Subject: Raptor Confusion
Date: Oct 23 23:06:19 1994
From: MBEB1215 at delphi.com - MBEB1215 at delphi.com
Today I was bird watching on the grounds of the junior high next to the
elementary school where I teach. Since last year my students and I have
participated in Gap Analysis through the Department of Wildlife and the
University of Washington. It has been a great opportunity to get kids
connected to real science. But every once in a while I like to do a little
data collection on my own.
As I walked from the parking lot I heard Dark-eyed juncos and a Rufous-
sided towhee, as well as a Pacific tree-frog or two. Approaching the seasonal
pond I saw/heard both Black-capped and Chestnut-backed chickadees. In
addition, I think I saw a lone Ruby-crowned kinglet.
Then, cresting a hillock near the pond, I saw 30+ Mallards paddling about
in water where there had been mud just a week ago. This alone excited me, as
it seemed to indicate good bird watching in weeks to come. Suddenly, I heard a
familiar call, and much to my surprise, a Belted kingfisher swooped from a
high perch, circled the pond, and buzzed a few Mallards. It then alit on a
cottonwood branch and continued chattering. After about a minute, it took off,
circled the pond once more, then disappeared to the east. This was a first
for me at this site!
Ten or fifteen minutes later, I was standing on the edge of a clearing in
woods to the SE of the pond. As I was talking back to what sounded like a
displeased Ruby-crowned kinglet, a good sized raptor flew across the clearing
and landed on a fir branch about mid-level in the woods. My view was obscured
and I had a hard time seeing it. My initial impression was of a bird about the
size of a Red tailed hawk, but I was so shocked to see it in the woods I had a
hard time focusing on details.
Just as I was about to get my binoculars on it it flew out of the woods
toward an area of ash and cottonwood trees SW of the pond. I managed to locate
it again later in a couple of different sites, but never got as close as my
initial encounter.
It was mostly light colored beneath and dark on top, but because of light
conditions I'm not sure of specific colors. One thing I'm fairly certain of is
that it didn't have the typical rufous colored tail of a Red tail. I haven't
ruled a Red tail out, but it was strange for me to see it in the woods like
that. It seemed more the behavior of an accipter. Since it was so large, that
would seem to indicate a Goshawk. Might they be found in a not-too-densely-
populated suburban area?
Michael Brown
MBEB1215
Puyallup, WA