Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from The Tweeters List > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Friday, October 10 at 06:09 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Three-toed Woodpecker

10 Oct Barred Owl at Matthews Beach [] 10 Oct Bus and Birds:Duwamish Head Rockpipers [Mark Vernon ] 10 Oct Endangered Rimatara Lories making babies! (link) [Devorah Bennu ] 10 Oct Anna's : Yes, feed year-round! [] 10 Oct Late Anna's Hummingbird in PT [Gary or Diana Cummins ] 10 Oct tulalip bay-AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER-oct.9 ["michael bacon" ] 10 Oct Marymoor fall raptor migration peak data ["Michael Hobbs" ] 10 Oct Lost and Found [] 10 Oct Swallow Flock [Kathy Andrich ] 10 Oct Black Scotors, Carkeek Park, Oct 10 [Jesse Ellis ] 10 Oct mystery birds (links) [Devorah Bennu ] 9 Oct i'm late ["travelGirl" ] 9 Oct for Northern Harrier lovers ["Marv Breece" ] 9 Oct Skagit RUFF, Hart's Pass - 8-9 Oct 2008 ["Ryan Merrill" ] 09 Oct Marymoor Park Report (Redmond, King Co., WA) 2008-10-09 ["Michael Hobbs" ] 9 Oct Fields Riffle Park, Snohomish. ["jeff gibson" ] 09 Oct Kennewick bird ["Dennis Rockwell" ] 9 Oct Common Loon Images ["Virginia R, Gumm" ] 9 Oct Olympia Clay-colored Sparrow [". KDB ." ] 9 Oct Hart Pass and Hawk Owl? [Thor Manson ] 9 Oct BirdBox summary ["Eugene and Nancy Hunn" ] 9 Oct Othello area birds ["Randy Hill" ] 09 Oct Re: bird plates [] 9 Oct mystery birds, and a DonorsChoose teacher speaks out (links) [Devorah Bennu ] 9 Oct Okanogan Highlands today [Ron McCluskey ] 9 Oct Okanogan Highlands today [Ron McCluskey ] 9 Oct Nisqually NWR 10/8/08 [] 09 Oct Re: STOLEN OPTICS [] 08 Oct RE Best place to photograph G white-fronted geese ["Bob Kothenbeutel" ] 09 Oct STOLEN OPTICS [] 8 Oct Tenino White-Tailed Hawks ["Louise Rutter" ] 8 Oct sandhill crane over olympia ["Robin W Baird" ] 8 Oct Question about Loon Photos [addendum] [Marian Murdoch ] 8 Oct Question about Loon Photos [Marian Murdoch ] 8 Oct possible john tubbs memorial dark phase redtailed hawk ["dave templeton" ] 8 Oct Wood Sandpipers Photos, ["Ruth Sullivan" ] 8 Oct American Golden-Plover, Auburn [Guy McWethy ] 08 Oct re: bird vanity plates [] 8 Oct Golden Plover in Kent Valley (Auburn) ["Bob Stallcop" ] 08 Oct South Prairie/Foothills Trail, 8 Oct. 2008: Broad-winged Hawk, etc. [] 8 Oct mystery birds, and a lovely bird video (links) [Devorah Bennu ] 8 Oct Fw: [obol] Wood Sandpiper: Register-Guard Article/Video [Kathy Andrich ] 8 Oct Africa wildlife cam ["Dawn Bailey" ] 8 Oct Fir Island White Fronted Geese ["Jane Penman" ] 08 Oct White-fronted geese - best location to photograph?? ["Bob Kothenbeutel" ] 7 Oct RE: Birding in WA, OR, and CA 9/23-10/5 (long!) [Khanh Tran ] 7 Oct My October Programs - Owls, native plants, spiders ["Stewart Wechsler" ] 7 Oct Birding in WA, OR, and CA 9/23-10/5 (long!) ["Paul Webster" ] 7 Oct golden-plover images ["Marv Breece" ] 07 Oct Douglas County shorebirding RFI ["Michael Hobbs" ] 7 Oct Turkey Vultures over Seattle ["Martin Muller" ] 8 Oct Newcastle Turkey Vultures ["richard w mclachlin" ] Subject: Barred Owl at Matthews Beach From: m.egger AT comcast.net Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:09:16 +0000 On the night of 6-7 October a Barred Owl was calling actively in the trees near my home just N of Matthews Beach Park in NE Seattle. This is the FIRST time I've recorded this species here in the 20 years I've lived at this location. There have been no calls heard since then... Also, an (early?) Varied Thrush was in my yard on the morning of 8 October. Mark_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Bus and Birds:Duwamish Head Rockpipers From: Mark Vernon <ma_vern AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:40:49 -0700 (PDT) Today I once again tackled various West Seattle locations by bus. To sum up I arrived from downtown Seattle by route #54 and started at Lincoln Park. Then I went to the California Junction by Sound Transit route #560, from there I used route #128 to go to the Admiral Junction and walked down to the Duwamish Head by way of the Fairmount Gully. From Alki I returned to downtown Seattle on Route #56. Yes, I made a big day out of it!   I am not going to recommend what I did as there are easier ways. I was looking for long walks in some of my favorite places. I would suggest doing either Lincoln Park or the Alki/Duwamish Head areas seperately. Either are extremely easy to access by bus. The #56 is a really good way to get to Alki and then walk along the waterfront to the Duwamish Head. It is a very worthwhile walk.   I found all of my target birds today. At Lincoln Park I found a Common Loon and lots of Harlequin Ducks. Varied Thrushes were singing in the upper forest which is always wonderful to hear. I found a Townsend's Warbler in a flock of Black-capped Chickadees.   Walking down to the Duwamish Head from the Admiral District I used an interesting trail that starts from the northwest side of the Admiral Way bridge and descends into the Fairmount Gully. This saves a lot of time if you are on foot.   At the Duwamish Head my goal was to find the Black Turnstones and Surfbirds. I did not find around the head itself ,but found them when I turned west and on my way to Alki. There was a low tide this morning so not all of their rocks were being splashed by waves. I counted 29 Black Turnstones and only 4 Surfbirds.   Mark Vernon Renton, WA mailto ma_vern AT yahoo.com _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Endangered Rimatara Lories making babies! (link) From: Devorah Bennu <birdologist AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:23:03 -0700 (PDT) hello tweeties, good news! the endangered Rimatara lory, Vini kuhlii, is reproducing! As a lory breeder and researcher, I have been following the fate of these birds for many years, and am most pleased to tell you that the small group that was translocated from Rimatara to their historic home of Atiu in the Cook Islands is doing well; http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2008/10/rimatara_lories.php this story has links to my previous stories and also links to the PDF report that i refer to. cheers, GrrlScientist Devorah http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/ Roosting high up a tree somewhere in Central Park, NYC _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Anna's : Yes, feed year-round! From: iwhonever AT comcast.net Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:57:29 +0000 This topic come up a lot on this site, but Yes, Anna's are year-round residents here and do quite well even on our coldest stormy Winter days. So keep the feeders going and once they find them you will likely have more than one show up on a regular basis all winter long. Especially in areas close to the Puget Sound. pete hammill Seattle, Wa iwhonever AT comcast.net_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Late Anna's Hummingbird in PT From: Gary or Diana Cummins <casacummins AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:54:21 -0700 Hello all... Back at my last National Park Service posting in West Virginia we often had a few late Ruby-throated hummers into October, and even an occasional Rufous. The accepted opinion then for those of us with feeders was to keep them up in order to accommodate the late-comers on their way south. I don¹t think we ever had one after mid-October but there were a few reports from nearby of some hummers sticking around nearly all winter (the National Arboretum in DC had one that stayed through the winter, assisted by a feeder under a 100-watt light in 2004). At our new place just south of Port Townsend we still have a single female Anna¹s visiting our feeder despite several periods of cold rain and a pretty strong windstorm a few nights ago, and are concerned about this gal¹s future. We plan to keep the feeder going, probably bringing it in at night and replacing it in the mornings after the first frost but are interested to know if this is still considered the right thing to do. Does anyone know of any recent research on this? Gary Cummins Port Townsend casacummins AT yahoo.com_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: tulalip bay-AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER-oct.9 From: "michael bacon" <baconmf AT verizonmail.com> Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:32:53 -0500 hi tweeters-yesterday- in the flock of mixed shorebirds on tulalip bay spit was 1 am.golden plover--- golden brown color,smaller than back-bellied plovers,short bill + long wingtips ided it - it was amongst ~60 black -bellied plovers, 3 dozen dunlins, 20 sanderlings , 7 westerns sands--my records show only 1 amrican golden plover sighting here -late aug.2005 +1 pacific golden plover 25 aug.2005- cheers,maxine reid ,tulalip bay,wa--mail to : baconmf AT verizonmail.com -- -- you AT usa.com is available and 170 other free domains. Sign up at www.mail.com _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Marymoor fall raptor migration peak data From: "Michael Hobbs" <birdmarymoor AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:25:26 -0700 Tweets - in my Marymoor report for yesterday, I alluded to this week being the peak of fall raptor migration at Marymoor. Well here's the data, charting Osprey, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, American Kestrel, Merlin, and Peregrine Falcon. I didn't include Red-tailed Hawk, which are just so ubiquitous at Marymoor as to obscure the data. Week 39 40 41 42 43 #Species 2.6 2.6 3.1 2.3 1.9 #Birds 3.1 3.4 4.2 2.9 2.1 #Years 13 14 14 13 13 So this shows the average number of raptor species (#Species) and the average number of raptor individuals (#Birds), each year since 1997 (exluding RTHA). The #Years shows the number of years for which I have data. I think it's pretty cool when a pattern like this becomes obvious in my records. This peak seems very real. == Michael Hobbs == Kirkland, WA == http://www.marymoor.org/birding.htm == http://www.marymoor.org/BirdBlog.htm == birdmarymoor AT verizon.net _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Lost and Found From: annmariewood AT comcast.net Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:22:39 +0000 Dear Tweeters: GREAT NEWS…my scope, bins, camera and BirdPod have been located and returned. Apparently someone living nearby “found” them and, after a lengthy period of reflection, decided to return them. Thanks for your support and suggestions. Since birders are frequent, and sometimes repeated, targets for thieves, I’ll pass on some helpful advice I received. Hopefully you won’t need it. Precautionary Measures: 1. Create a list of your optics with serial numbers, dates of purchase, and price. 2. Photograph all of your equipment; note serial numbers on reverse of photo. 3. Check your Homeowners or Renters and Car Insurance to determine if/when your optics are covered and the limits of coverage. Some items can be “scheduled” to increase the limits and, for a small additional fee, the deductible can be reduced. 4. Maintain a low profile. Keep bird guides, Audubon stickers and other clues out of sight. 5. Attach name and contact info to tote bags, covers, cases, etc. 6. Car alarms and locks won’t stop the determined criminal. · Thieves have discovered how to access cars that use remote entry by using a universal access device….delaying discovery of the theft. And, with no apparent break-in insurance may not reimburse for losses. · Broken windows may not trigger your car alarm; check with your dealer. · Consider investing in a trunk safe for your scope. Some suggestions if Optics stolen: · Call 911 as soon as a theft or burglary is discovered. The police report will include a description of items taken, with serial numbers. Pawn shops are required to submit serial numbers to the police so that they can be checked for stolen merchandise. · Monitor Craig’s List and Ebay - alert police if something of yours turns up. · Check local pawn shops - alert police if something of yours turns up. · Ask Apartment Manager to post notice of a reward for the return of “lost” items. · Spread the word and pray. Apparently, miracles do happen! Thanks Again, Ann Marie Wood Mountlake Terrace, WA annmariewood AT comcast.net _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Swallow Flock From: Kathy Andrich <chukarbird AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:01:41 -0700 (PDT) Hi Tweeters, Last night behind Annixter a Kent business off of 64th street I saw over the north forest of the Green River Natural Area a getting late timewise, quite large flock of Violet-green Swallows, apparently feeding off an insect hatch. Guesstimate about 300 birds or so. Wonder where they came from? I haven't seen a real flock like that in awhile. Kathy Roosting in Kent, near Lake Meridian (chukarbird at yahoo dot com) Any driving directions contained within this message are given as a courtesy, beware, author is directionally challenged and will not vouch for them. _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Black Scotors, Carkeek Park, Oct 10 From: Jesse Ellis <jme29 AT cornell.edu> Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:44:34 -0700 Hey All- Anya Illes and I were happy to have close looks at 4 Black Scotors which flew in and briefly joined the 200 strong wigeon flock at Carkeek park yesterday morning at around 8:30. Many more scotors moving in the Sound, but we didn't see much else of note out on the water. Jesse Ellis Maple Leaf Seattle -- Jesse Ellis, Ph. D. Neurobiology and Behavior jme29 AT cornell.edu 111 Mudd Hall Cornell University Ithaca, 14853 _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: mystery birds (links) From: Devorah Bennu <birdologist AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:52:24 -0700 (PDT) hello tweeties, yesterday's mystery bird was a lovely Inca Dove, Columbina inca; http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2008/10/todays_mystery_bird_for_you_to_34.php today's mystery bird, courtesy of another talented "mystery bird" photographer, Richard Ditch, can be viewed here; http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2008/10/todays_mystery_bird_for_you_to_37.php cheers, GrrlScientist Devorah http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/ Roosting high up a tree somewhere in Central Park, NYC _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: i'm late From: "travelGirl" <travelgirl.fics AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 22:17:36 -0700 to apologise for the august calendar appearing on a corrupted website, and for being so late with the september 2008 desktop calendar that it never appeared, please accept this calendar desktop as partial recompense for it showing up in the second week of october... for what it's worth, with all the rain outside i like the idea of this photo now more than in september :) http://realistatlarge.blogspot.com/2008/10/im-late-im-late.html 00 caren http://realistatlarge.blogspot.com/ george davis creek, north fork_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: for Northern Harrier lovers From: "Marv Breece" <mbreece AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 21:29:08 -0700 As I drove through the Lummi Flats (Whatcom County) on Sunday, Oct 5, 2008, I came up on a beautiful subadult male Northern Harrier. At first, the bird seemed to have something on the ground. Yet I saw nothing, and when the bird flew, its talons were empty. But for a short time the bird put on quite a show. Below is a link to 48 images taken during a 4 minute period of time from the window of my car. I suggest viewing them as a slideshow using a one second interval. http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/northern_harrier Marv Breece Seattle, WA mbreece AT earthlink.net_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Skagit RUFF, Hart's Pass - 8-9 Oct 2008 From: "Ryan Merrill" <rmerrill27 AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 20:54:37 -0700 Yes it's the four-letter code, but there shouldn't be any problems. I spent yesterday birding the Stanwood/Skagit area before heading up to Hart's Pass this morning and then back to Fir Island this evening. The roads up to where the Northern Hawk Owl is weren't any problem this morning. There were a couple inches of snow near the turnoff to the Meadows Campground, but parking there at the intersection and walking half a mile down the road worked well for me and the several other birders who were there. The morning temperature up there was 22 degrees so dress warmly. Greater White-fronted Geese were seemingly everywhere I went - even up at Hart's Pass! 8 October 2008 Greater White-fronted Goose - 130 Boe Road, 40 Skagit WMA, 380 Jensen Access, 18 Channel Drive, 220 West 90 Pacific Golden-Plover - 6 Wiley Road Barn Owl - 1 flushed at Skagit WMA by barrage of gunshots Violet-green Swallow - 10 Boe Road Barn Swallow - 75 Boe Road American Pipit - most everywhere including 150+ on Maupin Road Yellow Warbler - 1 Skagit WMA Common Yellowthroat - 1 Jensen Access RUSTY BLACKBIRD - 1 continues on Wiley Road 9 October 2008 Mountains: Greater White-fronted Goose - 13 migrating south, just east of Hart's Pass SPRUCE GROUSE - 2 females on road within ten feet, about 3 miles down from Meadows CG turnoff Ruffed Grouse - 1 along road near Mazama Bald Eagle - 1 Swamp Creek Golden Eagle - 2 Rainy Pass American Kestrel - 1 Swamp Creek large falcon sp. - 1 Rainy Pass (likely Prairie), 1 Swamp Creek NORTHERN HAWK OWL - 1 continues on the road into the Meadows CG. Sat right along the road for 1.5 hours before it flew to various perches. At one point a raven flew in and perched directly below it resulting in a series of loud calls from the owl before the raven flew off. Clark's Nutcracker - 1 Swamp Creek Western Meadowlark - 1 at Swamp Creek in eastern Skagit County, approximately 4000 feet elevation Pine Grosbeak - 2 males eating ash berries, within ten feet, about 2 miles down from Meadows CG turnoff just down from a large pullout WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL - 1 flyover about 2 miles down from Meadows CG turnoff Lowlands: Greater White-fronted Goose - 320 Wiley Road, 450 Milltown Road, 80 Stanwood Killdeer - 215 (!) Wiley Road Pacific Golden-Plover - 2 Wiley Road Pectoral Sandpiper - 14+ Wiley Road RUFF - 1 Wiley Road, just the third record for Skagit County Good birding, Ryan Merrill Kirkland, WA _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Marymoor Park Report (Redmond, King Co., WA) 2008-10-09 From: "Michael Hobbs" <birdmarymoor AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:32:19 -0700 Tweets - a very interesting day at Marymoor today. It was cool, and the fog was above us in the morning, clearing somewhat by mid-morning. Looking through past data, it's very clear that the peak of fall raptor migration is this week, the 2nd week of October. While we didn't have any falcons today (we've had falcons about half of the years during the 2nd week in October), we made up for it with other raptors: OSPREY One flying out over the lake Bald Eagle At least 2 adults Northern Harrier 1-2 (two disparate sightings) Sharp-shinned Hawk 2+ Cooper's Hawk 3+, MANY sightings Independently, Scott and Ed (up from Stellacomb) had sightings of single BARN OWL early. Conceivably the same bird. Then Scott and I walked down the path to the south end of the East Meadow, pre-sunrise. The last two weeks we'd seen fresh feathers from American Robin, and I was just about to alert Scott to the possibility that some raptor might snag a Robin for breakfast when that's exactly what happened. A large SHARP-SHINNED HAWK flew down from a tree and nailed an AMERICAN ROBIN right next to the path about 15 yards ahead of us. It mantled over the bird for a minute or so, then flew off with it to cover. A couple of minutes later, we saw a Sharpie nearby again, possibly the same bird. Maybe it lost its prey, maybe it cached its prey, or maybe it was a different Sharpie. We had a NORTHERN HARRIER about 7:25, flying north across the grass soccer fields. About 9:00, we had a Harrier land in the large snags east of the bend in the boardwalk. Could have been the same bird, but who knows. Just before the Harrier came in to the snag, there had been a large COOPER'S HAWK there, one of many Cooper's sightings. We had a juvenile RED-TAILED HAWK land in a tree *right* next to our cars to start the official walk. When we returned to our cars 4.5 hours later, the same hawk was on a low post nearby eating a vole, and giving us great looks. Non-raptor highlights: Western Grebe 2-3 on lake Hairy Woodpecker 1 on unusually small branches Winter Wren 1 just before lake platform Varied Thrush 1 flyover, either with others or with AMRO Orange-crowned Warbler 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler Ubiquitous BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK 1, VERY late, near the weir Pine Siskin With HOFI and AMGO at Compost Piles Back to accipiters, we had a broad mix of adults and immatures, with both small and large representatives of both species, making it quite clear that we weren't just seeing the same few over and over. Snag Row featured at least a daring juvenile COOPER'S HAWK that was mixing it up with crows and an adult male SHARP-SHINNED HAWK further west. In all, we had accipiter sightings about once every 20 minutes all morning. For the day, 57 species. BTW - my Marymoor Bird Blog appears to be non-functional right now. I will be trying to get it fixed tomorrow, and will post some photos then. == Michael Hobbs == Kirkland, WA == http://www.marymoor.org/birding.htm == http://www.marymoor.org/BirdBlog.htm == birdmarymoor AT verizon.net _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Fields Riffle Park, Snohomish. From: "jeff gibson" <gibsondesign AT msn.com> Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 16:50:56 -0700 A brief stop at Fields Riffle Park (undeveloped snohomish co. park on the snohomish river just downstream from the town of Snohomish revealed a few interesting things today In the Cottonwood and Willow woods came across a group of noisy BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES - not unusual, but a closer scan of the 'flock' revealed a BROWN CREEPER and a single bright male BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER , a bit out of typical habitat - this stretch of river having almost no conifers. A number of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS and a single RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET were also in with the chickadees. Walking back out to the road thru the farm fields saw about 50 AMERICAN PIPITS, 6 WESTERN MEADOWLARKS, and a few SAVANNAH SPARROWS. A single MOURNING DOVE flew over. In the Bug Department saw a few Wooly Bear caterpillars ,and only two of the big Carolina Grasshoppers that were so numerous just two weeks ago. They were still flying , but barely able to - it was too cold. Maybe they'll have their last flying thrills this weekend if the temps get back up to 60. This park has a number of sandy areas which are really great for bugs when its warmer - in one tiny patch of sand I quickly lost count of how many types of bees and wasps were cavorting about back in warmer september. Jeff Gibson , Everett WA _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Kennewick bird From: "Dennis Rockwell" <dennisrockwell AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:31:49 -0700 An immature Peregrine Falcon visited Two Rivers County Park this afternoon. Dennis Rockwell Kennewick, WA dennisrockwell AT verizon.net_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Common Loon Images From: "Virginia R, Gumm" <ggloon AT msn.com> Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 18:21:37 -0700 Tweeters; I am responding to the questions regarding the common loon images that were posted by Marian Murdoch. Both of the common loon images are of adults that are losing their alternate/breeding plumage and molting into basic/winter plumage. The basic/winter plumage molt will show the bill losing its black color and becoming mostly ivory-gray with a darkened culmen or black border along the upper mandible. A darkening around the middle where the mandibles close can be observed on adults. Lighter feathers are seen around the bill and eye and the neck pattern appears as a "Z" notch rather than the black and white stripes/neckband. The white-spotted feathers begin to be replaced by gray unspotted feathers. This transition occurs when the loon is just leaving its breeding territory and the molt progression continues to the wintering territory. Juvenile plumage (first-year) is noted by scalloped-appearing feathers with cream edges and a maghogany brown eye. The bill is ivory gray with the darkened culmen appearing on the mandible. Second year juvenile plumage will show unscalloped gray feathers with some lightening of spot areas. Adults plumage is observed at three years of age, though a small number of two-year-old banded common loons have returned with almost full alternate/breeding plumage. (This is one year earlier than the norm.) Adult loons have red eyes during the breeding season which remains during the winter, though as a rusty-red color. First-year juveniles will have a mahogany-colored eye developing into a rusty-red at two years of age, then red as an adult. Hope that this helps and we would appreciate any common loon location or information during the fall and winter months along the migration pathway of the Columbia River, Puget Sound region, and the WA Pacific Ocean shoreline. Ginger Gumm, Daniel Poleschook, Jr., Darwin Long WA Common Loon Conservation, BRI ggloon AT msn.com 509-939-9699_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Olympia Clay-colored Sparrow From: ". KDB ." <buhrdz AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 18:13:58 -0700 Hello, Had a nice little surprise out my living room window today, a Clay-colored Sparrow. See some poor pics at the top of the page at: http://www.pbase.com/slickslug/new_odds__ends This is the same exact spot in my yard that has previously hosted "Slate-colored" & "Red" Fox Sparrows, Harris's Sparrow and Mountain Chickadee; all nice Thurston County birds. Keith Brady Olympia, WA _________________________________________________________________ See how Windows Mobile brings your life together—at home, work, or on the go. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/msnnkwxp1020093182mrt/direct/01/_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Hart Pass and Hawk Owl? From: Thor Manson <thormanson AT telus.net> Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 16:08:57 -0700 Does anyone have the latest road conditions for Hart Pass, and/or whether the N. Hawk Owl is still there? Thinking of making a weekend trek. Thanks. Thor Thor Manson Hope, B.C. _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: BirdBox summary From: "Eugene and Nancy Hunn" <enhunn323 AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 15:52:34 -0700 Tweets, I admit that I rarely call the BirdBox despite the fact that it is purring away in my basement. I checked it today and lo and behold there was a current message. In any case, for the record, here are the 10 recordings you will hear if you call 206-364-1162. 1) October 9, Thursday, Curtis Pearson (206-722-9107), relocated the golden plover first reported by Guy McWethy yesterday afternoon [but subsequently not found in the muddy field west of Emerald Downs in Auburn, Washington, off M Street, as posted to Tweeters. Curt watched it from 9 until 9:30 when it flew off [and could not be relocated a bit later]; Curt apparently has some photos; it is most likely an American Golden-Plover]. 2) September 15, Monday, Bob Stallcup (425-922-2300), observed a Black-and-white Warbler at Bassett Park in Washtucna Sunday September 14. 3) September 14, Sunday, Mark Boeninger (206-361-1654), saw a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher near the visitor center at Ocean Shores. 4) August 15, Friday, Wayne Paulsson, saw an immature Brown Pelican flying south off West Point in Seattle. 5) August 14, Thursday, Ryan Merrill et al., found a Chestnut-sided Warbler at Bottle Beach, at the parking area and a juvenile Franklin's Gull at the Hoquiam ponds. 6) July 10, Thursday, Phoebe (?) Brown, Sedro Woolley, reports a male Lazuli Bunting. 7) July 4, Friday, Kevin Aanerud (206-523-6195), watched a Least Tern fly over the Everett Sewage ponds. 8) June 20, Friday, Tom Aversa reported two American Redstarts at the Fortson Mill Ponds, an Eastern Kingbird along the Oso Loop Rd., and Lazuli Buntings in Arlington, all Snohomish County. 9) June 14, Carl Haynie and Tom Walker described a possible male Tricolored Blackbird along the creek above Wenas Lake and Veeries, a Gray Flycatcher, and Nashville Warblers singing at Wenas campground. 10) May 18, Sunday, Janelle Hopper (206-979-7747) encountered an owl of some kind mid-day in St. Edwards Park [north of Kirkland, King County; probably Barred. ed.]. Gene Hunn 18476 47th Pl NE Lake Forest Park, WA 98155 enhunn323 AT comcast.net _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Othello area birds From: "Randy Hill" <hill AT smwireless.net> Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 14:48:42 -0700 Back from a week in the mountains west of Yakima. No Spruce Grouse (many Sooty though) and very few woodpeckers on this trip, but the pikas kept me entertained. This morning among the masses of migrants there was a Eurasian Collared-Dove at Corfu, 2 G Yellowlegs and 7 G White-fronted Geese at the County Line Ponds, and a Golden-crowned Sparrow near Lower Goose Lake, all Grant County. Also hundreds of Sandhill Cranes using the east end of the Royal Slope. I have male and female Slate-colored Juncos at my feeders in town. Randy Hill Othello _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Re: bird plates From: mawilloughby1 AT comcast.net (Melissa) Date: Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:37:33 +0000 Well, now I'm mad at myself for tossing my old PICIDAE plates! I considered keeping one for sentimental purposes, but was trying to purge all my "stuff". But - I will submit a photo of my new one BRDNRD1. :-) Melissa Willoughby Seattle biobirder * at * comcast.net_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: mystery birds, and a DonorsChoose teacher speaks out (links) From: Devorah Bennu <birdologist AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 09:23:12 -0700 (PDT) Hello Tweeties, yesterday's mystery bird was a feral/escaped peach-faced lovebird, Agapornis roseicollis, as you all correctly identified. You all probably know my intense love for the parrots, so when Richard Ditch, the photographer, offered me a couple images of feral peach-faced lovebirds, i could not resist sharing one of them with you! But this sweet little lovebird also triggered a lot of commentary among my readers and even Rick Wright has a wonderful essay about these birds; http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2008/10/todays_mystery_bird_for_you_to_31.php courtesy of Richard Ditch, who is a new addition to the mystery bird photographers, today's mystery bird can be viewed here; http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2008/10/todays_mystery_bird_for_you_to_34.php further, thanks to my readers, one of my "DonorsChoose" classrooms in North Carolina will now be able to share the wonder of birds with poor children because some of you have fully funded their request for binoculars! The teacher wrote a thank you note that i share with you all here; http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2008/10/a_donorschoose_teacher_speaks.php I have to warn you that recently, the ScienceBlogs site is experiencing some problems of an unknown nature that cause it to time out when commenting and to send most comments to moderation (even my own comments are sent to moderation). do not let this bother you -- none of you have done anything "wrong" that has caused me to "moderate" you (i don't believe in "moderating" my readers anyway). it is a site-wide problem that affects everyone! cheers, GrrlScientist Devorah http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/ Roosting high up a tree somewhere in Central Park, NYC _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Okanogan Highlands today From: Ron McCluskey <rmcclsky AT mindspring.com> Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 01:50:32 -0400 (EDT) I had a few hours to check out the Okanogan Co. highlands today. I started at the Highlands Snow Park trying to find a Great Gray Owl. No luck today (I'll get one sooner or later. hehe). The dirt road to the left just before the park was open so I went several miles up that way. While I was trying to call in an owl, I finally noticed a Ruffed Grouse hunkered down so the owl wouldn't see him. On the way out, there were 4 Wild Turkeys at the junction with the highway. I got to Mary Ann Creek Road just after 5 pm and with not much light left just did a hurried once through. The only thing of interest was an adult and juvenile Golden Eagle near the road on the right just past the last of the beaver ponds. I really did not have a chance to wait around looking for any finches as I wanted to get back to Owl habitat before it got too dark. With reports of White-Winged Crossbills and Common Redpolls already headed this way, I'm anxious to see what Winter brings. Good birding to one and all, Ron McCluskey Cheney, WA rmcclsky at mindspring dot com _______________________________________________ Inland-nw-birders mailing list Inland-nw-birders AT uidaho.edu https://www.lists.uidaho.edu/mailman/listinfo/inland-nw-birders Subject: Okanogan Highlands today From: Ron McCluskey <rmcclsky AT mindspring.com> Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 01:50:32 -0400 (EDT) I had a few hours to check out the Okanogan Co. highlands today. I started at the Highlands Snow Park trying to find a Great Gray Owl. No luck today (I'll get one sooner or later. hehe). The dirt road to the left just before the park was open so I went several miles up that way. While I was trying to call in an owl, I finally noticed a Ruffed Grouse hunkered down so the owl wouldn't see him. On the way out, there were 4 Wild Turkeys at the junction with the highway. I got to Mary Ann Creek Road just after 5 pm and with not much light left just did a hurried once through. The only thing of interest was an adult and juvenile Golden Eagle near the road on the right just past the last of the beaver ponds. I really did not have a chance to wait around looking for any finches as I wanted to get back to Owl habitat before it got too dark. With reports of White-Winged Crossbills and Common Redpolls already headed this way, I'm anxious to see what Winter brings. Good birding to one and all, Ron McCluskey Cheney, WA rmcclsky at mindspring dot com _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Nisqually NWR 10/8/08 From: Scrubjay323 AT aol.com Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2008 01:34:02 EDT Tweets, Today 14 of us enjoyed a great walk at Nisqually around the 5+ mile outer dike. The weather was cool and overcast at the start but was warm and sunny by the time we finished. It was great to have Michael Hobbs and Louise Rutter join us. Highlights were many including 2 PEREGRINE FALCONS, 20+ GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, and 6 RIVER OTTERS! The day started out with MALLARDS and WOOD DUCKS behind the visitor center but no BITTERN as in weeks past. The trail to McAllister Creek was open and we headed that way. Just past the slough on the left we spotted CACKLING GEESE and the GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE well out in the plowed field. A bit later a small flock of CACKLERS flew over with a lone SNOW GOOSE in the formation. Out at McAllister Creek it was pretty slow...except for the 6 RIVER OTTERS making their way up river, fishing as they went. They swam right by us within 30 feet or so, fishing as they went but keeping an eye on us. The next highlight occurred at the photo blind out toward Luhr beach. Here we had some juvenile LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS and HOODED MERGANSERS when an AMERICAN BITTERN flew in from the left, circled around and landed right in front of us and then proceeded to pose for us. Great views! Out on the sound we watched a couple thousand AMERICAN WIGEON and a couple hundred DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS loaf on the water when 2 PEREGERINE FALCONS scared everyone up into flight. We also had some BONOPARTE'S GULLS working the rips in that area. Back on the boardwalk we near the hummingbird sign we had an active area that included ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, WARBLING VIREO, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, BEWICK'S WREN, RUBY CROWNED KINGLET, and the first RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH I've ever seen on the refuge. With the grass mowed/dug up we saw more NORTHERN HARRIERS than we saw in the last 2 months. They were everywhere. We also saw BALD EAGLE, AMERICAN KESTRAL, RED-TAILED HAWK, and a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. All told we saw 66 species for the day with SNOW GOOSE, BONAPARTE'S GULL, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, and AMERICAN PIPIT being new for the year, putting us at 140 species for the year. Mammals seen included the RIVER OTTERS and HARBOR SEALS. Until next week when we are back to the short walk.... Phil Kelley scrubjay323 AT aol.com Lacey, WA 360-459-1499 **************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out! (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000001)_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Re: STOLEN OPTICS From: TEBowden AT comcast.net Date: Thu, 09 Oct 2008 04:17:16 +0000 At the end of August, thieves used a crowbar on the door latch of my Toyota Pickup, broke in and stole a GPS and two binoculars. It was amazing how easy it was for them to break into a locked vehicle. The County Sheriff told me that binoculars and GPS units are big targets, since they are easy to sell. Don't leave anything of value in your vehicle! Tom Bowden Kent, WA -------------- Original message -------------- From: annmariewood AT comcast.net Tweeters: About an hour ago I discovered that the bag containing my Swaro scope and bins, Nikon Digital camera, and loaded BirdPod was stolen. I don't know if the bag was taken while I was loading my car earlier today or later while it was parked. Replacing this great stuff won't be easy. The bins were purchased second hand from Ruth Sullivan several years ago. The scope was a bequest from my aunt. And I hadn't downloaded the recent pictures of the Hart's Pass No. Hawk Owl or of my granddaughter's weekend soccer game. ARRRRRGGGG! I've contacted my apartment manager and local police but neither have been very helpful. If anyone has any advice I'd appreciate hearing from you. In the meantime, I'm praying for a miracle! Ann Marie Wood -- Mountlake Terrace, WA annmariewood AT comcast.net _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: RE Best place to photograph G white-fronted geese From: "Bob Kothenbeutel" <viper.bob AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:01:16 -0700 Thank you Lonnie, Doug, Jane and Caren for the information. I greatly appreciate it. I will probably check out the fill first since that is one of my favorite places to photograph. If I get lucky you will see some images on my website: www.photos.rlkimages.com Bob Kothenbeutel Woodinville ViperDOTbobAT verizonDOTnet _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: STOLEN OPTICS From: annmariewood AT comcast.net Date: Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:31:45 +0000 Tweeters: About an hour ago I discovered that the bag containing my Swaro scope and bins, Nikon Digital camera, and loaded BirdPod was stolen. I don't know if the bag was taken while I was loading my car earlier today or later while it was parked. Replacing this great stuff won't be easy. The bins were purchased second hand from Ruth Sullivan several years ago. The scope was a bequest from my aunt. And I hadn't downloaded the recent pictures of the Hart's Pass No. Hawk Owl or of my granddaughter's weekend soccer game. ARRRRRGGGG! I've contacted my apartment manager and local police but neither have been very helpful. If anyone has any advice I'd appreciate hearing from you. In the meantime, I'm praying for a miracle! Ann Marie Wood -- Mountlake Terrace, WA annmariewood AT comcast.net _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Tenino White-Tailed Hawks From: "Louise Rutter" <louise.rutter AT eelpi.gotdns.org> Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 17:03:56 -0700 After a lovely morning walk at Nisqually with Phil Kelley's group under ever-brightening skies and with cooperative birds (I'll let Phil provide all the highlights, as ever), I took a trip south to look for the Tenino white-tailed hawks. I stopped first at the 173rd Lane pull-out off Gibson Road. A quick scan with the binocs turned up a promising-looking white speck at the top of a conifer on the edge of the tree farm beyond the barns to the northeast. Setting up the scope, I did indeed have a white-tailed kite - or to be more specific, I had a fuzzy outline of something off-white and bird-shaped, with a very white head and tail and a black line at the shoulder, shimmering in the sun-induced haze. Once or twice it stretched out a wing or turned around and preened its very white tail feathers, giving a nice demonstration of the basic field marks. I moved further north up Gibson Road, to the grassy double-gated entrance to the tree farm, hoping for a closer look. Here I got the non-shimmery version and a frontal view, though still needing a scope to appreciate it. The bird I saw had a perfectly white head and a breast, not a hint of the juvenile buffy, though Sibley states that feature disappears within weeks. Many thanks to all those lovely people who provided detailed info on the locations and forwarded helpful emails, after I was careless enough to lose it all! So far my experiences with white-tailed kite seeking are 2 for 2 with instant finds, and that's all thanks to the denizens of this list. Louise Rutter Kirkland _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: sandhill crane over olympia From: "Robin W Baird" <RWBaird AT cascadiaresearch.org> Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 16:41:15 -0700 greetings, a new "yard bird" for us today - we had a sandhill crane flying high (heading southwest) over our yard in olympia ~3:30 this afternoon, on 18th ave NE, off south bay road. we also had two juvenile sharp-shinned hawks sitting a few feet apart on a tree in the yard this morning, and later one sat on the fence within 10' of 4 steller's jays feeding on one of our feeders. the jays were obviously very interested in the hawk but continued to come and go from the feeder until the hawk moved a bit. robin baird olympia, wa rwbaird (at) cascadiaresearch.org_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Question about Loon Photos [addendum] From: Marian Murdoch <marianmurdoch AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 16:43:32 -0700 (PDT) Once again, I neglected to add my personal info. It is at the bottom of this message. I apologize for the error. --------------------------- I captured a photo of two Common Loons. In the photo, the top Loon has a black lower bill, while the bottom one does not. Are these in different stages of developing their winter plummage, or is one a juvenile? http://www.wildmaven.org/birdwatch/loons.jpg What color are the eyes of a Common Loon? I'm assuming their not red, as these photos show: http://www.wildmaven.org/birdwatch/looneyes.jpg http://www.wildmaven.org/birdwatch/looneyes2.jpg Marian Murdoch Belfair, WA marianmurdoch at yahoo.com _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Question about Loon Photos From: Marian Murdoch <marianmurdoch AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 16:41:20 -0700 (PDT) I captured a photo of two Common Loons. In the photo, the top Loon has a black lower bill, while the bottom one does not. Are these in different stages of developing their winter plummage, or is one a juvenile? http://www.wildmaven.org/birdwatch/loons.jpg What color are the eyes of a Common Loon? I'm assuming their not red, as these photos show: http://www.wildmaven.org/birdwatch/looneyes.jpg http://www.wildmaven.org/birdwatch/looneyes2.jpg _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: possible john tubbs memorial dark phase redtailed hawk From: "dave templeton" <crazydave65 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 15:46:12 -0700 hola tweets: whilst perambulating the trestle bridge over sikes lake near camp korey at nestle's farm near carnation (or whatever it is officially called) swmbo noted a bird that 'looks like a heron' on the timber near the south end of the lake. the neck looked too short to be a heron so we fired up the scope and, lo and behold, it may well have been the john tubbs dark phase redtailed hawk. i saw it from the rear and the back was lightly mottled with scattered small gray spots. the head was dark brown with no evidence of white on the neck or what one could see of the front of the bird as it moved its head this way and that eyeing the area. the cere was light in tone; whether it was colored i could not say because of the light. the tail appeared very dark red with a yellowish or creamy terminal band on the dorsal side. it turned and flew while she was watching it and she noted the front of the body was entirely dark but there were white flashes on the underside opened its wings and left. i didn't have glass, so i didn't see anything at that point, more's the pity. even in the crummy light of this early afternoon it was a glorious bird. -- dave templeton fall city, wa crazydave65atgmaildaughtcom "The highway of life is full of flat squirrels that couldn't make up their minds." ____unknown_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Wood Sandpipers Photos, From: "Ruth Sullivan" <godwit513 AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 15:42:48 -0700 Hello Tweeters, I posted 4 of the best photos of the Wood Sandpiper on to my Gallery.The condition where dark,and the bird moved around a lot, and loves the vegetation.One of the photos are two Yellowlegs for comparison the size. Photos can be seeing on my Website at, http://www.pbase.com/godwit/recent_photos Cheers Ruth _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: American Golden-Plover, Auburn From: Guy McWethy <lguy_mcw AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 14:10:58 -0700 (PDT) Hey Tweets! I saw an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER in Auburn today. At the "M" street 'pond' west of Emerald Downs. There is a small remnant pond to the south of the dirt road off "M" street, and the Plover was running around the field just south of the pond, with about 50 Killdeer, among the turf clods. Also at the pond were 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, a basic plumage DUNLIN, and about 30 WILSON'S SNIPE. In the same field, towards the back was a small flock of GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE. And in the larger field to the north, saw a flock of several hundred CACKLING GEESE. Directions: from highway 167, just north of intersection with highway 18, take the 15th street exit. Turn east towards Auburn. Take the first left onto "M" street. (NOT the on-ramp back to 167! Kathy!! ;) Go down and around the corner, past the industrial building. There is a small pull-out just over the creek. That is the 'dirt road' above. The Plover was in the field between the dirt road and the industrial bulding. Good Luck! At the Thomas Pond I had a GREATER YELLOWLEGS, a couple of WILSON'S SNIPE, and 2 AMERICAN PIPITS. NORTHERN SHOVELOR as well. Guy McWethy Renton, WA mailto: lguy_mcw at yahoo.com _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: re: bird vanity plates From: m.egger AT comcast.net Date: Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:54:57 +0000 Many years ago I "bought" the plate, "Parus", the old genus name for chickadees (and still used for some of the Eurasian species). It still hangs in my garage. When it was actually on my car (an old beater VW bug), I think most folks thought it was a misspelling of "Paris" Or maybe it was Paris with a George Bush accent, I'm not sure... Also, a neighbor on my block has the plate, "Strix", as in the owl genus, though it was not intended to have that meaning. I don't recall what their intention was in using the name, but they were surprized to learn the avian meaning! Mark _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Golden Plover in Kent Valley (Auburn) From: "Bob Stallcop" <bstallcop AT seanet.com> Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 13:21:29 -0700 Tweets; I just got a phone call from Guy McWethy asking me to post to the list that he has a Golden Plover next to M Street in Auburn, just West of Emerald Downs. He is not sure whether it is an American or Pacific Golden Plover, but is sure it is one of the two. Bob Stallcop bstallcop AT seanet.com (425) 922-2300 Maple Valley Heights (Renton) WA. _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: South Prairie/Foothills Trail, 8 Oct. 2008: Broad-winged Hawk, etc. From: c.wright7 AT comcast.net Date: Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:19:50 +0000 Hello All, I managed to fit in an all-too-rushed hour and a half of birding on the Foothills Trail in Pierce County this morning. Birds were everywhere with obvious movements having taken place just after this latest front passed. I started at the baseball field and park on the south end of South Prairie, where there was a tan-striped White-throated Sparrow mixed in with about 150 other sparrows. Lincoln's Sparrows were present in large numbers, some still setting down from active migration! Also nearby were 50 Yellow-rumped and 8 Orange-crowned warblers, and a late Swainson's Thrush that was flying at some altitude, circling over the town before heading north! On the west end of the town, a Lapland Longspur flew over giving both the rattle and the "pew" calls. As I drove west on South Prairie-Carbon River Road, I ran into a flock of five Western Bluebirds working the fields. In the first patch of willows after crossing the fields were a Wilson's Warbler and a northern-type very pale gray Yellow Warbler. Finally I had to head to class, but I couldn't resist pulling off when I saw a kettle of raptors coming off Prairie Ridge at about 10:30am. I first got on a Bald Eagle, and in the same binocular field a raptor so small I thought it had to be a Cooper's Hawk by comparison. It then circled and gave me a full view of the underside, which made it very clear that it was a Buteo with a short tail and very broad, proportionately short wings. I quickly ran and got my scope out of the back of my car, and managed to get good scope views of this juvenile Broad-winged Hawk as it soared with the eagle and a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk (which provided a great size comparison). After about 5 minutes the bird glided southward and I had to run. All in all, well worth being a few minutes late to class! Cheers, Charlie Wright Bonney Lake, Washington _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: mystery birds, and a lovely bird video (links) From: Devorah Bennu <birdologist AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 12:10:10 -0700 (PDT) Hello Tweeties, here's a really nice video of a pair of courting blue cranes, Anthropoides paradisea, that you might enjoy; http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2008/10/learning_to_fly.php yesterday's mystery bird, a Juvenile Snow Goose, Chen caerulescens, was not too difficult for you all, but nonetheless, Rick has an interesting essay about identifying this species that you should read; http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2008/10/todays_mystery_bird_for_you_to_21.php I also wanted to mention that your comments on these mystery bird images are both enlightening and amusing, each in turn (tern?). I am very pleased to see that you are enjoying these quizzes! here's today's mystery bird -- a real cutie -- for you to identify; http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2008/10/todays_mystery_bird_for_you_to_31.php I also want to thank all of you who have donated to my DonorsChoice challenge -- I am in second place overall for total money raised for "my" classrooms, and three of "my" challenge project classrooms have been fully funded! cheers, GrrlScientist Devorah http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/ Roosting high up a tree somewhere in Central Park, NYC _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Fw: [obol] Wood Sandpiper: Register-Guard Article/Video From: Kathy Andrich <chukarbird AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 10:52:15 -0700 (PDT) Hi Tweeters, The video below is very well done and I recognize at least one birder from Washington in the shot of a row of birders and optics. They did a very good job on this story. Kathy --- On Tue, 10/7/08, Oropendolas AT aol.com wrote: > From: Oropendolas AT aol.com > Subject: [obol] Wood Sandpiper: Register-Guard Article > To: obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org > Date: Tuesday, October 7, 2008, 10:21 PM > Hello All, > > There will be an article running it this Thursday's > Register-Guard about the > Wood Sandpiper. In the mean time, you can check out this > video on their > on-line page. Yikes! > > _http://rgweb.registerguard.com/video/_ > (http://rgweb.registerguard.com/video/) > > > John Sullivan & Laura Jonhson > Springfield, Oregon > > > > > > **************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening > at your destination. > Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out! > (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000001) > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org > http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Africa wildlife cam From: "Dawn Bailey" <dawnsdog AT rainierconnect.com> Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 09:05:38 -0700 Hi Tweets, a camera at Petes pond is focused on a heron eating a to big frog. http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/wildcamafrica/ Dawn Bailey Eatonville, WA http://vulturecafe.blogspot.com dawnsdog at rainierconnect.com "The worlds not changed.....there's just less in it" Terry Rossio and Ted Elliott_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Fir Island White Fronted Geese From: "Jane Penman" <janepenman AT fidalgo.net> Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 08:51:28 -0700 Tuesday about 2:20 PM I did a double take as I rounded the corner on Fir Island Road at Maupin. There were a good 200 White Fronted Geese feeding in the field. (This is a good corner for double takes, as a few years ago on the first day of Spring, what I thought to be bits of snow, turned out to be Snow Geese amongst the snow.) Yesterday there was another dozen flying east along the road and a handful feeding in the fields just before Cow Town. Fun time of year.enjoy! Jane Penman, La Conner _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: White-fronted geese - best location to photograph?? From: "Bob Kothenbeutel" <viper.bob AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:15:05 -0700 I plan to photograph G. white-fronted geese over the next 3 or 4 days and am looking for a location, ideally not too far from Seattle, where they might be approachable for reasonable close-up shots. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Bob Kothenbeutel Woodinville ViperDOTbobAT verizonDOTnet _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: RE: Birding in WA, OR, and CA 9/23-10/5 (long!) From: Khanh Tran <fsprucegrouse AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 22:28:03 -0700 (PDT) Hi Barbara and Paul, Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip report! I am glad you made the trek to some of my favorite birding haunts in Oregon with much success. More so, you both covered alot of ground in style using the environmentally friendly, Prius. Unlike me, I have probably melted a few glaciers by now from all my carbon footprint of driving my SUV. Carbon Hell is waiting for me, sooner or later:( I am glad I partly inspired you to go from my photos and trip report. It's a great feeling to experience and I share and relate to your excitement and success. PS, Most of the rosyfinches at the Steens are predominately Black Rosyfinches. I have seen a couple of Gray Crowned of the interior form a couple times but only in autumn. Sounds like you had the flock of Black Rosies, too. Stephen Shunk of Sisters, Oregon also saw about 50 birds a couple of weeks after I did. Good birding to you and much REGARDS, Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon) _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: My October Programs - Owls, native plants, spiders From: "Stewart Wechsler" <ecostewart AT quidnunc.net> Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 22:01:49 -0700 Fellow nature enthusiasts, The following are the programs I am offering through Camp Long and the Seattle Dept of Parks and Rec the next 3 Saturdays. Please pre-register at 206 684-7434: Who and Where are 100 Native Plants? Learn where to find 100 different plant species and the animals that depend on these natives for their survival! Learn plant stories and about beetles and birds! Don't miss this fall treasure hunt at Lincoln Park. Please register by October 10 at 206-684-7434. Ages: 3 and older Location: Lincoln Park, 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW Date: Saturday, October 11, 2-4 p.m. Activity Fee: $8 Course #33279 Evening Owl Prowl Help us listen for the toots of a possible Screech Owl and the likely hoots and possible screams of the Barred Owl. We'll look for regurgitated fur or feather and bone ball pellets and try to identify the contents. We'll learn the stories of our owls and practice our own hooting. Please register ahead of time at 206-684-7434. Ages: All, families Location: Lincoln Park, 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW Date: Saturday, October 11, 6 - 8 p.m. Activity Fee: $8 Course #33262 Family Spider Hunt Join a "Cool Moms for a Hot Planet" sponsored spider exploration for the entire family. The variety and beauty of these busy eight-leggeds and their webs is awe-inspiring. Discover the importance of spiders, how to live with them, and the benefits of spider conservation. We'll provide a snack. Please register by October 17 at 206-684-7434. Ages: All, families Location: Camp Long, 5200 35th Ave. SW Date: Saturday, October 18, 10:30 a.m.-Noon Activity Fee: $7 Course #33268 Eco-Green Halloween I'll be at the black lagoon (pond) doing a creatures of the black lagoon segment Join us for a spooky good time and be "green" while you're at it! Hike our luminary trail from cabin to cabin where you will find cool eco-experiments the likes of which you may never have seen. Then enjoy yummy "green" treats and an environmental film in the lodge. Please call 206-684-7434 to register. Ages: 2 and older Location: Camp Long Lodge, 5200 35th Ave. SW Activity Fee: $8 per adult, $6 per child Course #33253 October 25 Sat 6:30-8 p.m. Course #33257 October 25 Sat 8-9:30 p.m. ### No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 270.7.6/1711 - Release Date: 10/6/2008 5:37 PM_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Birding in WA, OR, and CA 9/23-10/5 (long!) From: "Paul Webster" <paul.webster AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 21:55:24 -0700 Hi Tweets, Barbara and I just returned from our annual fall road trip. We went earlier this year than usual because the reports from Malheur were good and we wanted to make the drive up Steens Mountain - where there were reports of Black Rosy-finches - before snow closed the road for the season. We began with a swing into Eastern Washington to try for an interesting migrant or two at Washtucna and Windust Park, but this time we had to be content with the standard birds. After three and a half days at Malheur we drove south through Fields to US 140 in northwest Nevada, stopping at a couple of spots on the Sheldon NWR- the wild burros are cute! - just before US 140 goes back into Oregon. The area felt very remote and the scenery was spectacular. We birded some around Lakeview, Klamath Falls, and Medford before dropping into California to bird Arcata and Crescent City. On October 3rd the first big fall storm drove us north through Gold Beach to Bandon, OR, where we had good birding around the Coquille River Estuary. We finished with a stop enroute to home at Fern Ridge near Eugene where after a couple of hours we got fine views of the Wood Sandpiper. We covered just over 2600 miles in our Prius that delivered a bit over 50 mpg. Our trip list totaled 165 species. Highlights follow below. Our 60 species in Washington reflected limited hours in the field: a late-afternoon hour at Lind Coulee on Sept 23 before mosquitos and flies forced us out, two hours each the next morning at Washtucna and Windust Park. At Lind Coulee we found dowitchers, both yellowlegs and Pectoral Sandpipers, plus herons, geese, and dabbling ducks. On the 24th Basset Park in Washtucna was a busy place, though most of the little passerines were Yellow-rumped Warblers, but we also found Orange-crowned and Wilson's and other birders steered us to an early Golden-crowned Sparrow. At Windust Park there was a Winter Wren in the shrubs by the Snake River, and we saw Varied Thrush, Lincoln's Sparrow, Orange-crowned Warbler, and lots of YRWAs. We found 135 species in Oregon, because we spent most of our days there (Sept 24-30 and Oct 3-5) even though the miles we covered took a lot of time - Oregon is a huge state! We added six new birds to our Oregon list: Black-throated Blue Warblers and Pectoral Sandpipers at Malheur, Trumpeter Swans between Frenchglen and Fields on SR 205, Eurasian Collared-Dove at the Chevron Station in Hines, storm-tossed Elegant Terns near the mouth of the Rogue River at Gold Beach, and the Wood Sandpiper at Fern Ridge. One of the best birds may have been the Red-breasted Sapsucker at Frenchglen. The drive up Steens Mountain would have been the scenic highpoint of the trip, even if we hadn't seen any birds. There were raptors riding the thermals along the rim at 9500 feet - perhaps a migration route for some of them. We spotted Golden Eagle, Prairie Falcon, Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks; the latter scared away a ball of 50-60 finches, that probably included Gray-crowned and Black Rosy-finches, but it was a bit too distant for us to be sure. I also got buzzed by a Northern Flicker at the rim, and we spotted our first pure Yellow-shafted Flicker up there. U.S. 395 south from Pendleton is a beautiful drive and the old but still good Evanich guide to the birds of Oregon steered us to the Starr Campground south of John Day where a spring attracted small birds and woodpeckers - a half dozen flickers, 2 Williamson's Sapsuckers, 2 White-headed, 2 Pileated, and 1 Hairy Woodpecker. Altogether we had 9 woodpecker species on the trip. We spent Oct 1-3 in Northern California. Arcata and Humboldt Bay offer fine birding anytime, and Crescent City and Point St George have been good for us, too. But we saw only 87 species this year, perhaps because the winter birds hadn't arrived yet. Still, we found a new bird for our California list - a Parasitic Jaeger chasing terns near the mouth of the Klamath River. Thanks to the birders at Eugene Audubon who organized a watch so out-of-towners didn't have to worry about car break-ins at Fern Ridge, and to Alan Contreras who steered us toward good birds at Malheur. And it was Khanh Tran's descriptions and photos of Steens Mountain that sent us up there! Good Birding! Paul and Barbara Webster Seattle paul.websterATcomcast.net_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: golden-plover images From: "Marv Breece" <mbreece AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 21:27:39 -0700 A few images of golden-plovers seen on Fir Island yesterday: http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/new_images_of_washington_birds Marv Breece Seattle, WA mbreece AT earthlink.net_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Douglas County shorebirding RFI From: "Michael Hobbs" <birdmarymoor AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:10:51 -0700 Tweets - are there any good spots for fall shorebirds (i.e. next week) in Douglas County? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm looking for any shorebirds other than Killdeer and Snipe... Thanks == Michael Hobbs == Kirkland, WA == http://www.marymoor.org/birding.htm == http://www.marymoor.org/BirdBlog.htm == birdmarymoor AT verizon.net _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Turkey Vultures over Seattle From: "Martin Muller" <martinmuller AT msn.com> Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 18:46:06 -0700 Tuesday October 7, 2008. 8 AM (give or take a few minutes). Driving south on 32nd Ave NW (top of the bluff above Shillshole Bay), from Crown Hill down to Ballard at about 30 mph, two Turkey Vultures were keeping pace, heading south, about 100 feet up. It was windy (from the south) and mostly clear (with distant clouds to the north and south). Eventually, approximately above Ray's Boathouse, they peeled off towards the bluff of Discovery Park, presumably to keep using the updraft along the bluffs. I lost sight of them behind houses. Martin Muller, Seattle martinmuller AT msn.com _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters Subject: Newcastle Turkey Vultures From: "richard w mclachlin" <mclachlin AT juno.com> Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 00:50:51 GMT Today, Tuesday at about 14:00, there was a kettle of a dozen vultures wheeling over Newcastle. They rapidly departed S/W towards Renton. Richard & Louise McLachlin mclachlin AT juno.com For those who have fought for it, FREEDOM has a taste the protected will never know. ____________________________________________________________ Click to become a master chef, own a restaurant and make millions. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3m4pCstUr1dkUT1PfpUU3h7l229BlQQUecYFcyr8fTOYzE39/ _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters