting in the snag by the Winthrop fish hatchery, Okanogan County. 04 -- 14 soaring over the trees for 15-20 minutes, then gone, Lake Joy area; two soaring above Evans Creek, Redmond, King County. 05 -- Six turkey vultures in a kettle, then a single one over Ellensburg, Kittitas County. 05 -- (OT) - A swirl of 18 turkey vultures over Little Cat mountain, then drifting south near Tuscon. 08 -- One at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR on a bright, clear day in the upper 30's F, Thurston County. 09 -- Two soaring between Cle Elum/Ellensburg (Bristol), WA10; one west of Cle Elum soaring over I-90; one soaring with a bald eagle over Lake Keechelus at MP55 on I-90, Kittitas County; one flying fairly low over fields along Beaver Valley Road just south of Chimacum at 2pm, Jefferson County; four turkey vultures circling over Sugarloaf Mountain on Fidalgo Island, Chelan County.? 13 -- Several over the Stillwater Wildlife Area north of Carnation, King County.? 15 -- 13 turkey vultures sunning(drying out from the rain)?themselves near Lake Cortez, Malaga, Chelan County.? 17 -- FOY, three soaring over downtown North Bend by Twedes Cafe at 3pm, King County; one at MP61, I-90 east of Snoqualmie Pass (a mile west of the wildlife bridge over I-90). 18 -- FOY, One turkey vulture soaring over the ridgeline to the west of the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR in light rain, 38*F. 19 -- Two turkey ultures over the Tamanowas Rock Santuary Trail at 11:00, one riding thermals with a bald eagle, another solo down the ridge, Jefferson County. 23 -- One at W.Nelson Siding Road, I-90, Kittitas Co; one at Daroga SP along Hwy 97, Douglas Co; one, five miles north of Tonasket, Hwy 97,?Okanogan County. 24 --?One south of Oroville, Hwy 97, Okanogan Co; one just south of Malott, Hwy 97, Okanigan Co; one just north of Blewett Pass, Kittitas/Chelan Counties; Two adult turkey vultures at I-5/rte.530 exit to Arlington and 1 immature at Angel of the Wings Casino, 45 min. later, Snohomish County. 27 -- Two at Tumwater Valley Municipal Golf Course, Olympia, Thurston County. 28 -- Six soaring over the Kataluna Horse Rescue in Fall City at 11:50, King County; One between Raymond and South Bend, five at MP 19/Hwy 101, one at MP18/Hwy 101, and one at Sandridge Road/Hwy 101 about a mile from Seaview, Pacific County. 29 -- One at the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR, sunny ca. 60*; one at the very south end of the Long Beach Peninsula heading north (about a quarter mile north of North Head), Pacific County. 30 -- Two at Montesano, Hwy 8; three just east of Aberdeen, US 12, both in Grays Harbor, County; one at Nahcotta, Pacific County. ?? Diann MacRae Olympic Vulture Study 22622 - 53rd Avenue S.E. Bothell, WA 98021 tvulture@gmx.com From tweeters at u.washington.edu Tue May 5 17:05:30 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Tim Brennan via Tweeters) Date: Tue May 5 17:05:35 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] April 31st birding trip - Pacific County Message-ID: Hey Tweets! I made another trip down to Pacific County on Friday, picking up a lot of new arrivals. Best birds of the day: Western Screech-Owl, Red-necked Phalarope, and Purple Martin. The blog has been updated: https://pacificcountybirding.blogspot.com/2026/05/may-1-its-april-31st-and-everybody-knows.html Cheers! Tim Brennan Renton -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Tue May 5 19:42:17 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Stef Neis via Tweeters) Date: Tue May 5 19:42:30 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] New Zealand Birding In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 6 13:39:19 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Jim Betz via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 6 13:39:24 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Fruit Feeders? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hi, ? We live in Skagit County.? On our recent trip to Ecuador all of the birding lodges we stayed at and birding locations ("reserves") put out fruit feeders that were very popular with a wide range of species.? We've only used seed and suet feeders. ? ===> Have you tried any kind of fruit feeders here in Western Washington? ? ? ? ? ? ? Worked?? Problems/challenges?? What fruits work best? What ? ? ? ? ? ? fruits don't work at all?? Are there other types of feed that work ? ? ? ? ? ? well (breads?)?? Do you get different species due to using fruit? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? - Jim From tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 6 14:33:47 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 6 14:34:11 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Fruit Feeders? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Jim, I don't know about here but at the birding areas at South Padre Island (SPI), Texas they use oranges cut in half. It attracts warblers, orioles, tanagers etc. Hans On Wed, May 6, 2026 at 1:39?PM Jim Betz via Tweeters < tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > Hi, > We live in Skagit County. On our recent trip to Ecuador all of the > birding > lodges we stayed at and birding locations ("reserves") put out fruit > feeders > that were very popular with a wide range of species. We've only used > seed and suet feeders. > > ===> Have you tried any kind of fruit feeders here in Western > Washington? > Worked? Problems/challenges? What fruits work best? What > fruits don't work at all? Are there other types of feed > that work > well (breads?)? Do you get different species due to using > fruit? > - Jim > _______________________________________________ > 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 tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 6 14:43:54 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (HAL MICHAEL via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 6 14:43:58 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Fruit Feeders? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <1071259768.321077.1778103834243@connect.xfinity.com> Have seen fruit feeders in Ecuador, Costa Rica, Trinidad, and Arizona. They will attract things like orioles, probably tanagers, and some others. Probably work here but for a much more m limited number of birds. Some places used jams and jellies rather than fruits. Probably make some bugs really happy, including butterflies. Hal Michael Olympia WA 360-459-4005 360-791-7702 (C) ucd880@comcast.net > On 05/06/2026 1:39 PM PDT Jim Betz via Tweeters wrote: > > > Hi, > ? We live in Skagit County.? On our recent trip to Ecuador all of the > birding > lodges we stayed at and birding locations ("reserves") put out fruit feeders > that were very popular with a wide range of species.? We've only used > seed and suet feeders. > > ? ===> Have you tried any kind of fruit feeders here in Western Washington? > ? ? ? ? ? ? Worked?? Problems/challenges?? What fruits work best? What > ? ? ? ? ? ? fruits don't work at all?? Are there other types of feed > that work > ? ? ? ? ? ? well (breads?)?? Do you get different species due to using > fruit? > ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? - Jim > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters From tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 6 15:20:31 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Dennis Paulson via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 6 15:20:37 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Fruit Feeders? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Like Hans, I have seen a lot of birds coming to cut oranges, even at Malheur NWR in southern Oregon, where they attracted Western Tanagers. And I know people in the East attract Baltimore Orioles that way. Unfortunately, our common fruit-eaters such as robins and waxwings don?t seem to be attracted to feeders, fruit or not. I suspect you wouldn?t get a lot of visitors here, but why not try it? In the tropics, of course, they use bananas as well, and those are really attractive to a whole host of fruit-eaters. Dennis Paulson Seattle > On May 6, 2026, at 2:33 PM, Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters wrote: > > Jim, > I don't know about here but at the birding areas at South Padre Island (SPI), Texas they use oranges cut in half. It attracts warblers, orioles, tanagers etc. > > Hans > > On Wed, May 6, 2026 at 1:39?PM Jim Betz via Tweeters > wrote: > Hi, > We live in Skagit County. On our recent trip to Ecuador all of the > birding > lodges we stayed at and birding locations ("reserves") put out fruit feeders > that were very popular with a wide range of species. We've only used > seed and suet feeders. > > ===> Have you tried any kind of fruit feeders here in Western Washington? > Worked? Problems/challenges? What fruits work best? What > fruits don't work at all? Are there other types of feed > that work > well (breads?)? Do you get different species due to using > fruit? > - Jim > _______________________________________________ > 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 tweeters at u.washington.edu Thu May 7 13:24:46 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Michael Hobbs via Tweeters) Date: Thu May 7 13:25:03 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co.) 2026-05-07 Message-ID: Tweets - Broken clouds today made for some hazy light, and there were a few mosquitoes. Otherwise, it was a fine morning to be out. In some ways it was quite a birdy day, but in other ways, it felt quite flat. Part of this is the Week 18 to Week 19 transition. Week 18 (April 30-May 6) has had a cumulative 155 species, while Week 19 (May 7-13) has had only 133. That 22-species decrease is mostly the final exit of almost all "winter" birds. So our Week 19 trips always seem to have far fewer species than our Week 18 trips. Most of the time, though, new arrivals are so numerous as to make the dip in species count less important. Today, though, we only had two new species for the survey for 2026. Highlights: Mallard - The first ducklings of the season were out below the weir Western Warbling Vireo - At least 8, and quite possibly more, with lots of singing and quite a few sightings Swainson's Thrush - Right on schedule, but only heard pre-dawn (as if often the case the first week or two of presence). No songs yet either. First of Year (FOY) American Goldfinch - Several sightings of these bright yellow gems Orange-crowned Warbler - One glimpsed, but a total of about 5 singing Northern Yellow Warbler - One or two seen, but numbers seemed low Yellow-rumped Warbler - Only one or two heard-only; the rush of them seems over Wilson's Warbler - Lots of singing, and several views Black-headed Grosbeak - Some singing, but only a couple of very poor looks Lazuli Bunting - At least two males near the Compost Piles. (FOY) for the survey, though they were seen by others earlier in the week Misses today included Rock Pigeon, Band-tailed Pigeon, Cliff Swallow, Cedar Waxwing, Pine Siskin, and Bullock's Oriole. Birds that we were hoping to see, but didn't, included Blue-winged Teal (possible throughout May), shorebirds such as Solitary Sandpiper & Greater Yellowlegs, Common Loon (often present late-April to mid-May), Turkey Vulture, flycatchers (at least four pass-through species were quite reasonably possible), Cassin's Vireo, Chipping Sparrow, and warblers such as Nashville, MacGillivray's, Black-throated Gray, and Townsend's. While none of these were really expected, it was the complete absence of ANY pass-through migrants that made the day seem flat. We did manage 57 species, seven fewer than last week. Adding Swainson's Thrush and Lazuli Bunting, I believe the survey stands at 103 species for the year. = Michael Hobbs = BirdMarymoor@gmail.com = www.marymoor.org/birding.htm From tweeters at u.washington.edu Thu May 7 13:26:04 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Carol Riddell via Tweeters) Date: Thu May 7 13:26:19 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Fruit Feeders Message-ID: <6F71A3A0-6168-4D3E-B577-CCCD4FF4597E@gmail.com> Fruit feeders are used in the Western Hemisphere tropics because they successfully entice birds that are fruit eaters. They have some success in southern border and Gulf of Mexico states where there are some resident and migrant fruit eaters. In our area we use seeds and suet (and dried mealworms) because that is what works with our bird population. Our birds that eat such fruits as elderflower berries, blackberries, blueberries, and evergreen huckleberries, are only doing so in season and would not be coming to a feeder for a half orange or a banana. If one lives in an area in which Bullock?s Orioles pass through on migration, one might get a few hits on a half orange but it would be for a very limited period of time. I tried the half orange approach once many years ago during migration. I was targeting a Bullock?s Oriole but so few are ever noted in the Edmonds area that it was not successful. There were no hits of any kind on the half orange. Carol Riddell Edmonds, WA From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 8 12:07:41 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Jim Ullrich via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 8 12:08:02 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Leavenworth Spring Birdfest 05/14-17 Message-ID: Hello Tweets: Plenty of time to plan and come visit Leavenworth and participate in their Spring Birding Festival 05/14-17. Visit: https://wenatcheeriverinstitute.org for details. Swarovski Optiks will be there to offer repair help and show off the newest Balance ATC scope. Yours for the Birds n? the Bees Jim Ullrich -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 8 12:16:47 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Susan Madsen via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 8 12:17:00 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Fruit Feeders Message-ID: I also tried fruit feeders after seeing them on an AZ birding trip one spring. As for Carol, no luck at all on half orange. However, western tanagers and BH grosbeak loved small pots of raspberry and blackberry jelly. I also hang 1/2 apples in my outdoor x-mas tree each winter. Varied thrushes enjoy that. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 8 12:21:27 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Shep Thorp via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 8 12:21:43 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Wednesday Walk at Billy Frank Jr Nisqually NWR for 5/6/2026 Message-ID: Dear Tweets, Approximately 30 of us enjoyed a really nice day of Spring birding at the Refuge. It was breezy and cool with temperatures in the 50's to 60's degree Fahrenheit. We had a Low -0'10" Tide at 3:20pm. Sadly, the White-faced Ibis foraging in the flooded field adjacent to the Twin Barns Overlook could not be relocated and has likely migrated north and/or east. It was a real treat to see White-faced Ibis last Wednesday and have them foraging for longer than 1 week. Along with the Ibis we observed significant decreases in the numbers of wintering/migrating geese, ducks, shorebirds, gulls, sparrows and Yellow-rumped Warblers. However the highlights made up for these expected changes, including First of Year (FOY) sightings of WILSON'S WARBLER, BANK SWALLOW, VAUX'S SWIFT, and BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, a likely YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD, and a heard-only NASHVILLE WARBLER. We also noted excellent numbers of YELLOW WARBLER and nesting BARN, CLIFF, and TREE SWALLOWS. Numerous hummingbird nests were present, including both RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD and ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD. We observed numerous calling SORA with several seen clearly. 2 AMERICAN BITTERNS were in the freshwater marsh along with very nice sightings of WOOD DUCK, HOODED MERGANSER, CINNAMON TEAL and BLUE-WINGED TEAL. A BALD EAGLE chick can be seen in the large Cottonwood Tree on the left bank of the Nisqually River north of the Nisqually Estuary Trail or dike on the east side of the surge plain. For the day we observed 85 species. With FOY Vaux's Swift, Bank Swallow, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Nashville Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, and Black-headed Grosbeak, we have now seen 134 species thus far for 2026. Others seen included Columbian Black-tailed Deer, Muskrat, Townsend's Chipmunk, Harbor Seal, Red-eared Slider and Red Admiral Butterfly. See our eBird Report pasted below for additional details and embedded photos. Next week I'll be away scouting for the WOS Conference in Clarkston/Lewiston and Ken, Pete, Jim, Rob, Ed and Jon will lead in my absence. I'll return May 20th. Until then, happy birding. Shep -- Shep Thorp Browns Point 253-370-3742 Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR, Thurston, Washington, US May 6, 2026 6:22 AM - 4:49 PM Protocol: Traveling 3.437 mile(s) Checklist Comments: Wednesday Walk. Cloudy with temperatures in the 50?s to 60?s degrees Fahrenheit. A Low -0?10? Tide at 3:20pm. Others seen Eastern Cotton-tailed Rabbit, Columbian Black-tailed Deer, Muskrat, Eastern Gray Squirrel, Harbor Seal, Townsend?s Chipmunk, Red-eared Slider, Pacific Chorus Frog, Red Admiral Butterfly. 85 species (+4 other taxa) Cackling Goose 1 Fly over with Canada Geese. Canada Goose (moffitti/maxima) 40 Wood Duck 8 Blue-winged Teal 4 Flooded field adjacent to Twin Barns and freshwater Marsh Cinnamon Teal (Northern) 12 Visitor Center Pond, flooded fields, freshwater marsh. Northern Shoveler 25 Gadwall 4 American Wigeon 150 Large flock Nisqually Reach Mallard 30 Northern Pintail 2 Green-winged Teal (American) 30 Mudflats on high tide. Ring-necked Duck 4 Bufflehead 20 McAllister Creek Hooded Merganser 6 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 4 Band-tailed Pigeon (Northern) 10 Mourning Dove 2 Vaux's Swift 1 Anna's Hummingbird 2 Occupied nest on the inside of the Twin Barns Loop Trail, on the west side of the loop approximately 50-75 feet north of the access road cut through, on a relatively small tree/small branch with leaf coverage to protect from rain, above eye level and approximately 30-40 feet from the boards. Rufous Hummingbird 8 Four nests observed. All on the west side of the Twin Barns Loop Trail. One with young that is built at eye level over the water just north of the Twin Bench Overlook south of the Twin Barns cut-off. This nest is in a Willow Tree 15-20 feet from the boards. An occupied nest is very close to the Anna?s Hummingbird nest, on the inside of the west side of the Twin Barns Loop Trail, approximately 75 feet north of the access road cut through above eye level on an Alder Tree branch. Another occupied nest is on a Maple Tree Branch high above the twin bench overlook south of the Twin Barns cut-off. Virginia Rail 6 Heard only. Freshwater marsh. Sora 10 Heard and seen. Visitor Center Pond, flooded fields, freshwater marsh. At least three individuals seen and multiple calls from different regions of Refuge. American Coot (Red-shielded) 6 Killdeer 2 Hudsonian Whimbrel 12 Mudflats adjacent to Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk Trail. Wilson's Snipe 1 Freshwater marsh in the morning. Greater Yellowlegs 1 McAllister Creek Dunlin 10 Least Sandpiper 5 Western Sandpiper 40 Short-billed Gull 5 Ring-billed Gull 60 Glaucous-winged Gull 3 Western x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid) 3 Western/Glaucous-winged Gull 20 gull sp. 30 Caspian Tern 23 Pied-billed Grebe 3 Brandt's Cormorant 6 Nisqually River Channel Marker. Double-crested Cormorant 25 American Bittern 2 Freshwater marsh. Two birds different locations of marsh. Great Blue Heron (Great Blue) 35 Turkey Vulture (Northern) 1 Bald Eagle 30 Occupied nest in Douglas Fir 3/4 way up slope on West Bank of McAllister Creek south of McAllister Creek/Medicine Creek Viewing Platform. Occupied nest with young in tall Cottonwood Tree West Bank of Nisqually River north of Nisqually Estuary Trail/dike on east side of surge plain. Red-tailed Hawk (calurus/alascensis) 1 Belted Kingfisher 1 Red-breasted Sapsucker 1 Snag with cavity nest along the west side of the Twin Barns Loop Trail. On the outside of the trail just north of the Twin Bench Overlook south of the Twin Barns cut-off approximately 25 feet high in a section of debarked snag. Downy Woodpecker (Pacific) 2 Hairy Woodpecker (Pacific) 2 Northern Flicker 2 Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 2 Western Flycatcher (Pacific-slope) 2 Heard only. Hutton's Vireo 1 Heard only Western Warbling Vireo 1 Heard only American Crow 4 Common Raven 1 Black-capped Chickadee 8 Bank Swallow 6 Counted individually, probably more. Small brown-gray backed swallow with white throat and neck tie. Frequently flying adjacent to other Bank Swallows or ?in formation?. Foraging over flooded fields and freshwater marsh adjacent to Barn/Tree/Cliff and Northern Rough-winged Swallow. Tree Swallow 40 Violet-green Swallow 3 Purple Martin 1 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 Barn Swallow (American) 75 Visitor Center and Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk Trail. Cliff Swallow (pyrrhonota Group) 50 Visitor Center, McAllister/Medicine Creek Viewing Platform, and bridge over McAllister at I5 south bound on ramp. Bushtit (Pacific) 6 Eye level in a Doug Fir branch adjacent to the green gate opposite the entrance to the Education Center Parking Lot. Brown Creeper 1 Marsh Wren 20 Nests in Visitor Center Pond and Freshwater Marsh. Bewick's Wren (spilurus Group) 4 European Starling 100 Numerous cavity nests in snags on surge plain and around Twin Barns. Swainson's Thrush 7 Hermit Thrush 1 Heard and seen by other birders. American Robin (migratorius Group) 30 Purple Finch (Western) 2 American Goldfinch 10 Nest in large Maple Tree high above twin bench overlook west side of Twin Barns Loop Trail south of Twin Barns cut-off. Golden-crowned Sparrow 4 Savannah Sparrow (Savannah) 5 Song Sparrow (rufina Group) 31 Spotted Towhee (oregonus Group) 3 Yellow-headed Blackbird 1 Reported by Laurie from the Nisqually Estuary Trail in the Freshwater Marsh. Bullock's Oriole 1 Heard only in the Twin Barns picnic area in the early morning. Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged) 50 Brown-headed Cowbird 12 Orange-crowned Warbler (lutescens) 1 Nashville Warbler (ridgwayi) 2 Heard only by several birders. Alerted by song differing from surrounding YEWA, WIWA and OCWA. Picked up on Merlin. I don?t recall the species being directly seen. Common Yellowthroat 25 Northern Yellow Warbler 49 Yellow-rumped Warbler 2 Wilson's Warbler 3 Black-headed Grosbeak 1 View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S334061473 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 8 12:59:38 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Ann Kramer via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 8 13:00:18 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Unusual Backyard Migrant: Red-Winged Blackbird In-Reply-To: References: <8A10D201-2791-4D10-ACBF-26B0B27AB6B6@comcast.net> <2C25D5E6-5502-4294-8E68-63C4625487C8@comcast.net> Message-ID: Thanks Roger and David. It does look as though this young Red-Winged BB is going to be making continuous trips to my feeders. I understand what you are saying, David, about them being bullies. I also have Starlings who frequent my backyard in the Spring, mostly for the dried worms we throw on the ground in Spring. So far, they only come in the Spring and bring their fledglings with them. They don't stay very long and I'm kind of hoping that will be the case with the BB. One RWBB is nice, but a flock I would not welcome. *Ann* Ann Pultz Kramer Stanwood, WA "*Use what talents you possess; the wood would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best**."* *Henry Van Dyke* On Fri, May 1, 2026 at 1:31?PM David Kreft wrote: > I?ve had RWBB at my feeder since late January here in NE WA. Happens every > year even with snow and freezing temps. They?re pigs and bullies to the > smaller birds. > > Dave > Kettle Falls, WA > > On Fri, May 1, 2026 at 1:21?PM Roger Moyer via Tweeters < > tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > >> I've been feeding birds over the winter. This spring I had a male >> Red-winged Blackbird coming to the feeder. So they do occasionally come to >> feeders. I'm about 3/8th of a mile from some swampy ground. >> >> Roger Moyer >> Chehalis, WA >> ------------------------------ >> *From:* Tweeters on behalf >> of Dennis Paulson via Tweeters >> *Sent:* Thursday, April 30, 2026 4:42 PM >> *To:* Ann Kramer >> *Cc:* TWEETERS tweeters >> *Subject:* Re: [Tweeters] Unusual Backyard Migrant: Red-Winged Blackbird >> >> Ann, that?s one I can?t answer other than to say that birds have wings >> and can turn up anywhere. I think most Red-winged Blackbirds would be in >> open country if not breeding, but they wander. We have had one or two fly >> over our house in a wooded neighborhood in Seattle, but I?ve never seen one >> otherwise anywhere nearer than Lake Washington. They emphatically wouldn?t >> occur with tanagers, grosbeaks and most warblers! >> >> So yeah, it?s unusual, and it seems unlikely he would commute daily >> between a wetland and your yard at that distance. Is he coming to a feeder? >> If a good enough source of food, that might attract him, and blackbirds can >> fly some distance between food and night-time roosts, although I don?t know >> if they would fly that far on a daily basis. And they really are flocking >> birds during the off season, so being by himself is definitely unusual. >> >> But I presume if he made it there from a marsh where he was hatched, >> presumably he can fly far enough to find another one. But his presence only >> during sunny weather is beyond me to try to explain! >> >> Dennis >> >> On Apr 30, 2026, at 3:25?PM, Ann Kramer wrote: >> >> Thank you for the clarification, Dennis, between a juvenile and one year >> old. >> >> To be more clear on my question, is it common for a marsh bird to wander >> into a sub rural community during migration and is it likely to find its >> way to a more suitable habitat eventually on his own? >> >> On Thu, Apr 30, 2026 at 9:12?AM Dennis Paulson >> wrote: >> >> Ann, I think it?s too early for juveniles (birds hatched this year), so >> maybe it?s a one-year-old male. Many but perhaps not all of them breed. >> >> Dennis Paulson >> Seattle >> >> On Apr 29, 2026, at 5:06 PM, Ann Kramer via Tweeters < >> tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: >> >> Tweets, >> I have a question about a juvenile Red-Winged Blackbird who has made my >> backyard his home for the past week. I thought he had left a few days ago >> but since then realized he frequents my backyard only when the sun is out. >> So he's back again today. I suspect he might be spending time near one of >> the marshy areas less than a mile from here. I'm still pretty new to this >> area and am used to Western Tanagers, Warblers and Evening Grosbeaks >> passing through in the Spring, but not marsh birds. >> >> I have an acre, tons of native trees in the back third, lots of natives >> in the front yard. But this is by no means a marsh. As the Wetlands I >> used to frequent when I lived in California was lousy with thousands of >> RWBB's, I love listening to his call but I'm concerned he is lost. There >> was another adult male with him the first few days, but he seems to have >> left now. Should I be concerned or should I trust he will find his way to >> his destination even without the company of his elder? >> >> >> >> *Ann* >> >> Ann Kramer, Wildlife and Nature Photographer >> >> www.annkramer.smugmug.com >> >> >> >> *?Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.? >> ? John Muir* >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 8 13:25:24 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Ann Kramer via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 8 13:26:04 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Unusual Backyard Migrant: Red-Winged Blackbird In-Reply-To: <1692c0cb-997d-4758-8982-1aa40f6fbc61@jimbetz.com> References: <1692c0cb-997d-4758-8982-1aa40f6fbc61@jimbetz.com> Message-ID: Hi Jim, I appreciate your words. I've been a wildlife photographer for over ten years. My work is often visible on Skagit materials but I haven't updated my website for 8 years or so and find myself too preoccupied with other things currently. In my hours and hours of photographing, sitting a whole day and watching, which I love to do, I have also experienced the variations you speak of in behavior and can quickly read the comfort of a bird or animal with my presence, or any noticeable variations in behavior. When I teach ethical photography classes, it is one of the primary focuses of what I'm teaching; how to read animal behavior and not only go for the shot. I don't expect you would know any of that about me but I thought I would clarify that. My question about the RWBB in my backyard was not because I wasn't enjoying it. Sorry if that's what you picked up. I love their various sounds and calls. When I used to go on field trips in California, I commented how they sound like a musical instrument, especially when you get a flock singing at once. It's a joy to have that in my yard again. I was actually concerned for this bird. I am tender-hearted about birds, and sometimes, if I'm a bit too expressive of that, I tend to hear comments about "that's nature" or "the cycle of life", etc. so I don't put out very often any of my feelings about a bird's welfare. That's what prompted my questions. As most of us do, I assume, I love all creatures and consider them sentient beings who feel not only physical comfort or discomfort but perhaps some emotions similar to ours. Certainly fear, comfort, and perhaps a form of affection we might call love. So my initial questions were related to concern for the bird being well away from a suitable habitat. Here's another example of this. Currently today I've found a breeding adult returning to a grassy spot in my backyard in between feedings, and just sitting there, as opposed to a tree branch. I wondered if he was sick. But he is flying back and forth to the nectar feeder. It's curious to see a hummingbird who is able to fly returning to the grass time and time again. His georgette is shining brilliantly in the sun so he probably is evident to predators. Although I do find that these types of events eventually work themselves out, the initial concern for his wellness and curiosity about his choices. *Ann* Ann Pultz Kramer Stanwood, WA "*Use what talents you possess; the wood would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best**."* *Henry Van Dyke* On Fri, May 1, 2026 at 12:41?PM Jim Betz via Tweeters < tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > Ann, > > We all - myself included - tend to rely too heavily upon 'expert > knowledge' > as it applies to a species ... and then we turn around and easily accept > individual behaviors as "normal". > > For example, I'm a birding photographer and have gained considerable > knowledge about bird behavior as it relates to my getting images ... so > if a > particular individual (such as the well-known Short-eared Owl at the > East 90) > allows me close, long views ... I tend to expect that same behavior from > other SEOWs and even from some random Red-tailed Hawk sitting on a > pole along the road I'm driving. But that's a "fallacy" because some > individual birds have "non-standard behaviors". > > The difficulty/trick is to just accept that whatever you are seeing is > well within the range of expected behavior. The basics still apply - birds > are motivated by food, sex, territory, and threats. > On our recent trip to Ecuador literally -every place- we went had > dozens of hummers. Each time there was a different mix of species > but the general behavior was essentially the same. Then, after I had > taken a hundred or so shots that time I started to 'slow down and > watch/experience what was happening'. Then I would set up my > camera for a particular place/behavior and just wait for the shot to > happen - worked like a charm. Next day/next stop ... I was right back > shooting the first 100 shots before I stopped to watch and observe. > > Just enjoy what you get to experience and let the "general behaviors" > guide you to be more likely get the situations you'd like? And then > pay attention and get the experiences you want! > - Jim in Skagit > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 8 13:27:01 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Ann Kramer via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 8 13:27:40 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Unusual Backyard Migrant: Red-Winged Blackbird In-Reply-To: References: <1692c0cb-997d-4758-8982-1aa40f6fbc61@jimbetz.com> Message-ID: Just like us humans, isn't it? On Fri, May 1, 2026 at 1:45?PM Chuq Von Rospach via Tweeters < tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > On May 1, 2026 at 12:40:59, Jim Betz via Tweeters < > tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > >> so >> if a >> particular individual (such as the well-known Short-eared Owl at the >> East 90) >> allows me close, long views ... I tend to expect that same behavior from >> other SEOWs and even from some random Red-tailed Hawk sitting on a >> pole along the road I'm driving. But that's a "fallacy" because some >> individual birds have "non-standard behaviors". >> >> > Agreed completely. Back in California there was one place where a family > of rock wrens moved in, and got very comfortable with having people around > ? it was not unusual for one to wander in and run under my chair looking > for bugs. But most Rock wrens are not that amiable and friendly (?hey, can > you back up? I can?t focus that close!? ? rarely a bird photography problem) > > We can understand humans generally act given ways when looked at as a > region, or society ? but within that, individuals vary widely, and so do > birds. That?s part of the fun of figuring them out. > > Where I live, I?m surrounded by a few acres of mostly undeveloped mostly > pine and alder forest. Downhill a ways is a stream, so there?s water, but > somewhere between here and there is some kind of regular water source, > because in my ongoing Merlin monitoring, I?ve gotten hits on things like > Great Blue Heron and Wood Duck. I?ve tried exploring a bit but have never > found exactly where those sounds are coming from, but I know they?re too > close to be the downhill stream. (I?ve also gotten flyover hits like > Ring-Necked ducks headed somewhere). > > We are terrible habitat for Red-Winged blackbird, but a few times a year, > I get Merlin hits. It?s most common in the spring, and it?s rarely more > than a day in a row, but it seems to me it?s a bird moving from an old > location to a new one. My guess would be a young male, not yet breeding > time, shifting territories, and I?d guess the one that we?re talking about > might be the same kind of thing, and which happened to find a place it > liked to hang out a few days. > > One of the most amusing ?this is not what you?re supposed to be doing? > behaviors I?ve run into is a single American Robin (we have plenty, need > some?) that for three years running because a daily feeder bird. Robins, > you will exclaim, do not visit bird feeders (unless maybe if you feed > mealworms) but here is this one that?s settled in with the finches and the > mourning doves eating the peanut and sunflower chips in the ground feeder. > Why? It won?t tell me, but I guess it decided really easy calories was > their jam. > > It?s notable only because it?s an individual behavior that?s way out of > norm for the species ? but that?s what also makes it fun to notice, and a > great reminder to be on the lookout for these fun and weird oddities. > > >> Just enjoy what you get to experience and let the "general behaviors" >> guide you to be more likely get the situations you'd like? And then >> pay attention and get the experiences you want! >> > > Amen > > chuq > > > --------------------------------------- > > Chuq Von Rospach (http://www.chuq.me) > Silverdale, Washington > Birder, Nature and Wildlife Photographer > > Email me at: chuqvr@gmail.com > Mastodon: @chuqvr@fosstodon.org > > Stay Updated with what I'm doing: https://www.chuq.me/6fps/ > My latest e-book: https://www.chuq.me/ebooks > > I have opinions > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 8 13:37:55 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Ann Kramer via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 8 13:38:36 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Unusual Backyard Migrant: Red-Winged Blackbird In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Dee Dee, Your habitat sounds a lot like mine with feeders and native plants, birdbaths, etc. One-third of our acre we have left native, with downed trees and stick piles. We also use squirrel proof feeders and have gone through a good share of trouble to place the feeders and use baffles where the squirrels cannot either climb up or jump down. We have been successful except for one of them. I just read that Safflower seeds are not liked by blackbirds and a few other larger birds, so we filled it with safflower. That is where the blackbird frequents. By the way, if any find themselves with excessive squirrel or even rodent problems, there are seeds that animals don't like. Safflower and nyger (thistle) as well as hot pepper seeds ( as well as hot pepper suet) can be useful to deter animals. So, it seems to me that this Red-Winged Blackbird will be here for at least the Spring. He makes regular visits, now not only in the sunny afternoons, but in the mornings, He doesn't seem to stay and sing as he did, but just comes in to feed and then leaves. It will be interesting to see how this Blackbird saga continues!!! I'm planning to grow a few varieties of sunflowers and wondering now if that will bring in a flock of blackbirds. Hmmmm. Ann On Sun, May 3, 2026 at 12:29?PM Dee Dee via Tweeters < tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > ?Coming late to the party, contributing my experience with red-winged > blackbirds (RWBB) in our mixed small-to-medium lot-sizes suburban > neighborhood. Interesting hear what others experience in the broader region. > My setting and backstory: Our lot is approximately one-third acre, a block > inland from Puget Sound (the Sound) shoreline. Approximately 0.2 miles away > is a small, creek-fed wetland, just onshore from the Sound, bordered by a > mix of evergreen and deciduous trees. Been here 15 years and always had a > birdbath, suet feeder and up to two sunflower-chip plus dried mealworms > seed feeders. Several heavily-bearing native evergreen huckleberry bushes > and 9 assorted blueberry bushes which 8 years ago were given over to the > critters and birds, when we also gave up on our extensive organic veggie > garden. Instead, we then planted several rows of seed-bearing sunflowers > for about 4 years?unfortunately age and cost of watering restricts such the > last few years. > > > In first years, I sometimes heard RWBB but distant, down by the wetland, > but no regular visitors. After a few years, saw them at times in the yard, > mostly on the feeders during hard, snowy winters, or infrequently, males > vocalizing on nearby utility lines. When the sunflower garden was in seed, > we no surprise, frequently saw them in larger numbers, and year-round > coming to the feeders even if no sunflowers in seed. Don?t recall ever > seeing more than about 10 at one time, but their frequency finally forced > me to add bird-size-control cages to seed feeders to keep within seed > budget. They still can glean spillage with the other ground feeders, or go > to the suet. Since adding the restrictive feeder cages, we still see them > on occasion, year-round, just not in as great of numbers. I don?t have the > knowledge to speculate on which are locals and which are migrants, but we > see both male and female, though the majority are males, especially > first-year. I love to hear and see these beautiful birds and am grateful > that they persist in our local environment and occasional visits to my > yard. > > > Dee Warnock > > Edmonds > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 8 13:48:01 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Ann Kramer via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 8 13:48:42 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Fruit Feeders? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: When we lived in California, we had Oriole feeders for the Hooded and Bullock's Orioles. When we put out oranges, they consistently chose the nectar, grape jelly and live worms (who wouldn't?) over the oranges. So we stopped. The reason I would be very careful about putting fruit out in the PNW, is due their possible attraction to rodents. We have so few fruit eaters here, as Dennis said, and it's not worth the risk unless you are willing to take down whatever is left at the end of the day. The fruit in suet and serviceberry, elderberry and other trees has been my choice. I now have 8 serviceberry trees in the front and the backyard. Somebody stop me! lol I do wonder, as the weather gets warmer and I read about the whopper of an El Nino we are expecting this year and next, if we will find that some of these tropical migrants will soon be seen more often up here. *Ann* Ann Pultz Kramer Stanwood, WA "*Use what talents you possess; the wood would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best**."* *Henry Van Dyke* On Wed, May 6, 2026 at 3:20?PM Dennis Paulson via Tweeters < tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > Like Hans, I have seen a lot of birds coming to cut oranges, even at > Malheur NWR in southern Oregon, where they attracted Western Tanagers. And > I know people in the East attract Baltimore Orioles that way. > > Unfortunately, our common fruit-eaters such as robins and waxwings don?t > seem to be attracted to feeders, fruit or not. I suspect you wouldn?t get a > lot of visitors here, but why not try it? In the tropics, of course, they > use bananas as well, and those are really attractive to a whole host of > fruit-eaters. > > Dennis Paulson > Seattle > > On May 6, 2026, at 2:33 PM, Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters < > tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > > Jim, > I don't know about here but at the birding areas at South Padre Island > (SPI), Texas they use oranges cut in half. It attracts warblers, orioles, > tanagers etc. > > Hans > > On Wed, May 6, 2026 at 1:39?PM Jim Betz via Tweeters < > tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > >> Hi, >> We live in Skagit County. On our recent trip to Ecuador all of the >> birding >> lodges we stayed at and birding locations ("reserves") put out fruit >> feeders >> that were very popular with a wide range of species. We've only used >> seed and suet feeders. >> >> ===> Have you tried any kind of fruit feeders here in Western >> Washington? >> Worked? Problems/challenges? What fruits work best? What >> fruits don't work at all? Are there other types of feed >> that work >> well (breads?)? Do you get different species due to using >> fruit? >> - Jim >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 > > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 8 18:26:13 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Mike Patterson via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 8 18:26:30 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Elegant Terns Message-ID: A local observer very familiar with the species report copulating Elegant Tern at Nacotta, Pacific Co. today.? She probably got photos -- Mike Patterson - Astoria, OR A Manifesto- https://thenewnorthcoastdiaries.wordpress.com/2025/11/28/a-manifesto/ From tweeters at u.washington.edu Sat May 9 15:53:01 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Marv via Tweeters) Date: Sat May 9 15:53:20 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] =?utf-8?q?2025/2026_HARRIS=E2=80=99S_SPARROW_12=2E16?= =?utf-8?b?LjI1IC0gNS40LjI2?= Message-ID: It seems the Kent Valley HARRIS?S SPARROW may have departed to points north for nesting. I assume that the bird is in fact gone, and also assume that there was but 1 Harris?s Sparrow in the Kent Valley for the winter. The bird was here for 140 days. It arrived in December already in formative plumage (aka 1st winter plumage per Sibley Guide), having already passed thru natal down and juvenile plumages. Late in its stay here it molted into first alternate (breeding) plumage. Here is a video of what the bird looked like on 12.16.25: https://flic.kr/p/2rMcd92 Here is what the bird looked like when I last saw it on 5.4.26: https://flic.kr/p/2sbd3TD And here you can track the plumage change yourself through a series of dated videos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCQ3tR -- Marv Breece Tukwila, WA *marvbreece@gmail.com * -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Sun May 10 20:11:15 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters) Date: Sun May 10 20:11:40 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Dumas Bay Caspian Terns Message-ID: This afternoon at low tide there were at least 27 Caspian Terns at Dumas Bay Sanctuary, Federal Way. Several were actively fishing while most were loafing on the tidal flats. Of course a couple of people had to walk along the waterline and disturb them and had them move further down the flats. Some of them were actively flying to and from Commencement Bay. I believe somebody mentioned a small breeding colony at the Port of Tacoma. Good Birding ! Hans -- *Hans Feddern* Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA thefedderns@gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Sun May 10 20:42:54 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Dan Reiff via Tweeters) Date: Sun May 10 20:43:19 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Birders push back on hantavirus fears tied to Argentine city Message-ID: <1277B105-7FC7-455A-928D-A3E29B22513E@gmail.com> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 11 08:00:00 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Kathleen Snyder via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 11 08:00:37 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Hawk Watch, the Movie Thursday, May 14th 7 pm Olympia Message-ID: We are proud to offer a viewing of the documentary, Hawk Watch. This movie follows a group of devoted birders in Southern California during spring migration as they collect information to protect Swainson's Hawks. As thousands of raptors begin to pass overhead, the spectacle of nature itself becomes their well-earned reward. The directors of the film, Alicia Wszelaki and Matthew Nothelfer, will be with us virtually to introduce the film and answer questions afterwards. You can join us at Temple Beth Hatfiloh for social time starting at 6:30 pm, 201 8th Ave SE Olympia. We will then view the movie on a big screen. Or you can watch from home via Zoom. Registration for Zoom is below. This is a free program from South Sound Bird Alliance. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/E3HGBN4DQqOEOpwGsu5bKA -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 11 12:58:53 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Kersti Muul via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 11 12:59:06 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] The epitome of Merlin mis-ID Message-ID: Just now my partner is working on one of his killer whale presentations and he is playing one of Jpod's calls; the S3 call. Merlin has decided it's a peregrine....four times! This is my first experience with Melin doing a cross- species ID attempt. Usually it ignores the sounds of squirrels and chipmunks and marmots, and so on. This really tops the junco-chipping sparrow- orange crowned warbler debacle. Some of us are also having a house finch-black scoter mis-ID. Happened to us in New Mexico as well as White center. Ah, Merlin! Speaking of Peregines, did some surveys this weekend. West Seattle Bridge pair has 3 eggs ...almost time to hatch. -K -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 11 13:07:33 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Larry Schwitters via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 11 13:07:51 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] C. Teal In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <4E22CC49-39B9-4C8E-8CDE-98D72F409FA5@me.com> Issaquah Sunset Beach an hour ago. Almost to the lily pads. A male Cinnamon Teal. Pretty boy. Larry Schwitters Issaquah From tweeters at u.washington.edu Tue May 12 11:05:43 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Toby Ross via Tweeters) Date: Tue May 12 11:06:00 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Presentation: Conservation in the Heart of Costa Rica Message-ID: Join us for a special online presentation introducing the Cerulea Environmental Association, a new Costa Rican nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting one of the country?s most biodiverse regions. Founded by Costa Rican conservation biologists, researchers, and educators ? including expert guide Jose Pablo Castillo, who has led many Alight Tours birding trips ? the organization is working to conserve critical habitats in the heart of Costa Rica. These remarkable forests provide wintering habitat for Cerulean Warblers alongside rare amphibians, endemic plants, and hundreds of bird species. Learn how community-driven conservation is helping safeguard these ecosystems while supporting research, education, and sustainable stewardship. Whether you are passionate about birds, tropical ecology, conservation, or travel, we hope you can join us for this engaging and inspiring evening. DATE: 28 May, 2026 TIME: 7:00?8:00 PM (PST) WHERE: Virtual Event (Zoom) For more information or to RSVP, visit www.alighttours.com or contact Toby at alighttours@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you! -- ________________ Toby Ross Seattle www.alighttours.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Tue May 12 14:50:09 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Carol Riddell via Tweeters) Date: Tue May 12 14:50:24 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Merlin Sound ID Mix Ups Message-ID: I?m not surprised to hear that Merlin confused Orca vocalizations with Peregrine Falcon (PEFA). This falcon has become quite rare in Edmonds in the last few years but Merlin identifies it as a suggested bird quite frequently. It always pays to save the recording and play it back to confirm that species. Most of the time it is a screeching sound from a car or some other human noise artifact that causes it to suggest PEFA. I had wondered what Merlin was confusing Black Scoter with. I haven?t heard it in an inappropriate location for a couple of years. It used to come up regularly on Sound ID in Yost Park. Yost is a forested park, a mix of conifer and deciduous trees surrounding a ravine through which Shell Creek runs. That one always puzzled me but maybe a confusion with House Finch explains it. Sound ID is a great tool, as long as we remember to confirm or reject odd calls, but it is often good for a laugh. Carol Riddell Edmonds, WA From tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 13 09:21:58 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Thomas Good - NOAA Federal via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 13 09:22:09 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] CATE in Dumas Bay (Tweeters list - 10 May) In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Can anyone confirm a CATE colony at the Port of Tacoma alluded to in Hans-Joachim's post? I am trying to document current CATE breeding sites in the Salish Sea. Tom Good On Mon, May 11, 2026 at 12:01?PM via Tweeters wrote: > Send Tweeters mailing list submissions to > tweeters@u.washington.edu > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > tweeters-request@mailman11.u.washington.edu > > You can reach the person managing the list at > tweeters-owner@mailman11.u.washington.edu > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Tweeters digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Dumas Bay Caspian Terns (Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters) > 2. Birders push back on hantavirus fears tied to Argentine city > (Dan Reiff via Tweeters) > 3. Hawk Watch, the Movie Thursday, May 14th 7 pm Olympia > (Kathleen Snyder via Tweeters) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sun, 10 May 2026 20:11:15 -0700 > From: Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters > To: Tweeters > Subject: [Tweeters] Dumas Bay Caspian Terns > Message-ID: > 1+RyzqOene2aoUimF2KBWtKaLWY33m3WKSEObP9g@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > This afternoon at low tide there were at least 27 Caspian Terns at Dumas > Bay Sanctuary, Federal Way. Several were actively fishing while most were > loafing on the tidal flats. Of course a couple of people had to walk along > the waterline and disturb them and had them move further down the flats. > Some of them were actively flying to and from Commencement Bay. I believe > somebody mentioned a small breeding colony at the Port of Tacoma. > > Good Birding ! > > Hans > > -- > *Hans Feddern* > Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA > thefedderns@gmail.com > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: < > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/pipermail/tweeters/attachments/20260510/97f61769/attachment-0001.html > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Sun, 10 May 2026 20:42:54 -0700 > From: Dan Reiff via Tweeters > To: Tweeters > Subject: [Tweeters] Birders push back on hantavirus fears tied to > Argentine city > Message-ID: <1277B105-7FC7-455A-928D-A3E29B22513E@gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: < > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/pipermail/tweeters/attachments/20260510/4d109230/attachment-0001.html > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Mon, 11 May 2026 08:00:00 -0700 > From: Kathleen Snyder via Tweeters > To: tweeters@u.washington.edu > Subject: [Tweeters] Hawk Watch, the Movie Thursday, May 14th 7 pm > Olympia > Message-ID: > 9hdyfocpip8UqQSEYWDzUVu5UGz9Mgw@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > We are proud to offer a viewing of the documentary, Hawk Watch. This movie > follows a group of devoted birders in Southern California during spring > migration as they collect information to protect Swainson's Hawks. As > thousands of raptors begin to pass overhead, the spectacle of nature itself > becomes their well-earned reward. The directors of the film, Alicia > Wszelaki and Matthew Nothelfer, will be with us virtually to introduce the > film and answer questions afterwards. > > You can join us at Temple Beth Hatfiloh for social time starting at 6:30 > pm, 201 8th Ave SE Olympia. We will then view the movie on a big screen. > Or you can watch from home via Zoom. Registration for Zoom is below. This > is a free program from South Sound Bird Alliance. > > https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/E3HGBN4DQqOEOpwGsu5bKA > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: < > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/pipermail/tweeters/attachments/20260511/bb257dc2/attachment-0001.html > > > > ------------------------------ > > Subject: Digest Footer > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@mailman11.u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > > ------------------------------ > > End of Tweeters Digest, Vol 261, Issue 11 > ***************************************** > -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thomas P. Good Research Biologist NOAA Fisheries - Ecosystem Science Program Northwest Fisheries Science Center 2725 Montlake Boulevard East Seattle, WA 98112 206-860-3469 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 13 11:48:10 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Dan Reiff via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 13 11:48:34 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] How 'Seabird Sue' Blends Art and Science to Attract Birds Back to Lost Habitat Message-ID: <83BD4DFC-290D-4F8B-ACB7-610D0D295429@gmail.com> Cut and Paste this title into Google Sent from my iPhone From tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 13 12:48:32 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Margot Stevens via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 13 12:48:47 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Tweeters submission Message-ID: Subject: Low Tide Sunday May 17 Looking for suggestions on where to go for good birding during low tide this weekend. I am newish to the community and still learning all the spots. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 13 22:11:59 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Kenneth Brown via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 13 22:12:04 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Scope replacement. Message-ID: <1632726033.596808.1778735519731@connect.xfinity.com> My scope and tripod were recently stolen. A very kind and generous friend has loaned me a scope to use temporarily, so I am not under immediate pressure to replace them, but I don't want to push it. Before I plunk down retail price for a new mid price-range scope, I am interested in checking whether a good condition, used, higher end scope might be a reasonably priced possibility. Do any of you good people know of a market place/ site where used birding optics are offered? -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Thu May 14 14:02:40 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Benjamin Menzies via Tweeters) Date: Thu May 14 14:02:47 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Low Tide Birding In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: -a best spot may depend on where you live and how far you're willing to drive. From Seattle or Olympia, the Nisqually delta / Billy Frank NWR is my favorite. From there, whatever other delta or park is nearby. ________________________________ From: Tweeters on behalf of via Tweeters Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2026 12:00 PM To: tweeters@u.washington.edu Subject: Tweeters Digest, Vol 261, Issue 14 Send Tweeters mailing list submissions to tweeters@u.washington.edu To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmailman11.u.washington.edu%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Ftweeters&data=05%7C02%7C%7C7fb8b849830f41b18b4c08deb1eb1d1f%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639143820687370669%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=TyrLp5Uz%2F6GwHUbEvUnXX3048%2BF79EH%2F8Ib72jBCsxU%3D&reserved=0 or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to tweeters-request@mailman11.u.washington.edu You can reach the person managing the list at tweeters-owner@mailman11.u.washington.edu When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Tweeters digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Tweeters submission (Margot Stevens via Tweeters) 2. Scope replacement. (Kenneth Brown via Tweeters) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Wed, 13 May 2026 12:48:32 -0700 From: Margot Stevens via Tweeters To: tweeters@u.washington.edu Subject: [Tweeters] Tweeters submission Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Subject: Low Tide Sunday May 17 Looking for suggestions on where to go for good birding during low tide this weekend. I am newish to the community and still learning all the spots. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: > ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Wed, 13 May 2026 22:11:59 -0700 (PDT) From: Kenneth Brown via Tweeters To: Tweeters Subject: [Tweeters] Scope replacement. Message-ID: <1632726033.596808.1778735519731@connect.xfinity.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" My scope and tripod were recently stolen. A very kind and generous friend has loaned me a scope to use temporarily, so I am not under immediate pressure to replace them, but I don't want to push it. Before I plunk down retail price for a new mid price-range scope, I am interested in checking whether a good condition, used, higher end scope might be a reasonably priced possibility. Do any of you good people know of a market place/ site where used birding optics are offered? -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: > ------------------------------ Subject: Digest Footer _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters@mailman11.u.washington.edu https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmailman11.u.washington.edu%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Ftweeters&data=05%7C02%7C%7C7fb8b849830f41b18b4c08deb1eb1d1f%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639143820687483826%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=C928WSqXIKG4DqhfG0wiyF4wga5JQkJ%2B4sXPWnvNnv8%3D&reserved=0 ------------------------------ End of Tweeters Digest, Vol 261, Issue 14 ***************************************** -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Thu May 14 14:35:14 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Matt Bartels via Tweeters) Date: Thu May 14 14:35:31 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co.) 2026-05-14 Message-ID: <8996DB55-0384-4E3E-BBC9-1D9CCB99A316@earthlink.net> Hi Tweets - After we finished the walk today, Michael headed directly to the WOS conference, so I?ll be doing the write-up. Today we had a beautiful May day at Marymoor. This is traditionally one of the weeks with the highest number to species recorded at Marymoor over the years, so we were open to anything showing up. We didn?t record a particularly high total species count in the end, but there were some nice surprises for the 4 of us who joined in for the walk. Highlights: Great Egret - one flew over our heads while at the weir. Then later it returned and perched near the heron rookery for quite a while for nice views. This in only our 3rd or 4th Marymoor record, and the first since 2020. Great Blue Heron - many young on the nests, and one or two fledged and in the slough, looking awkward as they learn to fish. Western Wood-Pewee - heard a few and saw one - first of year (FOY) Willow Flycatcher - one heard only, around dawn. FOY empid sp. - one that got away along the slough that looked enticing Swainson?s Thrush - many calling and some in full song, before dawn. Once the sun rose, only heard one or two calling during the walk Bullock?s Oriole - one first year bird for another FOY Wilson?s Warbler - particularly numerous today - we seemed to be able to hear one singing at almost any point in the walk. Black-headed Grosbeak - competed with Wilson?s Warbler for one of the most numerous singers today. Lazuli Bunting - a couple around, but not particularly cooperative ducklings - several clutches of Mallards swimming around Misses today were numerous, including most ducks, Green Heron, Downy & Hairy Woodpecker For the day, about 57 species - with 4 FOY birds, I think that brings us to 107 for the walk year list Matt Bartels Seattle, WA -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Thu May 14 14:46:34 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Tom Benedict via Tweeters) Date: Thu May 14 14:46:56 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Western Flycatcher on Harstine Island Message-ID: <4C2895C6-4C55-4A8D-B501-6240F38A0715@comcast.net> Saw my first WEFL today here at the far southern tip of Harstine Island in south Puget Sound. Diagnostic white eye ring, two white wing pars and olive greens wash helped me identify it. Haven?t heard its song yet though. Tom Benedict Seahurst, WA From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 15 09:23:38 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Larry Schwitters via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 15 09:24:03 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Vaux's Happening In-Reply-To: <4E22CC49-39B9-4C8E-8CDE-98D72F409FA5@me.com> References: <4E22CC49-39B9-4C8E-8CDE-98D72F409FA5@me.com> Message-ID: <7533AABD-7D19-41E0-B0D7-424AF53DB9A3@me.com> Very low numbers of Vaux?s were showing up in our PNW roosts this migration until we got some rain this week. 3-4 thousand are still at the bottom of Wagner this AM. If you?re quick you should be able to see them at https://vaux-swift-inside1.click2stream.com/ Larry Schwitters Issaquah From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 15 09:46:20 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Kenneth Brown via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 15 09:46:24 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Wednesday at Nisqually Message-ID: <704203400.609830.1778863580546@connect.xfinity.com> A late spring day started out rainy and cool. To some of us "Homies", the change in weather was welcome after a few days of sunshine and unseasonable warmth. A smaller than usual crowd assembled on the deck, some regulars deterred by the rain, some absent having left early for the Washington Ornithological Society (WOS) Conference, held so far across the state that it's in Lewiston, Idaho this year. The surface of the pond was disturbed not only by the rain, but also by the movements of a pair each of Cinnamon Teal, Gadwall, Wood Duck and Mallards. A couple Marsh Wrens chittered in the reeds. High up in a snag near the entrance to the Visitors Center, a Northern Flicker was spewing out wood chips, working to enlarge the entrance hole and cavity of it's new residence. The resident male Rufous Hummingbird was holding his territory at the entrance to the play area. Yellow Warblers sang in the trees and several (first of the year) Cedar Waxwings perched in the bare top of a pear tree in the orchard. A pair of Band-tailed Pigeons claimed the top of a neighboring tree, another pair flew over head, followed shortly by Mourning Doves. American Robins, Song Sparrows, and a couple Spotted Towhees hopped along the path and foraged in the leaf litter. More Cedar Waxwings were seen along the entrance road, but it was generally pretty quiet, the rain dampening more than just us birders. Activity picked up once we passed the 90? turn in the service road. Atop a Willow between the parking lot and the road, a male Anna's Hummingbird again stood guard over his domain. The low clouds kept the insects and therefore the swallows down low, just a few feet over the water of the flooded fields. They all were there, Barn, Tree, Violet-green, Cliff, Bank, and Northern Rough-winged Swallows. It was difficult to follow them with binoculars as they swooped and swerved. The Bank Swallows in particular seemed to fly in tight formation in small groups, their bright white bellies a sharp contrast to their plain, dark uppers. Slightly above the swallows were Vaux's Swifts, another first of the year, also pushed down by the weather, their short, narrow tails and rapid wing flutter distinctive. Alongside the boardwalk on the west side of the loop trail, a Virginia Rail played peek-a-boo with us, disappearing behind the near-side grass then emerging again as we tried to get everyone "on it." A Muskrat went about its business, the top of its head and its trailing wake, all that was visible. More Marsh Wrens called and flitted busily in the in the near-shore reeds. A couple of female Hooded Mergansers swam in the north end of the pond. Red-winged Blackbirds sang from both reeds and nearby trees. A previously found Robin's nest was again empty, possibly abandoned. We made a side trip back out to the service road to check the north end of the flooded field. Most of the ducks have left, only a pair of the recently numerous American Wigeon remain. A single Northern Shoveler slid between tufts of grass, a few more flew north over the far side. Mallards and a few Wood Ducks stuck around, joined by some Cinnamon and Blue-winged Teal that have come in as consolation. Our attention was drawn to violent splashing in the water nearby. A hostile Pied-billed grebe charged a female Hooded Merganser, apparently to drive her away from the Grebe's nest. The retreating Merganser was followed by some offspring of her own. As they emerged from the grass into more open water, their number kept growing to a dozen or more. Mallard ducklings started to mix with the young Mergansers but were quickly driven away by mother Merganser. Turning to return to the loop trail, Matt spotted a male California Quail, a rare sight on the Refuge, on the side of the road south of us. Back on the trail, the Anna's Hummingbird we found last week was still on the nest. Farther along, a Rufous Hummingbird was also on it's nest. There was no outward sign of activity at the American Goldfinch nest in the same tree, nor at the nearby Red-breasted Sapsucker's cavity. Further north along the trail, the young have already fledged from another two Hummingbird nests we've been watching. Two of the fledglings were hanging out in the neighborhood. We searched the field next to the Twin Barns, unsuccessfully, for the White-faced Ibis(s) that have been seen here for over two weeks. Maybe they're just out of sight. A Pied-billed Grebe shared the flooded field with a few Mallards and little else. More Swallows carved the air in pursuit of a meal. The rain had tapered off. Scoping the Cottonwood near the Nisqually River, the Eagle's nest can still be picked out from the covering foliage, if you know its there. We waited for the wind to blow back the leaves, but still did not catch sight of the gray, fuzzy Eaglet we saw last week. Walking west, we heard the unique sound of Purple Martin. When we left the shelter of the Willows on the south side of the dike, we felt the, till then, unappreciated increase in the wind coming out of the south. Not really cold, but cool enough to chill. More Swallows and Swifts flew overhead. A solo American Coot, a few Blue-winged and Cinnamon Teal, Mallards and Canada Geese occupied the freshwater marsh. Virginia Rail and Sora were calling from the Cattail swamp. Near the start of the Estuary boardwalk, a small flock of Hudsonian Whimbrel flushed, flying northerly. The tide was low, a lot of exposed mud surrounded the boardwalk as we reached the Creek overlook covered platform. The center of the platform was splattered with mud, fallen from the Cliff Swallow nests being constructed under the roof. More Whimbrel were scattered around us. Two adult Eagles were in the nest to the south and across McAllister Creek. A large cluster of Double-crested Cormorants lined the east shore. A few Ring-billed gulls dotted the mud. A couple, of hominids, not part of our group, shared the platform with us. As they stepped out of the shelter to go north, a huge (probably female) Bald Eagle swooped in low from the north, it seemed just barely over their heads. As it flared it wings to land on the roof of the shelter, something (we decided it was mud from it's talons) fell, striking the cheek of the woman. She was startled, but cheerfully decided she'd been specially blessed by the Eagle. Looking across the water to Luhr Beach from the viewing platform at the end of the boardwalk, the white gourds were populated by Purple Martins. A couple of Common Loons surfaced in Nisqually Reach. Brandt's Cormorant roosted on the Chanell marker between us and Ketron Island. White smudges of Gulls, too distant to identify, clustered along the shore near the mouth of the Nisqually River. Brown-headed Cowbirds lined the boardwalk railing and a Common Raven croaked and soared over the ridgeline west of the creek as we returned to the dike. The rain returned but lighter than before. An American Kestrel perched in a snag across the surge plain. Yellow Warblers, Black-capped Chickadees and a Western Flycatcher caught our notice as we walked to the Nisqually River overlook. A Band-tailed Pigeon hung out in the top of a Cottonwood, a Belted Kingfisher perched on a broken trunk suspended over the river. We walked the east side of the loop back to the Visitors Center to complete our day. I've run out of words, see the following checklist. Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR, Thurston, Washington, US May 13, 2026 8:00 AM - 4:04 PM Protocol: Traveling 5.38 mile(s) Checklist Comments: Wednesday Walk began on a rainy 52? F morning with a 3-5 knot south breeze, the rain slacked off around noon with the wind increasing to 10-12 knots. The rain re-started at 3 p.m., and we ended the walk at 57? F. A High 13.4-foot tide at 3:05 a.m. ebbed to a +-1.2-foot low water at 10:05 a.m.; flooding toward a +10.8-foot high at 4:15 p.m. Non-birds seen included Eastern Cotton-tailed Rabbit, Columbian Black-tailed Deer, a couple of muskrats, and Harbor Seals in the estuary of McAllister Creek. 71 species (+7 other taxa) Cackling Goose (Taverner's) 1 Near the cattail marsh; believed to be the injured Tav that's continuing since the hunting season. Canada Goose 65 Wood Duck 9 Blue-winged Teal 7 Cinnamon Teal 18 Northern Shoveler 5 Gadwall 3 American Wigeon 3 Mallard 45 Mallard (Domestic type) 1 Appeared to be a Mallard X Domestic drake in the flooded field. Green-winged Teal (American) 2 Bufflehead 1 McAllister Creek Hooded Merganser 18 Hen with 15 (!) 2-day-old ducklings California Quail 1 Cock bird on service road west of the Visitors' Center Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 3 Band-tailed Pigeon 20 Mourning Dove 6 Vaux's Swift 10 Anna's Hummingbird 3 Rufous Hummingbird 4 Virginia Rail 5 Sora 4 American Coot 1 Killdeer 2 Hudsonian Whimbrel 15 Ring-billed Gull 75 Western x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid) 4 Western/Glaucous-winged Gull 32 Larus sp. 85 Caspian Tern 12 Pied-billed Grebe 3 Common Loon 2 Nisqually Reach Brandt's Cormorant 6 Nisqually Reach Channel Marker Double-crested Cormorant 95 American Bittern 1 Great Blue Heron 28 Accipitrine hawk sp. (former Accipiter sp.) 1 Bald Eagle 28 Belted Kingfisher 3 Red-breasted Sapsucker 2 Northern Flicker 1 Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 2 American Kestrel 1 Peregrine Falcon 1 Western Flycatcher (Pacific-slope) 5 Western Warbling Vireo 1 Steller's Jay (Coastal) 1 Timber west of McAllister Creek American Crow 6 Common Raven 1 Timber west of McAllister Creek Black-capped Chickadee 6 Bank Swallow 22 * Flagged for high count; filter does not appear to account for numbers regularly seen at Nisqually NWR Tree Swallow 45 Violet-green Swallow 10 Purple Martin 19 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 6 Barn Swallow 60 Cliff Swallow 28 Bushtit (Pacific) 4 Brown Creeper 2 Marsh Wren 20 Bewick's Wren 4 European Starling 45 Swainson's Thrush (Russet-backed) 14 American Robin 36 Cedar Waxwing 45 Purple Finch 1 American Goldfinch 45 Golden-crowned Sparrow 1 Near Twin Barns Savannah Sparrow 4 Song Sparrow (rufina Group) 37 Spotted Towhee (oregonus Group) 4 Red-winged Blackbird 45 Brown-headed Cowbird 38 Orange-crowned Warbler 1 Orange-crowned Warbler (lutescens) 1 Common Yellowthroat 17 Northern Yellow Warbler 35 Wilson's Warbler 4 View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S338536936 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 15 11:35:39 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (J Christian Kessler via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 15 11:36:19 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Bullock's Oriole Message-ID: hust a few minutes ago - about 10:00 - a male Bullock's Oriole in breeding plumage landed for maybe a minute on our front deck, then flew north towards the neighbors yard! no time for a photo, but my wife and I both saw it clearly from 30 ft. away. the trees he was close to are a non-native cedar and a maple habitat okay, but wrong side of the mountains! Chris Kessler up slope from north Lake Washington -- ?Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass ? it?s about learning how to dance in the rain.? Deborah Tuck -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 15 12:57:06 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Jim Betz via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 15 12:57:11 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Peregrine? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <67377aa6-4414-4f88-ac13-695feb5d412f@jimbetz.com> Hi, ? Anyone have a location that is -likely- for seeing Peregrine?? I live in Skagit County so near me would be better.? I want to photograph them so if that is a consideration of your recommendation it's appreciated.? Should I wait for a different time of year? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?- TIA ... Jim From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 15 18:05:51 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Hank Heiberg via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 15 18:06:05 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Common Merganser Ducklings References: Message-ID: Today, a rather rainy day, we birded at Lake Sammamish State Park. The rain kept the crowds away. The only other people we saw out in the rain were a few people fishing. Fewer people contributed to better birding. The highlight of the day was a female Common Merganser with its ducklings. https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55271716147/in/photostream/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55272634236/in/photostream/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55272633801/in/photostream/ We also saw our first Chipping Sparrow for 2026. https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55272868259/in/dateposted/ Hank & Karen Heiberg Issaquah, WA Hankdotheiberggmail -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Sat May 16 12:18:50 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Jim Betz via Tweeters) Date: Sat May 16 12:18:55 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Wood Duck ... In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <9e54f08c-bec8-4116-a703-0f1afd18e70c@jimbetz.com> ? ... and 3 or 4 ducklings spotted in that ditch that you cross when driving into Hayton from ? ? ? Fir Island Road.? Cute!? Rather quickly moving away from right by the road - so a ? ? ? long/quick view that devolved too quickly to get a pic but still was great.? - Jim From tweeters at u.washington.edu Sun May 17 08:40:08 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Shep Thorp via Tweeters) Date: Sun May 17 08:54:54 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Purple Martin just west of Asotin Creek Ranch, Asotin Creek Road, Asotin Message-ID: Hi Tweets, Female Purple Martin on Asotin Creek Road just west of Asotin Creek Ranch, Asotin County on WOS field trip. County first? Photos on EBird Happy birding. Shep Shep Thorp, VMD Family Guy, Emergency Veterinarian, Birder Browns Point, Tacoma 253-370-3742 From tweeters at u.washington.edu Sun May 17 20:09:42 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Thomas Dorrance via Tweeters) Date: Sun May 17 20:09:56 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Bullock's Oriole In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hi Chris, Thanks for the heads-up on the Bullocks oriole. The next day, a mile north of you (also on the western slopes of Lake Washington) a splendid male was at the seed feeder for 20 seconds. With him was another male with much less dramatic, almost fuzzy coloration. They goofed around in a nearby willow for a minute, then vanished. Slightly less rare for us was a flock of 20 cedar waxwings that visited twice last week. Today we had a pair of band tailed pigeons, also infrequently seen here. We also had three large deer and a bobcat paw print this morning. Zero wood ducks this year - don't know what the problem is. Tom Dorrance On Fri, May 15, 2026 at 11:37?AM J Christian Kessler via Tweeters < tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > hust a few minutes ago - about 10:00 - a male Bullock's Oriole in breeding > plumage landed for maybe a minute on our front deck, then flew north > towards the neighbors yard! no time for a photo, but my wife and I both > saw it clearly from 30 ft. away. > the trees he was close to are a non-native cedar and a maple > habitat okay, but wrong side of the mountains! > > Chris Kessler > up slope from north Lake Washington > > > -- > ?Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass ? it?s about learning > how to dance in the rain.? > Deborah Tuck > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Sun May 17 23:51:04 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters) Date: Sun May 17 23:51:22 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Merlin VS. Redwing Message-ID: This evening at Treasure Island Park, Twin Lakes, Federal Way, we watched a Merlin ( the falcon - not the app) chase a male Red-winged Blackbird. They made two rounds, but surprisingly enough the falcon was unable to catch up with the blackbird. Wisely, the blackbird dove into the willows, which made the falcon overshoot. What surprised me, is that the blackbird 's flight was fast enough to escape the falcon. Also it seems rather large for a Merlin's prey. Merlins seem to prey on swallows, but I also saw them last summer gorging themselves on an abundance of dragonflies. They were catching them and consuming them in midair ! Good birding ! Hans -- *Hans Feddern* Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA thefedderns@gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 06:57:13 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Patty Cheek via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 06:57:32 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Connie Sidles Online Class References: <07778364-41D0-4EEB-AEDE-BF8DB2E52F54.ref@yahoo.com> Message-ID: <07778364-41D0-4EEB-AEDE-BF8DB2E52F54@yahoo.com> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 07:15:54 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Dennis Paulson via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 07:16:00 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Merlin VS. Redwing In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Dragonflies are common prey of Merlins and other small falcons. Numerous kinds of dragonflies, most of them large, fly continuously as they look for their flying insect prey, and they have no chance against Merlins. Swallow-tailed and Mississippi Kites catch large numbers of them in the Southeast, and the Mississippis time their fall migration through eastern Mexico to coincide with swarms of Common Green Darners also migrating south well up in the air. Dennis Paulson Seattle > On May 17, 2026, at 11:51 PM, Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters wrote: > > This evening at Treasure Island Park, Twin Lakes, Federal Way, we watched a Merlin ( the falcon - not the app) chase a male Red-winged Blackbird. They made two rounds, but surprisingly enough the falcon was unable to catch up with the blackbird. Wisely, the blackbird dove into the willows, which made the falcon overshoot. What surprised me, is that the blackbird 's flight was fast enough to escape the falcon. Also it seems rather large for a Merlin's prey. Merlins seem to prey on swallows, but I also saw them last summer gorging themselves on an abundance of dragonflies. They were catching them and consuming them in midair ! > > Good birding ! > > Hans > > -- > 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 tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 10:49:51 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 10:50:05 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Merlin VS. Redwing In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Very interesting, thanks for sharing Dennis ! Seems there are not too many dragonflies out yet while they were abundant last summer. It is interesting to see the falcons feed on the wing. Most of the times the Merlin?s would return to a perch though to consume their prey. Some years ago while visiting Northern Cyprus, I watched a flock of 15 or more Lesser Kestrels all feeding on insects while in the air. Thinking of my post, maybe the Merlin turned tables on the Redwing ? The male Redwings are very aggressively chasing nest robbing crows, cowbirds and other large birds. Maybe it chased the Merlin first ? Good Birding ! Hans *Hans Feddern* Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA thefedderns@gmail.com On Mon, May 18, 2026 at 7:15?AM Dennis Paulson wrote: > Dragonflies are common prey of Merlins and other small falcons. Numerous > kinds of dragonflies, most of them large, fly continuously as they look for > their flying insect prey, and they have no chance against Merlins. > Swallow-tailed and Mississippi Kites catch large numbers of them in the > Southeast, and the Mississippis time their fall migration through eastern > Mexico to coincide with swarms of Common Green Darners also migrating south > well up in the air. > > Dennis Paulson > Seattle > > On May 17, 2026, at 11:51 PM, Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters < > tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > > This evening at Treasure Island Park, Twin Lakes, Federal Way, we watched > a Merlin ( the falcon - not the app) chase a male Red-winged Blackbird. > They made two rounds, but surprisingly enough the falcon was unable to > catch up with the blackbird. Wisely, the blackbird dove into the willows, > which made the falcon overshoot. What surprised me, is that the blackbird > 's flight was fast enough to escape the falcon. Also it seems rather large > for a Merlin's prey. Merlins seem to prey on swallows, but I also saw them > last summer gorging themselves on an abundance of dragonflies. > They were catching them and consuming them in midair ! > > Good birding ! > > Hans > > -- > *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 tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 11:25:06 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Joe Buchanan via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 11:25:10 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Merlins Message-ID: <776911075.517201.1779128706470@connect.xfinity.com> Tweeters - Merlins are amazing predators and capture a wide range of species. During the breeding season it is logical that they regularly take smaller prey, which allows them to make regular trips back to the nest with food. During the nonbreeding season, Merlins that are associated with estuaries in other parts of the Pacific Flyway (e.g., central coastal California; see Page and Whitacre 1975) may focus on smaller sandpipers. In Washington, however, the Dunlin is the primary shorebird prey during winter. Merlins regularly take starlings and blackbirds in agricultural areas during the winter, so prey of that size is well documented although less preferred than smaller species like the House Sparrow. I have seen a Merlin take a Eurasian Collared Dove and in downtown Olympia in the 1980s, a Merlin famously targeted and captured Rock Pigeons. The latter two prey species are clearly at the upper end of the size range for a Merlin! In the breeding season, I have seen Merlins with chickadees, sparrows, Cedar Waxwings, etc., but witnesses near nests have reported seeing Steller's Jay fledglings as prey items. Merlins are perhaps surprisingly tenacious predators. Joe Buchanan Olympia jlrj@comcast.net -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 11:34:16 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (greg@pasq.net via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 11:34:21 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Merlin VS. Redwing In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: One of my favorite bird encounters ever was just outside of Sacramento, parked on the side of a small lane. A merlin landed on the fencepost across the road with a fresh starling, not 20 feet away, and proceeded to pluck it and eat right there. So close that could hear the bones break. Usually when I see Merlin?s they?re zipping by like a bat out of hell, but this was a real treat! -Greg Pasquariello Lakeshore WA From: Tweeters on behalf of Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters Date: Monday, May 18, 2026 at 10:50?AM To: Dennis Paulson Cc: TWEETERS tweeters Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Merlin VS. Redwing Very interesting, thanks for sharing Dennis ! Seems there are not too many dragonflies out yet while they were abundant last summer. It is interesting to see the falcons feed on the wing. Most of the times the Merlin?s would return to a perch though to consume their prey. Some years ago while visiting Northern Cyprus, I watched a flock of 15 or more Lesser Kestrels all feeding on insects while in the air. Thinking of my post, maybe the Merlin turned tables on the Redwing ? The male Redwings are very aggressively chasing nest robbing crows, cowbirds and other large birds. Maybe it chased the Merlin first ? Good Birding ! Hans Hans Feddern Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA thefedderns@gmail.com On Mon, May 18, 2026 at 7:15?AM Dennis Paulson > wrote: Dragonflies are common prey of Merlins and other small falcons. Numerous kinds of dragonflies, most of them large, fly continuously as they look for their flying insect prey, and they have no chance against Merlins. Swallow-tailed and Mississippi Kites catch large numbers of them in the Southeast, and the Mississippis time their fall migration through eastern Mexico to coincide with swarms of Common Green Darners also migrating south well up in the air. Dennis Paulson Seattle On May 17, 2026, at 11:51 PM, Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters > wrote: This evening at Treasure Island Park, Twin Lakes, Federal Way, we watched a Merlin ( the falcon - not the app) chase a male Red-winged Blackbird. They made two rounds, but surprisingly enough the falcon was unable to catch up with the blackbird. Wisely, the blackbird dove into the willows, which made the falcon overshoot. What surprised me, is that the blackbird 's flight was fast enough to escape the falcon. Also it seems rather large for a Merlin's prey. Merlins seem to prey on swallows, but I also saw them last summer gorging themselves on an abundance of dragonflies. They were catching them and consuming them in midair ! Good birding ! Hans -- 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 tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 11:58:56 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Robert O'Brien via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 11:59:10 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Merlin and their prey Message-ID: I've had a few very interesting observations in many years (decades) of birding. 1. I was birding the formerly-famous BayOcean flats on Tillamook Bay, long ago. There was the usual large 'peep' flock of mostly Western Sandpipers,; a Merlin came in, up high, flushing the flock. The Merlin casually circled and disappeared; the peep landed and resumed feeding. 5-10 minutes later I spotted the Merlin, far off, flying with its usual speed, about 12 inches above the mudflats. It soon was in the midst of the flock, snatched a 'piper, and again disappeared. The flock, minus one, landed and continued feeding. 2. Birding Sauvies Island, there was a large flock of Bushtits in the top of a huge Oregon Oak. A distant Merlin appeared, apparently just passing through, flew into the top of the oak, plucking a Bushtit (sorta' like a grape) as an orderve, all in one motion. 3. Once in Happy Valley up on the upper reaches of the city, I noticed a pair of distant birds coming towards me at about 100'. As they got closer I realized the lead bird was a Mourning Dove and the following bird, you guessed it. Down the bill from me was a very large pine tree, into which the dove disappeared. The Merlin soon arrived and started circling the pine, looking for an opening. After a few transits, with the Merlin on the opposite side, the dove decided to flee and took off in the original direction, the Merlin right behind. They were soon far above the ground which dropped away into the valley, maybe 1000' .And so the pair disappeared, just as they had appeared, into the distance.. Both are very strong fliers, and their ultimate ending remains unknown. A test of endurance, rather than speed, to which they appeared as equals. Bob OBrien Portland -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 12:19:11 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Diane Yorgason-Quinn via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 12:19:19 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Merlin and their prey In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Here's my story of Merlins: I count Vaux's Swifts at migration roosts (chimneys). Several years ago, swifts were circling a chimney I was observing when a Merlin flew in and grabbed it. This is particularly interesting because swifts are swift, and falcons are really the only aerial flyers who can hope to grab one. Anyway, this Merlin proceeded to bring the swift over to a low rooftop right in front of our team and had a meal. Gruesomely fascinating. The bad news is that when Merlins tell their friends, there will be so many of them out hunting swifts at a particular chimney, that the swifts, being intelligent, will search for new roosts and abandon what was really a great chimney. This has happened to several chimneys in the northwest. Diane Yorgason-Quinn Gig Harbor, WA avosetta@hotmail.com ________________________________ From: Tweeters on behalf of Robert O'Brien via Tweeters Sent: Monday, May 18, 2026 11:58 AM To: tweeters Subject: [Tweeters] Merlin and their prey I've had a few very interesting observations in many years (decades) of birding. 1. I was birding the formerly-famous BayOcean flats on Tillamook Bay, long ago. There was the usual large 'peep' flock of mostly Western Sandpipers,; a Merlin came in, up high, flushing the flock. The Merlin casually circled and disappeared; the peep landed and resumed feeding. 5-10 minutes later I spotted the Merlin, far off, flying with its usual speed, about 12 inches above the mudflats. It soon was in the midst of the flock, snatched a 'piper, and again disappeared. The flock, minus one, landed and continued feeding. 2. Birding Sauvies Island, there was a large flock of Bushtits in the top of a huge Oregon Oak. A distant Merlin appeared, apparently just passing through, flew into the top of the oak, plucking a Bushtit (sorta' like a grape) as an orderve, all in one motion. 3. Once in Happy Valley up on the upper reaches of the city, I noticed a pair of distant birds coming towards me at about 100'. As they got closer I realized the lead bird was a Mourning Dove and the following bird, you guessed it. Down the bill from me was a very large pine tree, into which the dove disappeared. The Merlin soon arrived and started circling the pine, looking for an opening. After a few transits, with the Merlin on the opposite side, the dove decided to flee and took off in the original direction, the Merlin right behind. They were soon far above the ground which dropped away into the valley, maybe 1000' .And so the pair disappeared, just as they had appeared, into the distance.. Both are very strong fliers, and their ultimate ending remains unknown. A test of endurance, rather than speed, to which they appeared as equals. Bob OBrien Portland -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 12:40:26 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 12:40:31 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Merlin Message-ID: <1779133226.bcnmr3lao8kss4s4@webmail.sitestar.net> Here in the central Columbia Basin Merlins are a migratory bird. Most of the time when I see them with prey it is RWBL (Red-winged Blackbird) sized. Far and away their favorite prey in my neighborhood in Moses Lake are European Starlings. I always get a guiltless smile when I see a Merlin perched on a pole with a starling. When I watch murmurations of starlings it is almost always a Merlin that is creating the organized chaos. They fly lazily around the murmuration until someon makes a mistake. A single starling and a single Merlin almost always spells mealtime. I unashamedly root for the Merlin. I've had Merlins take a variety of birds off of my feeders. Everything from House Sparrows (yahoo!) to juncos and white-crowns. The most memorable was when 5 Eurasian Collared Doves were sitting on the fence in a nice neat row. As I watched them suddenly there were 4. The 4 that were left never even left their perches (though they fluttered around a bit wondering what in the world just happened). All that was left of the 5th bird was a few feathers drifting in the breeze. To be honest even I didn't know what had happened. Then I saw the Merlin perched on a small power pole with the freshly killed dove. He had used the momentum of his strike to reach the top of the power pole with his prize and was now consuming lunch. I often wonder if a Merlin could actually fly with a dove without using that momentum to reach his preferred perch. Doug Schonewald Moses Lake -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 12:52:16 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Diann MacRae via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 12:52:20 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Redwings vs RWBB Message-ID: An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 13:01:29 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Diann MacRae via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 13:01:34 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] oops Message-ID: An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 13:33:59 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 13:34:13 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Redwings vs RWBB In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Sorry Diann! I used the shortcut for Red-winged Blackbird so that I would not have to spell it out several times. You are quite right about "Redwing" being a Eurasian thrush. As a matter of fact, I grew up in Northern Germany and probably have seen thousands of them on fall migration and in winter. You could hear them at night in the fall. You are right, there have been no recent sightings here in the west, however it brings up memories of the crowds of birders looking for the one in suburban Olympia many years ago. I recall Ruth Sullivan storming down the road looking for the bird ! Hans On Mon, May 18, 2026 at 12:52?PM Diann MacRae via Tweeters < tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > For anyone mildly confused, merlins do, indeed, go after Redwings (the > European thrush) but to my knowledge I don't think any Redwings have been > seen locally. Maybe RWBB or some such? I know I'm being picky, but have > just finished working with some European stuff and it occasionally matters. > > Cheers, Diann > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 14:01:39 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (ck park via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 14:02:21 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Redwings vs RWBB In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: wow, the memories of that chase, where dozens (more?) descended on a neighbourhood like locusts and probably scared a few local residents. what was that, 25 years ago? i have vague memories of a view of that bird, but my memory might be wishful :) didn't we also see one of the first california scrub jays on that trip, too? On Mon, May 18, 2026 at 1:34?PM Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters < tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > Sorry Diann! I used the shortcut for Red-winged Blackbird so that I would > not have to spell it out several times. You are quite right about "Redwing" > being a Eurasian thrush. As a matter of fact, I grew up in Northern Germany > and probably have seen thousands of them on fall migration and in winter. > You could hear them at night in the fall. > You are right, there have been no recent sightings here in the west, > however it brings up memories of the crowds of birders looking for the one > in suburban Olympia many years ago. I recall Ruth Sullivan storming down > the road looking for the bird ! > > Hans > > On Mon, May 18, 2026 at 12:52?PM Diann MacRae via Tweeters < > tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > >> For anyone mildly confused, merlins do, indeed, go after Redwings (the >> European thrush) but to my knowledge I don't think any Redwings have been >> seen locally. Maybe RWBB or some such? I know I'm being picky, but have >> just finished working with some European stuff and it occasionally matters. >> >> Cheers, Diann >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 15:09:59 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (HAL MICHAEL via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 15:10:05 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Merlins In-Reply-To: <776911075.517201.1779128706470@connect.xfinity.com> References: <776911075.517201.1779128706470@connect.xfinity.com> Message-ID: <389209013.536773.1779142199879@connect.xfinity.com> The common name for Merlin used to be Pigeon Hawk. Hal Michael Olympia WA 360-459-4005 360-791-7702 (C) ucd880@comcast.net > On 05/18/2026 11:25 AM PDT Joe Buchanan via Tweeters wrote: > > > Tweeters - > > Merlins are amazing predators and capture a wide range of species. During the breeding season it is logical that they regularly take smaller prey, which allows them to make regular trips back to the nest with food. During the nonbreeding season, Merlins that are associated with estuaries in other parts of the Pacific Flyway (e.g., central coastal California; see Page and Whitacre 1975) may focus on smaller sandpipers. In Washington, however, the Dunlin is the primary shorebird prey during winter. Merlins regularly take starlings and blackbirds in agricultural areas during the winter, so prey of that size is well documented although less preferred than smaller species like the House Sparrow. I have seen a Merlin take a Eurasian Collared Dove and in downtown Olympia in the 1980s, a Merlin famously targeted and captured Rock Pigeons. The latter two prey species are clearly at the upper end of the size range for a Merlin! > > In the breeding season, I have seen Merlins with chickadees, sparrows, Cedar Waxwings, etc., but witnesses near nests have reported seeing Steller's Jay fledglings as prey items. Merlins are perhaps surprisingly tenacious predators. > > Joe Buchanan > Olympia > jlrj@comcast.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 tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 15:33:27 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Dennis Paulson via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 15:33:33 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Merlins In-Reply-To: <389209013.536773.1779142199879@connect.xfinity.com> References: <776911075.517201.1779128706470@connect.xfinity.com> <389209013.536773.1779142199879@connect.xfinity.com> Message-ID: <9E3D0267-B04B-4878-94B8-2E3721087D33@comcast.net> Ahh, but was that because they hunted pigeons or because they were about the size of one? The name columbarius I guess doesn?t really answer that question. It would be interesting to know what they knew about the species when it was named by Linnaeus in 1758. And how does Merlin relate to Merlin the Magician? Wikipedia makes it clear that the two names have entirely different origins! Dennis Paulson Seattle > On May 18, 2026, at 3:09 PM, HAL MICHAEL via Tweeters wrote: > > The common name for Merlin used to be Pigeon Hawk. > > Hal Michael > Olympia WA > 360-459-4005 > 360-791-7702 (C) > ucd880@comcast.net > > >> On 05/18/2026 11:25 AM PDT Joe Buchanan via Tweeters wrote: >> >> >> Tweeters - >> >> Merlins are amazing predators and capture a wide range of species. During the breeding season it is logical that they regularly take smaller prey, which allows them to make regular trips back to the nest with food. During the nonbreeding season, Merlins that are associated with estuaries in other parts of the Pacific Flyway (e.g., central coastal California; see Page and Whitacre 1975) may focus on smaller sandpipers. In Washington, however, the Dunlin is the primary shorebird prey during winter. Merlins regularly take starlings and blackbirds in agricultural areas during the winter, so prey of that size is well documented although less preferred than smaller species like the House Sparrow. I have seen a Merlin take a Eurasian Collared Dove and in downtown Olympia in the 1980s, a Merlin famously targeted and captured Rock Pigeons. The latter two prey species are clearly at the upper end of the size range for a Merlin! >> >> In the breeding season, I have seen Merlins with chickadees, sparrows, Cedar Waxwings, etc., but witnesses near nests have reported seeing Steller's Jay fledglings as prey items. Merlins are perhaps surprisingly tenacious predators. >> >> Joe Buchanan >> Olympia >> jlrj@comcast.net >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 15:58:19 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (byers345@comcast.net via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 15:58:37 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Off topic: Birds at Cabin Lake, Oregon Message-ID: Hello Tweeters, ????I had wanted to make the trip down to the Cabin Lake bird blinds, near Fort Rock, Oregon, for a while now. This year we had time, so we went. We had an idea what birds we might see there, particularly the Pinyon Jay, but we didn't know anything about the layout of the blinds. As it turns out, the water source is right in front of the blind, so birds were really close. We spent a delightful two hours there, then birded in the area around Fort Rock, which had a different set of birds. I have created a Flickr album with our best pictures. https://www.flickr.com/photos/29258421@N07/albums/72177720333729814/ Charlotte Byers, Edmonds, WA -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 16:01:06 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Tom Benedict via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 16:01:20 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Merlins In-Reply-To: <9E3D0267-B04B-4878-94B8-2E3721087D33@comcast.net> References: <776911075.517201.1779128706470@connect.xfinity.com> <389209013.536773.1779142199879@connect.xfinity.com> <9E3D0267-B04B-4878-94B8-2E3721087D33@comcast.net> Message-ID: <27DD1138-C8ED-4F27-9FA5-010697518357@comcast.net> According to All About Birds : "The name ?Merlin? comes from esmerillon, the old French name for the species. Merlins used to be called ?pigeon hawks? because in flight they look somewhat pigeon-like. Their species name, columbarius, is also a reference to pigeons.? Tom Benedict Seahurst, WA > On May 18, 2026, at 15:33, Dennis Paulson via Tweeters wrote: > > Ahh, but was that because they hunted pigeons or because they were about the size of one? The name columbarius I guess doesn?t really answer that question. It would be interesting to know what they knew about the species when it was named by Linnaeus in 1758. > > And how does Merlin relate to Merlin the Magician? Wikipedia makes it clear that the two names have entirely different origins! > > Dennis Paulson > Seattle > >> On May 18, 2026, at 3:09 PM, HAL MICHAEL via Tweeters > wrote: >> >> The common name for Merlin used to be Pigeon Hawk. >> >> Hal Michael >> Olympia WA >> 360-459-4005 >> 360-791-7702 (C) >> ucd880@comcast.net >> >> >>> On 05/18/2026 11:25 AM PDT Joe Buchanan via Tweeters > wrote: >>> >>> >>> Tweeters - >>> >>> Merlins are amazing predators and capture a wide range of species. During the breeding season it is logical that they regularly take smaller prey, which allows them to make regular trips back to the nest with food. During the nonbreeding season, Merlins that are associated with estuaries in other parts of the Pacific Flyway (e.g., central coastal California; see Page and Whitacre 1975) may focus on smaller sandpipers. In Washington, however, the Dunlin is the primary shorebird prey during winter. Merlins regularly take starlings and blackbirds in agricultural areas during the winter, so prey of that size is well documented although less preferred than smaller species like the House Sparrow. I have seen a Merlin take a Eurasian Collared Dove and in downtown Olympia in the 1980s, a Merlin famously targeted and captured Rock Pigeons. The latter two prey species are clearly at the upper end of the size range for a Merlin! >>> >>> In the breeding season, I have seen Merlins with chickadees, sparrows, Cedar Waxwings, etc., but witnesses near nests have reported seeing Steller's Jay fledglings as prey items. Merlins are perhaps surprisingly tenacious predators. >>> >>> Joe Buchanan >>> Olympia >>> jlrj@comcast.net >>> _______________________________________________ >>> 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: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 18:06:25 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (HAL MICHAEL via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 18:06:30 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Merlins In-Reply-To: <9E3D0267-B04B-4878-94B8-2E3721087D33@comcast.net> References: <776911075.517201.1779128706470@connect.xfinity.com> <389209013.536773.1779142199879@connect.xfinity.com> <9E3D0267-B04B-4878-94B8-2E3721087D33@comcast.net> Message-ID: <135687690.625470.1779152785268@connect.xfinity.com> At least around downtown Olympia they were recognized as pigeon-eaters. Hal Michael Olympia WA 360-459-4005 360-791-7702 (C) ucd880@comcast.net > On 05/18/2026 3:33 PM PDT Dennis Paulson wrote: > > > Ahh, but was that because they hunted pigeons or because they were about the size of one? The name columbarius I guess doesn?t really answer that question. It would be interesting to know what they knew about the species when it was named by Linnaeus in 1758. > > And how does Merlin relate to Merlin the Magician? Wikipedia makes it clear that the two names have entirely different origins! > > Dennis Paulson > Seattle > > > > On May 18, 2026, at 3:09 PM, HAL MICHAEL via Tweeters wrote: > > The common name for Merlin used to be Pigeon Hawk. > > > > Hal Michael > > Olympia WA > > 360-459-4005 > > 360-791-7702 (C) > > ucd880@comcast.net mailto:ucd880@comcast.net > > > > > > > > > On 05/18/2026 11:25 AM PDT Joe Buchanan via Tweeters wrote: > > > > > > > > > Tweeters - > > > > > > Merlins are amazing predators and capture a wide range of species. During the breeding season it is logical that they regularly take smaller prey, which allows them to make regular trips back to the nest with food. During the nonbreeding season, Merlins that are associated with estuaries in other parts of the Pacific Flyway (e.g., central coastal California; see Page and Whitacre 1975) may focus on smaller sandpipers. In Washington, however, the Dunlin is the primary shorebird prey during winter. Merlins regularly take starlings and blackbirds in agricultural areas during the winter, so prey of that size is well documented although less preferred than smaller species like the House Sparrow. I have seen a Merlin take a Eurasian Collared Dove and in downtown Olympia in the 1980s, a Merlin famously targeted and captured Rock Pigeons. The latter two prey species are clearly at the upper end of the size range for a Merlin! > > > > > > In the breeding season, I have seen Merlins with chickadees, sparrows, Cedar Waxwings, etc., but witnesses near nests have reported seeing Steller's Jay fledglings as prey items. Merlins are perhaps surprisingly tenacious predators. > > > > > > Joe Buchanan > > > Olympia > > > jlrj@comcast.net mailto:jlrj@comcast.net > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Tweeters mailing list > > > Tweeters@u.washington.edu mailto:Tweeters@u.washington.edu > > > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Tweeters mailing list > > Tweeters@u.washington.edu mailto:Tweeters@u.washington.edu > > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 18:16:44 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Rob Faucett via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 18:17:24 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Merlins In-Reply-To: <27DD1138-C8ED-4F27-9FA5-010697518357@comcast.net> References: <776911075.517201.1779128706470@connect.xfinity.com> <389209013.536773.1779142199879@connect.xfinity.com> <9E3D0267-B04B-4878-94B8-2E3721087D33@comcast.net> <27DD1138-C8ED-4F27-9FA5-010697518357@comcast.net> Message-ID: <065E21E2-13B2-4786-9D78-F2EA758D6BFF@mac.com> Origins for both are surprisingly simliar ca. 1130. So now we have a raptor called merlin back to 1180, getting pretty close to the wizard?s 1130 debut. But considering merlins were historically used in falconry, which dates to possibly as far back as 2000 BC, it seems likely that people were discussing merlins (as esmerilun or smiril) long before Monmouth transformed Myrddin the Wild into Merlin the Wizard. We just don?t know for sure. But if this seems confusing, here is what we do know: The shared name of the bird and the wizard is pure coincidence. Merlin and the merlin have completely separate and unrelated origins. Their modern(ish) names appear in writing, in Monmouth?s Propheti? Merlini and in early Germanic texts about falconry, at about the same time in the 1100s. The actual species we now call Falco columbarius was snatching pigeons from the sky and quail from the ground thousands of years before we humans started writing about wizards (or writing at all, for that matter!). -- Rob Faucett Seattle, WA (206) 619-5569 > On May 18, 2026, at 4:01?PM, Tom Benedict via Tweeters wrote: > > According to All About Birds : > > "The name ?Merlin? comes from esmerillon, the old French name for the species. Merlins used to be called ?pigeon hawks? because in flight they look somewhat pigeon-like. Their species name, columbarius, is also a reference to pigeons.? > > Tom Benedict > Seahurst, WA > >> On May 18, 2026, at 15:33, Dennis Paulson via Tweeters wrote: >> >> Ahh, but was that because they hunted pigeons or because they were about the size of one? The name columbarius I guess doesn?t really answer that question. It would be interesting to know what they knew about the species when it was named by Linnaeus in 1758. >> >> And how does Merlin relate to Merlin the Magician? Wikipedia makes it clear that the two names have entirely different origins! >> >> Dennis Paulson >> Seattle >> >>> On May 18, 2026, at 3:09 PM, HAL MICHAEL via Tweeters > wrote: >>> >>> The common name for Merlin used to be Pigeon Hawk. >>> >>> Hal Michael >>> Olympia WA >>> 360-459-4005 >>> 360-791-7702 (C) >>> ucd880@comcast.net >>> >>> >>>> On 05/18/2026 11:25 AM PDT Joe Buchanan via Tweeters > wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>> Tweeters - >>>> >>>> Merlins are amazing predators and capture a wide range of species. During the breeding season it is logical that they regularly take smaller prey, which allows them to make regular trips back to the nest with food. During the nonbreeding season, Merlins that are associated with estuaries in other parts of the Pacific Flyway (e.g., central coastal California; see Page and Whitacre 1975) may focus on smaller sandpipers. In Washington, however, the Dunlin is the primary shorebird prey during winter. Merlins regularly take starlings and blackbirds in agricultural areas during the winter, so prey of that size is well documented although less preferred than smaller species like the House Sparrow. I have seen a Merlin take a Eurasian Collared Dove and in downtown Olympia in the 1980s, a Merlin famously targeted and captured Rock Pigeons. The latter two prey species are clearly at the upper end of the size range for a Merlin! >>>> >>>> In the breeding season, I have seen Merlins with chickadees, sparrows, Cedar Waxwings, etc., but witnesses near nests have reported seeing Steller's Jay fledglings as prey items. Merlins are perhaps surprisingly tenacious predators. >>>> >>>> Joe Buchanan >>>> Olympia >>>> jlrj@comcast.net >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> 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 > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 19:12:12 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Warble Bird Songs via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 19:12:28 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] no sighting - requesting beta testers for birding by ear app Message-ID: Greetings bird enthusiasts, Warble Bird Songs, an ear-birding app, is requesting your help. Our small team is looking for beta testers to try out this nearly completed app and provide feedback. Tired of automatic app-generated identifications? Ever struggled with terminology to describe a sound? Warble Bird Songs will help! It builds ear-birding skills by developing your pattern recognition skills. It contains tutorials and provides a new and interactive approach to learning bird sound. Warble Bird Songs contains accessibility features that make it an effective tool for blind and visually impaired users to learn ear-birding. In fact, that is the primary goal of the app. Yet sighted users will find it useful without even realizing these underlying features. We?re a not-for-profit endeavor. Please help us improve the app that will allow the blind and sighted to become better ear-birders independently. All skill levels from beginner to advanced are welcome. For more information or to sign up as a beta-tester, please visit https://warblebirdsongs.wixsite.com/warble-bird-songs Much appreciated - Nora Livingston Lee Vining, CA Kristie Nelson Eunice, MO Jeffrey Blatt Tehachapi, CA -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 19:30:46 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Rob Faucett via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 19:31:02 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] no sighting - requesting beta testers for birding by ear app In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <1FF94255-CFBF-434A-A217-082920480016@mac.com> I don?t know the rules but I?m opposed to this type of material being posted on TWEETERS. Best to an all. Rob ? Rob Faucett +1(206) 619-5569 robfaucett@mac.com Seattle, WA 98105 > On May 18, 2026, at 7:12?PM, Warble Bird Songs via Tweeters wrote: > > ? > Greetings bird enthusiasts, > > Warble Bird Songs, an ear-birding app, is requesting your help. Our small team is looking for beta testers to try out this nearly completed app and provide feedback. Tired of automatic app-generated identifications? Ever struggled with terminology to describe a sound? Warble Bird Songs will help! It builds ear-birding skills by developing your pattern recognition skills. It contains tutorials and provides a new and interactive approach to learning bird sound. > > Warble Bird Songs contains accessibility features that make it an effective tool for blind and visually impaired users to learn ear-birding. In fact, that is the primary goal of the app. Yet sighted users will find it useful without even realizing these underlying features. > > We?re a not-for-profit endeavor. Please help us improve the app that will allow the blind and sighted to become better ear-birders independently. All skill levels from beginner to advanced are welcome. For more information or to sign up as a beta-tester, please visit https://warblebirdsongs.wixsite.com/warble-bird-songs > > Much appreciated - > > Nora Livingston > Lee Vining, CA > > Kristie Nelson > Eunice, MO > > Jeffrey Blatt > Tehachapi, CA > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 19:49:16 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Shelf Life Community Story Project via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 19:49:31 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Bird strike question Message-ID: <7EB7950B-DEF3-4B5C-80EE-5E168CBCDC1D@shelflifestories.com> Hi all Last night, at about 10:30 pm, a bird hit our kitchen window. It was stunned and sat on the window sill for a couple of seconds and then flew away. That gave us the opportunity to see that it was possibly a song sparrow or white-crowned. It was dark out and the bird didn?t stick around, so we didn?t get a great look, but that?s what we thought we had seen. I have lived in this house for 20 years and not once had a window strike (that I know of). I have anti-strike decals on all windows. We?re in Seattle?s Central District, in a small house sandwiched between two much larger duplexes, and the kitchen is on the first floor facing one of the duplexes, so a bird has to really go out of its way to fly anywhere near our kitchen window. There?s only about five feet of space between our house and the taller buildings on either side. Birds would have to fly around those buildings that are on either side of us, then make a 90 degree turn, just to get to the kitchen window. In short, what I?m describing is not a window that is directly in anybody?s path. I know indoor light can still confuse a bird, even if they?re not migrating or in a hurry to get somewhere. But who is out flying around at 10:30 pm other than migrators passing over? We mostly see the usual suspects around here (in the daytime) Bewick?s Wrens, Song Sparrows, White Crowned and Golden Crowned Sparrows, House Sparrows, Juncos, Chickadees, Robins. Would any of them be cruising around, in unlikely places, at high speeds, at 10:30 at night? And why flying so fast in such an unlikely place? Are coopers active at night? Would owls hunt song birds at night? There are few sounds I hate worse than the sound of a bird hitting a window. Somehow knowing more makes me feel like I have some control over it not happening again. Educate me! Thanks Jill Freidberg From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 21:18:23 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Kevin Lucas via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 21:18:53 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] no sighting - requesting beta testers for birding by ear app In-Reply-To: <1FF94255-CFBF-434A-A217-082920480016@mac.com> References: <1FF94255-CFBF-434A-A217-082920480016@mac.com> Message-ID: Based on the post, as a stated not-for-profit with what seems to be an admirable goal, I am not opposed to it appearing on Tweeters. I enjoy reading accounts of pelagic trips out of Westport without being tweaked about who might or might not be profiting from those trips. Perhaps there is no equivalence or comparison in some Tweeters' subscribers minds. I don't mean to offend, only to state that I'm not offended by what seems to me to be a harmless post. Accessibility and inclusiveness are great goals -- from my first world perspective as a tall, overfed, white male with limited physical and mental disabilities. Good Birding, https://www.aba.org/aba-code-of-birding-ethics/ Sincerely, Kevin Lucas Yakima County, Washington *Qui tacet consentire videtur* On Mon, May 18, 2026 at 7:31?PM Rob Faucett via Tweeters < tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > I don?t know the rules but I?m opposed to this type of material being > posted on TWEETERS. > > Best to an all. > > Rob > ? > Rob Faucett > +1(206) 619-5569 > robfaucett@mac.com > Seattle, WA 98105 > > On May 18, 2026, at 7:12?PM, Warble Bird Songs via Tweeters < > tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > > ? > > Greetings bird enthusiasts, > > Warble Bird Songs, an ear-birding app, is requesting your help. Our small > team is looking for beta testers to try out this nearly completed app and > provide feedback. Tired of automatic app-generated identifications? Ever > struggled with terminology to describe a sound? Warble Bird Songs will > help! It builds ear-birding skills by developing your pattern recognition > skills. It contains tutorials and provides a new and interactive approach > to learning bird sound. > > Warble Bird Songs contains accessibility features that make it an > effective tool for blind and visually impaired users to learn ear-birding. > In fact, that is the primary goal of the app. Yet sighted users will find > it useful without even realizing these underlying features. > > We?re a not-for-profit endeavor. Please help us improve the app that will > allow the blind and sighted to become better ear-birders independently. All > skill levels from beginner to advanced are welcome. For more information or > to sign up as a beta-tester, please visit > https://warblebirdsongs.wixsite.com/warble-bird-songs > > Much appreciated - > > > Nora Livingston > > Lee Vining, CA > > > Kristie Nelson > > Eunice, MO > > > Jeffrey Blatt > > Tehachapi, CA > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 23:04:17 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Robert O'Brien via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 23:04:33 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Merlins In-Reply-To: <065E21E2-13B2-4786-9D78-F2EA758D6BFF@mac.com> References: <776911075.517201.1779128706470@connect.xfinity.com> <389209013.536773.1779142199879@connect.xfinity.com> <9E3D0267-B04B-4878-94B8-2E3721087D33@comcast.net> <27DD1138-C8ED-4F27-9FA5-010697518357@comcast.net> <065E21E2-13B2-4786-9D78-F2EA758D6BFF@mac.com> Message-ID: Moving forward across the Atlantic and a few centuries advanced: JJA (John James Audubon, French) was impressed enough with *"Le Petit Caporal"* that he illustrated it twice in his two works: *John James Audubon illustrated the Merlin (or Pigeon Hawk, Falco columbarius) twice in his seminal work, The Birds of America. In both plates, he depicted the birds actively feeding on smaller prey. [image: image.png]www.donaldheald.com +4* *1. Le Petit Caporal (Plate 75 / 1827)* - *Common Names: Merlin, Pigeon Hawk, Little Corporal* - *Description: This illustration features a striking male Merlin perched on a branch, having just captured a small bird.* - *Details: Audubon named it "Le Petit Caporal" (Little Corporal) in homage to Napoleon Bonaparte, a nod to the falcon's fierce, combative, and bold demeanor. You can view the full image via the National Audubon Society . * *2. Pigeon Hawk (Plate 92 / 1830)* - *Common Names: Pigeon Hawk* - *Description: This plate features both a male and a female Merlin. The male is depicted in a high-speed dive, while the female is perched above clutching her prey.* - *Details: This composition vividly captures the aggressive, mid-air predatory nature of the species. You can view the original artwork through the National Audubon Society . * *(Note: In the later, smaller Royal Octavo editions of his book, these two illustrations were re-designated as Plate 75 and Plate 21, respectively).* *----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------* Currently, in spite of the spike of recent splits, the Merlin is still a single species worldwide, but more than 10 subspecies recognized. The Pacific NW is so fortunate to host perhaps the most spectacular, the Black Merlin (Falco columbarius suckleyi) eBird has them occurring as far south as San Francisco. On Mon, May 18, 2026 at 6:17?PM Rob Faucett via Tweeters < tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > Origins for both are surprisingly simliar ca. 1130. > > So now we have a raptor called merlin back to 1180, getting pretty close > to the wizard?s 1130 debut. But considering merlins were historically used > in falconry, which dates to possibly as far back as 2000 BC, it seems > likely that people were discussing merlins (as *esmerilun* or *smiril*) > long before Monmouth transformed Myrddin the Wild into Merlin the Wizard. > We just don?t know for sure. But if this seems confusing, here is what we > do know: > > - > > The shared name of the bird and the wizard is pure coincidence. Merlin > and the merlin have completely separate and unrelated origins. > - > > Their modern(ish) names appear in writing, in Monmouth?s *Propheti? > Merlini *and in early Germanic texts about falconry, at about the same > time in the 1100s. > - > > The actual species we now call* Falco columbarius* was snatching > pigeons from the sky and quail from the ground thousands of years before we > humans started writing about wizards (or writing at all, for that matter!). > > > > > -- > Rob Faucett > Seattle, WA > (206) 619-5569 > > On May 18, 2026, at 4:01?PM, Tom Benedict via Tweeters < > tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > > According to All About Birds > : > > "The name ?Merlin? comes from esmerillon, the old French name for the > species. Merlins used to be called ?pigeon hawks? because in flight they > look somewhat pigeon-like. Their species name, columbarius, is also a > reference to pigeons.? > > Tom Benedict > Seahurst, WA > > On May 18, 2026, at 15:33, Dennis Paulson via Tweeters < > tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > > Ahh, but was that because they hunted pigeons or because they were about > the size of one? The name *columbarius* I guess doesn?t really answer > that question. It would be interesting to know what they knew about the > species when it was named by Linnaeus in 1758. > > And how does Merlin relate to Merlin the Magician? Wikipedia makes it > clear that the two names have entirely different origins! > > Dennis Paulson > Seattle > > On May 18, 2026, at 3:09 PM, HAL MICHAEL via Tweeters < > tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > > The common name for Merlin used to be Pigeon Hawk. > > Hal Michael > Olympia WA > 360-459-4005 > 360-791-7702 (C) > ucd880@comcast.net > > > > On 05/18/2026 11:25 AM PDT Joe Buchanan via Tweeters < > tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > > > Tweeters - > > Merlins are amazing predators and capture a wide range of species. During > the breeding season it is logical that they regularly take smaller prey, > which allows them to make regular trips back to the nest with food. During > the nonbreeding season, Merlins that are associated with estuaries in other > parts of the Pacific Flyway (e.g., central coastal California; see Page and > Whitacre 1975) may focus on smaller sandpipers. In Washington, however, the > Dunlin is the primary shorebird prey during winter. Merlins regularly take > starlings and blackbirds in agricultural areas during the winter, so prey > of that size is well documented although less preferred than smaller > species like the House Sparrow. I have seen a Merlin take a Eurasian > Collared Dove and in downtown Olympia in the 1980s, a Merlin famously > targeted and captured Rock Pigeons. The latter two prey species are clearly > at the upper end of the size range for a Merlin! > > In the breeding season, I have seen Merlins with chickadees, sparrows, > Cedar Waxwings, etc., but witnesses near nests have reported seeing > Steller's Jay fledglings as prey items. Merlins are perhaps surprisingly > tenacious predators. > > Joe Buchanan > Olympia > jlrj@comcast.net > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > > _______________________________________________ > 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: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image.png Type: image/png Size: 362 bytes Desc: not available URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 18 23:18:28 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Robert O'Brien via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 18 23:18:41 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Merlin and their prey In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Down here it's been Cooper's Hawks (among others) which simply sit on the Chimney. This has resulted in the relocation from the long, historic Chapman School Chimney, to spread out across the PDX metropolitan area Maybe just as well, not to be so concentrated. And as to Merlins and Starlings, our family once spent a weekend in an Ilwaco house loaned by a friend. Saturday morning, as we were heading down to the beach, I stepped out the front door, only to have a passing Merlin swerve upward, away from its neighborhood cruise, dropping at the exact moment, a decreased Starling, right at my feet. We placed the Starling on the railing, but upon returning, it was still there. I guess there were plenty more out there. Bob OBrien Portland (please appreciate this was an actual observation of two *Washington* Birds! On Mon, May 18, 2026 at 12:19?PM Diane Yorgason-Quinn wrote: > Here's my story of Merlins: > > I count Vaux's Swifts at migration roosts (chimneys). Several years ago, > swifts were circling a chimney I was observing when a Merlin flew in and > grabbed it. This is particularly interesting because swifts are swift, and > falcons are really the only aerial flyers who can hope to grab one. > Anyway, this Merlin proceeded to bring the swift over to a low rooftop > right in front of our team and had a meal. Gruesomely fascinating. > > The bad news is that when Merlins tell their friends, there will be so > many of them out hunting swifts at a particular chimney, that the swifts, > being intelligent, will search for new roosts and abandon what was really a > great chimney. This has happened to several chimneys in the northwest. > > Diane Yorgason-Quinn > Gig Harbor, WA > avosetta@hotmail.com > ------------------------------ > *From:* Tweeters on behalf > of Robert O'Brien via Tweeters > *Sent:* Monday, May 18, 2026 11:58 AM > *To:* tweeters > *Subject:* [Tweeters] Merlin and their prey > > I've had a few very interesting observations in many years (decades) of > birding. > > 1. I was birding the formerly-famous BayOcean flats on Tillamook Bay, > long ago. There was the usual large 'peep' flock of mostly Western > Sandpipers,; a Merlin came in, up high, flushing the flock. The Merlin > casually circled and disappeared; the peep landed and resumed feeding. > 5-10 minutes later I spotted the Merlin, far off, flying with its usual > speed, about 12 inches above the mudflats. It soon was in the midst of the > flock, snatched a 'piper, and again disappeared. The flock, minus one, > landed and continued feeding. > > 2. Birding Sauvies Island, there was a large flock of Bushtits in the top > of a huge Oregon Oak. A distant Merlin appeared, apparently just passing > through, flew into the top of the oak, plucking a Bushtit (sorta' like a > grape) as an orderve, all in one motion. > > 3. Once in Happy Valley up on the upper reaches of the city, I noticed a > pair of distant birds coming towards me at about 100'. As they got closer > I realized the lead bird was a Mourning Dove and the following bird, you > guessed it. Down the bill from me was a very large pine tree, into which > the dove disappeared. The Merlin soon arrived and started circling the > pine, looking for an opening. After a few transits, with the Merlin on the > opposite side, the dove decided to flee and took off in the original > direction, the Merlin right behind. They were soon far above the ground > which dropped away into the valley, maybe 1000' .And so the pair > disappeared, just as they had appeared, into the distance.. Both are very > strong fliers, and their ultimate ending remains unknown. A test of > endurance, rather than speed, to which they appeared as equals. > > Bob OBrien Portland > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Tue May 19 06:43:07 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Ellen Cohen via Tweeters) Date: Tue May 19 06:43:10 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Consequences of war References: <2096171788.125935.1779198187946.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <2096171788.125935.1779198187946@mail.yahoo.com> Another upset to the environment: Oil Slick Reaches a Pristine Persian Gulf Island in Iran | | | | | | | | | | | Oil Slick Reaches a Pristine Persian Gulf Island in Iran Videos show birds, turtles and crabs trapped inside mounds of tar around Shidvar island, a protected wildlife sa... | | | -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Tue May 19 08:42:45 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Carol Riddell via Tweeters) Date: Tue May 19 08:43:00 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Consequences of War Message-ID: <6B01DD8E-1CC5-4312-B481-41B6DCC9804C@gmail.com> Hi Tweeters, At the listserv it appears that Ellen?s post about Shidvar Island wildlife was truncated. I found at least one article at apnews.com in the World section. The headline is ?Video and satellite photos show Iran war oil spill on Persian Gulf Island?. As it always is with war, the environmental degradation and harm to wildlife is heartbreaking. Carol Riddell Edmonds, WA From tweeters at u.washington.edu Tue May 19 09:38:51 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Carol Riddell via Tweeters) Date: Tue May 19 09:39:07 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Edmonds Roundup - April 2026 Message-ID: <0B1B4B38-FDC5-4446-AA78-6E0AEE2B52E1@gmail.com> Hi Tweeters, We ended April with 147 species on our Edmonds year list. The added species in taxonomic order are: Snow Goose (code 3), about 300 in flight over Mathay-Ballinger Park, 4-15-26. Cinnamon Teal (code 3), 2 (male, female) at Edmonds marsh (ID photos), 4-26-26 Eurasian Collared-Dove (code 3), 1 at Edmonds marsh, 4-23-26 Hudsonian Whimbrel (code 3), 2 at the waterfront, 4-24-26 Greater Yellowlegs (code 3), 1 at Edmonds marsh (ID photo; recording), 4-6-26 Least Sandpiper (code 1), 5 at Edmonds marsh, 4-18-26 Western Sandpiper (code 1), 1 at Edmonds marsh, 4-23-26 Caspian Tern (code 2), 1 at the waterfront, 4-12-26 American White Pelican (code 4), 3 at the waterfront (not described but eBird confirmed, surprisingly), 4-10-24; 6 photographed at Edmonds marsh, 4-24-26 Turkey Vulture (code 3), 1 at Chase Lake Elementary School, 4-2-26 Osprey (code 2), 1 at Edmonds marsh, 4-4-26 Western Flycatcher (code 2), 1 at Southwest County Park, 4-6-26 Western Warbling Vireo (code 2), 1 at Haines Wharf Park, 4-24-26 Purple Martin (code 3), 2 at the waterfront, 4-19-26 Townsend?s Solitaire (code 4), 1 in City Park neighborhood, 4-22-26 Swainson?s Thrush (code 2), 1 at Southwest County Park, 4-26-26 American Pipit (code 3), 18 at Edmonds marsh, 4-9-26 Evening Grosbeak (code 3), 1 at Yost Park, 4-20-26 Chipping Sparrow (code 4), 2 on Edmonds Interurban Trail (ID photo) Savannah Sparrow (code 2), 1 at the waterfront, 4-3-26 (multiple other sightings throughout April) Yellow-headed Blackbird (code 3), 1 male at Edmonds marsh, 4-25-26 Brown-headed Cowbird (code 2), 2 at Edmonds marsh, 4-19-26 Brewer?s Blackbird (code 3), 1 adult male in Edmonds Lake Ballinger neighborhood, 4-19-26 Common Yellowthroat (code 3), 1 at Edmonds marsh (witchedy calls), 4-10-126 Northern Yellow Warbler (code 2), 1 at Edmonds marsh, 4-26-26 Black-throated Gray Warbler (code 2), 1 at Southwest County Park, 4-6-26 Wilson?s Warbler (code 2), 1 at Yost Park, 4-23-26 Western Tanager (code 2), 2 in the City Park neighborhood, 4-20-26 Declined for lack of documentation: California Quail (code 3), American Herring Gull (code 4), Cassin?s Vireo (code 3), Northern House Wren (code 4), MacGillivray?s Warbler (code 4). Other birds of interest: One of the Great Horned Owls (code 4) was heard vocalizing in the Seaview neighborhood on the evening of 4-21-26. The Lesser Goldfinch (code 5) made no feeder appearances, at least none that were observed, during April. By way of explanation, we start additions to our year list based on birders letting me know about sightings. We then review eBird reports to see if we can add further species based on information included in checklists. With rarer birds, code 3 or rarer, we look for something more than a checklist tick. Those of us who use eBird know that we occasionally make data entry errors, so those have to be ruled out for our purposes. We then look for evidence such as a description of critical field marks, photos, or recordings. If none of those is included, we then decline to add the species at this time. This has no effect on an eBirder?s personal records. As always, I appreciate it when birders get in touch with me to share sightings, photos, or recordings. It helps us build our collective year list. If you would like a copy of our 2026 Edmonds city checklist, please request it from this email address: checklistedmonds at gmail dot com. The 2026 checklist, with April sightings on it, is in the bird information box at the Olympic Beach Visitor Station at the base of the public pier. Good birding, Carol Riddell Edmonds, WA cariddellwa at gmail dot com Abundance codes: (1) Common, (2) Uncommon, (3) Harder to find, usually seen annually, (4) Rare, 5+ records, (5) Fewer than 5 records -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Tue May 19 12:18:40 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Odette James via Tweeters) Date: Tue May 19 12:18:45 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Redwings References: <525761390.3488504.1779218320039.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <525761390.3488504.1779218320039@mail.yahoo.com> I was a compiler for an eastern Christmas bird count for about a decade and assisted my husband when he was compiler of that count for the previous decade. When he took on the job, I put the entire history of the count into a spreadsheet. I was astonished to see that in the early years of the count, the original compiler had reported Red-winged Blackbirds as Redwings, and the national count had recorded them as Redwings - the European thrush. I got in touch with the people who were maintaining the count records and got the data corrected. I wonder how many old Christmas count records have the same error. Odette James, the Lakeshore Retirement Community, where the view of the south end of Lake Washington and the Cedar River delta greets us when we enter our dining room -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Tue May 19 14:08:01 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Denis DeSilvis via Tweeters) Date: Tue May 19 14:08:10 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] BLM Eagles Pride Golf Course Monthly Birdwalk - Thursday, May 21 - 8:00AM Start Message-ID: Hi Tweeters, The next Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) Eagle's Pride Golf Course (GC) birdwalk is scheduled for Thursday, May 21 at 8:00AM. The JBLM Eagles Pride GC birders do the tour d'course the third Thursday of every month. We meet at 8:00AM through October 2026. (Change to 9:00AM in November.) Starting point is the Driving Range Tee, Eagle's Pride Golf Course, I-5 Exit 116, Mounts Road Exit. When you turn into the course entrance, take an immediate left onto the road to the driving range - that's where we meet. Also, to remind folks that haven't been here before, even though Eagle's Pride is a US Army recreation facility, you don't need any ID to attend these birdwalks. Hope you're able to make it! Current weather forecast is 54degF-69degF start to finish (RealFeel 58-77) with a 1% chance of rain and mostly sunny during the walk. Looks like a fine day for birding. As always, dress for success! May all your birds be identified, Denis Denis DeSilvis Avnacrs 4 birds at outlook dot com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Tue May 19 15:47:15 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Dennis Paulson via Tweeters) Date: Tue May 19 15:47:19 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] migration isn't over Message-ID: <47983B2B-D831-4125-AB9D-2A08A717B1D1@comcast.net> I just had two first-year male Western Tanagers at our fountain. They don?t breed in our Maple Leaf neighborhood, as far as I know, but we see them almost every year in migration. The sound of moving water attracts migrants out of the trees, and I highly recommend it for attracting birds that you might not see otherwise. These two birds came at the same time, the only ones so far this year, and it does make you wonder if two birds of the same species might stick together during nocturnal migration. It also could be that these two found each other during the day and were just were hanging out together for a while, as four eyes are better than two at detecting potential predators. But they came together and left together. The tanagers were scared away by a Band-tailed Pigeon that flew down to the fountain, then by an American Robin, but they would come back and continue bathing and squabbling. If they were buddies, why fight over a pool that was big enough for both? But birds often do defend the little space around them against birds of the same species, even when flocking together. They spent a total of nine minutes at the fountain, providing all the photo ops I could have hoped for. Dennis Paulson Seattle From tweeters at u.washington.edu Tue May 19 16:01:51 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters) Date: Tue May 19 16:02:05 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] migration isn't over In-Reply-To: <47983B2B-D831-4125-AB9D-2A08A717B1D1@comcast.net> References: <47983B2B-D831-4125-AB9D-2A08A717B1D1@comcast.net> Message-ID: I also had my FOY male Western Tanager at Lake Lorene/ Twin Lakes this morning. It popped up on a bare branch on top of an alder. Seemed it just came out of the ?shower? shaking all the road dust from traveling off ?? *Hans Feddern* Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA thefedderns@gmail.com On Tue, May 19, 2026 at 3:47?PM Dennis Paulson via Tweeters < tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > I just had two first-year male Western Tanagers at our fountain. They > don?t breed in our Maple Leaf neighborhood, as far as I know, but we see > them almost every year in migration. > > The sound of moving water attracts migrants out of the trees, and I highly > recommend it for attracting birds that you might not see otherwise. These > two birds came at the same time, the only ones so far this year, and it > does make you wonder if two birds of the same species might stick together > during nocturnal migration. It also could be that these two found each > other during the day and were just were hanging out together for a while, > as four eyes are better than two at detecting potential predators. But they > came together and left together. > > The tanagers were scared away by a Band-tailed Pigeon that flew down to > the fountain, then by an American Robin, but they would come back and > continue bathing and squabbling. If they were buddies, why fight over a > pool that was big enough for both? But birds often do defend the little > space around them against birds of the same species, even when flocking > together. They spent a total of nine minutes at the fountain, providing all > the photo ops I could have hoped for. > > Dennis Paulson > Seattle > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 20 03:41:49 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Michael Price via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 20 03:42:05 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Merlins Message-ID: Hey tweets, Loving this thread on my favorite bird. Merlins are ever-fascinating. Crafty, as in pretending to be just another bird in passerine flight behind a starling flock (buddy, you may have the undulant flight style down pat, but those pointed wings don't fool anyone. Until they do). Playful: I've seen a Merlin toy with a swallow for several minutes before allowing it to go on its bemused, terrified way; I've also spent half an hour watching a Merlin rowdily barrelhousing with a couple of crows, taking turns chasing. Patient: at the Granville Island Market one hot, crowded summer afternoon, a Merlin and House Finch sat in almost reaching distance above people's heads, each in a small planting no more than 3 m/9 ft apart for nearly half an hour until the finch's nerve broke and it made a break for it: the little falcon rose to it and plucked it from the air as adroitly as Ozzie Smith picking off a line drive heading for a two-base hit into left. Ferocious: a hen Black Merlin going all Casino Joe Pesci on a Red-Tailed Hawk until the appalled hawk flew off, bleeding. Relaxed: a word not usually applicable to Merlins, who usually seem happiest only if they get to punch someone in the mouth. A pair of Taiga Merlins languidly circling on thermals over downtown Vancouver BC on a warm early April afternoon with a handful of other northbound raptors in a brief glimpse into the Peaceful Kingdom. best wishes, m Michael Price Vancouver BC Canada loblollyboy@gmail.com Every answer deepens the mystery. -- E.O. Wilson -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 20 11:27:21 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Phil Mitchell via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 20 11:28:03 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] no sighting - requesting beta testers for birding by ear app In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Sounds like a great project. Just a heads up that the Larkwire app (for learning bird sounds) is fully accessible for blind and visually impaired users and we are happy to gift subscriptions to those in need. cheers, Phil Mitchell Larkwire founder On Mon, May 18, 2026 at 7:12?PM Warble Bird Songs via Tweeters < tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > Greetings bird enthusiasts, > > Warble Bird Songs, an ear-birding app, is requesting your help. Our small > team is looking for beta testers to try out this nearly completed app and > provide feedback. Tired of automatic app-generated identifications? Ever > struggled with terminology to describe a sound? Warble Bird Songs will > help! It builds ear-birding skills by developing your pattern recognition > skills. It contains tutorials and provides a new and interactive approach > to learning bird sound. > > Warble Bird Songs contains accessibility features that make it an > effective tool for blind and visually impaired users to learn ear-birding. > In fact, that is the primary goal of the app. Yet sighted users will find > it useful without even realizing these underlying features. > > We?re a not-for-profit endeavor. Please help us improve the app that will > allow the blind and sighted to become better ear-birders independently. All > skill levels from beginner to advanced are welcome. For more information or > to sign up as a beta-tester, please visit > https://warblebirdsongs.wixsite.com/warble-bird-songs > > Much appreciated - > > > Nora Livingston > > Lee Vining, CA > > > Kristie Nelson > > Eunice, MO > > > Jeffrey Blatt > > Tehachapi, CA > > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 20 14:42:56 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Marv via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 20 14:43:16 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] M Street today Message-ID: Today I found a quick release plate at M Street. Let me know if it is yours. Also at M Street were 2 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS. And 6 swallow species. -- Marv Breece Tukwila, WA *marvbreece@gmail.com * -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 20 17:14:45 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Philomena O'Neill via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 20 17:15:01 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] migration isn't over In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <03F4B8EB-F018-4420-B612-6D21C6CD115E@comcast.net> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 20 17:14:45 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Philomena O'Neill via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 20 18:51:20 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] migration isn't over In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <03F4B8EB-F018-4420-B612-6D21C6CD115E@comcast.net> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 20 19:32:43 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Carol Riddell via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 20 19:32:57 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Red-winged Blackbird = Banding Code RWBL Message-ID: Hi All, It is incumbent upon all of us, if we want to communicate clearly with each other, to know and use the correct common names of birds that we commonly know and see. And because abbreviations are the bane of clear writing, at least at one time Tweeters banned the use of abbreviations in subject lines of posts. Whether in the subject line or the text of a post, the full name of the bird should be used once. Then the use of a four-letter banding code or other abbreviation ideally should follow in parentheses and then be used throughout the remaining text: ?A Red-winged Blackbird (RWBL) appeared at my feeders for the first time. I then saw the RWBL on two subsequent days.? The banding code has never been RWBB. It is RW because Red-winged is hyphenated. It is then BL because blackbird is one word. The banding codes are easily searchable through any internet browser. But they are not helpful to those who have not learned them or used them regularly. And for one to save a moment or two in writing a post, look at how many posts have now been devoted to the difference between a Eurasian thrush named Redwing and our common blackbird, the Red-winged Blackbird. I guess I am a Tweeters grump, but I must say I got a chuckle out of the image of Ruth Sullivan stomping down an Olympia street in search of the Redwing. I was there myself and watched her with more interest than I devoted to the Redwing. Good birding, Caro Riddell Edmonds, WA From tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 20 21:06:02 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 20 21:06:16 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] migration isn't over In-Reply-To: <03F4B8EB-F018-4420-B612-6D21C6CD115E@comcast.net> References: <03F4B8EB-F018-4420-B612-6D21C6CD115E@comcast.net> Message-ID: The Houston Audubon Society has a couple of water drips at Boy Scout Woods in High Island, Texas. They actually have bleachers at the drip by the entrance. It is a great place to just sit and wait to see what shows up ! *Hans Feddern* Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA thefedderns@gmail.com On Wed, May 20, 2026 at 5:14?PM Philomena O'Neill < philomenaoneill@comcast.net> wrote: > I think you are right Dennis, moving water does seem to attract migrants. > We have a recirculating stream we installed in the yard and it attracts > migrant birds every year. A few days ago we had five Western Tanagers, a > Yellow Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler and a Swainson?s Thrush all bathing > along the stream. > > Philomena > Sent from my iPhone > > On May 19, 2026, at 4:02?PM, Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters < > tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > > ? > I also had my FOY male Western Tanager at Lake Lorene/ Twin Lakes this > morning. It popped up on a bare branch on top of an alder. Seemed it just > came out of the ?shower? shaking all the road dust from traveling off ?? > > > *Hans Feddern* > Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA > thefedderns@gmail.com > > On Tue, May 19, 2026 at 3:47?PM Dennis Paulson via Tweeters < > tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > >> I just had two first-year male Western Tanagers at our fountain. They >> don?t breed in our Maple Leaf neighborhood, as far as I know, but we see >> them almost every year in migration. >> >> The sound of moving water attracts migrants out of the trees, and I >> highly recommend it for attracting birds that you might not see otherwise. >> These two birds came at the same time, the only ones so far this year, and >> it does make you wonder if two birds of the same species might stick >> together during nocturnal migration. It also could be that these two found >> each other during the day and were just were hanging out together for a >> while, as four eyes are better than two at detecting potential predators. >> But they came together and left together. >> >> The tanagers were scared away by a Band-tailed Pigeon that flew down to >> the fountain, then by an American Robin, but they would come back and >> continue bathing and squabbling. If they were buddies, why fight over a >> pool that was big enough for both? But birds often do defend the little >> space around them against birds of the same species, even when flocking >> together. They spent a total of nine minutes at the fountain, providing all >> the photo ops I could have hoped for. >> >> Dennis Paulson >> 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 tweeters at u.washington.edu Thu May 21 12:03:10 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Shep Thorp via Tweeters) Date: Thu May 21 12:03:28 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Wednesday Walk for Billy Frank Jr Nisqually NWR on 5/20/2026 Message-ID: Hi Tweets, We had a really nice spring day at the Refuge with cloudy skies in the morning and sunny skies in the afternoon. Temperatures were in the 50's to 60's degrees Fahrenheit. There was a High 12'5" Tide at 7:43am and a Low -3'2" Tide at 3:06pm. The walk group decided to skip the Orchard and the Access Roads in the morning to attempt to chase the falling tide on the Nisqually Estuary Trail. Myself and some of our other birders did check out the Orchard and Access Road before 8am when we started the walk, or at the beginning of their own walk. The Visitor Center Pond Overlook has nesting BARN SWALLOW, CLIFF SWALLOW, AMERICAN ROBIN, and MARSH WREN. The Twin Barns Loop Trail was very active with birds singing and nesting. We had high counts: over 40 YELLOW WARBLER and over 40 SWAINSON'S THRUSH. CINNAMON TEAL, WOOD DUCK, and HOODED MERGANSER can be found in the Visitor Center Pond. North of the Access Road cut through, there are several hummingbird nests on the inside of the trail. All are RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD and there is one ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD. A RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER nest cavity is in a large snag on the outside of the trail just north of the Twin Bench Overlook that is south of the Twin Barns Cut-off. The Twin Barns Picnic Area and its surroundings are good place to listen and look for BULLOCK'S ORIOLE. The Twin Barns Overlook was good for observing both WOOD DUCK and RING-NECKED DUCK. The TREE SWALLOWS are nesting in the nest boxes in front of the overlook. On the dike or Nisqually Estuary Trail, Ken confirmed BALD EAGLE chicks in the large Cottonwood Tree on the west bank of the Nisqually River on the east side of the surge plain. Laurie observed a previously reported GREEN HERON flying from the slough adjacent to the Twin Barns into the fresh water marsh, which we could not relocate. We had nice looks of CINNAMON TEAL, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, MARSH WREN, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD in the freshwater marsh. Jim and several birders observed a few VIRGINIA RAIL chicks with adults across from the boardwalk entrance; upwards of 8 VIRA were seen. Peter and I spotted a late LINCOLN'S SPARROW in a bush along the dike; severalSAVANNAH SPARROW singing and observed. Both KILLDEER and WILSON'S SNIPE were foraging out in the open. The Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk Trail was good for GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, WESTERN X GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, CALIFORNIA GULL, RING-BILLED GULL, and a late breeding plumage SHORT-BILLED GULL spotted by Ken. We also observed a late BUFFLEHEAD and a single GREATER YELLOWLEGS. Some in our group did a better job at chasing the tide, and ahead of us Gene and Jennifer observed upwards of 10 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS and HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL. As the walk progressed we ended up counting 11-13 WHIMBREL. The BALD EAGLE nest on the west bank of McAllister Creek south of the McAllister/Medicine Creek Viewing Platform, with an adult bird sitting in it. Both NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW and BELTED KINGFISHER appear to be nesting in the bank on the west side of McAllister Creek between the two observation towers (McAllister Creek and Puget Sound). The west bank hill side of McAllister Creek was very productive with BAND-TAILED PIGEON, COMMON RAVEN and TURKEY VULTURE being seen. As well STELLER'S JAY, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, PURPLE MARTIN and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH were heard. Returning to complete the Twin Barns Loop Trail, the WESTERN FLYCATCHER(Pacific-slope variety) was heard and HUTTON'S VIREO was heard and seen by Jon. The Nisqually River Overlook was good for seeing COMMON MERGANSER with 6 chicks. Kelly and others reported a reliable day sighting of a GREAT HORNED OWL in the Riparian Forest on the inside of the east side of the Twin Barns Loop Trail just south of the Beaver Deceiver. Jim got us on yet another RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD nest just north of the deceiver. We also had some quick looks of WESTERN TANAGER. Birding the Orchard in the afternoon was still productive with good looks of CEDAR WAXWING, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, and BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK. A BUSHTIT nest continues in the Douglas Fir just to the left of the green access gate across from the Education Center Parking lot. Jon observed a late GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW along the entrance road. As a side note, we regularly see BANK SWALLOW at the Refuge with varying numbers. Sometimes it's just 2-3, yesterday was upwards of 9 and probably more. Last week we had a count greater than 20. Reviewing our records we found several counts of 20 or more in May, June and July over the last 5 years. We speculate a breeding colony may exist further up the Nisqually River, but we don't know for certain. For the Day we observed 84 species. First of Year included: Green Heron, Great-Horned Owl, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Western Wood-pewee, Red-breasted Nuthatch(really hard to confirm on the Refuge), and Western Tanager. See our eBird Report pasted below, which includes details and embedded photos. Hopefully we will hear and see the Willow Flycatcher next week. Others seen included many Eastern Cottontail Rabbit, Columbia Black-tailed Deer, Townsend's Chipmunk, Muskrat, Long-tailed Weasel, and Harbor Seal. Until next week when we meet again at 8am at the Visitor Center Pond Overlook, Happy Birding, Shep -- Shep Thorp Browns Point 253-370-3742 Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR, Thurston, Washington, US May 20, 2026 6:29?AM - 4:40?PM Protocol: Traveling 3.35 mile(s) Checklist Comments: Wednesday Walk. Cloudy in the morning with sunny skies in the afternoon. Temperatures in the 50?s to 60?s degrees Fahrenheit. A Low -3?02? Tide at 3:06pm. Mammals seen Eastern Cotton-tailed Rabbit, Columbian Black-tailed Deer, Muskrat, Long-tailed Weasel, Townsend?s Chipmunk, and Harbor Seal. 84 species (+5 other taxa) Greater White-fronted Goose 7 Canada Goose (moffitti/maxima) 80 Wood Duck 10 Blue-winged Teal 4 Cinnamon Teal 6 Northern Shoveler 4 Gadwall 7 Mallard 100 Northern Pintail 2 Green-winged Teal (American) 3 Ring-necked Duck 2 Bufflehead 1 Hooded Merganser 30 Common Merganser 6 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 2 Band-tailed Pigeon 35 Mourning Dove 2 Anna's Hummingbird 1 Rufous Hummingbird 10 hummingbird sp. 1 Virginia Rail 8 Sora 5 Killdeer 1 Hudsonian Whimbrel 12 Long-billed Dowitcher 10 Wilson's Snipe 1 Greater Yellowlegs 1 Short-billed Gull 1 Small yellow legged gull with small yellow bill and dove shaped head. Foraging on mudflats with RBGU and Western/Glaucous-winged Gull, observed with bins and scope at 100-300 feet. Photos. Ring-billed Gull 75 California Gull 60 Glaucous-winged Gull 3 Western x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid) 40 Western/Glaucous-winged Gull 30 Larus sp. 100 Caspian Tern 53 Pied-billed Grebe 2 Double-crested Cormorant 54 Green Heron 1 Seen by Laurie and others flying over the Nisqually Estuary Trail or dike into the fresh water marsh. Great Blue Heron (Great Blue) 60 Turkey Vulture (Northern) 4 Bald Eagle 50 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Great Horned Owl 1 Belted Kingfisher 2 Red-breasted Sapsucker 2 Downy Woodpecker (Pacific) 1 Northern Flicker 1 Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 1 Olive-sided Flycatcher 1 Western Wood-Pewee 6 Western Flycatcher (Pacific-slope) 2 Hutton's Vireo (Pacific) 2 Western Warbling Vireo 8 Steller's Jay (Coastal) 2 American Crow 8 Common Raven 3 Black-capped Chickadee 10 Chestnut-backed Chickadee 2 Bank Swallow 9 Counted individually. Likely more. Tree Swallow 25 Violet-green Swallow 1 Purple Martin 2 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 6 Barn Swallow (American) 60 Cliff Swallow (pyrrhonota Group) 80 Bushtit (Pacific) 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Brown Creeper 2 Marsh Wren 15 Bewick's Wren 6 European Starling 100 Swainson's Thrush 45 Counted in groups of three. Likely more. Numerous through out the Refuge. American Robin 40 Cedar Waxwing 20 Purple Finch 2 American Goldfinch 8 Savannah Sparrow (Savannah) 5 Song Sparrow (rufina Group) 34 Lincoln's Sparrow 1 Observed on the Nisqually Estuary Trail/Dike perched in a small leafless bush. Observed with spotting scope at 100 feet for 15 seconds. A melospiza type sparrow with gray and brown stripes on the head. Dark bill, and Buffy breast with fine stripes. Likely late migrant. Spotted Towhee (oregonus Group) 3 Bullock's Oriole 5 Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged) 50 Brown-headed Cowbird 20 Orange-crowned Warbler 1 Common Yellowthroat 10 Northern Yellow Warbler 55 Wilson's Warbler 4 Western Tanager 3 Black-headed Grosbeak 4 View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S343143118 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Thu May 21 15:34:16 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Hank Heiberg via Tweeters) Date: Thu May 21 15:34:31 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Kittitas County Birding References: Message-ID: ?Earlier this week we spent 3 very enjoyable days birding in Kittitas County. Memorable moments were? Virginia Rail feeding in the open in Parke Creek where the creek is just a trickle: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55282797556/in/dateposted/ Juvenile Say?s Phoebes being fed at Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55283697664/in/dateposted/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55283610023/in/photostream/ Beautiful Mountain Bluebirds along Umptanum and North Wenas Roads: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55285245715/in/dateposted/ The birds and the view of Mt. Rainier at the Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55285247535/in/dateposted/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55284634416/in/dateposted/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55285042980/in/dateposted/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55285042275/in/dateposted/ Photo album for the trip: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/albums/72177720333770418 eBird Trip Report: https://ebird.org/tripreport/524428 Hank & Karen Heiberg Issaquah hankheiberggmail -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Thu May 21 16:00:41 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Ron Post via Tweeters) Date: Thu May 21 16:06:51 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Mountain Loop Hwy Message-ID: Friends And I were hanging around Barlow Pass yesterday (approx. 30 miles east of Granite Falls) on another citizen science endeavor. From the small bridge over the stilly sort a long walk from the parking area .... we witnessed for maybe an hour two male harlequin who seemed to be the best of mates. Brothers, I presume. Ron Post ronpost4@gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Thu May 21 17:28:32 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Michael Hobbs via Tweeters) Date: Thu May 21 17:28:50 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co.) 2026-05-21 Message-ID: Tweets - We finally had really nice weather for our survey today. It was also fairly birdy, though...though...though... For some reason, many of the birds remained stubbornly invisible. I heard probably close to a dozen Black-headed Grosbeaks singing today, and I didn't manage to see a single one. That was not the only species with cloaking on. Highlights: Blue-winged Teal - Two males made a quick flyby heading north down the slough, and moments later, swiftly passed back. First of Year (FOY) Ring-necked Duck - Lone male seen from Lake Platform - Our first since mid-March! Also, the 2nd-latest spring sighting ever Virginia Rail - Kathy spotted two out in the open (and remaining so for minutes), below the weir. Our first *sighting* of rail this year, I believe Green Heron - One pre-dawn in the stormwater pond near the velodrome parking lot Turkey Vulture - One seen from the Rowing Club (FOY) Cooper's Hawk - Juvenile being harassed by crows near the Compost Piles Five Woodpecker Day - With Red-breasted Sapsucker the most numerous Willow Flycatcher - Still just one, SE corner of the East Meadow Swainson's Thrush - Several singing during the day. Most of us didn't see any though MacGillivray's Warbler - One singing for quite a while near Dog Central (FOY). Partially glimpsed by only 1 or 2 of us, otherwise unseen Birds that were (at least nearly) heard only included Western Wood-Pewee, Western Warbling Vireo, Swainson's Thrush, Purple Finch, MacGillivray's Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Western Tanager, and Lazuli Bunting. Yikes! Misses included Rock Pigeon, Spotted Sandpiper, Cliff Swallow, and Bullock's Oriole. For the day, a year's best 66 species. Adding Blue-winged Teal, Turkey Vulture, and MacGillivray's Warbler, the survey is at 110 species for 2026. = Michael Hobbs = BirdMarymoor@gmail.com = www.marymoor.org/birding.htm From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 22 08:55:53 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Ronda Stark via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 22 08:56:08 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Kittitas County Birding In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hello, I was surprised you did not list any Swainson's Hawks-- when someone mentions Kittitas, I automatically think of them. Do you know if they are still seen in the area? Ronda On Thu, May 21, 2026 at 3:34?PM Hank Heiberg via Tweeters < tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > ?Earlier this week we spent 3 very enjoyable days birding in Kittitas > County. Memorable moments were? > > Virginia Rail feeding in the open in Parke Creek where the creek is just a > trickle: > > https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55282797556/in/dateposted/ > > Juvenile Say?s Phoebes being fed at Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park: > > https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55283697664/in/dateposted/ > > https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55283610023/in/photostream/ > > Beautiful Mountain Bluebirds along Umptanum and North Wenas Roads: > > https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55285245715/in/dateposted/ > > The birds and the view of Mt. Rainier at the Wild Horse Renewable Energy > Center: > > https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55285247535/in/dateposted/ > > https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55284634416/in/dateposted/ > > https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55285042980/in/dateposted/ > > https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55285042275/in/dateposted/ > > Photo album for the trip: > > https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/albums/72177720333770418 > > eBird Trip Report: > > https://ebird.org/tripreport/524428 > > > Hank & Karen Heiberg > Issaquah > hankheiberggmail > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 22 09:09:40 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Steve Loitz via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 22 09:09:55 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Kittitas County Birding In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Yes, SWHAs are in Kittitas County this time of year and throughout summer. They are more often seen E of Ellensburg, although we occasionally see then E of Eburg, and sometimes near town, e.g., last September we saw one at Irene Rinehart Park, closely E of Eburg, on the Kittitas Audubon (KAS) First Saturday Birdwalk. One of our KAS board members reported a SWHA nest in or near Olmstead Place Historical Park off of Vantage Highway E of Eburg. I saw one closely E of Eburg city limits last week. Steve Loitz Ellensburg On Fri, May 22, 2026 at 8:56?AM Ronda Stark via Tweeters < tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > Hello, > > I was surprised you did not list any Swainson's Hawks-- when > someone mentions Kittitas, I automatically think of them. > > Do you know if they are still seen in the area? > > Ronda > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 22 09:24:38 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Steve Loitz via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 22 09:24:55 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Kittitas County Birding In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Ooops, there are some typos in my prior response. Corrected response: Yes, SWHAs are in Kittitas County this time of year and throughout summer. They are more often seen E of Ellensburg, although we occasionally see one W of Eburg, and sometimes near town, e.g., last September we saw one at Irene Rinehart Park, closely W of Eburg, on a Kittitas Audubon (KAS) First Saturday Birdwalk. One of our KAS board members reported a SWHA nest in or near Olmstead Place Historical Park off of Vantage Highway E of Eburg. I saw one closely E of Eburg city limits last week. Steve Loitz Ellensburg On Fri, May 22, 2026 at 9:09?AM Steve Loitz wrote: > Yes, SWHAs are in Kittitas County this time of year and throughout summer. > They are more often seen E of Ellensburg, although we occasionally see then > E of Eburg, and sometimes near town, e.g., last September we saw one at > Irene Rinehart Park, closely E of Eburg, on the Kittitas Audubon (KAS) > First Saturday Birdwalk. One of our KAS board members reported a SWHA nest > in or near Olmstead Place Historical Park off of Vantage Highway E of > Eburg. I saw one closely E of Eburg city limits last week. > > Steve Loitz > Ellensburg > > On Fri, May 22, 2026 at 8:56?AM Ronda Stark via Tweeters < > tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > >> Hello, >> >> I was surprised you did not list any Swainson's Hawks-- when >> someone mentions Kittitas, I automatically think of them. >> >> Do you know if they are still seen in the area? >> >> Ronda >> > -- Steve Loitz Ellensburg, WA steveloitz@gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 22 11:45:21 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Ronda Stark via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 22 11:45:36 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Kittitas County Birding In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Thank you for the update! I usually see them just north of the town of Kittitas. The farmers are so friendly up there and generally wave while I watch for the hawks as the farmers plow their fields. Ronda On Fri, May 22, 2026 at 9:24?AM Steve Loitz wrote: > Ooops, there are some typos in my prior response. Corrected response: > > Yes, SWHAs are in Kittitas County this time of year and throughout summer. > They are more often seen E of Ellensburg, although we occasionally see one > W of Eburg, and sometimes near town, e.g., last September we saw one at > Irene Rinehart Park, closely W of Eburg, on a Kittitas Audubon (KAS) First > Saturday Birdwalk. One of our KAS board members reported a SWHA nest in or > near Olmstead Place Historical Park off of Vantage Highway E of Eburg. I > saw one closely E of Eburg city limits last week. > > Steve Loitz > Ellensburg > > > On Fri, May 22, 2026 at 9:09?AM Steve Loitz wrote: > >> Yes, SWHAs are in Kittitas County this time of year and throughout >> summer. They are more often seen E of Ellensburg, although we occasionally >> see then E of Eburg, and sometimes near town, e.g., last September we saw >> one at Irene Rinehart Park, closely E of Eburg, on the Kittitas Audubon >> (KAS) First Saturday Birdwalk. One of our KAS board members reported a SWHA >> nest in or near Olmstead Place Historical Park off of Vantage Highway E of >> Eburg. I saw one closely E of Eburg city limits last week. >> >> Steve Loitz >> Ellensburg >> >> On Fri, May 22, 2026 at 8:56?AM Ronda Stark via Tweeters < >> tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: >> >>> Hello, >>> >>> I was surprised you did not list any Swainson's Hawks-- when >>> someone mentions Kittitas, I automatically think of them. >>> >>> Do you know if they are still seen in the area? >>> >>> Ronda >>> >> > > -- > Steve Loitz > Ellensburg, WA > steveloitz@gmail.com > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 22 14:32:20 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Dennis Paulson via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 22 14:32:26 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] interesting bird Message-ID: Hello tweets, David Hutchinson just called me, and we had a lengthy conversation. He was in the arboretum yesterday afternoon around 3 pm and saw a weird bird. He was there with people looking at the plants, so he didn?t even have binoculars, but he got repeated looks at what he thought was a raptor. It was repeatedly visiting a tall (ca 100?) conifer, and it seemed to him of a size between Sharp-shinned and Cooper?s, or Merlin and Peregrine. He saw it frequently enough that he was confident it was snow-white below, with no markings. It was very dark above, brown to black, and also had dark undertail coverts. The wings were more pointed than rounded. If anyone has the time or inclination, it would be worthwhile to check this out. He said there were lots and lots of birds, singing and flying around, so that?s a benefit of a visit. At the Graham Visitor Center there is an iron gate to the right, and you should turn left there and go about 100-150? up the major road, and there is the tall conifer that the bird frequented yesterday at this time. Good luck, and take a camera and telephoto lens! Dennis Paulson Seattle From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 22 15:36:22 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Denis DeSilvis via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 22 15:36:27 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) Eagle's Pride Golf Course (GC) monthly bird walk - 5-21-2026 Message-ID: Tweeters, On a gorgeous day at the JBLM Eagle?s Pride GC, 25 of us meandered around the usual route, taking more time than usual because of the day and the variety (58) of birds. The BULLOCK?S ORIOLES are back (4th year) and hanging around the Douglas-firs across from the driving range hut and next to the maintenance pond. All of us had so-so to excellent views of the pair. Warblers included NORTHERN YELLOW (30), WILSON?S, ORANGE-CROWNED, YELLOW-RUMPED, BLACK-THROATED GRAY, MACGILLIVRAY?S, and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT. The latter count of SIX was the most ever for this walk. The highlight for three of us was the first LAZULI BUNTING identified for this site?s birdwalk. A PURPLE MARTIN pair were flying near the nestboxes at Hodge Lake. We?ll be checking these boxes next month to see if, in the meantime, they?ve actually nested there. We?ve only had Tree Swallows and Northern House Wrens occupying this grouping of nestboxes, which were put up several years ago by the JBLM biologists specifically to attract Purple Martins. No waterfowl except a lone PIED-BILLED GREBE and one CANADA GOOSE ? an unusual occurrence despite the season. The only mammal spotted was a Douglas squirrel. The JBLM Eagle's Pride GC birders meet the third Thursday of each month at 8:00AM from March-October and 9:00AM November to February. The starting point is the Driving Range building, Eagle's Pride Golf Course, I-5 Exit 116, Mounts Road Exit. (Turn left immediately after entering the parking lot to take the road leading to the driving range building.) Upcoming walks include the following: ? June 18 ? July 16 ? August 20 Everyone is welcome! The complete eBird list is below: Eagles Pride GC, Pierce, Washington, US May 21, 2026 8:08?AM - 12:48?PM Protocol: Traveling 3.2 mile(s) Checklist Comments: Sunny day (49degF-73degF) with no breeze until the last hour of the walk. Highlights included the first Lazuli Bunting found on this site (13 years of records); 30 Northern Yellow Warblers; and seven warbler species for the day. Six MacGillivray's Warblers were the high count for any year. One Anna's Hummingbird was found on nest (9th hole pond). 58 species Canada Goose 1 Band-tailed Pigeon 13 Anna's Hummingbird 7 Includes one on nest at the 9th hole pond. Killdeer 1 Pied-billed Grebe 1 At Hodge Lake. Turkey Vulture 1 Osprey 1 Bald Eagle 2 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 4 Olive-sided Flycatcher 1 Western Wood-Pewee 12 Willow Flycatcher 3 Hammond's Flycatcher 1 Western Flycatcher 5 Hutton's Vireo 2 Western Warbling Vireo 3 Steller's Jay 6 American Crow 3 Black-capped Chickadee 6 Chestnut-backed Chickadee 3 Tree Swallow 10 Violet-green Swallow 6 Purple Martin 2 At Hodge Lake. Barn Swallow 25 Bushtit 8 Golden-crowned Kinglet 2 Red-breasted Nuthatch 10 Brown Creeper 7 Northern House Wren 7 Pacific Wren 5 Bewick's Wren 3 European Starling 20 Swainson's Thrush 15 American Robin 60 Cedar Waxwing 18 House Finch 4 Purple Finch 5 American Goldfinch 3 Chipping Sparrow 5 Dark-eyed Junco 8 White-crowned Sparrow 22 Song Sparrow 39 Spotted Towhee 6 Bullock's Oriole 2 At same site as in previous 4 years - in Douglas-firs near maintenance pond. Red-winged Blackbird 4 Brown-headed Cowbird 24 Orange-crowned Warbler 5 MacGillivray's Warbler 6 Common Yellowthroat 1 Northern Yellow Warbler 30 Yellow-rumped Warbler 4 Black-throated Gray Warbler 1 Wilson's Warbler 6 Western Tanager 12 Black-headed Grosbeak 8 Lazuli Bunting 1 First sighting of this species at JBLM Eagle's Pride GC. View this checklist online at https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Febird.org%2Fchecklist%2FS344184241&data=05%7C02%7C%7C22bdd2faa0384eb1660308deb84fbb40%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639150849731900271%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=tIL0Vdq1IyZTDxb3TypFzlrC6jpGqnkH%2FTA%2F1Hwmekg%3D&reserved=0 May all your birds be identified, Denis Denis DeSilvis Avnacrs 4 birds at outlook dot com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 22 18:04:44 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Lori Danielson via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 22 18:04:58 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Presentation on Birding at Malheur NWR, May 28, in Redmond Message-ID: Join Eastside Audubon on Thursday, May 28, for an evening presentation on "How to Bird Malheur National Wildlife Refuge" by guest speaker Dan Streiffert. Dan has been visiting the refuge nearly every year since 2017, when he first took a birding course at Malheur Field Station. He typically spends a month there each year volunteering for the Friends of Malheur Refuge and updates this presentation annually. This talk is part of the Malheur Migratory Bird Festival. Dan's presentation will take place in the Board Room of the Lake Washington School District Central Office, which is located at 16250 NE 74th Street, Redmond, WA 98052. (Note: This is a different location than previous Eastside Audubon events.) Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for social hour. The presentation will begin at 7:15 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Lori Danielson Issaquah -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 22 19:12:43 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Jim Betz via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 22 19:12:49 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Reifel In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <31316578-9b49-4805-a7e5-a1bec31e9af7@jimbetz.com> ? ?I got to Reifel today - my first visit since the bridge re-opened.? The birding was fairly normal with respect to species - notable miss was Northern Harrier which is usually seen there. ? The biggest difference was several small flocks of ducklings and one group of goslings - whose parents brought them right to anyone walking the trail.? In fact, the Mallards and Canada Geese were all very acommodating/coming right to you. ? Good long, close looks at Wood Ducks.? Lots of Red-winged Blackbirds, Marsh Wrens (mostly heard but not seen), and a few sparrows, Towhees, and robins.? One Bald Eagle, two Great Blue Herons. ? IOW - a fairly typical day at Reifel.? ?Just GO - you will love it.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? - Jim in Skagit From tweeters at u.washington.edu Sat May 23 12:41:01 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Mark Borden via Tweeters) Date: Sat May 23 12:41:16 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] The Merlin -A falconers perspective In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Dear Tweeters, Ah Merlins? They are certainly one of the most exciting and neatest Raptors that we have locally. Since old England, Merlin?s have been considered the ?Ladies Falcon.? This is likely for several reasons. First, they are a very mild mannered bird to train. Second, they are light enough to be easily carried by a ?lady.? Though they are small, they lack nothing when it comes to speed and bravery in pursuit. They appear even faster than they actually are because of their small size. There is a huge difference from a Falconer perspective between a kestrel and a Merlin, even though they appear very similar in size when they are seen perched, or flying. The Merlin weighs quite a bit more, often more than twice as much in fact. This weight difference is noticeable in the ?wing loading? and a Merlin needs to beat those wings a lot harder to stay aloft. This also serves as an advantage because when they want to come down fast, they really can come down fast! They are one of the most exciting birds for a Falconer to fly ?to the lure.? A Merlin enthusiast can find YouTube videos that demonstrate the speed and maneuverability of a Merlin when flown to the lure. Probably the bird that wins the most lure flying competitions is the Merlin Peregrine hybrid. When it comes to catching prey, Merlin?s catch their quarry in the air. Flying Doves is quite a challenge, because if the Doves enter cover, the Merlin has no chance unless the falconer can reflush. Most doves cannot be caught by a Merlin. When a Falconer hunting a Merlin enters a field there may be dozens of Doves, and an experienceed Merlin will fly amongst the Doves, observing their behavior until one dove behaves differently than the rest. There is a substantial difference between the personalities of all birds from individual to individual. Most Doves will just outfly the Merlin, but the occasional dove will stay low to the ground, dodging and turning and will be catchable by the Merlin. It is never easy though, and the flights can go quite a while and quite a distance. An experienced Merlin will immediately recognize the ?catchable,? Dove and ignore all of the others. Many Merlin falconers trap immature Merlin?s in the fall, fly them for the winter and then fatten them up, releasing them in the spring. This is good because those immature birds are not a part of the breeding population, and at least 3/4 of them will die during their first winter in the wild. In a falconers?s care they flourish, and once through the winter, most likely go on to breed. I can tell many spectacular tales of Merlin pursuits having witnessed hundreds. If anyone is interested, I will write down my favorite which I witnessed in Sacramento back in 1996. It is very fortunate that the Merlin is adapting so well to civilization, and that we have more of them now than ever before. They are truly a great bird. Mark Borden Coupeville > ***************************************** > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Sat May 23 21:29:42 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Matt Bartels via Tweeters) Date: Sat May 23 21:29:59 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] WBRC Spring 2026 MEETING RESULTS Message-ID: <3B0CD997-90EF-4142-880A-8A1330F3D9E9@earthlink.net> WBRC Spring 2026 MEETING RESULTS On Thursday, May 07, 2026, the Washington Bird Records Committee met online for its spring meeting. A summary of our results: ? 34 reports were accepted as valid new records. ? 5 reports were reaffirmed as valid after re-review of previous accepted votes ? 3 additional records were accepted as continuing sightings of records previously accepted at earlier meetings. ? 12 reports were not accepted. ? 1 previously accepted report was re-reviewed and overturned as not accepted. Two species were added to the official Washington state list with the discovery of: ? Yellow-green Vireo ? 15 - 18 Oct 2025 ? Cave Swallow ? 28 - 29 Mar 2026 The state checklist is now at 531 species, including 518 species fully accredited (supported by specimen, photograph, or recording) and 13 species which are sight-only records (supported only by written documentation). Key: Votes in parentheses (# accepted ? # not accepted ? # abstain) [Notations: p=photo, v = video, a = audio, s = sketch] ACCEPTED RECORDS: BESW-2025-4, Bewick's Tundra Swan ? 31 Dec 2025, Flynn Road Retention Pond, Lynden, Whatcom County. Nathaniel Cooley [p] (7-0-0). BESW-2026-1, Bewick's Tundra Swan ? 15 Mar 2026, Skagit Flats, Calhoun Road/Bradshaw Rd., Skagit County. Michael Klotz [p] (7-0-0). WHOS-2025-1, Whooper Swan ? 1 - 3 Dec 2025, Capitol Lake, Olympia, Thurston County. Bill Tweit [w, p], Jon Anderson [p], Lisa Genuit [p], Liam Hutcheson [p], Clayton Kinsesl [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: The committee agreed this record was likely a different individual than all the subsequent WHO sightings. WHOS-2025-2, Whooper Swan ? 7 Dec 2025 ? 20 Mar 2026. Skagit, King and Snohomish Counties. Locations, dates and observers: Skagit Co.: 7 Dec 2025, Sunset Rd., Bow, Skagit County. Peter Erickson [p], Cordia Sammeth [p], David Schmalz [p] Richard Stanton [p]; King Co.: 16 Jan 2026, W Snoqualmie River Rd SE, King County. Greg Harrington [p], Hank Heiberg [p], John Puschock [p]; Skagit Co.: 3 Feb 2026, Polson Rd., Mount Vernon, Skagit County. Denny Bolton [p], Barb Chan [p], Bev Davenport [p], Jeff Hambleton [p], Teri Martine [p], Dianne (Marie) Murray [p], Evan Powell [p]; Snohomish Co.: 4-21 Feb 2026, Smokey Point Blvd., Arlington, Snohomish County. Marie Furnish [p], Ron Furnish [p], Robert Goff [p], Kristen Hannon [p], Darchelle Worley [p]; Skagit Co.: 5-20 Mar 2026, Sam Bell Road, Bow, Skagit County. Glenn Dunmire [p], Eric Kraig [p], Cordia Sammeth [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: The committee all these different locations except WHOS-2025-1 were likely of the same individual wandering the area this winter. KIEI-2025-1, King Eider ? 22 Oct 2025 - 20 Feb 2026, Westhaven SP, Westport, Grays Harbor County. Bill Tweit [w, p], Charlotte Byers [p], Chazz Hesselein [p], Kyle Leader [p], Kellie Sagen [p], Ellen Stepniewski [p], Darchelle Worley [p] (7-0-0). WWDO-2025-1, White-winged Dove ? 30 Nov 2025, Little Spokane NA, Spokane, Spokane County. Kim Thorburn [w] (6-1-0). COCR-2025-1, Common Crane ? 2 - 13 December 2025, Wenzel Slough, Elma & Brady Loop Road, Montesano, Grays Harbor County. Mike Charest [p], Rachel Hudson [p], Sandy Pringle [p], John Raymond [p], Andy Stepniewski [p] (7-0-0). LIGU-2025-4, Little Gull ? 7-10 Nov 2025, John Day Dam, Goldendale, Klickitat County. Trent Bray [w], Cindy McCormack [w], Jef Blake [p], Justin Santiago [p] (7-0-0). LIGU-2026-1, Little Gull ? 1 Mar 2026, Westport Pelagic, Grays Harbor County. Ryan Merrill [w, p] (7-0-0). LAGU-2025-2, Laughing Gull ? 3 Nov 2025, Elwha River mouth, Port Angeles, Clallam County. Roger Hoffman [w, p] (7-0-0). VEGU-2006-1-revote, Vega Gull ? 28 Dec 2006, Gene Coulon Park, Renton, King County. Cameron Cox [p], Charlie Wright [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: In response to Vega Gull being elevated to full species status, the committee re-reviewed all reports previously accepted as ?Vega? Herring Gull and sustained all four records. VEGU-2012-1-revote, Vega Gull ? 14 Jan 2012, Banks Lake, Electric City, Grant County. Bruce LaBar, Ryan Shaw [p], Bill Tweit, Charlie Wright (7-0-0). NOTE: In response to Vega Gull being elevated to full species status, the committee re-reviewed all reports previously accepted as ?Vega? Herring Gull and sustained all four records. VEGU-2013-1-revote, Vega Gull ? 26 Oct 2013, Three Crabs, Dungeness, Clallam County. Ryan Merrill [w, p], Brad Waggoner [w], Ryan Shaw [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: In response to Vega Gull being elevated to full species status, the committee re-reviewed all reports previously accepted as ?Vega? Herring Gull and sustained all four records. VEGU-2014-1-revote, Vega Gull ? 26 Oct 2014, Wa'atch River Mouth, Neah Bay, Clallam County. Steve Mlodinow [w, p], Ryan Merrill [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: In response to Vega Gull being elevated to full species status, the committee re-reviewed all reports previously accepted as ?Vega? Herring Gull and sustained all four records. ARLO-2025-1, Arctic Loon ? 29 Nov - 7 Dec 2025, Bay City, Pirates Way Beach, Ocosta, Grays Harbor County. Cameron Cox [p], Liam Hutcheson [p], David Irons [p], Gene Revelas [p], Bill Shelmerdine [p], Bill Tweit [p], Darchelle Worley [p] (7-0-0). WISP-2025-1, Wilson's Storm-Petrel ? 13 Oct 2025, Point Defiance Park, Dune Peninsula & Wilson Way, Tacoma, Pierce & King County. Marcus Roening [w], JJ Shaeffer [w], Charlie Wright [w], Alex Young [w] (7-0-0). RFBO-2026-1, Red-footed Booby ? 28 Feb 2026, Westport Marina, Westport, Grays Harbor County. Bill Tweit [w, p] (7-0-0). LBHE-2025-1, Little Blue Heron ? 4 Oct 2025, Bateman Island, Kennewick, Benton County. Jef Blake [w, p], Elke Davis [w, p], Laurie Ness [w, p] (7-0-0). NOTE: The committee agreed that the two LBHE were different individuals. LBHE-2025-2, Little Blue Heron ? 26 Oct - 20 Nov 2025, Home Valley Park, Skamania County. Cindy McCormack [w, v], Matt Bartels [p], Greg Harrington [p], Grace & Ollie Oliver [p], Jordan Roderick [p], Asta Tobiassen [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: The committee agreed that the two LBHE were different individuals. GREG-2021-1, Great Egret [modesta/alba] ? 29 Oct 2021, Dugualla Bay, Whidbey Island, Island County. MJ Adams [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: State first record for this subspecies group. GREG-2026-2, Great Egret[alba] ? 29 Mar - 3 May 2026, Barnaby Slough, Rockport, Skagit County. Ryan Merrill [w, p] (7-0-0). WTKI-2025-1, White-tailed Kite ? 3 Oct 2025, Julia Butler Hansen NWR, Cathlamet, Wahkiakum County. Andrew Emlen [w] (7-0-0). YBSA-2025-2, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ? 21 Dec 2025, St. Cloud Recreation Area, Skamania County. CJ Flick [w], Stuart Fletcher [p] (7-0-0). YBFL-2025-1-revote, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher ? 24 Aug 2025, Bassett Park, Washtucna, Adams County. Alexander Sowers [w, p] (6-1-0). NOTE: In response to many west coast records of Yellow-bellied Flycatcher being questioned by empid authorities, the committee re-reviewed the two previously accepted reports of Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, sustaining one and reversing the other. YGVI-2025-1, Yellow-green Vireo ? 15 - 18 Oct 2025, Grays Harbor NWR, Hoquiam, Grays Harbor County. Bob Boekelheide [w, p], Jordan Gunn [p], Liam Hutheson [p], Jordan Roderick [p], Kellie Sagen [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: State first record. CASW-2026-1, Cave Swallow ? 28 - 29 Mar 2026, Hoquiam STP, Hoquiam, Grays Harbor County. Liam Hutcheson [p], Ryan Merrill [p], Kellie Sagen [p], Darchelle Worley [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: State first record. WIWR-2025-2, Winter Wren ? 20 Dec 2025 - 1 Jan 2026, Roses Lake, Manson, Chelan County. Kavanagh McGeough [p, a], Neil Paprocki [p, a], Debbie Sutherland [p, a] (7-0-0). WHWA-2025-1, White Wagtail ? 22 Nov 2025, Elwha River mouth, Port Angeles, Clallam County. Robin Corcoran [p], Keenan Yakola [p] (7-0-0). RUBU-2025-1, Rustic Bunting ? 10 Nov 2025, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, King County. Pat Miller fide Dennis Paulson [w, p], Amy Ke [p] (7-0-0). OROR-2025-1, Orchard Oriole ? 26 Oct - 11 Nov 2025, In town, 2nd & Blue Jay, Neah Bay, Clallam County. Roger Hoffman [p], Liam Hutcheson [p], Bill Tweit [p] (7-0-0). OROR-2025-2, Orchard Oriole ? 26 Oct - 2 Nov 2025, Ba'adah Loop, Neah Bay, Clallam County. JJ Shaeffer [p], Bill Tweit [p] (7-0-0). GTGR-2025-6, Great-tailed Grackle ? 10 Nov 2025 ? 25 Feb 2026. Franklin, Benton and Walla Walla Counties. Locations, dates and observers: Franklin Co.: 10 Nov 2025, Goodwill Parking, Pasco, Franklin County. Jef Blake [p], Charlene Burge [p], Windy Burge [p] (7-0-0); Benton Co.: 14 Nov 2025, Gum St., Kennewick, Benton County. Jef Blake [p], Elke Davis [p] (7-0-0); Walla Walla Co.: 17 Jan -25 Feb 2026, Dodd Road, Burbank, Walla Walla County. Jef Blake [p], Mike & Merry Lynn Denny [p], Elke Davis [p], Matthew Mottern [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: The committee agreed that all three sightings likely were the same individual bird and combined them into a single record NOPA-2025-2, Northen Parula ? 14-17 Dec 2025, Islandview Ct., Olympia, Thurston County. Emily Teachout [w, v] Aaron Barna [p], Keith Brady [p], Scott Pearson [p], Bill Shelmerdine [p] (7-0-0). NOPA-2026-1, Northern Parula ? 22-31 Mar 2026, McNary NWR Headquarters Trail, Burbank, Walla Walla County. Jef Blake [w, p], Bonnie Roemer [p], Bruce Toews [p], Jesse Wells [p] (7-0-0). BLBW-2025-1, Blackburnian Warbler ? 26 Sep 2025, Olympic Discovery Trail, Clallam County. Roger Hoffman [w, p] (7-0-0). PAWA-2025-1, Palm Warbler [Yellow] ? 11 Nov 2025, Point Defiance Park, Dune Peninsula & Wilson Way, Tacoma, Pierce County. Edward Pullen [w], Steve Knapp [p], Ryan Merril [p], Marcu Roening [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: State first record for this subspecies. SUTA-2025-2, Summer Tanager ? 14 Dec 2025 - 14 Jan 2026, 45th Ave W and W Commodore Way, Seattle, King County. Karen Overstreet [w, p], Neil Zimmerman [w], Roniq Bartanen [p] (7-0-0). PABU-2025-1, Painted Bunting ? 18 Dec 2025, Lakebay, Pierce County. Eric Housam [w, p] (7-0-0). DICK-2025-1, Dickcissel ? 16 Oct 2025, Neah Bay town, Clallam County. Jordan Gunn [p], Alec Roseto [p], Darchelle Worley [p] (7-0-0). RECORDS ACCEPTED AS CONTINUING SIGHTINGS OF PREVIOUSLY-ACCEPTED RECORDS: Slaty-backed Gull in Eastern Washington: The committee agreed that the September 2025 ? February 2026 record of a Slaty-backed Gull in Grant, Benton and Franklin counties (formerly treated as SLBG-2025-1) is best treated as a returning instance of SLBG-2016-1, the prior sighting of this species in the area the previous eight winters. The two records are merged and treated as SLBG-2016-1. Dates and observation info for September 2025 ? February 2026 occurrence: Slaty-backed Gull ? 25 Sep 2025 - 21 Feb 2026, Vernita Bridge Boat Launch, Bateman Island, Kennewick, Pasco, Grant, Benton, Franklin County. Jef Blake [p], Charlotte Byers [p], Denny Granstrand [p], Matt Yawney [p] (7-0-0). Eastern Song Sparrow at Marymoor Park: The committee agreed that the November 2025 ? March 2026 record of an Eastern Song Sparrow in Marymoor Park, King County (formerly treated as SOSP-2025-2) is best treated as a returning instance of SOSP-2025-1, the prior sighting of this subspecies in the area earlier in 2025. The two records are merged and treated as SOSP-2025-1. Dates and observation info for November 2025 ? March 2026 occurrence: Eastern Song Sparrow ?26 Nov 2025 - 6 Mar 2026, Marymoor Park, Redmond, King County. Calvin Bobek [p], Michael Hobbs [p], John Puschock [p], Jordan Roderick [p] (7-0-0). Great-tailed Grackle in Moses Lake: The committee agreed that the September ? October 2025 record of a Great-tailed Grackle in Moses Lake, Grant County (formerly treated as GTGR-2025-8) is best treated as a returning instance of GTGR-2023-1. The two records are merged and treated as GTGR-2023-1. Dates and observation info for September ? October 2025 occurrence: Great-tailed Grackle ? 3 Sep - 28 Oct 2025, Moses Lake, Grant County. Doug Schonewald (7-0-0). REPORTS NOT ACCEPTED: LWFG-2025-1, Lesser White-fronted Goose ? 14 Nov 2025, Millersylvania SP, Deep Lake, Thurston County (0-7-0). BESW-2026-2, Bewick's Tundra Swan ? 22 Mar 2026, Sam Bell Rd., Bow, Skagit County. (0-7-0). WHOS-2025-3, Whooper Swan (2) ? 22 Jan 2025, Boon Road, Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island, Island County (0-6-1). COEI-2026-1, Common Eider ? 16 Jan 2026, Lacamas Park, Camas, Clark County (0-7-0). GRRO-2026-1, Greater Roadrunner ? 27 Jan 2026, Wilson Ranch Road, Mazama, Okanogan County ( 0-7-0). BHGU-2026-1, Black-headed Gull ? 18 Feb 2026, Ocean Shores Blvd, Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County. (0-7-0). VEGU-2011-1, Vega Gull ? 20 Mar 2011, Elwha River mouth, Port Angeles, Clallam County. (4-3-0). WISP-2025-2, Wilson's Storm-Petrel ? 20 Oct 2025, Des Moines Marina, King County. (0-7-0). GREG-2026-1, Great Egret [modesta/alba] ? 2 Jan 2026, English Boom, Camano Island, Island County. (1-6-0). MIKI-2026-1, Mississippi Kite ? 17 Mar 2026, Deception Pass, Skagit County. (0-7-0). YBFL-2009-1-revote, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher ? 30 Aug 2009, Windust Park, Franklin County. (0-7-0). NOTE: In response to many west coast records of Yellow-bellied Flycatcher being questioned by empid authorities, the committee re-reviewed the two previously accepted reports of Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, sustaining one and reversing the other. SEWR-2026-1, Sedge Wren ? 9 Feb - 19 Mar 2026, Crockett Lake, Whidbey Island, Island County. (0-6-1). PSJU-2025-1, Pink-sided Dark-eyed Junco ? 13 Dec 2025, Catherine Creek Universal Access Trail, Klickitat County. (0-7-0). Details are now posted on the WOS website at: https://wos.org/records/votingsummary/spring-2026/ Best, Matt Bartels Secretary, WBRC -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Sun May 24 09:01:59 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Jordan Gunn via Tweeters) Date: Sun May 24 09:02:12 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Tennessee Warbler Newhalem Message-ID: There is a Tennessee Warbler in the town of Newhalem in Whatcom County - singing - staying mostly high in the trees around these coordinates: 48.67326? N, 121.25151? W Jordan Gunn Edmonds From tweeters at u.washington.edu Sun May 24 10:45:12 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Constance Sidles via Tweeters) Date: Sun May 24 10:45:27 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Manx Shearwaters Message-ID: <0DD37E16-FFAC-4282-A2DA-06B51DC8C482@gmail.com> Hey tweets, my son Alex reported yesterday that he saw (and photographed) 3 Manx Shearwaters off Bodelteh Islands - seen from his sea kayak. He'll write a trip report when he returns to Seattle today, which you can access in another day or 2 if you Google Alex Sidles Kayaking Trip Reports. - Connie, Seattle constancesidles@gmail.com csidles@constancypress.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Sun May 24 11:40:52 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (via Tweeters) Date: Sun May 24 11:40:55 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] =?utf-8?q?WOS_Monthly_Meeting=2C_June_1=2C_2026_=28onl?= =?utf-8?q?ine_only=29?= Message-ID: <20260524184052.1155109.qmail@s401.sureserver.com> Wishing all a pleasant Memorial Day Weekend, and apologizing for this late-ish notice about our upcoming WOS Monthly Meeting ? Because May 14 - 17 was our Annual Conference, with wonderful days spent traipsing across state lines (Washington, Oregon, Idaho) enjoying birding together in stunning surroundings. A conference report will be added at WOS.org soon - please take a look! On Monday June 1, 2026, the Washington Ornithological Society (WOS) invites you to our final Monthly Meeting of the season. The program will be our ever-popular "WOS Members' Photo Night? when favorite and new birding sites and insights are shared, by virtue of the talents and photographic skills of a group of our Members. Enjoy a "virtual" birding experience from your respective evening "roosting spots." Sign-in on Zoom will begin at 7:15 pm, and the meeting commences at 7:30 pm. Please go to the WOS Monthly Meetings page: https://wos.org/monthly-meetings/ for instructions on virtual participation and to get the Zoom link. When joining the meeting, we ask that you PLEASE mute your device and make certain that your camera is turned off. This meeting is open to all as WOS invites everyone in the wider birding community to attend. Thanks to the generosity of our presenters, recordings of past programs are available at the following link to the WOS YouTube Channel:??https://www.youtube.com/@washingtonornithologicalso7839/videos If you are not yet a member of WOS, we hope you will consider becoming one at https://wos.org Many thanks in advance to our member-presenters, not only for their camera work, but for stepping up to the challenges posed by technology! Please join us! Elaine Chuang WOS Program Support From tweeters at u.washington.edu Sun May 24 13:05:54 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Martha Jordan via Tweeters) Date: Sun May 24 13:06:22 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Bird and birding books Message-ID: Currently there are four large boxes of books sitting at my house full of birding and bird info books, most published in the 1970-2000. A few are vintage older, and perhaps one or two newer. Most were left to Pilchuck Audubon Society and now they need to move them on to new homes. Is there anyone out there looking for books, or know where they can be taken to find new homes. Please write off the list: mj dot cygnus at gmail.com Whatever remains after all you bird enthusiasts out there have had an opportunity to pick something up, they will be put out for free at Bird Fest in Edmonds on June 6th. Martha Jordan -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Sun May 24 15:35:42 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (DEENA HEG via Tweeters) Date: Sun May 24 15:35:46 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Reply to falconer Mark Borden Message-ID: <1402364891.66789.1779662142656@connect.xfinity.com> That was a fascinating post, Mark Borden, about merlin behavior from the point of view of a falconer. And I would welcome hearing more anytime. Thanks. Deena Heg deenaheg@comcast.net From tweeters at u.washington.edu Mon May 25 16:39:51 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Katie Sauter Messick via Tweeters) Date: Mon May 25 16:39:56 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Stimpson Nature Reserve Message-ID: Hi Tweets, I rarely post, but yesterday I had such an unexpectedly birdy hike that I thought I?d share. I highly recommend the Stimpson Nature Reserve (https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/stimpson-nature-reserve) just east of Bellingham. It has 4 miles of trails winding around two ponds/wetlands and miles of mature forest. We identified 32 species for the day, but the most amazing thing was that the bird song never stopped. At any given time there were as many as 6-8 species singing, and there was always at least one. The most abundant were western flycatcher, Pacific wren, chestnut-backed chickadee, brown creeper, western tanager, Wilson?s warbler, and black-headed grosbeak. The challenge was that most of the birds stuck to the tall canopy, so for many I relied on my birding-by-ear skills (proficient), occasionally backed up by confirmation from Merlin. (Note that I did not accept all of Merlin?s suggestions ? for example, I highly doubt that there was a hermit warbler in the vicinity.) We did get eyes on the warblers, sparrows, and many many creepers, plus the ducks and a few others. It was magical afternoon. I imagine the dawn chorus would be amazing. Lots of wildflowers, too! Below is our list for the day. Happy birding, Katie (kfsauter@hotmail.com) Canada goose Wood duck Mallard Band-tailed pigeon Anna?s hummingbird Hairy woodpecker Pileated woodpecker Western wood-pewee Western flycatcher Cassin?s vireo Warbling vireo Steller?s jay Common raven Chestnut-backed chickadee Violet-green swallow Bushtit Golden-crowned kinglet Red-breasted nuthatch Brown creeper Pacific wren Varied thrush Swainson?s thrush American robin Purple finch Dark-eyed junco Song sparrow Spotted towhee Black-throated gray warbler Townsend?s warbler Wilson?s warbler Western tanager Black-headed grosbeak -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Tue May 26 04:06:37 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Dan Reiff via Tweeters) Date: Tue May 26 04:07:02 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Presentation: Nightjars of Kittitas County Message-ID: <4CB212A3-686E-4E40-A99C-6319808E631E@gmail.com> Monthly Program Meeting May 28: 7:00 PM @ Hal Holmes Nightjars of Kittitas County Presented by Dan Reiff, PhD Dr. Dan is a clinician, author and videographer who has studied birds for the last 18 years. He grew up in Puyallup, Washington, when it was a small town, surrounded by daffodil, tulip, straw- berry, raspberry, and blueberry farms. He has a long history of fly fishing for trout and steelhead. He is very fond of Kittitas County, including the people, birds and environments. He has degrees in Environmental sciences (BS), Public health (MPH), and Clinical psychology (PhD) and was trained as a clinician and scientist in Clinical psychology. Dr. Dan has focused his research efforts on the behavior of several species of birds and has captured well over 300 TB of video focused bird behavior. This includes diurnal, crepuscular and nocturnal observations and filming. Dr. Dan has a special research interest in the stereotypical and unique activities of owls and nightjars. He has spent many enjoyable hours doing video and audio recordings focused on the behaviors of numerous species in several locations and generations over the last 10-16 years. Dan?s presentation will be video focused on the behaviors of the Common Poorwill and the Common Nighthawk. He will also share stories of his several hundreds of hours of research experiences filming in very low light and darkness, including encounters with animals that are active during the night. Sent from my iPhone -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Tue May 26 10:10:56 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Elaine Thomas via Tweeters) Date: Tue May 26 10:11:03 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] weird question Message-ID: For a friend writing a poem - In the Palouse in the fall, would there be swallows hunting over the wheat fields? Also, redtails or some other buteo? Or does the writer need different birds to paint the scene accurately? - we can't let poetic license lead to inaccurate ornithology! Thanks, Elaine in Seattle Ethomas at salud dot unm dot edu -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Tue May 26 10:55:49 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Larry Schwitters via Tweeters) Date: Tue May 26 10:56:12 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Vaux's Happening Message-ID: <6E3573CB-F32E-417D-88C2-852E1C4DF1DA@me.com> Got some rain and over a thousand swifts descended into the Wagner roost last night. Diane Y-Q is now in Ireland to present at the International Swift Conference. Larry Schwitters Issaquah From tweeters at u.washington.edu Tue May 26 10:57:30 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Martha Jordan via Tweeters) Date: Tue May 26 10:57:59 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Travel agent or info needed Message-ID: I am planning a trip to Hamburg, Germany at the end of November to attend a conference. Can anyone recommend a travel agent to help with logistics. Thanks. Martha Jordan Everett, WA -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Tue May 26 11:00:50 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (William Stafford Noble via Tweeters) Date: Tue May 26 11:01:10 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Morocco and Nairobi birding recommendations Message-ID: I will be in northern Morocco and in Nairobi, Kenya, in July. If anyone has experience with good birding outfits in either place, please let me know. Thanks. Bill Noble -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Tue May 26 14:06:49 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Kersti Muul via Tweeters) Date: Tue May 26 14:07:06 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Lazuli bunting in West Seattle Message-ID: We had a breeding male LABU across the street from our house last night at around 5:30. Spent time on the sidewalk and on low branches. Pretty awesome! -K -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Tue May 26 15:09:04 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters) Date: Tue May 26 15:09:17 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Travel agent or info needed In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Sorry Martha I can?t , but maybe AAA ? ?however I was born and raised in Hamburg. That makes me a real Hamburger! Our last visit was last September. Maybe I can answer a question for you ! You will love the Hoeckerschwaene on the Alster ! ( Mute Swans ). Hans *Hans Feddern* Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA thefedderns@gmail.com On Tue, May 26, 2026 at 10:58?AM Martha Jordan via Tweeters < tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote: > I am planning a trip to Hamburg, Germany at the end of November to attend > a conference. Can anyone recommend a travel agent to help with logistics. > Thanks. > > Martha Jordan > Everett, 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 tweeters at u.washington.edu Tue May 26 19:10:03 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Whitney Neufeld-Kaiser via Tweeters) Date: Tue May 26 19:10:18 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Contact for birding in Nairobi In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hi, Bill. I was in Nairobi last August and can recommend someone to you. Please send me a direct message, thanks. Whitney whitney.n.k@gmail.com > ------------------------------ > > Message: 6 > Date: Tue, 26 May 2026 11:00:50 -0700 > From: William Stafford Noble via Tweeters > To: tweeters@uw.edu > Subject: [Tweeters] Morocco and Nairobi birding recommendations > Message-ID: > Q@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > I will be in northern Morocco and in Nairobi, Kenya, in July. If anyone has > experience with good birding outfits in either place, please let me know. > > Thanks. > Bill Noble > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: < > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/pipermail/tweeters/attachments/20260526/92994e22/attachment-0001.html > > > > ------------------------------ > > Subject: Digest Footer > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@mailman11.u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > > ------------------------------ > > End of Tweeters Digest, Vol 261, Issue 26 > ***************************************** > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 27 06:20:50 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Richard Schwarz via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 27 06:21:08 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Morocco and Nairobi birding recommendations In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <402CF658-BE1F-4759-B1E9-1764348C4731@yahoo.com> Hi Bill I have a recommendation for Nairobi. Please contact me at the email address below. Richard Schwarz Wiscuscat@yahoo.com > On May 26, 2026, at 11:02?AM, William Stafford Noble via Tweeters wrote: > > ? > I will be in northern Morocco and in Nairobi, Kenya, in July. If anyone has experience with good birding outfits in either place, please let me know. > > Thanks. > Bill Noble > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters@u.washington.edu > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters From tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 27 10:16:01 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Jay via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 27 10:16:16 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] American White Pelicans Message-ID: A flock of about 30 American White Pelicans flew north over my house this morning. I live about a mile north of Lake Padden in Bellingham. They were just leisurely circling as they flew by. It was a total surprise. https://ebird.org/checklist/S347779322 Jay E. Bellingham, WA -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 27 11:53:00 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Marv via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 27 11:53:18 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Redheads at M St Message-ID: This morning there was a pair of REDHEADS (ducks) at the M Street Marsh in Auburn. Last year I saw a pair of Redheads at this location on June 5 and June 12. Also today, a GREEN HERON flew by. And good looks at all 3 teal. A BUFFLEHEAD remains. I almost forgot, there was also a pair of WILSON'S PHALAROPES. -- Marv Breece Tukwila, WA *marvbreece@gmail.com * -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 27 12:23:46 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Diann MacRae via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 27 12:23:50 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] turkey vultures Message-ID: Hi, Tweets? ? If anyone has any interesting and exotic comments regarding just-arrived turkey vultures, I'd be glad to include it in the May report. Actually, anything in May is fine! Hope you have a good day. ? Cheers, Diann ? Diann MacRae Olympic Vulture Study 22622 - 53rd Avenue S.E. Bothell, WA 98021 tvulture@gmx.com From tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 27 14:29:18 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Ronda Stark via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 27 14:29:32 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] American White Pelicans In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hi Jay, This is the best news of the day! A large group of over 100 White Pelicans spend the summer on Whidbey island-- maybe this is the advance team. Ronda On Wed, May 27, 2026 at 10:16?AM Jay via Tweeters wrote: > A flock of about 30 American White Pelicans flew north over my house this > morning. I live about a mile north of Lake Padden in Bellingham. They > were just leisurely circling as they flew by. It was a total surprise. > > https://ebird.org/checklist/S347779322 > > Jay E. > Bellingham, 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 tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 27 15:45:43 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Marv via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 27 15:46:01 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Merlin prey Message-ID: Recently there was a Tweeters discussion about what Merlins eat. Here is an album with images and videos of a few examples. In two of the videos the prey is still alive while in the grasp of a Merlin. https://www.flickr.com/gp/138163614@N02/EA51522JP7 Marv Breece Tukwila, WA marvbreece@gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 27 18:50:54 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Alan Roedell via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 27 18:51:08 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Merlin prey In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Great photos and videos. Thanks especially for the courtship video. On Wed, May 27, 2026, 3:46?PM Marv via Tweeters wrote: > Recently there was a Tweeters discussion about what Merlins eat. Here is > an album with images and videos of a few examples. In two of the videos > the prey is still alive while in the grasp of a Merlin. > > https://www.flickr.com/gp/138163614@N02/EA51522JP7 > > > Marv Breece > Tukwila, WA > marvbreece@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 tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 27 18:56:42 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Jim Betz via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 27 18:56:48 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Stimpson - Thanks In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <4f15db4b-bec4-4297-a7a6-0194c0f53607@jimbetz.com> Hi, ? Just wanted to thank Katie for reporting on Stimpson in Bellingham.? I had a chance to go there today and found it to be an excellent "addition to my list of good places to go".? The old growth forest, groomed trails, excellent signage, and general character of this place all make for another outstanding location. ? I did not get to -see- a lot of birds today, but am hopeful that will change in future visits.? This preserve is easy to get to and yet when you are there it is like stepping into a primeval environment. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?- Jim in Skagit From tweeters at u.washington.edu Wed May 27 21:03:51 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Shep Thorp via Tweeters) Date: Wed May 27 21:04:07 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Wednesday Walk for Billy Frank Jr Nisqually NWR 2/27/2026 Message-ID: Dear Tweets, Approximately 20 of us enjoyed a beautiful spring day with mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the 50's to 70's degrees Fahrenheit. There was a Low 0'2" Tide at 10:42am and a High 11'4" Tide at 5:21pm, so we elected to walk the Twin Barns Loop Trail backwards. Highlights included First Of Year CHIPPING SPARROW near the Visitor Center Kiosk, FOY BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER seen along the east side of the Twin Barns Loop Trail, and FOY WILLOW FLYCATCHER heard and seen along the slough adjacent to the Twin Barns. Other fun sightings included displaying BAND-TAILED PIGEONS over the Orchard. CEDAR WAXWINGS building nests in the Orchard. RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD nest with young just north of the Beaver Deceiver. Two AMERICAN BITTERNS were seen in the freshwater marsh. Upwards of three VIRGINIA RAIL chicks with two adults, were seen in the freshwater marsh. And continuing HUDSONIAN WHIMBRELS on the mudflats. For the day we observed 75 species. With the FOY Willow Flycatcher, Chipping Sparrow and Black-throated Gray Warbler, we now have seen 145 species thus far this year. See our eBird list pasted below for further details and photos. Fun mammal sightings included Muskrat and Long-tailed Weasel. Until next week when we meet again at 8am at the Visitor Center Pond Overlook. Happy birding! Shep -- Shep Thorp Browns Point 253-370-3742 Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR, Thurston, Washington, US May 27, 2026 6:23?AM - 4:40?PM Protocol: Traveling 3.285 mile(s) Checklist Comments: Wednesday Walk. Mostly sunny with temperatures in the 50?s to 70?s degrees Fahrenheit. A Low 0?2? Tide at 10:42 and a High 11?4? Tide at 5:21pm. Mammals seen included Eastern Cotton-tailed Rabbit, Townsend?s Chipmunk, Columbian Black-tailed Deer, Muskrat, Long-tailed Weasel and Harbor Seal. Other seen American Bullfrog. 75 species (+4 other taxa) Canada Goose (moffitti/maxima) 50 Wood Duck 25 Blue-winged Teal 1 Freshwater marsh. Cinnamon Teal 9 Northern Shoveler 2 Gadwall 2 Mallard 100 Ring-necked Duck 1 Twin Barns Overlook. Hooded Merganser 30 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 5 Band-tailed Pigeon (Northern) 25 Mourning Dove 4 Vaux's Swift 1 Anna's Hummingbird 1 Rufous Hummingbird 8 Virginia Rail 7 Sora 1 American Coot (Red-shielded) 1 Killdeer 3 Hudsonian Whimbrel 8 alcid sp. 1 Short-billed Gull 1 Observed preening on mudflats adjacent to RBGU and CAGU with 60 x spotting scope at 100-200 feet for several minutes. Third cycle bird. Small gull with light yellow legs, brown streaks on head, dark eye, dainty yellow-green bill with black tip. Smaller then area RBGU. Photo. Ring-billed Gull 100 California Gull 40 Glaucous-winged Gull 1 Western x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid) 2 Western/Glaucous-winged Gull 20 Caspian Tern 30 Two banded birds: 1) Band right leg with White on red: CO33. Three bands on left leg read top to bottom orange/blue/metal. 2) Band right leg with Black on yellow: J778. Three bands left leg read top to bottom orange/green/silver. Possible photos. Pied-billed Grebe 1 Brandt's Cormorant 1 Double-crested Cormorant 50 American Bittern 2 Freshwater marsh. Great Blue Heron (Great Blue) 60 Turkey Vulture 1 Bald Eagle 30 Two occupied nests both on West Bank of McAllister Hill. One south of the McAllister Creek/Medicine Viewing Platform, the other north of it. Red-tailed Hawk 1 Belted Kingfisher 2 Red-breasted Sapsucker 3 Nest snag outside of west side Twin Barns Loop Trail just north of the twin bench overlook south of the Twin Barns cut-off. Downy Woodpecker (Pacific) 1 Northern Flicker 1 Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 2 Western Wood-Pewee 8 Willow Flycatcher 2 Western Flycatcher (Pacific-slope) 5 Hutton's Vireo 1 Western Warbling Vireo 4 American Crow 5 Common Raven 4 Black-capped Chickadee 3 Chestnut-backed Chickadee 3 Bank Swallow 6 Probably more. Four seen over flooded field south of Twin Barns. One-two seen flying over freshwater marsh. Two birds foraging in mud loosely associated with CLSW foraging on mud between Tower Observation Platform and McAllister Creek/Medicine Creek Observation Platform. Tree Swallow 30 Violet-green Swallow 3 Purple Martin 9 Luhr Beach Mart?n Gourds. Northern Rough-winged Swallow 3 West Bank of McAllister Creek. Barn Swallow (American) 45 Cliff Swallow (pyrrhonota Group) 50 McAllister Creek Viewing Platform has many. One at Visitor Center Pond Overlook. Bushtit (Pacific) 4 Brown Creeper 3 Marsh Wren 15 Bewick's Wren (spilurus Group) 7 European Starling 300 Swainson's Thrush (Russet-backed) 36 Heard and seen. Counted individually. Likely more. American Robin 20 Cedar Waxwing 67 Purple Finch 2 American Goldfinch 15 Chipping Sparrow 1 Visitor Center Kiosk Savannah Sparrow (Savannah) 8 Song Sparrow (rufina Group) 44 Spotted Towhee (oregonus Group) 4 Bullock's Oriole 3 Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged) 50 Brown-headed Cowbird 20 Common Yellowthroat 8 Northern Yellow Warbler 50 Black-throated Gray Warbler 1 Wilson's Warbler 3 Black-headed Grosbeak 6 View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S348037441 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Thu May 28 11:14:52 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Toby Ross via Tweeters) Date: Thu May 28 11:15:06 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Reminder - Presentation: Conservation in the Heart of Costa Rica Message-ID: Join us TONIGHT for a special online presentation introducing the Cerulea Environmental Association, a new Costa Rican nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting one of the country?s most biodiverse regions. Founded by Costa Rican conservation biologists, researchers, and educators - including expert guide Jose Pablo Castillo, who has led many Alight Tours birding trips - the organization is working to conserve critical habitats in the heart of Costa Rica. These remarkable forests provide wintering habitat for Cerulean Warblers alongside rare amphibians, endemic plants, and hundreds of bird species. Learn how community-driven conservation is helping safeguard these ecosystems while supporting research, education, and sustainable stewardship. Whether you are passionate about birds, tropical ecology, conservation, or travel, we hope you can join us for this engaging and inspiring evening. DATE: 28 May, 2026 TIME: 7:00?8:00 PM (PST) WHERE: Virtual Event (Zoom) For more information visit www.alighttours.com Zoom Link: https://kingcounty.zoom.us/j/81202676960 We look forward to seeing you! Toby Ross Seattle www.alighttours.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Thu May 28 11:47:14 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Larry Schwitters via Tweeters) Date: Thu May 28 11:47:36 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Trektellen Message-ID: <3B78A66E-2701-4343-A339-26A4F28CE443@me.com> Anyone out there in Tweeter Land who would like to share their experiences with Trektellen? Larry Schwitters Issaquah From tweeters at u.washington.edu Thu May 28 12:17:54 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Doug Plummer via Tweeters) Date: Thu May 28 12:18:08 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Camera found at Columbia NWR Message-ID: Posting for a friend. Last weekend they found a Sony camera and lens by the side of the road at the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge. Looks like it fell off a car. If it was you, I can connect you. There?s a particular modification on the camera that only the owner would know. Doug Plummer -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Thu May 28 13:58:50 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Michael Hobbs via Tweeters) Date: Thu May 28 13:59:06 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co.) 2026-05-28 Message-ID: Tweets - A gorgeous day at the park today. Again, actual sightings of birds were sometimes hard to come by, but we had a very good time, and had some very good birds. Highlights: Blue-winged Teal - Two males and a female across from the Lake Platform; 2nd week in a row for this species Gadwall - Only one male, seen late, after weeks of 5+ pairs. Perhaps females are finally on nests Mallard - Many clutches of ducklings Ring-necked Duck - Pair at the lake Spotted Sandpiper - Two seen flying down the slough - First of Year (FOY) Pied-billed Grebe - One seen and heard "singing" across from the Lake Platform. Our first since mid-April Red-breasted Sapsucker - Notably many sightings Five Woodpecker Day - Though Downy and Hairy were heard-only Bullock's Oriole - One female seen AMERICAN REDSTART - First-year male seen singing just east of the NW end of the boardwalk (FOY) Today's sighting of RING-NECKED DUCKS ties for the latest spring sighting ever noted at Marymoor. I can find no June records; we'll see if we can notch one next week The AMERICAN REDSTART seemed pretty attached to the small trees just a bit east of the start of the boardwalk. It was occasionally singing it's song, which sounds like the start of a Northern Yellow Warbler song. First-year males are quite drab, but the patches of yellow were easy enough to see on our glimpses of this very active bird. This is the 6th record for Marymoor Park, and the first for the month of May. Other sightings have been in very late June through mid-September. Misses today included Glaucous-winged Gull, Green Heron, Red-tailed Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, Cliff Swallow, Wilson's Warbler, and Western Tanager. For the day, 62 species. The two new birds for the year push our 2026 survey total to 112 species. = Michael Hobbs = BirdMarymoor@gmail.com = www.marymoor.org/birding.htm From tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri May 29 23:11:24 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Gene Beall via Tweeters) Date: Fri May 29 23:11:28 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] possible Blue Grosbeak outside Fall City Message-ID: I have some good friends who are quite confident they saw a Blue Grosbeak today on Neal Road, just outside Fall City.? They reported clearly seeing the overall coloring, the heavy bill, and the rufous wing bars.? They initially considered a Lazuli Bunting but upon seeing the rufous wing bars, they felt confident it must be a Blue Grosbeak.? If anyone is out that way, you might keep an eye out in hopes for a confirmation siting. Gene Beall gene.beall@gmail.com Sammamish, WA From tweeters at u.washington.edu Sat May 30 07:48:48 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Gary Bletsch via Tweeters) Date: Sat May 30 07:48:55 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Off-topic Brazil RFI References: <1760455894.4589800.1780152528960.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1760455894.4589800.1780152528960@mail.yahoo.com> Dear Tweeters, If anyone in Tweeterland has suggestions for a birding trip to Brazil, please contact me off-list at this e-mail address garybletsch@yahoo.com and I would be most appreciative. I am considering just popping down there to, say, Manaus in July or August, since it would be a relatively dry time of year. I have birded most of the other countries in South America, but somehow haven't made it to Brazil yet. What I envision is a visit to a lodge or a few lodges near Manaus, maybe do some guided birding, maybe some on my own. Thanks for consideration. Yours truly, Gary Bletsch -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Sat May 30 08:49:26 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Hank Heiberg via Tweeters) Date: Sat May 30 08:49:41 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] Fledgling Black-capped Chickadees References: Message-ID: ?Yesterday we noticed 2 adult Black-capped Chickadees with white seeds in their bills repeatedly landing in our rhododendrons and then diving down into the ferns. https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55302217607/in/dateposted/ So we went out onto our patio and found a fledgling Chickadee in the ferns at the base of a rhododendron https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55303532350/in/photostream/ with adults arriving to feed it. https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55303123156/in/photostream/ We retreated back into the house and saw the fledgling taking flights of about a foot in length while exploring its surroundings with the adults continuing to arrive with food. https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55302218347/in/photostream/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55303123851/in/photostream/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55303533680/in/photostream/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/55303277173/in/photostream/ There was another fledgling about 7 feet up in the rhodies. An Anna?s Hummingbird inspected it from about 6 inches away and then left. A Dark-eyed Junco arrived and was driven off by one of the adult Chickadees. Hank & Karen Heiberg Issaquah, WA hankdotheiberggmail -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tweeters at u.washington.edu Sun May 31 15:18:58 2026 From: tweeters at u.washington.edu (Ian Paulsen via Tweeters) Date: Sun May 31 15:18:58 2026 Subject: [Tweeters] The Birdbooker Report Message-ID: HI ALL: I posted about one bird and one non-bird book at my blog here: https://birdbookerreport.blogspot.com/2026/05/new-titles.html sincerely Ian Paulsen Bainbridge Island, WA, USA Visit my BIRDBOOKER REPORT blog here: https://birdbookerreport.blogspot.com/