I wonder about that Caspian Tern nesting colony on the Bellingham waterfront. The big fireworks took place over their heads, or close by.

Phil Hotlen
Bellingham, WA

----- Original Message -----
From: "Katie Messick" <Katie.Messick at kingcounty.gov>
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Sent: Tuesday, July 6, 2010 4:03:08 PM
Subject: [Tweeters] fireworks and birds?




Hi Tweets,



I live just above Gas Works Park in Wallingford (Seattle), and for the second year in a row I?ve had a first-ever bird sighting at dusk as the local kids rev up the street fireworks in advance of the big blast from Lake Union. Last year in between the whistles and explosions I heard a familiar ?wank!? and looked up into the wings of a common nighthawk. This year while watching (with trepidation) the roman candles whir over my roof, a familiar dark silhouette darted in the other direction, and a Vaux?s swift joined my yard bird list. Odd that these two unusual flyovers should occur at the same moment on the same date in different years, unless the birds are reacting to the disturbance of fireworks? Anyone else have any observations on the effects of fireworks on birds? I can?t imagine what they think of the big blasts from the lake!



Katie Messick, with roof intact despite the sparks (gotta love the heavy mist that dampened the afternoon and my house!)

katie.messick-at-kingcounty.gov










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