Subject: [Tweeters] Flock of over 100 meat eaters, Yelm, Thurston County
Date: Feb 28 23:49:26 2010
From: Yelm Backyard Wildlife - yelmbackyard at gmail.com


Dear Tweets
RE: Hans Joachim Feddern, Diann MacRae


I am doubtful of the flock being identified as Sandhill Cranes. No
outwardly stretched necks in flight. No trailing legs. Flight pattern
does not match that of a crane.

- Flight pattern I would identify more closely with Bald Eagles or
Vultures - Not a flock of cranes. Ospry?

Notched wing tips - tail like Eagle or Vulture. Flys like an Eagle -
flap flap glide soar circle in and out of wind currents just before a
rain.

The last flock of Vultures (this past fall) flew in a straight line,
unlike this flock of Eagles / Ospry - birds - whatever - most likely
said not to be Vultures. These birds flew in a grouping, without a
recognizable form, but with an even spacing. They flew in two opposing
circles in the air currents, much like Vultures or Eagles circling
over fresh kill/prey. And when the currents subsided - they moved on
as a group maintaining the same spacing (one or two bird widths
apart.) Just quit playing around and moved on.


No vocalization.


IF these were Sandhill cranes, they were the strangest cranes I've
ever witnessed off the bayou - especially with invisible necks and
legs in flight.


Please tell me a flock of Sandhill cranes flew in to the NWR or
somewhere......Otherwise, I would be afraid that there is something
really really dead southwest of here, but Diann suggests that ISNT
likely either. :)

Hmmm. Sandhill cranes? (I don't believe it.)

Respectfully,

Michelle
Yelm
Thurston County
yelmbackyard at gmail.com



On 2/28/10, Hans-Joachim Feddern <thefedderns at gmail.com> wrote:
> Tweeters,
>
> I still believe that a group of 100 large birds circling at high altitude
> would unlikely be eagles or vultures. I have seen migrating Sandhill Cranes
> do exactly that and the timing is about right. Michelle does not mention any
> vocalization?
>
> Hans Feddern
> Twin Lakes/Federal Way. WA.
> the fedderns at gmail.com
>
>
> On Sun, Feb 28, 2010 at 12:26 PM, Diann MacRae <tvulture at vei.net> wrote:
>
>> Hi, Michelle and Tweets
>>
>> I wouldn't count on them being turkey vultures. If so, it would be
>> unusual.
>> Large groups in the fall there will be, but for the past 18+ years I
>> haven't
>> gotten a spring count anywhere near that large. I don't think a hundred
>> eagles would do it either. Did you get any field marks at all?
>>
>> Cheers, Diann
>>
>> Diann MacRae
>> Olympic Vulture Study
>> 22622 - 53rd Avenue S.E.
>> Bothell, WA 98021
>> tvulture at vei.net
>>
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>>
>>
>