Weather looked good so started the day with the usual offenders at the feeders.Varied thrush,juncos,CB chickadees,BC chickadees,bushtits and annas hummingbird.So packed the dog and went north.Started at Blaine pier.Border bay found large numbers of mallards,pintails and varied gulls beyond identification as tide was out.Nice looks at white and gold crowned sparrows.The end of the pier nuerous loons,common and red-throated?loons.Greater and lesser scaup in good numbers.Common and Barrows goldeneye also well represented.Inside the harbour,red necked ,horned and eared grebes.A belted kingfisher put on a nice diving display and had a close up of a common loon.Raucus gulls due to a load of fish dumped into the inner harbour.On the drive around Drayton Harbour saw mixed flock of canada and cackling geese by the railroad trestle.At Dakota creek looked down from the bridge on a greater yellow legs.More large numbers waterfowl out by the tide line.Parked at the
Semi Ah Moo park and walked the Bay side of the Spit.Harlequins mallards and pintails close in.Further out all 3 species of scoters observed.Closer to the Inn a squadron of red breasted mergansers passed by.On the walkways at the Inn viewed 2 longtailed ducks and with the available telescopes available on the decks saw these truely beautifull ducks up close.At the marina along breakwater loaded with cormorants,all 3 local species represented and enjoying the calm water about 6 ruddy ducks.Walking the harbour side of the spit observed more white crowned sparrows and along the shore at different intervals ,sanderlings,western sandpiper and 2 black oystercatchers.Drove back through Birch Bay still more large numbers of waterfowl specifically mallard and pintails and a few green winged teals.Heading through the county on Kickerville rd.Saw tundra and trumpeter swans as I ?turned onto lake terrel rd and proceeded to Sandy Point Heights.From there headed out
on the Nth Red river road and turned onto Hillaire rd which gave nice looks at 2 northern harriers,male and female.Turned onto Kwina rd and tuned towards Gooseberry point.Picking up Marine drive followed road all the way around Bellinham Bay.This road is an unknown gem as for a long time was closed only to local traffic but now is open to all traffic.Tide was not ideal at Hales Passage so rip tide was not in action as it usually has a high concentration of diving ducks,loons etc.Following the Nooksack river at its confluence saw about 10 bald eagles.Staying on marine drive took me back to Bellingham.Passed along Squalicum Harbour and out to Fairhaven and onto Chuckanut drive.Turned onto Bow road and through Edison.Turned right to Samish Island and on the causeway walked up upon the levy containing Samish Bay.Surprised hundreds if not thousands of ducks.Before they took flight managed to ID redheads,ringbilled ducks,pintails,gadwall.mallards.Getting
close to sunset headed to paddilla bay and observing an inspiring sunset along with a Mt Baker in full alpen glow.while crossing the flooded fields amongst even more ducks noticed a silhouette unlike a duck.Able to roll the window and view from the road a small flock of black bellied plovers.With light failing made a dash to wildlife viewing area near Conway,hoping to see short eared owls.No owls but the sound of thousands of snow geese and through the dim light the sight of a large flock rising.Accipiters present as lonely centinels as I proceeded to Conway and finally I5 and home to Bellevue.?
???????????????????????????? PS did not see the King Eider but would have been a thrill,Oh well I'll just be thankfull for the gorgeous weather and the Western Washington Serengeti.
???????????????????????????????????? Mark Girling and his pug Rocco
??????markgirling at yahoo.com? Woodridge , Bellevue.
--- On Thu, 1/29/09, tweeters-request at mailman2.u.washington.edu <tweeters-request at mailman2.u.washington.edu> wrote:
From: tweeters-request at mailman2.u.washington.edu <tweeters-request at mailman2.u.washington.edu>
Subject: Tweeters Digest, Vol 53, Issue 29
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Date: Thursday, January 29, 2009, 12:33 PM
Send Tweeters mailing list submissions to
tweeters at u.washington.edu
To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
tweeters-request at mailman2.u.washington.edu
You can reach the person managing the list at
tweeters-owner at mailman2.u.washington.edu
When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
than "Re: Contents of Tweeters digest..."
Today's Topics:
1. Snowy Owl invasion (Douglas Canning)
2. RE: Got Brants? (Doug)
3. Re: Got Brants? (Al Wagar)
4. RE: Got Brants? -- closure of Hood Canal Bridge in May/June
(Grad, Andrea E.)
5. Albino Song Sparrow at Nisqually NWR (Dan)
6. Snowy Owl in Douglas Co. (merdave at homenetnw.net)
7. Closure of Hood Canal Bridge in May/June (Bickerton, Connie J)
8. Hawk Owl near bridgeport (Jeff Kozma)
9. Re: Got Brants? (Bonnie Block)
10. Elma to Hoquiam today (Grays Harbor Co.) (Tim O'Brien)
11. Re: pictures of intergraded flicker (MurrayH at aol.com)
12. Vancouver, BC RBA for January 27, 2009 (Wayne Weber)
13. Skagit Mallard X Northern Pintail - 28 Jan 2009 (Ryan Merrill)
14. Davenport WW Crossbills Continue (Gina Sheridan)
15. RBA: Portland, OR 1-29-09 (Harry Nehls)
16. King Eider Reported in Blaine, WA (Kathy Andrich)
17. Northern mockingbird 20090129-1022 (Elias Elias)
18. mystery birds (links) (birdologist at yahoo.com)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:14:27 -0800
From: "Douglas Canning" <dcanning at zhonka.net>
Subject: [Tweeters] Snowy Owl invasion
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Message-ID: <49804C23.4763.2B62DF at dcanning.zhonka.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
So far, this Snowy Owl invasion is only in the east:
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - Page updated at 12:00 p.m.
Snowy owls swoop southward, delighting birders
By MARY ESCH
Associated Press Writer
Biologists say an increase in snowy owl sightings in the South suggests
that the arctic species did so well in its northern breeding grounds
last year that competition is driving the young ones to warmer
climates.
The mostly white owls of "Harry Potter" fame are spotted in small
numbers in upstate New York and other northern states every winter.
This year, they've also been spotted farther south, in states where
they're rarely seen.
Full story at
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/text/2008679869_apsnowyowls.html
*******************
Douglas Canning
Olympia, Wash.
dcanning at zhonka.net
*******************
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Message: 2
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:09:40 -0800
From: "Doug" <dhudson at silverlink.net>
Subject: RE: [Tweeters] Got Brants?
To: <Tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Message-ID: <CB1F1ED49D5C4A7B9340D70D08610A6D at OldBlueNotebook>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Lauralee,
Brant are almost always seen in the Oak Bay area north of Port Ludlow this
time of the year. Almost immediately after getting off the west end of the
Hood Canal Bridge, turn right onto the Paradise Bay Road and follow it about
6 miles to a stop sign in the Port Ludlow development. Turn right onto the
Oak Bay Road and follow it north about 8 miles. Oak Bay runs NW/SE at this
point. You want to turn 120 degrees to the right onto Portage Way (there is
a 45 degree left here, a 30 degree road to the right and your 120 degree
right, all at the same intersection). Follow Portage down hill about 100
yards to the salt water. If there are Brant in Western Washington, you will
see them here at this small county park. The area is worth exploring.
After doing your birding, continue north on the Oak Bay Rd. to Port Hadlock.
You can turn right at the 4 way traffic light and drive through the small
community of Irondale or continue through the light to the next light and
turn right onto the hwy which takes you into Port Townsend. The road
through Irondale also puts you on the hwy. to PT.
Doug Hudson
Bremerton, WA
dhudson at silverlink.net
Subject: [Tweeters] Got Brants?
I'm in the process of planning a trip to Port
Townsend. In addition to visiting a friend, I'd
like to spend some quality time with Brants if
possible. Do they tend to hang out up there
between Feb. 23 and March 10, generally
speaking?
Lauralee Smith
Phinney Ridge
rainbird (at) blarg.net
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:55:55 -0800
From: Al Wagar <alwagar at verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Got Brants?
To: Lauralee Smith <rainbird at blarg.net>,
<tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Message-ID: <C5A6227B.AF28%alwagar at verizon.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Hi Lauralee,
Brant were at Edmonds waterfront (off fishing pier) a few days ago and tend
to hang out on the beach north of ferry dock and jetty. So, if you want
some quality time with these birds, try to keep posted on what's going on
in
Edmonds.
Al Wagar
Shoreline
On 1/28/09 10:19 AM, "Lauralee Smith" <rainbird at blarg.net>
wrote:
> I'm in the process of planning a trip to Port
> Townsend. In addition to visiting a friend, I'd
> like to spend some quality time with Brants if
> possible. Do they tend to hang out up there
> between Feb. 23 and March 10, generally
> speaking?
>
> Lauralee Smith
> Phinney Ridge
> rainbird (at) blarg.net
>
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:59:54 -0800
From: "Grad, Andrea E." <agrad at helsell.com>
Subject: RE: [Tweeters] Got Brants? -- closure of Hood Canal Bridge in
May/June
To: <Tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Message-ID:
<BFCC644419CFED4E9234053F31443301075E2D0F at helsell2.helsell.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
This post reminds me -- I recently learned that the Hood Canal Bridge is
going to be completely closed for approximately six weeks starting
approximately May 1st, so they can replace part of the bridge. It doesn't
seem to me that this has been very well publicized (although I'm sure
it's
well known on the upper Olympic Peninsula), so I am passing the info along as
an FYI. They are going to have a passenger ferry making the crossing while
the bridge is closed -- i.e., no cars. So plan those trips to Dungeness Spit
accordingly!
Cheers,
Andrea Grad
Shoreline/Tokeland
agrad at helsell.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Doug [mailto:dhudson at silverlink.net]
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 2:10 PM
To: Tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: RE: [Tweeters] Got Brants?
Lauralee,
Brant are almost always seen in the Oak Bay area north of Port Ludlow this
time of the year. Almost immediately after getting off the west end of the
Hood Canal Bridge, turn right onto the Paradise Bay Road and follow it about
6 miles to a stop sign in the Port Ludlow development. Turn right onto the
Oak Bay Road and follow it north about 8 miles. Oak Bay runs NW/SE at this
point. You want to turn 120 degrees to the right onto Portage Way (there is
a 45 degree left here, a 30 degree road to the right and your 120 degree
right, all at the same intersection). Follow Portage down hill about 100
yards to the salt water. If there are Brant in Western Washington, you will
see them here at this small county park. The area is worth exploring.
After doing your birding, continue north on the Oak Bay Rd. to Port Hadlock.
You can turn right at the 4 way traffic light and drive through the small
community of Irondale or continue through the light to the next light and
turn right onto the hwy which takes you into Port Townsend. The road
through Irondale also puts you on the hwy. to PT.
Doug Hudson
Bremerton, WA
dhudson at silverlink.net
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:22:08 -0800
From: "Dan" <dan_streiffert at hotmail.com>
Subject: [Tweeters] Albino Song Sparrow at Nisqually NWR
To: <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Message-ID: <COL0-DAV43521C0FFE4BF4326CAAF3E1C90 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I managed to photograph this guy on Monday at the far end of the Nisqually
river.
http://danstreiffert.smugmug.com/photos/462581934_ZgvXz-M.jpg
Dan Streiffert
dan_streiffert at hotmail.com
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Message: 6
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:31:54 -0800 (PST)
From: merdave at homenetnw.net
Subject: [Tweeters] Snowy Owl in Douglas Co.
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Message-ID: <14768.208.84.220.251.1233192714.squirrel at mail.ifiber.tv>
Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1
Hi, Tweeters! This afternoon two of us saw our first Snowy Owl for 2009.
It was east of Mansfield. Go east of Mansfield on Hwy. 172. When you
get to Rd. H, turn left (north) The bird was on Rd. 16, going east
(right) off of Road H. There is a yellow-flowered mail box with the name
Cora Nordby. This is an area that had Snowies last year too. A little
less than 1/2 way down Rd. 16,(it ends at Nordbys) on the left
hand(north) side there is now a small rock carin, with pink flagging
tape. The bird was on the high ridge to the north, at least 1/4 mile
away.
We tried for the N. Hawk Owl also, but did not find it. The last time I
know it was seen was Sun., Jan.25th at 12:00 and again at 1:30. Good
birding to you all! Meredith Spencer, Bridgeport, Wa. 509-686-7551
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:33:58 +0000
From: "Bickerton, Connie J"
<connie.bickerton at verizonbusiness.com>
Subject: [Tweeters] Closure of Hood Canal Bridge in May/June
To: Tweeters at u.washington.edu
Message-ID:
<51CF8732AEDB434D8D67A5CFA764ED2B03E21773 at ASHEVS012.mcilink.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Here's the scoop. It will close at 12:01am 5/1/09. I think it's been
pretty well publicized on the west side of the sound
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR104HoodCanalBridgeEast/2009closure.ht
m
Connie
Bainbridge Island
Connie.bickerton (at) verizonbusiness.com
I recently learned that the Hood Canal Bridge is
going to be completely closed for approximately six weeks starting
approximately May 1st, so they can replace part of the bridge.
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:03:51 -0800
From: "Jeff Kozma" <jcr_5105 at charter.net>
Subject: [Tweeters] Hawk Owl near bridgeport
To: "Tweeters" <Tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Message-ID: <870CF45AD100492D91E8D30F8EA334DC at WALDO>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Has anyone seen the Northern Hawk Owl near Bridgeport this week? I may take a
trip up there on Saturday but don't want to make the 3.5 hour drive if no
one has seen it since last weekend.
Thanks.
Jeff Kozma
Yakima
jcr underscore 5105 at charter dot net
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Message: 9
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:01:17 -0800
From: "Bonnie Block" <bonblock at centurytel.net>
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Got Brants?
To: "Lauralee Smith" <rainbird at blarg.net>,
<tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Message-ID: <C4C41571AABA4A2FA48ED2FAE1F9148D at BonniePC>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Lauralee,
I found some very nice ones very close in at Point Hudson in Port Townsend
today.
I have some images in a photo gallery from today (along with alot of other
birds as well)
http://www.pbase.com/herderdog/point_hudson
Bonnie Block
www.fieldandfarmphoto.com
www.pbase.com/herderdog
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lauralee Smith" <rainbird at blarg.net>
To: <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 10:19 AM
Subject: [Tweeters] Got Brants?
> I'm in the process of planning a trip to Port
> Townsend. In addition to visiting a friend, I'd
> like to spend some quality time with Brants if
> possible. Do they tend to hang out up there
> between Feb. 23 and March 10, generally
> speaking?
>
> Lauralee Smith
> Phinney Ridge
> rainbird (at) blarg.net
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> Tweeters at u.washington.edu
> http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.15/1921 - Release Date: 1/28/2009
6:37 AM
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:46:40 -0800 (PST)
From: "Tim O'Brien" <kertim7179 at yahoo.com>
Subject: [Tweeters] Elma to Hoquiam today (Grays Harbor Co.)
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Message-ID: <143947.75961.qm at web58006.mail.re3.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I'm back on the westside for a few days and spent most of today birding the
Elma, Satsop, Brady, and Hoquiam areas. It was great to be back in my old turf.
I was expecting more water in the fields of the valley, but only the Brady Loop
area held the usual spots of sheet water ponds.
My wife joined me today and our most productive area was the Brady Loop area.
Not finding any swans or gulls along Wenzel Slough Road had us wondering where
they were to start off. Arriving, on the east side of Brady Loop we immediatley
spotted the huge flock of swans. This flock consisted of mainly Trumpeters, but
there were a smaller amount of Tundras present as well. Also, 15 Snow Geese and
one Greater White-fronted Goose. Not too mention the hundreds of Canada and
Cackling Geese present here too. No gulls were seen on the loop though.
On the south end of Foster Road, we found lots of wintering shorebirds with
Black-bellied Plovers being the most common. Dunlin were present in good
amounts as well. I did spot one Greater Yellowlegs and one Long-billed
Dowitcher as well. Near the WDFW fishing access, close to 30 Western
Meadowlarks were seen on both sides of the road.
Ducks were scattered about and we finally found two Eurasian Wigeons on Moore
Road which is on the north side of Highway 12 just east of Satsop. Schafer Boom
road on the far westside of the Brady Loop area is a traditional spot for
Eurasian Wigeon, but the flock of American Wigeon didn't hold any there
today. Although, here was 9 more Greater White-fronted Geese with the ducks and
Canada Geese.
The Hoquiam STP yielded the usual large numbers of both Scaup species. A
couple Ruddy Ducks were on the pond as well. I did manage a glimpse of one Mew
Gull in the sewage treatment area. I'm sure there were more, but gulls
seemed to be elusive today.
Raptors were scarce with only 3 Red-tailed Hawks, 4 Northern Harriers, and 2
Bald Eagles seen all day. Ending the day up in the hills near Elma, we only
picked up a Winter Wren with no quail or grouse seen.
Good birding,
Tim O'Brien
Cheney, WA
mailto: kertim7179 at yahoo dot com
------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:23:33 EST
From: MurrayH at aol.com
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] pictures of intergraded flicker
To: jvhigbee at hotmail.com
Cc: Tweeters at u.washington.edu
Message-ID: <cff.4af37158.36b29755 at aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
In a message dated 1/28/2009 7:39:23 AM Pacific Standard Time,
jvhigbee at hotmail.com writes:
I've had an intergraded Northern Flicker hanging around this last week or
so
also. I took a couple photos and posted them for those interested. This one
has more red than yellow in the feathers.
http://www.pbase.com/jvhigbee/c_current
Joseph Higbee
Spanaway, WA
Mailto: jvhigbee at hotmail.com
_______________________________________________
Tweeters mailing list
Tweeters at u.washington.edu
http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
'We used to have in AZ an occasional flicker with a red
"whisker"on one side
and a black one on the other--is that what you mean by "intergrade" ?
or
hybrid? what? Murray
(Mrs.) Murray Hansen
Graham, WA
MurrayH at aol.com
**************From Wall Street to Main Street and everywhere in between, stay
up-to-date with the latest news. (http://aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000023)
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Message: 12
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:21:13 -0800
From: "Wayne Weber" <contopus at telus.net>
Subject: [Tweeters] Vancouver, BC RBA for January 27, 2009
To: "BCBIRDS" <bcbirds at yahoogroups.com>, "TWEETERS"
<tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Message-ID: <07fd01c981d1$6785a6d0$3690f470$ at net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
This is Wayne Weber with Nature Vancouver's Rare Bird Alert for
Tuesday, January 27nd, sponsored in part by Wild Birds Unlimited,
with stores in Vancouver and North Vancouver.
The RBA telephone number is (604) 737-3074.
If you wish to leave a rare bird report, please press the star button
at the end of this message to go back to the menu, press "2" for the
rare bird reporting line, and follow the instructions given there.
RARE BIRD ALERT for an adult SLATY-BACKED GULL at the Abbotsford
garbage transfer station, near Riverside Road and Industrial
Way in Abbotsford. This bird has been seen at least on January 3,
16, 18, and 22.
RARE BIRD ALERT also for a first-year male KING EIDER at the
Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine, WA on January 17.
Out of town, the RARE BIRD ALERT continues for the BLACK VULTURE
in Kincolith on the northern coast of BC, which was still present
at least through January 14.
No sightings reported for Tuesday, January 27th
Sightings for Monday, January 26th
The immature NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen and photographed by many
observers in Vancouver's Jericho Park.
Sightings for Sunday, January 25th
Both the adult and immature NORTHERN GOSHAWK were at Jericho Park
again.
Sightings at the Reifel Bird Sanctuary in Delta included 8 SANDHILL
CRANES, 4 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS, and 4 species of owls-- a
BARN OWL, a BARRED OWL, a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL, and a LONG-EARED
OWL.
At Boundary Bay Regional Park in Delta, birds seen included a NORTHERN
SHRIKE, two WESTERN MEADOWLARKS, and 2 LINCOLN'S SPARROWS.
Sightings for Saturday, January 24th
The adult NORTHERN GOSHAWK was still in Jericho Park, Vancouver.
A BLACK OYSTERCATCHER was present on the Tsawwassen ferry jetty in
Delta, and a GYRFALCON was not far away along Deltaport Way near
Arthur Drive.
Many LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were at Elgin Heritage Park on the
Nicomekl River in Surrey.
No sightings reported for Friday, January 23rd
Sightings for Thursday, January 22nd
The adult SLATY-BACKED GULL was seen again at the garbage transfer
station in Abbotsford, near Riverside Road and Industrial Way,
west of Highway 11.
The two NORTHERN GOSHAWKS, one adult and one immature, were still
present in Vancouver's Jericho Park.
No sightings reported for Wednesday, January 21st
Sightings for Tuesday, January 20th
The adult GOLDEN EAGLE was seen again on 28th Avenue near the Roberts
Bank port in Delta.
The probable BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK was seen briefly again near
108th Avenue and 160th Street in Surrey.
Sightings for Monday, January 19th
A GREAT GRAY OWL was seen and photographed near Point Atkinson in
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver.
Five LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were seen along the Nicomekl River near
Brydon Lagoon in Langley, a regular wintering spot for this species.
Sightings for Sunday, January 18th
A bird believed to be a male BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK was seen at a
feeder near 108th Avenue and 16oth Street in Surrey, but was not
reported until about a week later.
Three out-of-season BARN SWALLOWS were seen over the outer pond at
Iona Island, Richmond.
The GOLDEN EAGLE was seen and photographed on 28th Avenue in West
Delta, and a GYRFALCON was seen nearby.
An AMERICAN BITTERN was reported from Colony Farm Regional Park
in Port Coquitlam.
The SLATY-BACKED GULL was reported again in Abbotsford.
Four ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS were reported from Queen Elizabeth Park
in Vancouver.
Sightings for Saturday, January 17th
Two EARED GREBES and 20 LONG-TAILED DUCKS were seen off the White
Rock pier in White Rock.
At the Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine, WA, an immature male KING EIDER
was reported near the marina, but could not be found by other observers
the next day.
Sightings for Friday, January 16th
The adult SLATY-BACKED GULL found on the Abbotsford Christmas Bird
Count was seen again near the garbage transfer station on
Industrial Way near Vye Road in Abbotsford.
Sightings for Thursday, January 15th
An adult GOLDEN EAGLE was found on 28th Avenue near 48th Street, west
of Highway 17 in Delta. It may be the same eagle which was present in
this area for awhile last winter.
Sightings for Wednesday, January 14th
A NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was reported from Terra Nova Park in
Richmond, near the western terminus of Westminster Highway.
In northern BC, the BLACK VULTURE at Kincolith, near the mouth
of the Nass River, which has been there since October 7th, was
reportedly still present.
Sightings for Tuesday, January 13th
Two adult BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were at the Reifel Bird
Sanctuary in Delta. Nearby, 7 MUTE SWANS and a GYRFALCON were
seen near the Westham Island bridge.
A brief account of 31 of the best birding locations in the
Vancouver area can be found on the Nature Vancouver website at
http://www.naturevancouver.ca/Birding_Birding_Sites .
If you have any questions about birds or birding in the Vancouver
area, please call Wayne at 604-597-7201, Larry at 604-465-1402, or Viveka
at 604-531-3401.
Thank you for calling the Vancouver Rare Bird Alert, and good birding.
Wayne C. Weber
Delta, BC
contopus at telus.net
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Message: 13
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:36:30 -0800
From: Ryan Merrill <rmerrill27 at gmail.com>
Subject: [Tweeters] Skagit Mallard X Northern Pintail - 28 Jan 2009
To: Tweeters <Tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Message-ID:
<9ea6b9950901282136v42ebdf00x6418e342c972a6de at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Joel Brady-Power and I had a great day birding Skagit in the sun
today. Early on off Rosario Beach were a couple hundred Red-throated
Loons and two adult Thayer's Gulls. We had great views of the female
TUFTED DUCK on Lake Erie, along with about 80 Ring-necked Ducks. A
lone Bonaparte's Gull was flying out over Similk Bay. March Point
yielded an Eared Grebe, the continuing female Black Scoter, and an
adult Western Gull.
The bird of the day was along Bayview-Edison Road on the Samish Flats
- a male MALLARD X NORTHERN PINTAIL hybrid mixed in with thousands of
wigeon, mallard and pintail. I first noticed and identified it while
it was sleeping, but it took staring at it for fifteen minutes before
it lifted its head for half a second, showing off its blue bill.
After another ten minutes a male Eurasian Wigeon ran over to peck it,
causing it to finally wake up and briefly run away to a new spot where
it resumed sleeping. It had clean gray sides but a much lighter brown
breast than a Mallard. The head was green but was a greener shade
than the green of a Mallard, lacking the blue tones. It had a white
ring around the neck like a Mallard, but there was also a white spur
going up the side of the neck like that on a pintail, though not as
long.
There was also a Long-billed Dowitcher and two male American X
Eurasian Wigeon hybrids in the field and a first-cycle Herring Gull
just to the north. In the slough at Edison there were two EURASIAN
TEAL. On Allen West Road just west of Chuckanut Drive was a
first-cycle Glaucous Gull. Single adult Thayer's Gulls were at the
park in Allen and at the ponds at Higgins Airport Way & Watertank Road
near the airport.
Two Hairy Woodpeckers and a White-throated Sparrow were on Valentine
Road. No sign of the Blue Jay in a quick visit. The Snow Goose flock
was along Mann Road. Mixed in were the wintering adult Blue Goose and
seven Taverner's Cackling Geese. We spent the rest of the day at the
Game Range where there was an American Bittern, two Great Horned Owls,
and at least two Short-eared Owls.
We ended the day with 104 species.
Good birding,
Ryan Merrill
Kirkland, WA
------------------------------
Message: 14
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:58:12 -0800 (PST)
From: Gina Sheridan <gsherida8502 at yahoo.com>
Subject: [Tweeters] Davenport WW Crossbills Continue
To: Tweeters at u.washington.edu
Message-ID: <924531.54805.qm at web90602.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Since Kim Thorburn and I just can't seem to get enough of those lovely WW
Crossbills, we decided to find the birds that Jon Isacoff had seen yesterday.
Considering that the day was cold (low 20's) but with dazzling sunshine, we
were looking forward to seeing these birds in full sun.
As usual, the early afternoon survey of the Morrison-Detour Roads failed to
produce any Snowy Owls or raptors. Our best bird along this route was a NORTHERN
SHRIKE.
After no more than five minutes of searching in the Davenport Cemetery, we had
located the flock of WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLs. Near the outhouse at the north
end, the WW Crossbills were working a large cone-bearing spruce tree and a large
Douglas Fir. There were at least dozen birds involved.
Often times, we could see four male WW Crossbills feeding so close to each
other that they looked like a bright sprig of avian strawberries. One very dark
female was with this group, and a pair of American Golfinches were loosely
associating with the crossbills too. In addition, there was a RED-BREASTED
NUTHATCH in the same tree.
As we were leaving, three of the male WW Crossbills and the pair of goldfinches
landed in the leafless elm tree. This is the first time that I have seen WW
Crossbills feeding in a deciduous tree.
It is such a treat to view these beautiful birds, and we thoroughly enjoyed the
experience. For birders in the Snowkan (Spokane) area, this flock of WW
Crossbills might be easiest one to see.
Gina Sheridan
Spokane, WA
------------------------------
Message: 15
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 23:26:42 -0800
From: Harry Nehls <hnehls6 at comcast.net>
Subject: [Tweeters] RBA: Portland, OR 1-29-09
To: RBA <hnehls6 at comcast.net>
Message-ID: <C5A69A32.9093%hnehls6 at comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
- RBA
* Oregon
* Portland
* January 29, 2009
* ORPO0901.29
- birds mentioned
Trumpeter Swan
Eurasian Green-winged Teal
TUFTED DUCK
American White Pelican
Brown Pelican
LITTLE BLUE HERON
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Red-shouldered Hawk
Golden Eagle
Glaucous Gull
Black Phoebe
Horned Lark
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Northern Mockingbird
American Tree Sparrow
Harris?s Sparrow
Lapland Longspur
Snow Bunting
PYRRHULOXIA
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch
- transcript
hotline: Portland Oregon Audubon RBA (weekly)
number: 503-292-6855
To report: Harry Nehls 503-233-3976 <hnehls6 at comcast.net>
compiler: Harry Nehls
coverage: entire state
Hello, this is the Audubon Society of Portland Rare Bird Report. This report
was made Thursday January 29. If you have anything to add call Harry Nehls
at 503-233-3976.
The Peoria PYRRHULOXIA, Siletz Bay LITTLE BLUE HERON, and the TUFTED DUCK
near Clatskanie continue to be seen. Small numbers of BROWN PELICANS are
still being seen along the coast.
On January 25 a TURKEY VULTURE was at Coos Bay. A EURASIAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL
was seen January 24 at Ada Station on the south shore of Siltcoos Lake. On
January 26 an OSPREY was in Seaside. A BLACK PHOEBE is being seen near
Gearhart.
A YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was found among a swarm of blackbirds January 25
on Sauvie Island. On January 28 a HARRIS?S SPARROW was along Rentenaar Road
on the east side of the Island. An AMERICAN TREE SPARROW visited a southeast
Portland feeder January 25. On January 23 two young GLAUCOUS GULLS were at
the Fernhill Wetlands. A GLAUCOUS GULL was in Salem January 28. A GLAUCOUS
GULL, BARN SWALLOW, GOLDEN EAGLE, WHITE PELICAN, and BLACK PHOEBE were at
Baskett Slough NWR January 25. An AMERICAN TREE SPARROW is now coming to a
feeder near Eugene. On January 24 up to 20 TREE SWALLOWS were at the south
end of Fern Ridge Reservoir.
Up to six TRUMPETER SWANS are now wintering between Lyle Washington and
Mayer State Park near Rowena Oregon. On January 24 a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK and
a MOCKINGBIRD were in Klamath Falls. Good numbers of the wintering
specialties continue to be seen in the Wallowa Valley. On January 24 LAPLAND
LONGSPURS, SNOW BUNTINGS, and ROSY-FINCHES were seen among a large swarm of
HORNED LARKS along School Flat Road east of Enterprise.
That?s it for this week
- end transcript
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Message: 16
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:48:03 -0800 (PST)
From: Kathy Andrich <chukarbird at yahoo.com>
Subject: [Tweeters] King Eider Reported in Blaine, WA
To: tweet <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Message-ID: <891098.93313.qm at web52906.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Hi Tweeters,
I often skim, skip, or even delete some of my inbox but I noticed this in the
Vancouver RBA for Jan 27:
RARE BIRD ALERT also for a first-year male KING EIDER at the
Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine, WA on January 17.
Reported in the RBA message by Wayne Weber.
Kathy
Roosting in Kent, near Lake Meridian
(chukarbird at yahoo dot com)
Any driving directions contained within this message are given as a courtesy,
beware, author is directionally challenged and will not vouch for them.
------------------------------
Message: 17
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 11:02:38 -0800
From: Elias Elias <fabflockfinder at gmail.com>
Subject: [Tweeters] Northern mockingbird 20090129-1022
To: "tweeters at u.washington.edu" <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Message-ID: <A8B7B24E-0295-4884-A7AD-C721F3FDF15A at gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed; delsp=yes
Hi all
Birdweb.org lists this species as scarce in WA. As NOMOs one of my
favs I thought you might want to know about it, if it hasn't been
known about.
It was feeding on the rose hips along the westside of the lower river
road be of Vancouver WA. Date and time are coded in subject line.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&q=45.696533,-122.735268%20%28Northern%20mockingbird%2020090129-1022%29
Elias
Walkie-talkie: 559-433-7254
------------------------------
Message: 18
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 11:39:39 -0800 (PST)
From: birdologist at yahoo.com
Subject: [Tweeters] mystery birds (links)
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Message-ID: <153828.92139.qm at web50409.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
hey tweeties,
yesterday's mystery bird is gaining a lot of attention from a large crowd
of scientists, museum curators, birders and people who generally love a good
mystery. i have gotten a lot of email from people who are interested in
"weird" mystery bird images, such as feathers (as you saw in
yesterday's image), roadkill, spread wing preps, tails disappearing into
bushes, birds viewed from below and whatnot, so i am very interested to get
images from you for this purpose. i do ask several things: i want large images
(at least 500 pixels across, and preferably with high-resolution) that are in
focus and, if you are donating a picture of feathers, roadkill, a spread wing
museum prep or other static birds, please include a ruler or coins or something
that can give the viewer a sense of scale. i plan to run a "weird
wednesday" mystery bird as long as i have a "weird" image.
the most recently demystified mystery bird was a Caspian Tern, Sterna caspia;
http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2009/01/todays_mystery_bird_for_you_to_110.php
here's today's mystery bird, also courtesy of photographer Joseph
Kennedy, for you to identify;
http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2009/01/todays_mystery_bird_for_you_to_133.php
cheers,
GrrlScientist
Devorah
http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/
Roosting high up a tree somewhere in Central Park, NYC
------------------------------
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End of Tweeters Digest, Vol 53, Issue 29
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