Took our students out to Heirman today to make track casts, do some geology
and other stuff. The bittern put on a nice show as we arrived at the small
pond. A Bald eagle made the mistake of soaring low over the "grasslands"
and the resident male harrier put on an aerial display diving it. Then later
at the river an Osprey went fishing right in front of us, making three
stoops before grabbing a surprisingly large fish. It seemed to have a great
deal of trouble flying with it. Then to up the excitement, while we sat and
ate lunch, a pair of red-tails starting "goofing off" as best as we could
figure. One would go into a dramatic stoop, then open its wings and roller
coaster, using the momentum to rapidly undulate up and down in the air, then
it road the thermal from the river bar up like an escalator and did it
again, the second time the second bird, instead of soaring watching the fun,
joined in. It was like aerial hawk ballet, very graceful and wonderfully
exciting. The students shouted out oohs and ahhhs. The final excitement was
watching the female harrier hunting, doing the classic low undulating
soaring, then she dove down pretty close in front of us and got a large
vole! Again the kids all shouting oohs and aahs. It's days like this that
really make teaching great.

Rob Sandelin
South Snohomish County at the headwaters of Ricci Creek
Sky Valley Environments <http://www.nonprofitpages.com/nica/SVE.htm>
Field skills training for student naturalists
Floriferous at msn.com


-----Original Message-----
From: TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu
[mailto:TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of Ed Level
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2003 12:03 PM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: Sibley Guide


Sibley's new guide on western birds is available at Costco for $11.99. Ed
Level, Everett, WA

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