Subject: [Tweeters] Great look at a Cooper's Hawk in Cheasty greenspace
Date: Apr 12 18:13:02 2015
From: Mark Ahlness - mahlness at gmail.com


Nate, thanks for posting this. I've been to Cheasty on a few occasions and have seen some good bird life there, but no Coops yet. As you point out, they are indeed seen there, and some have noted that they nest there.



As to the plan for a mountain bike trail in Cheasty - there is so much going on - and it has been for a couple of years. Cheasty is the current lightning rod for preserving and protecting Seattle's dwindling natural areas. Parks would like to give Cheasty Greenspace over to a mountain bike group.



At a recent Seattle Parks "mini-summit" on supplemental uses of natural areas (you might see where that is going), acting Parks director Christopher Williams referred to Cheasty as the "skunk on the table", because of the prolonged and growing backlash to the mountain bike proposal.



If you are interested in understanding why so many are opposed, I suggest the latest post from the Seattle Nature Alliance, "The Skunk on the Table". Please take a look at the end, for links to statements from four organizations in Seattle: http://seattlenaturealliance.org/2015/04/10/the-skunk-on-the-table/



Thanks again for the update ? Mark



Mark Ahlness

mahlness at gmail.com

Seattle, WA

www.SeattleNatureAlliance.org



From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu [mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Nate Starling
Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2015 12:57 PM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: [Tweeters] Great look at a Cooper's Hawk in Cheasty greenspace (north) today



This individual was perched in limb overhanging Cheasty Boulevard this morning around 10:30; it remained long enough to reveal characteristic orange barring on its belly, and round-tipped tail feathers. Conversation with local resident confirmed these (or this) hawk(s) is familiar sight to her and the neighbors--along with "lots of Steller's jays and common flickers!"



Anyone know status of the City's plan to build a mountain-bike trail in this greenspace? I saw no signs of construction today.



Thanks,



Nate Starling

Central District

Seattle