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Updated on Saturday, March 13 at 09:19 AM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.

13 Mar digiscope, was Re: camera gear (long discussion on Canon equipment) [Mike Wagenbach ]
13 Mar Rufous hummingbird, Sequim. [bruce paige ]
13 Mar Snipe hunt at the Edmonds marsh (3/12) [Bill Anderson ]
12 Mar Buy a loaf, save a grouse [Adam Sedgley ]
12 Mar Mystery Chickadee [Joe Dlugo ]
12 Mar sno-falls peregrines [dave templeton ]
12 Mar RE: Black Turnstones in Commencement Bay in Tacoma ["Amy Schillinger" ]
12 Mar Re: camera gear [Scott Carpenter ]
12 Mar Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival ["Dianna Moore" ]
12 Mar (Tweeters) Camera gear ["David Richardson" ]
12 Mar Re: camera gear [Jim Greaves ]
12 Mar Re: Black Turnstones in Commencement Bay in Tacoma [Hans-Joachim Feddern ]
12 Mar Black Turnstones in Commencement Bay in Tacoma ["Rob McNair-Huff" ]
12 Mar Tongue Point Rock Sandpiper, and Strait Sea Otters [Wheelan Drew ]
12 Mar bird photography: how/where to post photos? [Bill Anderson ]
12 Mar Re: Re: camera gear (long discussion on Canon equipment) [Karen ]
12 Mar Re: camera gear (long discussion on Canon equipment) [Bill Anderson ]
12 Mar Re: camera gear (long) []
12 Mar New State of the Birds Report [Larry Schwitters ]
12 Mar camera gear [Dennis Paulson ]
12 Mar Oak stand, Mountain Bluebird, Canal Rd. Yelm, Thurston County [Yelm Backyard Wildlife ]
11 Mar Swans near Chimicum (Jefferson County) [Gary and Diana Cummins ]
11 Mar Tufted duck at Drano Lake ["Roberta Lewandowski" ]
11 Mar Marymoor Park Report (Redmond, King Co., WA) 2010-03-11 ["Michael Hobbs" ]
11 Mar Lake Sammamish State Park, Issaquah WA, 3/10/10, monthly bird walk for Eastside Audubon [Sharon Cormier-Aagaard ]
11 Mar plants to attract hummers [Bill Anderson ]
11 Mar Re: Common or Barrow's Goldeneye ? ["Bob Sundstrom" ]
11 Mar Re: Lake Sammamish eagles [travel girl ]
11 Mar Lake Sammamish eagles [Tracey Cummings ]
11 Mar Tree swallows and meadowlarks, Sequim. [bruce paige ]
10 Mar color banded common loon, Dungeness Spit []
10 Mar swans near Kent ["Martha Jordan" ]
10 Mar Nisqually NWR 3/10/10 []
10 Mar sno-falls peregrines [dave templeton ]
10 Mar RE: Common or Barrow's Goldeneye ? ["Gary Smith" ]
10 Mar Re: Common or Barrow's Goldeneye ? ["Dennis Rockwell" ]
10 Mar Common or Barrow's Goldeneye ? ["David Richardson" ]
11 Mar Apology... []
10 Mar Re: Othello Sandhill Crane Festival March 26, 27 and 28th [Hans-Joachim Feddern ]
10 Mar Re: Leucistic Pine Siskin [Bill Anderson ]
10 Mar Othello Sandhill Crane Festival March 26, 27 and 28th [Jim Ullrich ]
10 Mar Birding Southern Oregon ["Mark & Adele" ]
10 Mar Re: Leucistic Pine Siskin []
10 Mar Leucistic Pine Siskin []
10 Mar Opening in Introductory bird banding workshop, Mar 19-21 [Rebecca Galloway %26 Richard Schmeck ]
9 Mar A harrier runs into a mob of crows: An Eagle goes after a duck in a field ["Rob Sandelin" ]
9 Mar Re: Bird Identification Question- It's a red-winged blackbird! [Karen ]
9 Mar Re: Ravens over Wedgwood. ["Mark & Adele" ]
9 Mar Bird Identification Question [Karen ]
9 Mar FOY Thurston Co. Turkey Vulture ["Dave Hayden" ]
9 Mar BirdNote anniversary, mystery birds [links] [Devorah Bennu ]
9 Mar Hummingbird nest webcam [camelama ]
09 Mar Ravens over Wedgwood [Ellen Blackstone ]
08 Mar Turkey Vultures near I-205 [Lyn Topinka ]
8 Mar Edmonds Snipe Hunt 3/8/10 [Bill Anderson ]
8 Mar Birding--Not Surfing--Crockett Lake [Carol Riddell ]
8 Mar Harlan's Hawk @ West 90 [michaelfleming01 ]
8 Mar Finally, a Redpoll! ["Joseph V Higbee" ]
8 Mar Re: Sage grouse leks [Larry Schwitters ]
8 Mar Sage grouse leks ["Guttman,Burt" ]
8 Mar Pine Siskens and Red Crossbills [Kathy Andrich ]
8 Mar Yardbirds in Yelm, Thurston County and at Canal - American Lake - Lakewood, Pierce County [Yelm Backyard Wildlife ]
8 Mar Starling swarms ["helen.gilbert AT juno.com" ]
8 Mar Re: White-winged Skagit Snow Goose - unusual or not? [Jesse Ellis ]
7 Mar RE: Nat Audubon take on Sage grouse non-listing [Kim Thorburn ]
7 Mar Tufted Duck - Drano Lake [Jordan Gunn ]
07 Mar Swan question and Great Blue Heron []
7 Mar Skamania County Birding [Rick Taylor ]
7 Mar RE: Ravens over Bellevue ["Megan Lyden" ]
07 Mar Dungeness Spit []
7 Mar North Seattle Tree Canopy/Wildlife (esp. Merlin)/Urban Habitat Meeting [Barbara Deihl ]
8 Mar Ocean Shores []
7 Mar Nanaimo bird alert ["The Backyard" ]
07 Mar Tree Swallow []
7 Mar RAS/TAS Nisqually Wildlife Refuge walk Saturday March 6th. ["Shep Thorp" ]
7 Mar FOY Yellowlegs [Tim Brennan ]

Subject: digiscope, was Re: camera gear (long discussion on Canon equipment)
From: Mike Wagenbach <wagen AT u.washington.edu>
Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:18:28 -0800

Karen, I haven't used it, but this is reported to be an excellent scope: http://www.buytelescopes.com/Products/2026-Pentax-pf-80ed-spotting-scope-wfield-case-straight-body.aspx For your purposes, it is almost unique in that instead of one zoom and maybe a couple of proprietary bayonet-mount eyepieces that you can put on other scopes, it can take any of hundreds or maybe thousands of available 1.25 inch astronomical eyepieces. They say "the eyepiece is half the telescope" (actually, most eypieces have more lenses in them than the rest of the scope, so that's more than true), so you can choose the one you REALLY like. Pentax XL eyepieces are reported to be good, and are also waterproof (well, water-resistant, almost nothing is really waterproof if you go deep enough), but if you are really dedicated to digiscoping, you might want to research the Scopetronix MaxView eyepiece, which is a low power plossl eyepiece that can be threaded securely onto your camera using T rings, if it has filter threads around the lens, for better alignment and less vingnetting (and less chance of dropping the camera in the mud). http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=scopetronix&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=4106017675&ref=pd_sl_16v0lqtfhq_b A caveat is that I'm not sure Scopetronix is still in business. (there's a 100mm Pentax, too, if this is not pricey enough for you) Mike My god! It's full of galaxies!! http://imgsrc.hubblesite.org/hu/db/images/hs-2004-07-a-print.jpg _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Rufous hummingbird, Sequim.
From: bruce paige <BBPAIGE AT NIKOLA.COM>
Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:12:11 -0800

At 7:10 AM, a FOY male rufous briefly checked our feeder near Graysmarsh farm, Sequim. _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Snipe hunt at the Edmonds marsh (3/12)
From: Bill Anderson <billandersonbic AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:42:50 -0800 (PST)

Today's high water level in the marsh gave me hopes that the elusive snipe would be forced to higher, more open ground. I saw 3-4 snipes fly into the marsh about 25 yards from me, but I was not quick enough to shoot their arrival and landing.     Eventually I phtographed two of them wading in the water and feeding no more than 20-25 yards from my position on the western viewing platform. Even at such a relatively close range, they were hard to photograph as I was shooting through grass and reeds.   I did get photos of identifying features, such as the light stripe at the top of the head. Bill Anderson; Edmonds, WA. _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Buy a loaf, save a grouse
From: Adam Sedgley <sedge.thrasher AT gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:11:26 -0800

Hi Tweets, With the Greater Sage-Grouse being in the news recently, it reminded me of a local bakery that is doing great work to protect habitat for Greater Sage and Sharp-tailed Grouse in Washington State. *Great Harvest Bread Company * in* Lake Forest Park* buys socially and environmentally responsible wheat directly from Wade Troutman, a wheat farmer near Bridgeport in Eastern Washington. Wade sets aside 30 to 40% of his land to protect habitat for the grouse. The bakers at Great Harvest use only this wheat in a special loaf called *"Wade's Wheat"* ($5.50). They don't have it all the time but be sure to ask - they always know when the next shipment is coming. I am not frequently in the Lake Forest Park area so when I was driving through today, I made sure to drop by and pick up a couple loaves to put in the freezer. To learn more about this relationship, please visit http://irisncw.org/Success-Stories/Bread-and-Crop.html To hear a special BirdNote radio program, "Wade Troutman and the Sharp-tailed Grouse", please visit http://www.birdnote.org/birdnote.cfm?id=1673 *Of course, I have no vested interest in the success of Great Harvest Bread. * -- Adam Sedgley S e a t t l e, WA sedge.thrasher [at] gmail [dot] com_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Mystery Chickadee
From: Joe Dlugo <browncreeper99 AT gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:36:37 -0800

A strange "black-capped" chickadee has been visiting my backyard this winter. "Strange" as in it *looks *different and it *sounds *different*. * Its look differs in that its nape and upper mantle feathers are extensively white, unlike the grayish-green napes/mantles of regular bc chickadees. Otherwise, it's just about the same as all the others. Its sound is what makes me wonder...it's "dee dee dee" call has a dramatically different tone. In fact, I can identify this individual chickadee with 100% accuracy when he comes by without even so much as a glance. The rhythm is the same, but the tone is much drier, more like "dah-dah-dah" instead of the usual "dee-dee-dee". So my hunch is that this chickadee is from elsewhere. Anyone have any ideas? Joe Dlugo Lacey, WA_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: sno-falls peregrines
From: dave templeton <crazydave65 AT gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:20:14 -0800

hi all: the 2010 hatching season is officially under way. i observed the pair mating at about 1615 today, march 12, 2010 on the near side of the bowl below the falls, not too far from the newly christened peregrine falcon viewing area. the male rode a thermal up about a thousand feet in what appeared to be a victory lap. showoff. through binoculars from that lower location it was not possible to see if there was anything on the other side of the river, but a look through heavy glass at the oldest nest site, the one nearest the falls and visible from the upper walkway revealed a single egg. the falcon landed there at about 1645 and settled in on that egg. some of her body and tail movements seemed to suggest she was ready to lay another egg, but the weather was so abysmal, i confess to being a slacker who went home to warm up, so whether there is a second egg remains to be seen. regards, t -- dave templeton fall city, wa crazydave65atgmaildaughtcom "Don't worry about the world coming to an end today; it's already tomorrow in Australia." Charles Schultz_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: RE: Black Turnstones in Commencement Bay in Tacoma
From: "Amy Schillinger" <schillingera AT hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:50:48 -0800

Tweeter, et. al, We saw a lone Black Turnstone on my Alki fieldtrip with Rainier Audubon on February 13th along with a good amount of Sanderlings. Amy Schillinger Renton, WA schillingera AT hotmail.com From: tweeters-bounces AT mailman2.u.washington.edu [mailto:tweeters-bounces AT mailman2.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Hans-Joachim Feddern Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 1:12 PM To: Rob McNair-Huff Cc: tweeters AT u.washington.edu Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Black Turnstones in Commencement Bay in Tacoma Rob, Black Turnstones do winter in Commencement Bay and can normally be found on the log booms on the opposite side, below the Cliff House. We saw them most days last fall, while looking for the Black-Tailed Gull. Also wintering on the logs to a lesser degree, are Least Sandpipers and 2-3 Spotted Sandpipers. I have also seen the Turnstones along Ruston Way though. Hans Feddern Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA. the fedderns AT gmail.com On Fri, Mar 12, 2010 at 12:57 PM, Rob McNair-Huff wrote: Twice over the last week I have observed 15-20 Black Turnstones on the rocky shorelines of Commencement Bay in Tacoma along Ruston Way. This species regularly makes its way through Tacoma every spring, but I need to check my records from the last few years to see if they are indeed early this year. It feels like they are two or three weeks ahead of last year. Happy birding! Rob McNair-Huff Tacoma, Wash. rob AT whiterabbits.com _______________________________________________ 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: camera gear
From: Scott Carpenter <slcarpenter AT gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:31:34 -0800

Canon does have an equivalent lens -- the 300mm f/4 IS L, plus the equivalent 1.4x teleconverter. The "IS" means it is image stabilized, which is extremely useful, especially in the Pacific NW with our many low light days. Nikon's equivalent of "IS" is "VR" -- vibration reduction. For about $3k in the Canon world, you should be able to get an EOS 7D body + 300mm f/4 L IS + 1.4x TC. In general, Nikon seems to currently be winning the image quality battle on the crop (non full-frame) cameras. This is likely due, in large part, to the fact that Nikon's cameras have less megapixels. I know many photographer, pro and serious amateurs, who wish that Canon would follow suit and focus more on image quality than cranking up the megapixels. As the megapixels increase, the image quality decreases, especially as the ISO goes up. Another minor point to be aware of is that Nikon's crop cameras are 1.5x, while Canon's are 1.6x. This means the Canon bodies have a bit more reach/magnification, but the Nikon's likely have better image quality all else being equal. The extra reach on the Canons (1.6x vs. 1.5x) will make the bird appear 14% larger, all else equivalent. I personally own Canon equipment, but am not sure what I would buy if I was starting out today. I know people who own both, and prefer Nikon. I highly recommend researching lenses first, and then once you decide which lens appeals to you, figure out which body you are going to get. Your lens should be top of the line for a while (unless it is an old model); the camera body will be outdated in a few years, if not sooner. Once you commit to a specific lens mount (Canon, Nikon, etc.), it can be expensive to switch. Like many birders, I own the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS lens. It is an ok lens, given the price and lack of other IS options at 400mm, but I find that it takes a long time to focus (with a 40D), and struggles tracking birds in flight. It really struggles to produce sharp images at f/5.6, but significantly improves at f/8. I find that when I use it, I usually have it at 400mm 95% of the time. If you think you will use it at 400mm most of the time, Dennis's setup of a 300mm + 1.4x may be better, as it would likely result in sharper images and a lighter weight lens. Prime lenses (fixed focal length) are almost always sharper than zoom lenses. For Canon lenses, the weight difference between the 100-400mm and the 300mm is substantial, especially if you plan to hike around with it for several hours. As for the Canon 600mm, I've worked with four different individual lenses. One was terrible (Canon agreed), the other two were ok, and one was/is incredibly sharp. As a Canon tech rep told me, some individual lenses will be sharper than others. I recommend keeping this in mind as you choose where to buy yours lens -- you may want to make sure the vendor will be willing to work with you if you get a bad copy of a lens. The Canon 100-400mm has a reputation as a lens with quality control issues (i.e., bad individual lenses). I do not know what the scoop is for Nikon lenses. Scott Carpenter Portland, Oregon On Fri, Mar 12, 2010 at 9:55 AM, Dennis Paulson wrote: > Hello, tweets. > > The posts by John Tubbs and others (even if by mistake) are of interest, > especially the stark contrast between a point-and-shoot camera like the > Panasonic Lumix and many others with shockingly large zoom ratios (up to > about 25x now) that are usually <$1000 and a very high-end mind-numbingly > expensive Canon (or Nikon) setup. > > Several of us in the local birding community are using gear that costs > *only* about three thousand dollars - Nikon D300 camera (now D300s) with > Nikon 300 mm f4 lens + 1.4x teleconverter (TC-14E II). This gives you a 420 > mm lens, and with the 1.5x multiplication factor because the sensor is > smaller than a 35 mm slide, gives you the equivalent of a 630 mm lens on a > film camera. This is a very sharp camera and lens combination, and the > telecoverter works beautifully with the lens. The D300 is forgiving in low > light situations, as you can set a pretty high ISO (up to 3200) and still > get sharp photos. No, they won't be the quality of the equipment that John > mentioned, but they're pretty darned good. I'm sure there is a Canon > equivalent. > > Dennis > ----- > Dennis Paulson > 1724 NE 98 St. > Seattle, WA 98115 > 206-528-1382 > dennispaulson 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: Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival
From: "Dianna Moore" <dlmoor2 AT coastaccess.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:05:57 -0800

Hi all...The 2010 GH Shorebird Festival will be held April 30th, May 1st & 2nd. The brochures went to the post office today, Friday, so those of you on the mailing list should be receiving them in the next few days. The web site is up and current for this years events, and can be accessed at www.shorebirdfestival.com This year our Keynote Speaker is Craig Lee, the founder and director of National Audubon's International Alliances Program, who will talk about protecting the migration routes. He is a particularly fitting speaker as shorebirds are the consummate north/south hemispheric travelers. Please check out our brochure or the web site and come join us; we have some excellent events scheduled, outstanding people to help you enjoy your visit to the harbor, and then there are all those birds! We hope to see you at the festival. Dianna Moore Registrar/Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival dlmoor2 AT coastaccess.com _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: (Tweeters) Camera gear
From: "David Richardson" <daver AT nwlink.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:04:37 -0800

I don't want to belabor the camera issue but like Bill Anderson, photography is my main birding interest. (chances are that without an image I may not know what it is and thanks to all of you who help me with the answers!) I have come down to a Canon 50D (was a 20D until I realized what can be done with the higher ISO settings available) A Canon 70-300mm IS that "lives"on the camera and a Sigma 150-500mm (under $1000) that has good but not great autofocus and good but not Canon quality Optical Stabilization. Good enough for hand held shots if you have the tripod collar on it. That's it except for a good Lowepro backpack that handles the big lens. It's worked for me here, in a canoe in California and in the eastern Belize forest. You get what you pay for but this is a great (non pro ) setup. David Richardson Sammamish DaveR AT nwlink.com www.MyCameraSees.com E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (7.0.0.514) Database version: 6.14550 http://www.pctools.com/en/spyware-doctor-antivirus/_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Re: camera gear
From: Jim Greaves <lbviman AT blackfoot.net>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:54:08 -0700

Cost is always a consideration, and I've attempted to keep mine low by NOT buying camera brand lenses. Tamron, Vivitar, Sigma have always made good "third-party" lenses, Vivitar the oldest among that group, I think. Tamron's 500 mirror is as good as or slightly better than the Nikon of that era (according to Pop Photo review), and at half or less the cost AND weight, at the time. During the SLR period, I never tried Canon, opting first for Mamiya-Sekor and Olympus for film, then Nikon for film, and being on limited budget, staying with low-end Nikon digital D70... I started out in wildflower hunting and photography, so wanted macro capability, which led to my choices. I've found a smaller lens to be "best" of all worlds for most bird photography, the heaviest of the small ones I've used being the 400mm Sigma macro (5 ft min focus, AT 3 lbs). Rarely even used its auto-focus mode, since birds tend to not be the only thing in the view-finder... I've used "macro" lenses since 1980 for both film and now digital (their built-in 1.5x approx. multiplier factor a real boon), except for the fairly recent acquisition of older version of Nikon 600, a "slow" lens at 5.6, and close focusing to "only" 15 feet, but at a quarter or less the price of the MUCH heavier and MUCH costlier f4 with auto everything... except auto intelligence! I bought Tamron 300mm 5.6 and 500mm 8.0 (mirror), both macros (4 ft and 6 ft min. focus respectively), when they were "new" around 1980. I still use them; still as sharp as the day I bought them. The Sigma I got in mid 1990's, but weighs more than the other two combined (around 3 pounds). Before there was image stabilization, I discovered that removing center post from an old tripod, attaching to camera (or lens, depending on how I wanted to balance it), then supporting the post in my armpit (or across or under my forearm, now my preferred method) gave me much better low-shutter speed capability, as well as INCREDIBLE stability while following flying birds, since at least one of the vibration angles is reduced to near zero while panning [horizontal], the other [vertical] can be much reduced with the tripod-post-arm... Secondary advantage is the ability to set it on ground and by lying down and using elbows, make it as stable as if on a 4-point tripod, or sitting on ground, rest it on knee and stabilize it with arm to focus. Practice is the key - 30 years has made me more comfortable with this than pushing a 5-10 pound tripod around, limited by its height and distraction spent changing angles while pan-focusing. I don't have to think about the tripod-post since it's essentially an extension of my right arm, and if bird is not moving and I can't at least sit down and use knee as brace, once focused, I can brace the locking handle with my left hand and hip and fire away...(the handle is reversed so it sticks out front, rather than towards me as it would on tripod). And, the weight savings can allow a one-pound flash unit to be attached for fill flash... I've been able also to use a 600 5.6 manual Nikon lens, hand-held (!!!), to shoot flying and stationary birds using my Konica-Minolta 7D, bought for its internal IS... The whole arrangement weighs less than a good tripod - but nothing beats a tripod for those super-sharp shots of moderate to long distance objects... Anyway, the tripod-post (with or without IS camera, and even with 600mm lens) is FAR superior to expensive or jerry-rigged gun stock gadget, which limits the stable point to the shoulder, assuming you have a large pectoral muscle to brace it against which I do not, and it has no other limiting factors, like having to have a trip release attached to forward over-large handle... I can send anyone who's interested a couple of photos of what I developed using the old tripod-post, showing the 400mm and Konica-Minolta [hence IS, with flash], all under 5 pounds... Hope this helps - Jim Greaves, Thompson Falls MT _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Re: Black Turnstones in Commencement Bay in Tacoma
From: Hans-Joachim Feddern <thefedderns AT gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:12:00 -0800

Rob, Black Turnstones do winter in Commencement Bay and can normally be found on the log booms on the opposite side, below the Cliff House. We saw them most days last fall, while looking for the Black-Tailed Gull. Also wintering on the logs to a lesser degree, are Least Sandpipers and 2-3 Spotted Sandpipers. I have also seen the Turnstones along Ruston Way though. Hans Feddern Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA. the fedderns AT gmail.com On Fri, Mar 12, 2010 at 12:57 PM, Rob McNair-Huff wrote: > Twice over the last week I have observed 15-20 Black Turnstones on the > rocky shorelines of Commencement Bay in Tacoma along Ruston Way. This > species regularly makes its way through Tacoma every spring, but I need to > check my records from the last few years to see if they are indeed early > this year. It feels like they are two or three weeks ahead of last year. > > Happy birding! > > Rob McNair-Huff > Tacoma, Wash. > rob AT whiterabbits.com > _______________________________________________ > 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: Black Turnstones in Commencement Bay in Tacoma
From: "Rob McNair-Huff" <rob AT whiterabbits.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:57:22 -0800

Twice over the last week I have observed 15-20 Black Turnstones on the rocky shorelines of Commencement Bay in Tacoma along Ruston Way. This species regularly makes its way through Tacoma every spring, but I need to check my records from the last few years to see if they are indeed early this year. It feels like they are two or three weeks ahead of last year. Happy birding! Rob McNair-Huff Tacoma, Wash. rob AT whiterabbits.com _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Tongue Point Rock Sandpiper, and Strait Sea Otters
From: Wheelan Drew <amazilia55 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:26:06 -0800 (PST)

Yesterday I had my first Clallam Co. Rock Sandpiper at Tongue Point with 10 or so Black Turnstones. Also saw one Sea Otter from Angeles Point, where I have encountered them frequently. I have seen Sea Otetrs with regularity as far east as Green Point in Sequim. Happy spring birding, Drew Wheelan Wilkeson, WA check out my blog at www.drewtube.net and stay tuned for the Vicarious Living Project www.vicariouslivingproject.com _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: bird photography: how/where to post photos?
From: Bill Anderson <billandersonbic AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:20:11 -0800 (PST)

On a related note to the discussion on photo equipment, how/where do you post photos for others to view?   Looking at the posts of others, it appears that my two options are to join a photo hosting site like Photobucket or to create a personal website. I like to write, so I am inclined to explore an option which would allow me to post commentary as well as photos. A friend from the motorcycle side of my hobby world suggested creating a blog where I could link in photos from a photo hosting site.   My favorite photo sites I have seen on Tweeters are the websites of professional photographers.   Are these expensive to start and maintain? How many photos will such a site hold? Feel free to reply privately to me if this tread is too far off topic for Tweeters. Bill Anderson; Edmonds, WA.     _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Re: Re: camera gear (long discussion on Canon equipment)
From: Karen <puget_sound_girl AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:02:55 -0800 (PST)

Hello all, I am also very interested in this thread.   I am fairly new at both photographing birds and birding. I take pictures for 2 reasons: personal enjoyment and to help confirm the ID when I get home and can study the books. I have been using a super zoom point&shoot (Sony DSC-H5) and have over all been satisfied with the results.   Obviously, I do not aspire to be anything close to a professional level photographer. I am interested in transitioning to digiscoping.    I don't have a spotting scope currently, so would be starting from scratch.   I have done some initial research and found this set.    I have some issues with vision and monocular optics are very hard for me to use, so the main appeal for me is the viewing screen.    http://www.amazon.com/Minox-Spotting-Digital-Camera-Carrying/dp/B001Q4MPTI/ref=sr_1_36?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1268380941&sr=1-36 I am curious to know if anyone has used this type of digiscoping set up & would love any feedback/suggestions. Thanks to all for the very informative posts!!! Karen Clenin University Place (Tacoma) --- On Fri, 3/12/10, Bill Anderson wrote: From: Bill Anderson Subject: [Tweeters] Re: camera gear (long discussion on Canon equipment) To: tweeters AT u.washington.edu Date: Friday, March 12, 2010, 11:50 AM Thanks to Dennis for starting this thread. My primary interest in "birding" is photography.    I'll start by telling what I use and why. Camera = Canon 7D. MSRP = $1,700 Lens =     Canon's EF 100-400 zoom (f/4.5-5.6L) with IS and USM. MSRP = $1800. I have found this combination to be a very "economical" (cough, cough) package in the sense that Canon's high quality straight telephoto lenses start at $1,400 for a 300mm and rise sharply ($5,000 on up) if you want to get a very high ( or is it low?) f stop of 2.8 or less. Why do I use the lens I do?   Costs (discussed above) and versatility. The zoom lets me back off if I want to take shots of the scenery  or when I am trying to locate a hard to find bird that is close to me.   I have also blown some shots of the Edmonds eagles when I forgot to back off to 100mm from 400mm as the eagles passed very close over head.   Depth of field (DOF) is a problem for me, especially when shooting large raptors like the Edmonds eagles, so I try not to shoot with an f stop less (greater?) than 7.1.   Therefore, I don't need an f stop of 2.8 offered by the more expen$ive straight telephoto lenses in the 300-600mm range.     John mentioned the image stabilization (IS) problem when shooting flying birds.   My Canon 100-400 zoom has two IS settings. Setting #2 is specifcally for photographing objects moving across the field of view and is what I use when shooting hand held.    I have a good tripod, but I use it less and less.   My prefered method of photography is "walk and stalk."   My camera/lens setup isprobably about the heaviest I care to carry and still take hand held photos which are not blurry. I am still trying to overcome the problem of maintaining focus on flying birds.   I use the A1 selection in autofocus (AF) mode, which is supposed to lock on to a stationary target and stay focused on that target once it starts moving.   Unfortunately, many of my shots are blurred when the AF locks on to something behind a flying bird, such as a cloud, ferry dock, Puget Sound, etc. As I stated in an earlier post, I like the 7D because of its Q screen feature, which makes it easy to switch ISO/shutter speed/aperature setings, I am constantly adjusting these settings dependent on the light and the bird. Bill Anderson; Edmonds, WA. _______________________________________________ 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: camera gear (long discussion on Canon equipment)
From: Bill Anderson <billandersonbic AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:50:58 -0800 (PST)

Thanks to Dennis for starting this thread. My primary interest in "birding" is photography.    I'll start by telling what I use and why. Camera = Canon 7D. MSRP = $1,700 Lens =     Canon's EF 100-400 zoom (f/4.5-5.6L) with IS and USM. MSRP = $1800. I have found this combination to be a very "economical" (cough, cough) package in the sense that Canon's high quality straight telephoto lenses start at $1,400 for a 300mm and rise sharply ($5,000 on up) if you want to get a very high ( or is it low?) f stop of 2.8 or less. Why do I use the lens I do?   Costs (discussed above) and versatility. The zoom lets me back off if I want to take shots of the scenery  or when I am trying to locate a hard to find bird that is close to me.   I have also blown some shots of the Edmonds eagles when I forgot to back off to 100mm from 400mm as the eagles passed very close over head.   Depth of field (DOF) is a problem for me, especially when shooting large raptors like the Edmonds eagles, so I try not to shoot with an f stop less (greater?) than 7.1.   Therefore, I don't need an f stop of 2.8 offered by the more expen$ive straight telephoto lenses in the 300-600mm range.     John mentioned the image stabilization (IS) problem when shooting flying birds.   My Canon 100-400 zoom has two IS settings. Setting #2 is specifcally for photographing objects moving across the field of view and is what I use when shooting hand held.    I have a good tripod, but I use it less and less.   My prefered method of photography is "walk and stalk."   My camera/lens setup isprobably about the heaviest I care to carry and still take hand held photos which are not blurry. I am still trying to overcome the problem of maintaining focus on flying birds.   I use the A1 selection in autofocus (AF) mode, which is supposed to lock on to a stationary target and stay focused on that target once it starts moving.   Unfortunately, many of my shots are blurred when the AF locks on to something behind a flying bird, such as a cloud, ferry dock, Puget Sound, etc. As I stated in an earlier post, I like the 7D because of its Q screen feature, which makes it easy to switch ISO/shutter speed/aperature setings, I am constantly adjusting these settings dependent on the light and the bird. Bill Anderson; Edmonds, WA. _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Re: camera gear (long)
From: johntubbs AT comcast.net
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:11:29 +0000 (UTC)

Hi Dennis and everyone, There are definitely Canon equivalents to the setup that Dennis describes.Â I also use (and I'm sure other 'big lens' guys out there like Paul Bannick and Gregg Thompson use as well) Canon's 1.4X teleconverter in conjunction with even the larger lenses most of the time.Â Canon makes a 2.0X teleconverter, but most folks I know who have used it say that it does not yield nearly as good results as the 1.4X.Â Except for digiscoping, which I have rarely used and had less-than-adequate results with - but which other folks on the list have used with extremely impressive results - here is my best attempt at summarizing the options and tradeoffs available out there for bird photography. Bird photography is highly rewarding, but has unique challenges.Â The subjects are often small, quite distant, very active, in low light ( or jumbled light) and visible for very short amounts of time.Â And, for action shots, they're flying - sometimes at very high speeds - to boot.Â This is the exact antithesis of studio photography, where most or all of these variables can be highly controlled.Â The type, amount and quality of gear you buy, then, is a tradeoff between your pocketbook and interest in increasing the odds of getting a usable shot.Â The best gear (but ONLY IF you learn how to take advantage of its capabilities) significantly increases the probability of getting a great shot because the lens magnification is higher, the lens is faster and will shoot in lower light, the lens is sharper, and the camera captures a large enough data file (I assume virtually no one is still seriously trying to use film in this digital age, for better or worse) that significant cropping can be done whi le still leaving sufficient data to get a great image.Â Each step up in lens size and quality, camera size and quality, tripod size and quality, etc. increases the odds of getting a good shot at the expense of staggering amounts of money (at the top end), weight that you have to lug around, and the investment of time to really understand and efficiently use the additional capabilities of the gear.Â My Lumix camera (which Michael Hobbs and others have used for some time with great results) can be thrown around my neck along with the binocs and used basically as a point and shoot.Â But unless the subject is close and in good light, few of the images turn out nearly as well as when I lug the big gear around.Â So, at the risk of oversimplifying things, pick your poison based on your goals and your wallet.Â Here is one specific example of the tradeoff in gear.Â Perhaps the most satisfying shots I've ever gotten are in-flight shots of birds, particularly raptors.Â When the subject is flying, you can take all the other factors about birds that make them difficult subjects to photograph and put a multiplier on top of that.Â I haven't yet gotten a good in-flight shot with the Lumix (not saying it can't be done, perhaps it can) because it just doesn't have those capabilities.Â With my high-end gear, these are the factors that allow at least the opportunity for a good in-flight shot (in addition to the factors already mentioned).Â First, the lens/camera really needs to have an excellent autofocus capability while the lens and camera are moving to try to follow the bird.Â (Otherwise, you have to focus at a distance that you think/hope the bird is flying at, shoot like crazy - if you can keep the bird in the image field - and hope like heck something came out.)Â And, the lens needs ideally to have image stabilization capabilities while you are purposely moving the camera - most image stabilization systems are designed to work when the camera is on a tripod or being held still.Â It is also a huge help to have multiple frame shooting capability (press the shutter release and the camera shoots three, four, eight or whatever number of virtually-instantaneous shots while you are hopefully keeping the subject in the image field).Â This capability, coupled with autofocus and image stability while moving, is an expensive combination of features.Â Now, even if you have all these capabilities to one degree or another, are you physically capable of lifting the big lens and camera, finding the flying bird in the small image field, locking autofocus on and depressing the shutter release - are you smooth enough to keep the flying bird where you want it while this is all going on?Â And, of course, the bird is only in good range for perhaps a few seconds...you see the issue.Â The logical answer is a tripod on which you can let the tripod hold the weight and you focus on the bird.Â But...even normal tripod ball heads don't have sufficient range of motion, or smoothness, to reliably accomplish all this in the difficult situation you're dealing with.Â So...enter the "gimbal" tripod head.Â Basically, this is a specially-designed type of head (Wimberley is the typical manufacturer used) that allows simultaneous vertical and horizontal adjustment of the camera in a very smooth manner while you're trying to catch a Peregrine flying at 70 mph into a flock of Dunlin).Â Once you use one, it's hard to bring yourself to try to pull this off in any other way.Â The problem is that gimbal heads are precision pieces of gear and must be able to support a very heavy lens and camera or the image will be ruined for other 'normal' photographic reasons - and so a good gimbal head may cost $800 just for the head.Â And, you can't put it on a cheap tripod, or the tripod's limitations will cancel out the gimbal head's capabilities, so add another $300 to $400 (or more) to get an adequate tripod .Â You see where the financial issues add up ... Why I mostly use the Lumix these days is that I found that carrying all the high-end camera gear was not only difficult physically, but really took a lot of attention away from the actual birding.Â For me anyway, to some degree bird photography is a quite different activity thanÂ normal birding. Â Nowadays, I'll takeÂ the pro gear Â out if I have a particular bird I want to shoot, but if I'm just going birding, I'll take the Lumix (or no camera at all) and my sketching or field painting gear.Â For those interested in pursuing bird photography more seriously, my best advice is to doÂ TONS of research on the activity and the dizzying array of gear out there, talk to as many bird photographers as you can find , decide what your goal for photography really is, balance that against your budget and your willingness to put in the time to really learn the gear - and go from there.Â I hope this is of some interest to folks - my original post got several off-list comments and questions, so hopefully this will be useful to some readers of the list. John Tubbs Snoqualmie, WA johntubbs AT comcast.net www.tubbsphoto.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dennis Paulson" To: "TWEETERS" Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 9:55:27 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: [Tweeters] camera gear Hello, tweets. The posts by John Tubbs and others (even if by mistake) are of interest, especially the stark contrast between a point-and-shoot camera like the Panasonic Lumix and many others with shockingly large zoom ratios (up to about 25x now) that are usually <$1000 and a very high-end mind-numbingly expensive Canon (or Nikon) setup. Several of us in the local birding community are using gear that costs *only* about three thousand dollars - Nikon D300 camera (now D300s) with Nikon 300 mm f4 lens + 1.4x teleconverter (TC-14E II). This gives you a 420 mm lens, and with the 1.5x multiplication factor because the sensor is smaller than a 35 mm slide, gives you the equivalent of a 630 mm lens on a film camera. This is a very sharp camera and lens combination, and the telecoverter works beautifully with the lens. The D300 is forgiving in low light situations, as you can set a pretty high ISO (up to 3200) and still get sharp photos. No, they won't be the quality of the equipment that John mentioned, but they're pretty darned good. I'm sure there is a Canon equivalent. Dennis ----- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson 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: New State of the Birds Report
From: Larry Schwitters <lpatters AT ix.netcom.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:58:50 -0800

Tweeters, The State of the Birds 2010 Report on Climate Change has just been released by the Secretary of the Interior. The report is available online: http://www.stateofthebirds.org/ It contains a link to the 2009 report. Let us see how the mainstream media covers it. Larry Schwitters Issaquah _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: camera gear
From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson AT comcast.net>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:55:27 -0800

Hello, tweets. The posts by John Tubbs and others (even if by mistake) are of interest, especially the stark contrast between a point-and-shoot camera like the Panasonic Lumix and many others with shockingly large zoom ratios (up to about 25x now) that are usually <$1000 and a very high-end mind-numbingly expensive Canon (or Nikon) setup. Several of us in the local birding community are using gear that costs *only* about three thousand dollars - Nikon D300 camera (now D300s) with Nikon 300 mm f4 lens + 1.4x teleconverter (TC-14E II). This gives you a 420 mm lens, and with the 1.5x multiplication factor because the sensor is smaller than a 35 mm slide, gives you the equivalent of a 630 mm lens on a film camera. This is a very sharp camera and lens combination, and the telecoverter works beautifully with the lens. The D300 is forgiving in low light situations, as you can set a pretty high ISO (up to 3200) and still get sharp photos. No, they won't be the quality of the equipment that John mentioned, but they're pretty darned good. I'm sure there is a Canon equivalent. Dennis ----- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Oak stand, Mountain Bluebird, Canal Rd. Yelm, Thurston County
From: Yelm Backyard Wildlife <yelmbackyard AT gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:58:04 -0800

Dear Tweets; Along Canal Rd. there is a small stand of Oaks where I watched a Mountain Bluebird fly across the road earlier this week. I imagine it is the same Mountain Bluebird that was in this location last year. Michelle Yelm Thurston County yelmbackyard AT gmail.com _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Swans near Chimicum (Jefferson County)
From: Gary and Diana Cummins <casacummins AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:06:15 -0800

Wednesday evening, March 10 at 6:15, spotted a group of from 10 12 swans in a field approximately 1.5 miles SE of Chimicum, on State Rt 19. The distance was too great and the light too dim to see if they were Trumpeter or Tundra swans, although Trumpeters have been at this site for the past five years we¹ve lived in the area. 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: Tufted duck at Drano Lake
From: "Roberta Lewandowski" <Roberta AT Lewandowski.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:19:32 -0800

The tufted duck was at Drano Lake again today, hanging with the ring necks and mergansers. That 'pony tail' is hard to miss. _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Marymoor Park Report (Redmond, King Co., WA) 2010-03-11
From: "Michael Hobbs" <birdmarymoor AT verizon.net>
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:39:01 -0800

Tweets - the breezy, wet , chilly weather kept the number of birders down to a dozen. But the birds were still around, despite the drizzle mixed with rain. Spring birds aren't really showing up yet (the Tree Swallows of two weeks ago notwithstanding). But we had a good variety of ducks, and our resident birds (mostly all singing). Highlights: Cackling Goose One on the grass soccer fields Barn Owl Hard to see in the nest box Hairy Woodpecker Close looks along slough Varied Thrush Heard singing across slough Cedar Waxwing Flock of over 30 near Dog Central Really, nothing terribly exciting, and nothing new for the year. Still, 54 species, and some good looks at common birds, so not a bad day. == 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: Lake Sammamish State Park, Issaquah WA, 3/10/10, monthly bird walk for Eastside Audubon
From: Sharon Cormier-Aagaard <scormieraa001 AT hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:22:26 -0800

Hi Tweeters, Stan Wood and I led 3 other birders on this monthly bird walk for Eastside Audubon at Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah, WA. We met at 8 am and walked 3-1/2 hours through the Park. Weather was cloudy and chilly (low 40's), with light wind, and a forecast for rain, but we lucked out with sun breaks and no rain! Number of species: 44 Canada Goose 55 Mallard 24 Green-winged Teal (American) 5 Bufflehead 6 Hooded Merganser 2 Good scope views of a 1st spring male, swimming and feeding closeby to a female. Common Merganser 7 Pied-billed Grebe 3 Horned Grebe 2 Western Grebe 100 Two large groups in their usual spot offshore from Jensens Cove Double-crested Cormorant 2 Great Blue Heron 50 About 40 were on the nest trees to the east of Issaquah Creek and south of the boat launch area. Another 10 were seen flying over the lake coming from the nest trees. Bald Eagle 4 We watched two Bald Eagles flying & hunting together over Jensens Cove. Earlier we had seen about 30 American Coots huddled tightly together and very nervous. We knew why after seeing one of the Balds land in the water on top of a Coot, "paddle" to a log on the shoreline using its wings, adjust itself then fly off & over us with the Coot in its tallons, while the other Bald followed, both vocalizing. Red-tailed Hawk (Western) 1 Perched several trees from the nest tree. Peregrine Falcon 1 Scope view of the bird flying over Jensens Cove with prey. American Coot 40 Glaucous-winged Gull 3 gull sp. 3 Band-tailed Pigeon 1 Fly over. Belted Kingfisher 2 Male was perched in a favorite snag near the beach; the other bird was seen flying and vocalizing about a mile away near Issaquah Creek on the southeast boundary of the Park. Downy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker 2 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Steller's Jay 1 American Crow 25 Common Raven 1 Tree Swallow 4 Black-capped Chickadee 15 Bushtit (Pacific) 10 Brown Creeper 2 Both were checking out a possible nest site underneath a large piece of peeling bark on a snag in Tibbetts Creek. We'll keep a watch on future walks. Bewick's Wren 6 Winter Wren (Western) 4 Golden-crowned Kinglet 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 14 Lots and lots of song! American Robin 210 European Starling 6 Spotted Towhee (Pacific) 5 Fox Sparrow 6 A couple were singing their wonderful song. Song Sparrow 30 Lincoln's Sparrow 1 Golden-crowned Sparrow 6 Dark-eyed Junco 13 Purple Finch (Western) 1 Heard only House Finch 6 Pine Siskin 11 American Goldfinch 3 Sharon Cormier-Aagaard Bellevue, WA scormieraa001 AT hotmail.com This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) t _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469227/direct/01/_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: plants to attract hummers
From: Bill Anderson <billandersonbic AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:04:46 -0800 (PST)

The "Living" section of today's Everett Herald has an article on plants for the yard which will atract hummingbirds. http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20100311/LIVING03/703119995/1027/LIVING#How.to.attract.hummingbirds.to.your.garden If the above link doesn't wrap, use this one and click on the article. http://www.heraldnet.com/section/LIVING Bill Anderson; Edmonds, WA. _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Re: Common or Barrow's Goldeneye ?
From: "Bob Sundstrom" <ixoreus AT scattercreek.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:55:54 -0800

David, Fine photo of a female Barrow's Goldeneye! The all pale/yellow bill and longer feathers on the nape are about as diagnostic for Barrow's as you could hope for. The bill usually darkens during the nesting season. Bob Sundstrom ----- Original Message ----- From: David Richardson To: Tweeters Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 4:32 PM Subject: [Tweeters] Common or Barrow's Goldeneye ? This duck was dabbling around near the Mukilteo lighthouse and since it has a bright yellow bill I think it should be a Barrow's except the other plumage doesn't seem to match - help someone ? http://www.mycamerasees.com/Birds/Birds/8592766_FXaVU#807310538_xyiJx-XL-LB David Richardson DaveR AT nwlink.com www.MyCameraSees.com E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (7.0.0.514) Database version: 6.14530 http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor-antivirus/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ 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: Lake Sammamish eagles
From: travel girl <travelgirl.fics AT gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:05:52 -0800

in the trees across the lake (directly east of idylwood) are at least two adults and two juveniles. i've seen at least one of them for weeks now during my morning commute. 00 caren http://www.ParkGallery.org george davis creek, north fork On Thu, Mar 11, 2010 at 08:44, Tracey Cummings wrote: > There's an adult bald eagle that likes to sit overlooking the lake at > Idylwood Park, and he/she's there quite frequently. Also spotted a juvenile > bald eagle on the northwest side of the lake on an old snag. > > Duvall kestrel was also out and about last Monday 3/8, sitting on a wire > along 124th across the valley. > > -- > Tracey Cummings > Carnation WA > teecummings AT gmail.com > > _______________________________________________ > 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: Lake Sammamish eagles
From: Tracey Cummings <teecummings AT gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:44:18 -0800

There's an adult bald eagle that likes to sit overlooking the lake at Idylwood Park, and he/she's there quite frequently. Also spotted a juvenile bald eagle on the northwest side of the lake on an old snag. Duvall kestrel was also out and about last Monday 3/8, sitting on a wire along 124th across the valley. -- Tracey Cummings Carnation WA teecummings AT gmail.com_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Tree swallows and meadowlarks, Sequim.
From: bruce paige <BBPaige AT nikola.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:32:04 -0800

A belated report. 7 tree swallows were foraging over Helen's Pond near 3 Crab's Rd., Sequim on March 9 and 7 western meadowlarks were in a flock, some singing, near Schmuck Rd. near Sequim on March 10. _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: color banded common loon, Dungeness Spit
From: jbroadus AT seanet.com
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:42:06 -0800

During our morning walk at the Dungeness lighthouse, on the Straight of Juan de Fuca side, Clarice and I spotted a common loon with a fairly large blue band on its left leg. As we could only see a flash when it dove, we could not see if it had any other bands. Saw it several times from close range, through scope, so we are sure it was not a piece of plastic trash or blue rope, appeared to be wider than a half inch. Bay side has a big flock of black brant. Clarice Clark Puyallup, WA. 98371 mailto:jbroadus AT seanet.com _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: swans near Kent
From: "Martha Jordan" <swanlady AT drizzle.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:46:38 -0800

After seeing the feedback from the swan photo posted regarding the Kent area swans, it seemed time to share my opinion. The swans in that area have been mostly trumpeters this past winter. The swans in the photo have angular heads, eyes are not distinct from bill, V shape forehead, rusty stains in key areas, eliptical shape to bodies. These are trumpeter swans. Thanks for the photos and keep looking for the big white birds out there. Martha Jordan www.swansociety.org "Perception is your sense of reality, Perspective is your grip on reality." _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Nisqually NWR 3/10/10
From: Scrubjay323 AT aol.com
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:30:23 EST

Tweets, Today 19 of us enjoyed a clear but chilly day at Nisqually. We did our monthly bird survey so we covered parts of the refuge we normally don't. In spite of that it was a pretty slow day. I think the breeze kept the passerines down so we missed some of the ususals. Highlights included an AMERICAN BITTERN at the visitor center well after the walk had started, an adult NORTHERN SHRIKE in the closed area of the refuge, 2 COMMOON RAVENS flying over the closed area heading down the Nisqually Valley, and lots of waterfowl. While the total numbers of waterfowl are down a great variety of species still exists. We had both COMMON and RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, HORNED GREBES , and LESSER SCAUP as well as the usual suspects. Raptor numbers were down also but we did see BALD EAGLES, RED-TAILED HAWKS and NORTHERN HARRIERS. The AMERICAN KESTRAL is still hanging out just outside the new dike near the twin barns. A first of the year male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD provided good looks for most folks as did SONG and GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS. An adult GREAT HORNED OWL was at the nest tree early but was gone later when we returned to the area on the way back to the parking lot. All told we had 46 species for the day and now have a total of 82 species for the year. No mammals were seen today. Until next week...... Phil Kelley scrubjay323 AT aol.com Lacey, WA 360-459-1499_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: sno-falls peregrines
From: dave templeton <crazydave65 AT gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:02:53 -0800

hi: the sno-falls pergrines have been observed in procreational behavior for the past several days. it appears the original scrape, the one nearest the falls, will be the site chosen this year, but until she lays her first egg that remains supposition based on the pair grooming the area. we shall see. rumor has it pse will reopen the observation deck in mid-april, but a countercurrent of 'it will never be reopened' has adherents as well. if the birds pick the old nest site, then it won't make much difference as the view from the upper walkway adjacent to the lodge will offer a good perspective into the scrape. regards, t -- dave templeton fall city, wa crazydave65atgmaildaughtcom "Don't worry about the world coming to an end today; it's already tomorrow in Australia." Charles Schultz_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: RE: Common or Barrow's Goldeneye ?
From: "Gary Smith" <gsmith AT smithandstark.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:12:18 -0800

I think the size of the bill may be a more reliable distinguishing factor than the coloration. In this photo, the bill looks relatively large, which is to say more like a Common than a Barrow's. The other factor I think you can use is the relative steepness of the forehead, which in this photo appears less steep, which would also indicate Common. --g Gary T. Smith Alki Point From: tweeters-bounces AT mailman2.u.washington.edu [mailto:tweeters-bounces AT mailman2.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Dennis Rockwell Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 5:02 PM To: David Richardson; Tweeters Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Common or Barrow's Goldeneye ? David, I'm unaware of plumage variations between Barrow's & Common Goldeneye that can aid identification. But in my opinion the full yellow bill and the head shape make this a female Barrow's Goldeneye. Dennis Rockwell Kennewick, WA dennisrockwell AT dwwireless.net ----- Original Message ----- From: David Richardson To: Tweeters Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 4:32 PM Subject: [Tweeters] Common or Barrow's Goldeneye ? This duck was dabbling around near the Mukilteo lighthouse and since it has a bright yellow bill I think it should be a Barrow's except the other plumage doesn't seem to match - help someone ? http://www.mycamerasees.com/Birds/Birds/8592766_FXaVU#807310538_xyiJx-XL-LB David Richardson DaveR AT nwlink.com www.MyCameraSees.com E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (7.0.0.514) Database version: 6.14530 http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor-antivirus/ _____ _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters _____ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2734 - Release Date: 03/09/10 23:33:00 _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Re: Common or Barrow's Goldeneye ?
From: "Dennis Rockwell" <dennisrockwell AT dwwireless.net>
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:02:02 -0800

David, I'm unaware of plumage variations between Barrow's & Common Goldeneye that can aid identification. But in my opinion the full yellow bill and the head shape make this a female Barrow's Goldeneye. Dennis Rockwell Kennewick, WA dennisrockwell AT dwwireless.net ----- Original Message ----- From: David Richardson To: Tweeters Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 4:32 PM Subject: [Tweeters] Common or Barrow's Goldeneye ? This duck was dabbling around near the Mukilteo lighthouse and since it has a bright yellow bill I think it should be a Barrow's except the other plumage doesn't seem to match - help someone ? http://www.mycamerasees.com/Birds/Birds/8592766_FXaVU#807310538_xyiJx-XL-LB David Richardson DaveR AT nwlink.com www.MyCameraSees.com E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (7.0.0.514) Database version: 6.14530 http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor-antivirus/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2734 - Release Date: 03/09/10 23:33:00 _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Common or Barrow's Goldeneye ?
From: "David Richardson" <daver AT nwlink.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:32:53 -0800

This duck was dabbling around near the Mukilteo lighthouse and since it has a bright yellow bill I think it should be a Barrow's except the other plumage doesn't seem to match - help someone ? http://www.mycamerasees.com/Birds/Birds/8592766_FXaVU#807310538_xyiJx-XL-LB David Richardson DaveR AT nwlink.com www.MyCameraSees.com E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (7.0.0.514) Database version: 6.14530 http://www.pctools.com/en/spyware-doctor-antivirus/_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Apology...
From: johntubbs AT comcast.net
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:29:44 +0000 (UTC)

Hi everyone, My bad...had no intention of replying to Doris with the whole Tweeters list copied.Â I intended to do it off-list, sorry.Â My excuse (other than old age and feeble mind, which unfortunately occurred before old age) is that I was onÂ an unfamiliarÂ computer at school with little time and thought I had taken tweeters off the cc list. But since I replied and Bill Anderson also chimed in, yes there are other rigs below the full-meal-deal that work well, and are in between a digicam and a full professional SLR setup.Â My favorite higher end setup that doesn't require a tripod is a Canon SLR body with Canon's 400mm DO (diffractive optics) lens.Â This lens (which is expensive) loses a little sharpness compared to their other prime lenses but saves significantly in size and weight.Â I can carry that setup around using the lens mount as a handle and it is light enough to handhold in most situations. Again, sorry for the on-line reply when it wasn't intended... John Tubbs Snoqualmie, WA johntubbs AT comcast.net _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Re: Othello Sandhill Crane Festival March 26, 27 and 28th
From: Hans-Joachim Feddern <thefedderns AT gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:47:47 -0800

Does somebody know if the cranes are in already? I am thinking of heading out even before the festival. Hans Feddern Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA. thefedderns AT gmail.com On Wed, Mar 10, 2010 at 12:39 PM, Jim Ullrich wrote: > Hello Tweets: > Time to clean your scopes and binoculars and plan a trip to the 13th Annual > Othello Sandhill Crane Festival > to be held March 26-27 and 28. As usual, Great Speakers, Outstanding > classes, and Awesome Field Trips. > Bring a friend and introduce them to the Burrowing Owls, Sandhill Cranes, > Washington Ground Squirrels and other Stars of the Birding World. Visit > www.othellosandhillcranefestival.org for class and trip times. > Yours in Birding, > Jim Ullrich > > _______________________________________________ > 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: Leucistic Pine Siskin
From: Bill Anderson <billandersonbic AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:49:10 -0800 (PST)

Good shots. The pine siskins (along with ruby-crowned kinglets and bushtits) are among the most difficult of my local birds to photograph. They are small, seldom out in the open, and never remain perched for more then a  second or two.     I have found the Canon 7D coupled with the Canon 100-400 zoom with IS & USM to be a very good combination in photographing birds. The "Q screen" of the 7D allows for quick changing of settings, a nice feature when shooting in the often poor light of the Puget Sound region. The 100-400 zoom is very versatile and is probably the heaviest lens I would care to use for stalking and taking hand held shots of birds, epecially the ones in constant motion like the pine siskins. Bill Anderson; edmonds, WA. ________________________________ From: "johntubbs AT comcast.net" To: tweeters AT u.washington.edu Sent: Wed, March 10, 2010 12:15:46 PM Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Leucistic Pine Siskin Hi Doris, I have several cameras that I use. The Pine Siskins were taken with a Panasonic Lumix FX28, which is a digicam (no separate lens) that has an 18X optical Zeiss lens built in. This is a great little and inexpensive ($300) camera when you don't want to haul mega lenses and cameras around. I'm doing more painting now than photography, so tend to only use the Lumix since I can take it and my painting gear. When I was doing really hardcore bird photography, I used (and still have and use on occasion) Canon professional SLR bodies and lenses - a 1Ds Mark II and a 1D Mark II coupled with large (500mm and 600mm) Canon professional lenses. Thes are really serious investments, heavy as all get out and require a tripod because of their weight and size. A complete rig with camera, lens and tripod at that level of gear is around $20,000 unfortunately. Another option, which I haven't gotten very good at yet, is 'digiscoping' which involves using a cheap point and shoot camera and taking pictures through a spotting scope. So basically in that situation, you're using the spotting scope as a substitute lens. Unfortunately the nature of bird photography, with very small, highly active subjects that are often buried in vegetation or quite far away, it's really tough to get good shots without really high end gear. Hope this helps. John Tubbs Snoqualmie, WA johntubbs AT comcast.net ----- Original Message ----- From: johntubbs AT comcast.net To: tweeters AT u.washington.edu Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 9:46:26 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: [Tweeters] Leucistic Pine Siskin Hi everyone, The latest unusually-plumaged bird to visit the yard was a leucistic Pine Siskin that showed up with the normal flock this morning to tank up on some water from our recirculating stream. Much of the bird (particularly the head through the shoulders) is quite white, but the eyes are normal color and there is the normal yellow wash on the wings and tail and some streaking on the flanks and other locations as in a normal bird. It was quite an interesting bird to watch, although it was so active that getting decent pix was a little challenging in the low morning light. The following link shows the body of the bird - http://www.tubbsphoto.com/-/tubbsphoto/detail.asp?photoID=9869256&cat=38994 - and clicking Next from that link shows a frontal view of the bird, with its almost completely white head. John Tubbs Snoqualmie, WA johntubbs 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: Othello Sandhill Crane Festival March 26, 27 and 28th
From: Jim Ullrich <jim AT wbugigharbor.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:39:25 -0800

Hello Tweets: Time to clean your scopes and binoculars and plan a trip to the 13th Annual Othello Sandhill Crane Festival to be held March 26-27 and 28. As usual, Great Speakers, Outstanding classes, and Awesome Field Trips. Bring a friend and introduce them to the Burrowing Owls, Sandhill Cranes, Washington Ground Squirrels and other Stars of the Birding World. Visit www.othellosandhillcranefestival.org for class and trip times. Yours in Birding, Jim Ullrich_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Birding Southern Oregon
From: "Mark & Adele" <maamfree AT comcast.net>
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:27:57 -0800

Tweets, Just received this info on birding Southern Oregon from Travel Oregon. Some nice links. Birding Southern Oregon Birds Take Flight , by MIkhale Romain | Travel Oregon Blog http://blog.traveloregon.com/2010/03/07/birds-take-flight/ Happy Spring Adventures, Adele Freeland Federal Way WA maamfree AT comcast dot net_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Re: Leucistic Pine Siskin
From: johntubbs AT comcast.net
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:15:46 +0000 (UTC)

Hi Doris, I have several cameras that I use.Â The Pine Siskins were taken with a Panasonic Lumix FX28, which is a digicam (no separate lens) that has an 18X optical Zeiss lens built in.Â This is a great little and inexpensive ($300) camera when you don't want to haul mega lenses and cameras around. I'm doing more painting now than photography, so tend to only use the Lumix since I can take it and my painting gear.Â When I was doing really hardcore bird photography, I used (and still have and use on occasion) Canon professional SLR bodies and lenses - a 1Ds Mark II and a 1D Mark II coupled with large (500mm and 600mm) Canon professional lenses.Â These are really serious investments, heavy as all get out and require a tripod because of their weight and size.Â A complete rig with camera, lens and tripod at that level of gear is around $20,000 unfortunately.Â Another option, which I haven't gotten very good at yet, is 'digiscoping' which involves using a cheap point and shoot camera and taking pictures through a spotting scope.Â So basically in that situation, you're using the spotting scope as a substitute lens. Unfortunately the nature of bird photography, with very small, highly active subjects that are often buried in vegetation or quite far away, it's really tough to get good shots without really high end gear. Hope this helps. John Tubbs Snoqualmie, WA johntubbs AT comcast.net ----- Original Message ----- From: johntubbs AT comcast.net To: tweeters AT u.washington.edu Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 9:46:26 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: [Tweeters] Leucistic Pine Siskin Hi everyone, The latest unusually-plumaged bird to visit the yard was a leucistic Pine Siskin that showed up with the normal flock this morning to tank up on some water from our recirculating stream.Â Much of the bird (particularly the head through the shoulders) is quite white, but the eyes are normal colorÂ and there is the normal yellow wash on the wings and tail and some streaking on the flanks and other locations as in a normal bird.Â It was quite an interesting bird to watch, although it was so active that getting decent pix was a little challenging in the low morning light. The following link shows the body of the bird - http://www.tubbsphoto.com/-/tubbsphoto/detail.asp?photoID=9869256&cat=38994 Â - and clicking Next from that link shows a frontal view of the bird, with its almost completely white head. John Tubbs Snoqualmie, WA johntubbs 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: Leucistic Pine Siskin
From: johntubbs AT comcast.net
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:46:26 +0000 (UTC)

Hi everyone, The latest unusually-plumaged bird to visit the yard was a leucistic Pine Siskin that showed up with the normal flock this morning to tank up on some water from our recirculating stream.Â Much of the bird (particularly the head through the shoulders) is quite white, but the eyes are normal colorÂ and there is the normal yellow wash on the wings and tail and some streaking on the flanks and other locations as in a normal bird.Â It was quite an interesting bird to watch, although it was so active that getting decent pix was a little challenging in the low morning light. The following link shows the body of the bird - http://www.tubbsphoto.com/-/tubbsphoto/detail.asp?photoID=9869256&cat=38994 Â - and clicking Next from that link shows a frontal view of the bird, with its almost completely white head. John Tubbs Snoqualmie, WA johntubbs AT comcast.net _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Opening in Introductory bird banding workshop, Mar 19-21
From: Rebecca Galloway %26 Richard Schmeck <cametobe AT comcast.net>
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:24:24 +0000 (UTC)

Due to an injury, I've had to back out of the Rocky Point Bird ObservatoryÂ bird monitoring and banding workshop at Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC, on March 19-21, 2010. So there is an opening!Â "The 3-day workshop will focus on bird identification, monitoring procedures and techniques, sexing and ageing. Components also include an owl monitoring and banding demo and an optional session on study skin preparation . The program has been developed for people with little or no bird handling and/or banding experience, but those with intermediate skills will also find the workshop a good way to build knowledge. " More info is here: http://rpbo.org/rpboworkshop10.htm The workshop is $300.Â Housing is at the Royal Roads University and runs around $45 for a dorm (single bed) and $75 for a suite (double bed).Â You can reach the registrar here:Â workshop AT rpbo.org I was going to ride-share with a couple of women. If you're interested, I can put them in touch with you. -- Rebecca Galloway Northgate, Seattle _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: A harrier runs into a mob of crows: An Eagle goes after a duck in a field
From: "Rob Sandelin" <floriferous AT msn.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 21:16:03 -0800

Over the fields to the east of Lake Tye in Monroe a Harrier was cruising around and for whatever reason decided to chase a lone crow. It followed after the crow for a good minute and then the crow was joined by 3 or 4 others. The Harrier and crows kind of danced around each other and then drifted over the corn field and suddenly out of nowhere, 10 gazallion crows popped out of the corn field and the harrier was surrounded in a cloud of noise and black wings. Surprise! The Harrier made a fast escape and pulled away from the mob who did not follow but returned to the corn field. After it was over I wondered if the 3-4 crows deliberately led the harrier into the area where they knew help was. A crows idea of a practical joke? A bit later a Bald Eagle came diving down talons out into a what turned out to be a small group of ducks hanging in a wet spot in the field. The ducks did not move (and I did not see them) until the eagle was maybe 8 feet from the ground and they all scattered flying low to the ground, barely over the top of the grass. The Eagle turned and pursued one which made it to the corn stalks and disappeared leaving the bird of prey to pull up and then soar to the north. I wondered if the ducks choose that particular puddle for its closeness to the corn cover. A couple students went into the corn stalks and were surprised to spook up more than 200 mallards. The corn stalks are a popular place these days. Rob Sandelin Naturalist, Writer, Teacher Snohomish County_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Re: Bird Identification Question- It's a red-winged blackbird!
From: Karen <puget_sound_girl AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 20:01:06 -0800 (PST)

Thanks one & all!! Everyone is unanimous - red winged blackbird :) This is the best resource for new birders! Karen --- On Tue, 3/9/10, Karen wrote: From: Karen Subject: [Tweeters] Bird Identification Question To: tweeters AT u.washington.edu Cc: "Heather Clenin" Date: Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 7:05 PM Hello tweets, I am going through my bird pictures and trying to make sure all have been identified. This one has me and my daughter stumped. Can any one help me ID it? I took the picture at the bird feeder outside the telescope shop in Anacortes. Thanks! http://picasaweb.google.com/KarenJaye/UnknownBird?feat=directlink Karen Clenin University Place -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ 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: Ravens over Wedgwood.
From: "Mark & Adele" <maamfree AT comcast.net>
Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 19:48:14 -0800

This afternoon a Raven was flying in my neighborhood, being harassed by crows. I live on the boundary of Dash Point State Park in Federal Way Adele Freeland Federal Way, WA maamfree at comcast.net Subject: Ravens over Wedgwood From: Ellen Blackstone Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:47:30 -0800 I walked outdoors Monday at about 12:30PM and heard a strange sound. (I thought at first it was my friend's cell-phone; what a world!) But I looked up,and there were three Common Ravens cavorting quite high overhead. A treat for a Monday! And there had just been some snowflakes, so it was an unusual day already. Cheers, Ellen Blackstone, Wedgwood, Seattle_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Bird Identification Question
From: Karen <puget_sound_girl AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 19:05:33 -0800 (PST)

Hello tweets, I am going through my bird pictures and trying to make sure all have been identified. This one has me and my daughter stumped. Can any one help me ID it? I took the picture at the bird feeder outside the telescope shop in Anacortes. Thanks! http://picasaweb.google.com/KarenJaye/UnknownBird?feat=directlink Karen Clenin University Place _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: FOY Thurston Co. Turkey Vulture
From: "Dave Hayden" <dtvhm AT nwrain.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 17:48:57 -0800

I saw a lone Turkey Vulture flying low over the road just east of Littlerock this afternoon. Dave Hayden dtvhm AT nwrain.com Centralia, WA _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: BirdNote anniversary, mystery birds [links]
From: Devorah Bennu <birdologist AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 11:58:51 -0800 (PST)

hello everyone, the radio program, BirdNote, recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. Each program lasts only 2 minutes and is broadcast each morning on several NPR affiliates, and celebrates the wonders of birds, the environment and nature. The entire five years' worth of programs are archived as mp3s and can be dowloaded individually or en toto to your iPod or streamed on your laptop. To learn more about BirdNote, including some suggestions for adding it to your own local NPR affiliate's program list, please read this; http://bit.ly/czqltB you might also wish to peek at today's mystery bird, which was photographed along the coast of North Carolina; http://bit.ly/daNaqn you might also wish to see yesterday's mystery bird, a species i photographed in Frankfurt am main, Germany: http://bit.ly/9IPSWf as always, if you have images of birds you'd like to share as the daily mystery bird with a large and appreciative audience, please do email me so we can talk about it further. cheers, GrrlScientist http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/ http://twitter.com/GrrlScientist http://profile.to/grrlscientist/ American Expat living in Frankfurt, Germany _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Hummingbird nest webcam
From: camelama <camelama AT speakeasy.net>
Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 08:42:29 -0800 (PST)

A friend pointed out this webcam to me, it's pointed at a hummingbird's nest. The bird left for a short while this morning and I saw 2 eggs in the nest. It's windy there this morning and she's on quite the rollercoaster ride in the rose bush, but she just snuggles down in the nest and rides it out. http://phoebeallens.com/ Susan Collicott Sunset Hill neighborhood Seattle, WA camelama AT speakeasy.net _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Ravens over Wedgwood
From: Ellen Blackstone <ellen AT 123imagine.net>
Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:47:30 -0800

I walked outdoors Monday at about 12:30PM and heard a strange sound. (I thought at first it was my friend's cell-phone; what a world!) But I looked up,and there were three Common Ravens cavorting quite high overhead. A treat for a Monday! And there had just been some snowflakes, so it was an unusual day already. Cheers, Ellen Blackstone, Wedgwood, Seattle _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Turkey Vultures near I-205
From: Lyn Topinka <pointers AT pacifier.com>
Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:28:20 -0800

spotted a pair of Turkey Vultures today circling over the Vancouver Trout Hatchery ... the Hatchery is located just off the Columbia River on the upstream side of the I-205 bridge ... Lyn Vancouver, Washington Lyn Topinka http://EnglishRiverWebsite.com http://ColumbiaRiverImages.com http://RidgefieldBirds.com _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Edmonds Snipe Hunt 3/8/10
From: Bill Anderson <billandersonbic AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 22:05:02 -0800 (PST)

Did you ever get suckered into a snipe hunt at summer camp when you were a kid? I was suprised to find out that there really is such a bird. One of the regular Edmonds bird watchers spotted one today at the marsh. Sibley's describes it as a solitary, secretive bird. I would never have seen it with my naked eye had it not been pointed out to me. Even then it was still difficult to find with the 400mm end of my zoom lens. Except for moving its head, it remained motionless the entire time we watched it from the west viewing platform.     My photos show the white strip on the top of its head, a quick way to identify it from the similar appearing dowitchers.   I now believe it was a snipe that ran in front of me last December as I was hiking back from the edge of the marsh near the fish hatchery. Bill Anderson; Edmonds, WA   _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Birding--Not Surfing--Crockett Lake
From: Carol Riddell <cariddell AT earthlink.net>
Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 19:02:18 -0800

Hi Tweets, After watching the kite surfers on Whidbey Island's Crockett Lake several weeks ago, and the consequent disturbance of waterfowl, I got in touch with the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, which I knew had been involved in protecting Crockett Lake as a natural area. I just heard back this afternoon from the Land Trust office. The upshot is that the west part of the lake is under the jurisdiction of Washington State Parks and Seattle Pacific University. Washington State Parks has designated the lake as a natural area in its comprehensive plan. Neither entity condones that kind of recreational activity on the lake. If you see kite surfing or any other recreational activity that disturbs wildlife on Crockett Lake, you can either look for the ranger at Fort Casey to report it or make a report to the State Parks NW Region Office on the following business day: Washington State Parks Northwest Region Office 220 N. Walnut St. Burlington, WA 98233 (360) 755-9231 Business hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Thanks. Carol Riddell _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Harlan's Hawk @ West 90
From: michaelfleming01 <michaelfleming01 AT gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 18:35:01 -0800

Saturday Larry Moss and I birded some areas in northwest Whatcom county including Semiahmoo Spit where at 9:00 am we had a Short-eared Owl hunting throughout the area. We watched it for about 10 minutes as it cruised back and forth over the road allowing crippling looks. Later we birded Blane Marine Park, Terrelll Lake, Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve, Sandy Point, and the Lummi Flats, adding several species to our year lists. Sunday I decided to bird a little in the Samish Flats including the West 90 where I had a cooperative Halan's Hawk perched up. Later I made a quick stop Rosario Beach State Park before heading to Mount Vernon for a family visit. All in all some good birds, no rarities, but good birding all the same. I had a total of 85 species with some of the highlights being: Canvasback - Terrell Lake Redhead - Terrell Lake Harlequin Duck - Semiahmoo Spit, Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve, and Rosario Beach State Park Black Scoter - Excellent close up looks along the shoreline at Semiahmoo Spit Harlan's Hawk - West 90 - Samish Flats Black Oystercatcher - a pair at Rosario Beach State Park Eurasian Collared Dove - Edison and Mount Vernon Short-eared Owl - Semiahmoo Spit Tree Swallow - several at Terrell Lake Wildlife Area Western Meadowlark - Lummi Flats and West 90 - Samish Flats Yellow-headed Blackbird - at least 3 in a large mixed flock at the Lummi Flats Cheers and Good Birding; Michael Fleming Ballard, Washington michaelfleming01 AT gmail.com _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Finally, a Redpoll!
From: "Joseph V Higbee" <jvhigbee AT hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 12:32:43 -0800

Okanogan County After several attempts over the last 4 years, I finally saw a Common Redpoll. Just one, though. Also saw one Gray-crowned Rosy Finch. They were sharing trips to a feeder on Hungry Hollow Rd with some American Goldfinch and some chickadees, Black-capped and Mountain. On Nealy Rd I saw a small flock of Snow Buntings on the wires above a feedlot. They flew up and back once and then left. Watched a pair of Mountain Bluebirds at their box while waiting around. They weren't taking anything in or out yet but had obviously taken possession. I still don't know where to look at the feeder house and feel rather conspicuous looking into the yards with the binos, so I saw nothing of note there. Mary Ann Cr Rd produced one Ruffed Grouse on the road who waited patiently for me to get into position and take it's picture. A large number of Robins and Juncos have arrived there as well as Red-winged Blackbirds singing? up a storm at the pond near road bottom. Four or more Bald Eagles at the beginning of Myers Cr Rd. Nothing on Bolster Rd. Cameron Lake Rd had a few bluebirds and Horned Larks and, on Duley Lake, some swans and geese. Douglas County I was at the Sage Grouse on Thursday morning. The birds were all in the field on the south side of the road. I counted 17 males and 6 females. Grant County Large flocks of fishermen, campers and such were spotted everywhere. Went out to the Heron rookery north of Potholes reservoir and was surprised to see Double-crested Cormorants in the trees a little ways to the west of the heron rookery. Kittitas County Two Rock Wrens were the highlight here. The picture of one passing food to the other looks like they were kissing. It must be close to spring. Sorry I can't report more and better but I don't hear too good, my cataracts are growing and my timing is terrible. I don't shake too bad though so I am able to get a photo now and then. I've posted them, of course. http://www.pbase.com/jvhigbee/c_current Joseph Higbee Spanaway, WA Mailto: jvhigbee AT hotmail.com_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Re: Sage grouse leks
From: Larry Schwitters <lpatters AT ix.netcom.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 12:32:22 -0800

Burt/Tweeters, Those fancy chickens start real early. This is what Sisk-a-dee has to say about the only Colorado public viewing site for the Gunnison Sage grouse. "The best time to view the elaborate and bizarre breeding dance of the Gunnison Sage-grouse is from 1 April to early-May. Gunnison Sage- grouse wake up early and arrive on the leks (breeding grounds) before dawn. Therefore, to minimize impacts on birds, visitors must arrive one hour before sunrise and remain at leks until breeding displays have ended. Displays may continue for a couple hours after sunrise." Do not get out of your vehicle. Bring something to amuse the children and a strong bladder. I know the Lesser Prairie Chickens also display at sundown. Don't know about these grouse. The Gunnison is considered a separate species. Utah Fish and Wild is attempting to pull off a Friday evening talk and Saturday morning public viewing in early April in the SE corner of the state. Its a long way from any major airport and they have a lot of snow. If any of you tweeters have an interest in such an adventure send me an email and I will tell you more. Larry Schwitters Issaquah On Mar 8, 2010, at 11:42 AM, Guttman,Burt wrote: > The recent discussion of conservation issues for Sage Grouse raises > the related question of seeing them, In early April, I'll be > driving with part of my family down to Death Valley, CA, and I'm > looking for possible places to see Sage Grouse (and other goodies) > on the way. One place that's recommended is Virtue Flats, east of > Baker, Oregon; Evanich cites it in his guide to Oregon birding, but > his book is now 20 years old. If anyone has up-to-date information > that would help us, I'd appreciate hearing from you. And, BTW, I > take it that to observe the action at one of their leks we have to > be up and out very early in the morning--which could be a hassle > with kids. > > Cheers and thanks, > Burt > > Burt Guttman > The Evergreen State College > Olympia, WA 98505 guttmanb AT evergreen.edu > Home: 7334 Holmes Island Road S. E., Olympia, 98503 > > _______________________________________________ > 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: Sage grouse leks
From: "Guttman,Burt" <GuttmanB AT evergreen.edu>
Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 11:42:03 -0800

The recent discussion of conservation issues for Sage Grouse raises the related question of seeing them, In early April, I'll be driving with part of my family down to Death Valley, CA, and I'm looking for possible places to see Sage Grouse (and other goodies) on the way. One place that's recommended is Virtue Flats, east of Baker, Oregon; Evanich cites it in his guide to Oregon birding, but his book is now 20 years old. If anyone has up-to-date information that would help us, I'd appreciate hearing from you. And, BTW, I take it that to observe the action at one of their leks we have to be up and out very early in the morning--which could be a hassle with kids. Cheers and thanks, Burt Burt Guttman The Evergreen State College Olympia, WA 98505 guttmanb AT evergreen.edu Home: 7334 Holmes Island Road S. E., Olympia, 98503 _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Pine Siskens and Red Crossbills
From: Kathy Andrich <chukarbird AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 10:31:59 -0800 (PST)

Hi Tweeters, For the person who was looking for Pine Siskens a good place would be the western slope of Stevens Pass. They were abundant on Sat. and Red Crossbills were common from about 2,500ft down to Skykomish. Some of the crossbills were in the midst of some courtship behavior. Three males were approaching one female, she allowed one of them to feed her. Also on the railroad grade trail at Wallace Falls State Park I heard a N Pygmy Owl calling as it moved downhill. 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: Yardbirds in Yelm, Thurston County and at Canal - American Lake - Lakewood, Pierce County
From: Yelm Backyard Wildlife <yelmbackyard AT gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 10:30:59 -0800

Dear Tweets; Two pine siskin have been feeding regularly at the feeder full of black oil sunflower and millet. They will sit togather one on each side, balancing the feeder and have lunch. One of five local squirrels attacked that feeder yesterday and snipped the string holding it in the tree. The string was replaced promptly with a metal coat hanger. *Gotcha* Three red-winged black birds sang at the canal in and above the thorny brush. There are about 15 Juncos that feed regularly here, along with a pair of red-breasted nuthatches, and the occassional downy woodpecker. Watched *something* (Merlin?) dive from a moderate altitude above the treetop several times. Pointed wing tips. Medium sized bird, about the size of a large Raven or Crow. This bird dives straight down really fast. Just before the dive he will flutter in place in mid-air. Watched him/her dive three or four times. Really neat to watch. Oftentimes the crows here will alert us here of soaring Eagles. There were over 190 ducks and at least 10 Canadian Geese on American Lake - Lakewood, Pierce County, Saturday. Didn't see any Eagles Saturday. Michelle Yelm Thurston County yelmbackyard AT gmail.com _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Starling swarms
From: "helen.gilbert AT juno.com" <helen.gilbert@juno.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 16:45:16 GMT

Hi-- A fascinating show on the Discovery channel last night was about swarming birds and insects. For some incredible footage of starling swarms see this guy's website: http://www.nicolashoening.de/?blog&nr=65 Wow! And we thought Seattle's had lots of starlings! Helen Gilbert ____________________________________________________________ Small Business Tools Compete with the big boys. Click here to find products to benefit your business. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=Qa4S-exDlpQt4aQOg5xtpAAAJ1Af3IvMi6Mtlwa2MO7vQOwHAAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARMQAAAAA= _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Re: White-winged Skagit Snow Goose - unusual or not?
From: Jesse Ellis <calocitta8 AT gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 09:54:41 -0600

Dee- Looks like it's a partial albino. There seem to be a few black feather-vanes on one of the wings, meaning it's not a total albino. I've never heard of this in Snow Geese before, but that may be in part because it's tough to notice them, compared to say, an albino Canada Goose in a flock of normal ones... Jesse Ellis Madison, WI On Sun, Mar 7, 2010 at 12:18 AM, Beach Dee wrote: > Been away for a year or two but glad to be back with Tweeters! > Question: Today on the way to La Conner we stopped to show an out-of-town > visitor the SNOW GEESE. Snapped a few pics with the pocket cam and when got > home and looked at them, noticed one pic of two geese flying shows one with > all-white wings. In the same pic is a normal black-tipped-wing bird. > Anybody with the expertise/experience, is this common? Couldn't get > anything to come up on Google. Here's a link to the pic (I haven't done > anything to the photo except crop it): > http://naturepics.homestead.com/naturepics-display.html. Would appreciate > any enlightenment. > > Dee Warnock > Edmonds, WA > beachdee at hotmail dot com > > > ------------------------------ > Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. Sign up > now. > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters AT u.washington.edu > http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > > -- Jesse Ellis Madison, Dane Co, WI_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: RE: Nat Audubon take on Sage grouse non-listing
From: Kim Thorburn <kthorburn AT msn.com>
Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 16:34:45 -0800

Hello, As someone who has collected data for the state's sage grouse recovery program for the past year, I, too, have grave concerns about the core area approach. These opinions are mine; they are based on a lot of observation. The problem for sage grouse in Washington, which have been state listed since the mid-'90s, seems to be as much habitat fragmentation as it is total habitat area. The birds I track were introduced from southeastern Oregon in Lincoln County, where the population was completely extirpated. Several public lands agencies have cobbled together quite a bit of retired ranch land and there's been some habitat recovery work, mostly minimizing and controlling grazing. Many populations of sage grouse move quite significant distances between summer and winter areas. Our population seems to be predominantly a traveling group. Some of our birds moved 40 to 60 miles last fall. Travel is overland. Their protective behavior is to sit still as long as they can and flush at the last minute. Wheat fields and fences have proved to be hazardous. We've found at least 2 birds plowed under by combines and probably lost another on a fence. Furthermore, predators, by far the most common reason that we lose birds, thrive on the rodents that thrive on the farming. Great horned owls were a huge problem with one group introduced in the fall. Habitat preservation is very important but I think that we have a lot to learn about sage grouse movement, secure area size and corridor needs before we can feel comfortable that the core area approach will ensure a future for this wonderful bird. Again, this is my 2 cents. Nothing official, Kim Kim Marie Thorburn, MD, MPH 509-465-3025 phone 509-599-6721 mobile 509-465-4695 fax From: tyler_hicks AT wsu.edu To: tweeters AT u.washington.edu Subject: RE: [Tweeters] Nat Audubon take on Sage grouse non-listing Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 01:14:00 -0600 Tweeters, While I applaud the NAS effort in Wyoming I think Dr. Gill paints a rather overly optimistic portrait of the situation. As he points out this "core area" program is restricted to Wyoming for now. Indeed, Wyoming represents the last great stronghold for Greater Sage-Grouse and preservation of species in the core range is important but I can't be anything but skeptical of Wyoming's ability to preserve grouse habitat continuity (see photos of the Jonah Fields here: http://www.alandoutoftime.com/photos/03lrg.html). In addition, it simply isn't possible to maintain Greater Sage-Grouse populations (~142,000 according to IUCN) in core-areas alone and I wonder if the the "core area" program will protect the species in the periphery of its range in WA, OR, ND, and CA. Has Audubon modeled population size and connectivity using only these core areas? What are their acceptable population limits? In addition, lets not forget that populations have declined by 50% since the 1960's. In other words, are we shooting for 140,000 grouse or a lower or higher population number. As a former past president of the Black Canyon Audubon Society, that was heavily involved in Gunnison Sage-Grouse conservation, this story seems all too familiar. The Gunnison Sage-Grouse remains unlisted under ESA, despite population numbers falling below 3,000 birds. The USFWS has again been granted an extension (until Sept. 15) to decide on listing Gunnison Sage-Grouse. If the USFWS can't even recognize the endangerment of Gunnison Sage-Grouse I have little faith they will act to preserve the Greater Sage-Grouse through voluntary action and the development of "core area" programs. Eternally skeptical and always hopeful, Tyler Tyler L. Hicks Ph.D. Student Washington State University Vancouver E-mail: tyler_hicks AT wsu.edu Web Page: http://thingswithwings.org "We were certainly uncertain. At least, I'm pretty sure I am." - Modest Mouse From: floriferous AT msn.com To: tweeters AT u.washington.edu Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 21:04:22 -0800 Subject: [Tweeters] Nat Audubon take on Sage grouse non-listing Forwarded From Helen Engle. From: "Dr. Frank Gill" Date: Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:02:29 -0500 To: Helen Subject: Special Advisory: Hope amid decision not to list an imperiled bird. It’s been a long time coming, and today’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision that Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing of the Greater Sage-Grouse is “Warranted but Precluded” is prompting some to declare defeat—but not Audubon. We see real hope here. Despite 50 years of scientific evidence, the decision marks the first time that the peril faced by this iconic western species has been officially recognized, as justified by its precipitous decline. It is now officially an ESA “Candidate Species.” An immediate ESA listing, though scientifically justified, was always—truth be told—a political long shot. It would have meant tremendous restrictions that western residents feared would render nearly impossible important economic uses of the land. Especially at risk were energy development plans, including those for urgently needed-renewable energy projects. Under the new ruling carefully-planned energy and other development can still proceed. But Audubon is determined to save the Greater Sage-Grouse and other species dependent on sage habitat. So why are we hopeful? The answer is simple: there’s real conservation progress afoot. The Interior Department recently embraced a plan crafted in Wyoming—with significant Audubon leadership—to designate the Core Areas (vital breeding habitat) most critical to survival of much of the state’s Greater Sage-Grouse population. Tough rules were created to limit the energy development that poses a major threat to these special habitats and to grouse survival. Less stringent restrictions remained in place for most of the state, allowing economic development to proceed with fewer limits in the non-core areas. The Interior Department has indicated that it will expand the model to millions of acres over 11 western states, using state data and the scientific expertise of Audubon and other groups to designate core habitats and develop the plans to protect them from a host of threats. This is not just politically possible; it is already underway and will make a huge difference for the Greater Sage-Grouse and a host of other species that rely on this unique American habitat. Audubon played a key role in developing and advocating for the Wyoming Core Areas plan and for its expansion through federal efforts. With your help, we will continue to strengthen the approach and secure its effective enforcement. We will make it a successful tool for benefitting imperiled species, western ecosystems and human communities alike. Together, we can turn the Greater Sage-Grouse listing decision into the start of a true conservation victory. Please help us succeed with a special contribution at: https://loon.audubon.org/payment/donate/CDGFT.html With best regards, Frank ----- Dr. Frank B. Gill President National Audubon Society Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. Get it now. _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Tufted Duck - Drano Lake
From: Jordan Gunn <uwjag21 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 23:32:27 -0800 (PST)

Tweets, The wife and I located the beautiful male Tufted Duck on Drano Lake in Skamania County. The scope views were great as this amazing bird showed off its tuft blowin' in the wind. Thanks to all who posted information about the location, especially initial discoverers Katie and Kevin Rompala. Sounds like there were some other good finds nearby today, and I wish we had more time to poke around. Jordan Gunn Bothell, WA uwjag21 AT yahoo.com _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Swan question and Great Blue Heron
From: birdmandea AT aol.com
Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:10:35 -0500

Greetings, I received and number of comments on the swan photo I posted yesterday. Thank you to all. The consensus came back 50-50 Tundra and Trumpeter. (Now I do not feel so bad when I kept looking at the bird books, (confused). Both sides had compelling arguments but now I am left a fifty-fifty choice, That is where I started at. The Trumpeter camp seems just a bit stronger. http://www.flickr.com/photos/25348030 AT N07/4413158273/ Today I took a walk at the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. We came apon a beutiful Great Blue Heron the not only posed of us but deliberately walked toward us and climbed a tree to get to get closer to us. I have never had a heron walk toward to me to have it's picture taken then take time out to preen. http://www.flickr.com/photos/25348030 AT N07/4416121144/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/25348030 AT N07/4416121074/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/25348030 AT N07/4415354463/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/25348030 AT N07/4416121046/ Take care. Dea Just _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Skamania County Birding
From: Rick Taylor <taylorrl AT mindspring.com>
Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 20:11:29 -0800 (GMT-08:00)

Tweeters, Tina and I also spent the weekend in Skamania chasing the duck and improving our county list. We found Matt's WHITE-BREASTED NUTCHATCH on Marble Road. The male TUFTED DUCK was on Drano Lake. We also had a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL on the slopes above the lake. In addition to the MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD on Hamilton Island, we also had 2 HORNED LARK near the boat launch. We spent most of today birding the mountains. We found a RED CROSSBILL flock at Oldman Pass. FR30 north of Curly Creek Road was very birdy. There were multiple mixed feeding flocks of the usual suspects. We found a NORTHERN GOSHAWK on FR90 near the forest boundary outside of Northwoods. Good birding! Rick Rick & Tina Taylor Everett _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: RE: Ravens over Bellevue
From: "Megan Lyden" <meganlyden AT msn.com>
Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 18:41:34 -0800

Hi Tweets, A pair of ravens flew over our house in the Lake Hills area of Bellevue today at around 1 PM today, followed by four more, about a minute later; they were headed west. Megan Lyden Bellevue, WA _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Dungeness Spit
From: jbroadus AT seanet.com
Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 17:51:15 -0800

Hi tweets: Report from "serenity." Clarice and I are volunteering as lighthouse keepers at New Dungeness this week. Were driven out, along with two other couples we have known for years, and due to the spectacular weather on Saturday afternoon got immediately in to leading lighthouse tours, beach cleanup, brass polishing, etc. Living in the 1904 era house at end of spit. So far the expected multiple eagles, including the drama of one that let itself get waterlogged and began swimming, rowing with its wings, toward shore in the rip. Lost sight of it. Lots of red breasted mergansers all displaying and playing with their beaks, buffleheads, harlequins, wigeons, scoters, rhino auklets, pigeon guillemots, pelagics, on and on. We decided to put up a hummer feeder to see if we might capture a passing rufous, as we are expecting a strong cross straight blow by Tuesday, forecast to 47 mph winds. Special place in the morning. May report later if we see anything. Jerry Broadus, PLS Geometrix Surveying, Inc. P.O. Box 249 Puyallup, WA. 98371 _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: North Seattle Tree Canopy/Wildlife (esp. Merlin)/Urban Habitat Meeting
From: Barbara Deihl <barbdeihl AT comcast.net>
Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 17:30:28 -0800

Hi Tweets, Here's a reminder that there will be a free informational meeting on the above topics, this coming Thursday evening at Meadowbrook Community Center, 10517 35th Ave. NE, Seattle 98125. Program will include speakers from WA. Dept of Fish & Wildlife, Seattle Audubon Society and a certified arborist recommended by Plant Amnesty. There will be display tables set up by the groups represented by the above speakers as well as several others including Bats NW, TILTH, and the North Seattle Neighborhood Merlin Fans! There will also be quite a few posters on display from the past 2 Merlin nesting seasons. Some of the residents from those neighborhoods will be on hand to share experiences and information gained over the past 2 years of sharing their neighborhoods with Merlins. There will be light refreshments of the after-dinner variety. Even though this meeting is open to the general public, it is particularly geared toward folks who have an interest in and/or residential property containing, large trees. The speakers will explain the value of those trees and will share pointers for the care and maintenance of them, plus tell how a healthy tree canopy can encourage valued wildlife (like Merlins) and add value to one's property in other ways. You will learn of resources you can tap into to for help with your trees and there will be a sign-up list for those who wish to participate in this year's Merlin-watching and receive occasional updates on nesting Merlins that may appear in various neighborhoods in and around Seattle this breeding season. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., the program starts at 7 and will run until 8:30 p.m. Should be an informative and enjoyable evening. Come on over! Barb Deihl, NML (Neighborhood Merlin Liaison) North Matthews Beach - Seattle barbdeihl AT comcast.net _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Ocean Shores
From: wheelermombi AT comcast.net
Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 01:22:34 +0000 (UTC)

Hi Tweeters, I birded portions of Ocean Shores today with Jim Pruske.Â We arrived at the Brown Point Jetty around 8:30.Â No Kittiwakes or shore birds.Â We then went to look for the female KING EIDERÂ Â where it had been reported lately, in the small bay east of the Sewage Treatment Ponds.Â Our first bird there was a PEREGRINE FALCONÂ flying near the tower.Â In the pond prior to the coast we found a small flock of DUNLIN, LEAST SANDPIPER, AND BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER.Â The bay was full of SCOTERS, mostly SURF, but I counted 18 BLACK SCOTERS, which was the most that I have seen at this location (half male, half female) and just 2 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS.Â We quickly found the female KING EIDER just beyond a raft of Surf Scoters, but well within the break water this time.Â We also spotted HARLEQUIN DUCK, WESTERN GREBE, COMMON LOON, at least 2 dozen BROWN PELICANS, and 1 RING-NECKED PHEASANT on the walk in. We next went to Damon Point.Â The tide was out, exposing the boulders to the south (the right) of the Damon Point spit.Â There was a flock of BLACK TURNSTONES scattered on several of the rocks.Â On closer inspection, we counted 6 ROCK SANDPIPERS mixed in with them.Â Jim managed to get one photo of 4 of them together.Â When we returned a couple of hours later, the flock was gone (we returned to Brown Point Jetty but they were not there either).Â We spent a couple of hours bushwhacking on Damon Point.Â Once you get beyond the initial portion that gets covered during high tide, it is still well vegetated.Â We were hoping to come across some lapwings or horned larks, but no luck.Â We did find 3 WESTERN MEADOWLARKS and were very surprised when we found a GREAT HORNED OWL out there roosting on a shore pine.Â I also found a colony of Lycopodium (club moss) that Jim proceeded to photograph for more than a half hour.Â As I dragged him away by his feet, he was still taking pictures. Not much else of note.Â The tide was way out at Bill's Spit.Â The rain started coming down around noon and really started pouring soon after.Â We stopped at a couple of state parks farther north along the coast, seeking the illusive Kittiwakes, but without finding any. Bood birding, Lonnie Somer Olympia, WA wheelermombi AT comcast.net _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Nanaimo bird alert
From: "The Backyard" <thebackyard AT shaw.ca>
Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 14:51:02 -0800

NANAIMO BIRD ALERT To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 e-mail us at thebackyard AT shaw.ca call the Bird Alert at 250-390-3029 Also check the birdstore blog for the latest bird alerts and updates: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com Post your sightings on this site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages Birds of British Columbia: http://www.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/efauna/SpeciesChecklists.html International Birdwatching Guides http://www.guidedbirdwatching.com Birdwatching contacts and information find a local birder to go birdwatching with: http://www.birdingpal.org/ Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone Number, along with the date, name and location of your sighting. Sunday March 07, 2010: The Sunday bird walk went to Buttertubs March in Nanaimo. The morning was cloudy, but winds were cold. We saw our first Yellow-rumped Warblers, Violet-green Swallows and Tree Swallows of the season--- spring is near! A Wilson's Snipe flushed out over the trail as we walked by. A Northern Shrike perched across the fields from us and eventually flew over and perched on a tall snag near the trail giving us close up views. We saw both the male and female Anna's Hummingbirds. The female was gleaning insects from the branch of a tree and the male was perched close to the trail, giving us great views of his colorful gorget. A pair of colorful Wood Ducks swam slowly past us. Eighteen birders found the following forty-five species of birds: Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron, Mallard, Pied-billed Grebe, Bufflehead, Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, California Quail, Virginia Rail, Wilson's Snipe, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Northern Shrike, Glaucous-winged Gull, Rock Pigeon, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Common Raven, Northwestern Crow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Belted Kingfisher, Anna's Hummingbird, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Violet-green Swallow, Tree Swallow, Red-winged Blackbird, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, House Finch, Pine Siskin, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco and House Sparrows. Saturday March 06: Western Meadowlarks, Golden-crowned Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, White-throated Sparrow. Fox Sparrow,Red-tailed Hawk and Red Crossbills were seen at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. Twenty Trumpeter Swans were spotted flying north over the 2500 block of Glenayr Drive in Nanaimo. Anna's Hummingbird was feeding on hyacinth blooms in the same yard. Wednesday March 03: Two Tree Swallows were checking Purple Martin nest boxes at Cowichan Bay. Eight California Quail were feeding in a backyard in the 2500 block of Glenayr Drive in Nanaimo. The Wednesday Bird Walk this week visited Famosa Marsh and Mission Bay in San Diego, California. There were many highlights, pick a favorite. One exhausted (but ecstatic) birder saw the following 77 species: Pied-billed Grebe, Horned Grebe, Eared Grebe, Western Grebe, Clark’s Grebe, Brown Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Brant, American Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Blue-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Red-tailed Hawk, Clapper Rail, American Coot, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Killdeer, Long-billed Dowitcher, Marbled Godwit, Whimbrel, Long-billed Curlew, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Willet, Ruddy Turnstone, Black Turnstone, Sanderling, Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Dunlin, Heermann’s Gull, Mew Gull, Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Western Gull, Caspian Tern, Elegant Tern, Royal Tern, Forster’s Tern, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Red-masked Parakeet, Anna’s Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Black Phoebe, Horned Lark, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Bewick’s Wren, Marsh Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Bushtit, Western Scrub-Jay, American Crow, Common Raven, European Starling, House Sparrow, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Brewer’s Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle. Cheers Graham Gillespie Tuesday March 02: The Tuesday Bird Walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The water was turquoise blue with the Herring spawn. A huge raft of thousands upon thousands of seabirds, including Brant Geese, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye and Barrow's Goldeneye were offshore at the viewing platform in Qualicum Beach. Black-bellied Plovers, Black Oystercatchers, Black Turnstones and Dunlin along with Mew Gulls, California Gulls, one lone Herring Gull, Thayer's Gulls and Glaucous-winged Gulls were roosting along the shoreline. A pair of Bald Eagles appeared overhead and all the seabirds, shorebirds and gulls lifted in a spectacular display. We saw an Eurasian Wigeon and a Northern Shoveler in among American Wigeon feeding along the Little Qualicum River. Twenty-one Trumpeter Swans swam lazily in the Estuary. Thirteen birders saw and heard the following forty-eight species of birds: Canada Goose, Brant, Trumpeter Swan, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle , Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Dunlin, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Herring Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, American Robin, European Starling, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird and Red Crossbill. For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a bird please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store AT 250-390-3669 Toll Free AT 1-888-249-4145 e-mail: thebackyard AT shaw.ca ********************************** The Nanoose Naturalists Thursday March 11, 2010 AT 7:00 pm Guest Speaker, Guy Monty, topic Black Brant. Nanoose Library, Nanoose Bay ********************************** Arrowsmith Naturalists Guest Speaker-Colin Bartlett, topic--The Birds and Bees in the Backyard. Monday March 22, 2010 AT 7:30 pm. Springwood School Parksville ********************************** Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on the Sunday and Tuesday mornings. We leave from the Store at 9 A.M. Sunday Mornings and go to a different location in and around Nanaimo and from the Parksville Beach.Community Park at 9 A.M. on Tuesdays and go to different areas in and around the Oceanside area. ************************************************************** The Tuesday Bird Walk on March 09, 2010 will be going to Rathtrevor Provincal Park in Parksville. We meet the Parksville Beach Community Park at the parking area near the Lions playground at 9 A.M. or at the main parking area near the beach at Rathtrevor Park at about 9:15 A.M. Please note there is a parking fee at the park. ***************************************************** The Sunday Bird Walk on March 14, 2010, will be going to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking lot off Hammond Bay Road at about 9: 20 A.M. ******************************************************* Good birding Neil Robins THE BACKYARD Wildbird & Nature Store 6314 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8 250.390.3669 250.390.1633 fax thebackyard AT shaw.ca CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: Tree Swallow
From: cgluckman AT aol.com
Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:49:58 -0500

First Tree Swallow of the year showed up yesterday at Pt. Wilson. Hundreds of Rhinos were coming into the Sound in the morning in flocks of 10-30. David Gluckman 811 22nd St. Pt. Townsend, WA 98368 360 379-0360_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: RAS/TAS Nisqually Wildlife Refuge walk Saturday March 6th.
From: "Shep Thorp" <tanwaxlake AT comcast.net>
Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 11:12:36 -0800

Hello Tweeters, Twenty-one of us enjoyed a sunny cool morning at the refuge. We met at the visitor center pond overlook, the temperature was 47 degrees Fahrenheit, and the light was fabulous. The pond had many Ringed-necked Duck, Mallard Duck, Canada Geese and a pair of Hooded Mergansers. We also saw Red-winged Blackbird, European Starling and Song Sparrow. Across the parking lot and between the access road and the entrance road, the water retention ponds provided distant looks at Northern Shoveler and Northern Pintail. Later in the morning, as the temperature became warmer, we had better close up views of the Northern Shoveler’ s turning rapidly in tight circles as they fed from the surface of other ponds. There is a small earth dike, between the retention ponds, which had several Killdeer, some appeared to be pairing up. Along the access road, we scanned the fields and flooded fields southwest. Large numbers of Turdus migratorius were doing that thing they do so well, run stop feed, many males were brightly colored. Numbers may be down, but we viewed a lot of waterfowl including Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, and Bufflehead. A pair of Wood Duck was spotted, several Gadwalls, and a Eurasian Wigeon. Golden-crowned Sparrows fed along the gravel road. We had fly-over by Double-crested Cormorants and Mew Gulls. In the snag tree at the corner between the parking lot, access road, and southern entrance to the boardwalk we saw both male and female Pileated Woodpeckers foraging for food. A single Dunlin was seen. An American Bittern was located in the reeds along the boardwalk. Initially hunkered down, the Bittern did stand and fly across the pond, providing continued good looks and silhouettes with the sun light from behind. A large 10-inch diameter pond turtle basked in the sun on a log at our first viewpoint. We also saw Ruby-crowned Kinglet. A Great Blue Heron greeted us at the second boardwalk viewpoint. A mature adult, our quiet group of 21 walked by within 15 feet of this confident bird roosting in a tree at eye level. Making our way towards the Twin Barns, we also saw Bewick’s, Winter and Marsh Wren, Downy Woodpecker, and Black-capped Chickadee. Tree Swallows were present in large numbers, perched and flying, and best viewed at the Twin Barns overlook. We’ve seen the Tree Swallows at the refuge the last three weeks. Two weeks ago a couple of Violet-green Swallows were seen, but we could not find them this walk. We also saw Northern Harrier, Northern Shrike, Rock Pigeon and two more Dunlin. Our first pass by the fallen nest tree of the Great Horned Owl was unsuccessful. We had nice looks at Common Mergansers, Hooded Merganser and Common Goldeneyes at the Nisqually River overlook. Heading out on the new dike, we saw River Otter on the inside and a male American Kestrel on the outside in the restored riparian area. Additional waterfowl species in the ponds on the inside of the new dike were Lesser Scaup and American Coot; we saw good numbers and variety of previous listed ducks. Large numbers of Canada and Cackler Geese flew into the refuge. Another Northern Harrier was seen, a few Red-tailed Hawks, and several Bald Eagles. Many Great Blue Herons were apparent in the new tidal zones between the new dike and the demolished old dike. Several Glaucous-winged Gulls and American Crow were seen. Scoping McAllister Creek we saw Red-breasted Merganser, and another male Common Merganser was seen submerging his face and paddling quickly forward in what we speculated was a feeding behavior. Fortunately on our way back, the Great Horned Owl had returned to the nest tree, providing good looks. Some of our group had to leave earlier and sadly missed this terrific bird. Along the old Nisqually River dike, we saw a pair of Bushtits, heard Goldfinches, and had great looks at Spotted Towhee and Brown Creepers. We ran into an interesting cluster of birds including our first female Rufus Hummingbird of the season following a Red-breasted Sapsucker after working the tree. Our presumption was that the hummingbird was feeding from the sapsuckers holes, very interesting behavior to observe! We also saw Dark-eyed Junco, Golden-crowned Kinglet and a Coyote. A number of Yellow-rumped Warblers, Audubon’s form, were seen at the Riparian overlook. It seems spring has arrived early at the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge and there is a lot of wildlife observation to enjoy. Many wonder what the Great Horned Owl are up to, and I think the next several weeks will be very interesting. Thanks to everyone for contributing to a fun bird walk, I counted 54 species in total! Good birding! Shep Thorp Browns Point sthorp AT theaec.com 253-370-3742 _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Subject: FOY Yellowlegs
From: Tim Brennan <tsbrennan AT hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 18:56:37 +0000

Hey all, Went by the flooded field south of 204th off of Frager road this morning and found a single Greater Yellowlegs in with the Green-winged Teals. A stop at the Kent Ponds also gave me my first Tree Swallows of the year. -Tim Brennan Renton _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469226/direct/01/_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters AT u.washington.edu http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters

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