Subject: [Tweeters] Auburn Golden Eagle - Fri afternoon
Date: Nov 14 17:11:16 2008
From: Lynn & Carol Schulz - linusq at worldnet.att.net


Hi Tweets:
I got down to M St, west of Emerald Downs about Noon. I pulled into the first
pullout, and did not see a Golden Eagle. There was a flock of about 80 Dunlin flying
around in the field.
Then I pulled up to the second pullout, and scanned across the pond there. The
biggest, darkest eagle was very obvious way across to the east, sitting on one of the
lower light poles at the huge Emerald Downs track area. I could view it by looking
out to the left and back of the Em. Downs viewing stands. I scoped the eagle. Its
back was turned so you could see the beautiful golden nape, and some of the white at
the top of the tail. Wow! It was about 12:30pm.
I drove out to 15th NW, turned east, and then drove to the left on Emerald Downs
Drive. I pulled into the big south parking lot of the race track, (the outdoor horse
races are inactive for the winter), and drove all the way to the east in the parking
lot. There was a good view to the north along the RR tracks, and the GOLDEN EAGLE
(GOEA) was perched up on the same light pole. It was very close to the gray-painted,
tall guard tower at the NE end of the Emerald Downs complex.
I needed to get around to B St which is to the east of Emerald Downs, but I drove the
wrong direction. Finally I figured it out, and drove north on Em. Downs Dr to 37th
St, turned right, and then right on B St. I drove down to the light pole area, but
the GOEA had flown.
Instead of the eagle, a PEREGRINE FALCON was perched on a taller light pole nearby.
I suspect this is the regular Emerald Downs Peregrine who has returned to that area
every year for ten years! Roger Orness named her Ursula, because she is banded w/ a
band that says U/1 (upright letter U over horizontal one). She arrived in
mid-October, as she usually does. Next spring she will migrate north to her nest
site.
She must be able to take care of herself. Especially if she possibly scared a huge
juvenile Golden Eagle away from her favorite light pole area.
Roger O says this is the first Golden Eagle he has seen in the Green River Valley.
Yours, Carol Schulz
Des Moines, WA
linusq at att.net