Subject: [Tweeters] CBC participants might also wish to contribute to
Date: Dec 6 15:38:44 2010
From: Talbert, Paul - ptalbert at fhcrc.org



Hi Tweets:

although I haven't personally heard the Seward park conures just recently, they have definitely been around this year and I am unaware of any reason to think they are not still here. I am sure there are others on this list who would have more recent or specifc information.

Although they have been seen in Seward Park in every month of the year, they often are pretty quiet during the winter - there has been evidence on this list that they go search feeders and orchards during the cooler months. In 1996 Michael Smith and Fred Bird led a long discussion on this list of whether birds in Seward Park were the same as those which frequented Maple Leaf (and Ballard) in the fall and winter; I think most people eventually decided these were all the same birds. They may also be the same as birds reported in Ballard in the late 1980s. The origin of the birds is somewhat obscure - they have been in Seward park at least since the early 1990s; some claim much longer.

although I have not participated in the CBC, I am fairly certain that they have been counted in previous years.

As far as I know there is still some disagreement about exactly which species or subspecies they are, hampered especially by the possibility that there may have been mixed flocks in past (and current?) years. Many of us believe they are Chapman's mitred conures, based not only on markings but also by their interest in tree cavities and the known distribution of this species via the exotic pet trade.

One relatively recent change that might affect the conures but has not eliminated them is that a year or two ago I noticed that the hole in the large doug-fir at the top of the Andrews Bay Scarp that they formerly used (I assume they nested there) was occupied by a bee's nest the last time I checked. nevertheless, I've seen and heard them numerous times since then.

In 1996 there were seven birds, but I believe numbers grew into the teens in one CBC several years ago. I rarely see more than three at a time, so I am not sure how many are still present.

There is a phenology board outside the Seward Park Environmental and Audubon Center where birders are encouraged to report their sightings of conures and all other wildlife in the park.

Seward Park is having its Centennial in 2011, and we are currently planning a handful of different celebratory events throughout the year. If anyone is interested in developing a bird-focused event for the Centennial (for example a January World parrot count), please contact my personal email (not the list).

Thanks,

Paul Talbert
Friends of Seward Park



----- Original Message -----
From: "Guy McWethy" <lguy_mcw at yahoo.com>
To: "Tweeters" <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Monday, December 6, 2010 10:57:31 AM
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] CBC participants might also wish to contribute to the World Parrot Count

Hey Tweets,
Does anyone know how the Seward Park Parrots are doing? Any sightings lately? Might be fun to include them in this 'count' !

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