Subject: [Tweeters] Notes from Roy -- 8 January 2009
Date: Jan 8 15:31:41 2009
From: Denis DeSilvis - avnacrs4birds at q.com


Tweeters,

Although it finally stopped raining here, the wind is gusting so much at
times that it appears that whitecaps are forming on the water in the
wetlands behind the house. It's the most water I've seen here, and has
brought several ducks in (Mallard and American Wigeon) as well as a small
flock of Canada geese. (Once Jan 25th passes by and hunting season is over,
I anticipate a huge influx of ducks, which will no doubt frustrate my
waterfowl-hunting neighbors.)



The local male NORTHERN HARRIER has cruised through a couple of times today,
as has the adult COOPER'S HAWK, which put to flight the 70 or so PINE
SISKINS, 60 MOURNING DOVES, and about 250 AMERICAN ROBINS (the latter in the
abandoned apple orchard across the street) that are in the area. A NORTHERN
SHRIKE was clinging precariously to a small willow branch in the wetland,
and an immature BALD EAGLE was buffeted through to the north.



Last week, my wife saw a rather large white bird across the street near the
wetland there (now a rather large lake instead of the usual large pond). I
never did see it, and we finally decided it might have been the male
Northern Harrier in bright light. Well, strike that - I saw the bird today
in gray light about a half-mile away: large (Red-tailed Hawk) size, and very
white. At first I thought it a gull, but it flew more like a hawk - sorta
like the albino Red-tailed Hawk that used to be off Burrows Road in Grays
Harbor County about 20 years ago. Before I could grab my binoculars, the
bird disappeared into the Doug-firs and I couldn't find it despite looking
off-and-on during the past several hours. Hope to find it again soon, and
that I have bins in hand.



The eagle, coop, and shrike bring the total seen here this year up to 40.



Wow! Big rainbow in the sky to the east.



May all your birds be identified,



Denis DeSilvis

Roy, WA

Mailto: avnacrs4birds at q.com