After I noticed, in photos taken of the Tangletown Rose-breasted Grosbeak, that it's beak is cracked, and recalled other injuries and illness in quite a few other winter visitors in the past years, I'm wondering if any other folks are taking note of this sort of thing (I did see a report on eBird about the grosbeak's beak). The Goshawk up in the Vancouver, BC area is looking a bit roughed up as of yesterday. I do imagine that many birds that show up in the Pac NW have a difficult time, even when just touching down for a short while to rest and get some bites to eat, being unfamiliar with the habitats in which they find themselves. Of course may of the passers-through are juveniles and thus, inexperience in general, is a factor in how well they do.

I see that, in light of a higher possibility of accidents and injury for this group, it could behoove us 'watchers' not to overwhelm them with our own enthusiasm and presence.

Mostly I am wondering if any of you, in your search for rarities, have found very many that seemed not 100% healthy, or ended up dead here.

Just noticing and curious if any of you Tweets have any thoughts on any of this...

Barb Deihl
Matthews Beach Neighborhood - NE Seattle
barbdeihl at comcast.net