Hi Everyone:
Yesterday, Sat, Oct 6, was the first day for counting birds for the Seabird Survey in
Puget Sound. (See the original msg about the survey below. I'm sure they could use
some more volunteers.) I volunteered and my official viewing site is the Des Moines
Fishing Pier. I am also doing an alternate site (not one of the official ones) in
Des Moines. It's located in Zenith which is about 1.5 miles south of Des Moines.
This site is a public access with stairs and a viewing platform at the bottom of a
public road.
It is quiet this time of year for seabirds in Des Moines as most of them have not
returned yet. A lot of the birds will be back by the end of October. It was very
quiet at the Fishing Dock at the Des Moines Marina. Before my official 15-minute
count I observed a Turkey Vulture heading south about 700 feet up over the bluffs.
At the mouth of Des Moines Creek, the sand was showing during the incoming tide, and
along with the usual hybrid gulls, there were a few Mew Gulls, a Ring-billed Gull,
and a California Gull. During my 15 minute count there were very few birds to be
seen. A small flock of Surf Scoters were quite far out to the north. After my
count, I was sitting in my truck at about 3pm with the windows rolled up. I heard a
terrific boom and thought it might be thunder. But there was no lightning. Now I
realize it was the explosion down in Tacoma of the Atlas Castings and Foundry. The
foundry is located in the Nalley Valley, and if I had been observing w/ my scope, I
have not doubt I would have seen the fire and smoke from the Des Moines Pier.
>From the marina, I drove south on Marine View Drive to the Zenith Access. There were
very few birds there, just a couple of Mew Gulls, etc. I did my count from about
3:45 to 4pm. Here are some highlights: W Grebe - 1, and Horned Grebe - 2. Out at a
buoy at Pt Robinson there was a Brandt's Cormorant, and a Pelagic Cormorant. At the
very end of my count, a "different" seabird flew through my scope view. It was
flying north as I looked west to Pt Robinson. It stayed fairly low over the water,
had a steady deep and bouyant? wingbeat. It had narrow, very-long pointed wings. It
was black and flashed white. It wasn't easy to see the bird and I just could not
focus that well on it. Nevertheless, I think it was a PARASITIC JAEGER. As it flew
north it turned and it looked like it might go into the Des Moines marina. But it
continued north up the center of Puget Sound.
I have a problem with this sighting during my Seabird Survey count. I have not heard
on Tweeters that anyone has seen Common Terns or Bonaparte's Gulls along w/ the
Jaegers in the south sound. I usually see P Jaegers harrassing those birds. Are the
terns and gulls down here now? Another problem w/ viewing the Jaeger is I have never
seen one flying in a straight line and all alone. If anyone has some insight as to
whether this might be what I saw, please reply to me or to Tweets. At the time I saw
it I was standing on the viewing platform at the bottom of the stairs at the Zenith
Access. Later in the fall (I think late Oct/early Nov) this site is a great place to
see (and hear) Black Scoters.
Here is the description of the Zenith site. We use it during our RAS Kent-Auburn
CBC:
"City of Des Moines Park - From Marine View Dr, turn west on S 240th St then right on
7th Ave S and left on 239th St to its end at 6th Av S. Go through the gate [at the
bottom of the public street] and down the steps to a lookout over the water."
This is below the "Castle" that used to be called the Masonic Home in the community
of Zenith. The castle can be seen for miles. It is located between the Des Moines
Marina and Fishing Pier to the north, and Salt Water St Park to the south.
Here is an approximate address. City of Des Moines Pk at Zenith, S 239th St.
You may have to park somewhere up the hill, about a block away up on 7th. Especially
now that there is a house-construction site up on 7th.
Steve Johnson is a volunteer down in Redondo, which is located near Federal Way. He
saw 30-40 WESTERN GREBES during his count. If you are interested in the survey,
please see Adam Sedgley's original msg below.
Yours, Carol Schulz
Des Moines, WA
linusq at att.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "Adam Sedgley" <AdamS at seattleaudubon.org>
To: <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2007 5:47 PM
Subject: [Tweeters] Seabird Survey in Puget Sound! (Citizen Science)
A recent study by Dr. John Bower at Western Washington University found
that seabirds in north Puget Sound have declined dramatically since the
late 1970's (learn more
<http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/northwest/story/138470.html> ). But
what about wintering seabirds in central and south Puget Sound? Well,
we honestly don't know and the volunteer Science Commitee at Seattle
Audubon has declared it a priority to find out. We have established the
framework for a citizen science project to take place this winter and
for winters to come.
That's why we need your help. Might you be the birder we are looking
for with a couple hours to spare every fourth Saturday this winter?
--------------------------------
WHO: A dedicated team of talented citizen scientists!
WHAT: Wintering Seabird Survey
WHEN: The first Saturday of every month, October through April. Count to
take place within two hours on either side of high tide (4-hour window).
Only 15 minutes per site.
WHERE: Central Puget Sound (eastern shoreline) from Edmonds Ferry
Terminal south to Dash Point (south Federal Way). 28 survey locations
have been mapped out, at least one mile apart.*
--------------------------------
* Would you like to help but live outside the Seattle area? Please
contact Adam Sedgley at adams at seattleaudubon.org to learn more. The
Seattle Audubon Science Committee is very interested in conducting
surveys throughout central and southern Puget Sound. Take this protocol,
find a site, visit it monthly over the winter and send us your data.
It's that easy.
To learn more or to download the protocol, please visit
http://seattleaudubon.org/science.cfm?id=1168
<http://seattleaudubon.org/science.cfm?id=1168>
In field training with members of Seattle Audubon Science Committee, two
possible dates:
Wednesday, September 19th, 6-8pm (at Golden Gardens in Seattle)
Saturday, September 22nd, 10am-12pm (at Golden Gardens in Seattle)
Please let me know if you are interested in this survey and if so, which
sites would you be able to visit, your birding ability and which
training session you will be able to attend. We would really appreciate
your help.
Thank you.
Adam Sedgley
Science Associate
Seattle Audubon
206-523-8243 ext. 36
adams at seattleaudubon.org <mailto:adams at seattleaudubon.org>
www.birdweb.org <http://www.birdweb.org/>