Thanks to Dave and Ed for pointing me toward Pacific-Slope. The habitat certainly matches Pacific-Slope as does the nest construction (lots of moss). And it flicks its tail a lot. But it's not very yellow or even very olive. Kinda grey. And why am I hearing a definite "fitz-bew"? I haven't actually seen this nesting bird calling "fitz-bew" but something is clearly calls "fitz-bew". Maybe a Willow is around too?
On the white rumped hawk, I would be satisfied with it being a Cooper's, but the rump patch is so distinctive, especially from above. It's like a white 'collar' or band between the tail and the body. I haven't see any photos of Cooper's or Sharp-shinned which have such a distinct white patch. But the breast is definitely orange, which a male Northern Harrier would not have. So is likely a Cooper's. I keep a watch for it.
Tom Benedict
benedict.t at comcast.net
>
On Jul 21, 2020, at 14:55, Dave Slager <dave.slager at gmail.com> wrote:
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>
Tom,
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>
Cooper's Hawks often appear to have white rump. Their white undertail
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coverts are often flaring out appearing to reach the rump. As you
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note, Northern Harrier would be extremely unexpected in your habitat
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for the time of year, and even if it did occur there, would likely be
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a one-off flyby.
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Also, have you considered the possibility that your flycatcher is a
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Pacific-slope? The nest location and habitat matches that species, but
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not Willow, which only nests in trees and shrubs near the water in
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open field type areas.
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Dave Slager
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Seattle
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On Tue, Jul 21, 2020 at 2:16 PM Tom Benedict <benedict.t at comcast.net> wrote:
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>>
Over the past few weeks (mid July 2020) we've had some interesting birds pass through and pause.
>>
- Northern Harrier (supposedly uncommon during the summer in the Puget Sound area). Initially I thought it was a Sharp-shinned or Cooper's Hawk, but I'm pretty sure about this ID because of the distinctive white rump. It's been around for a few weeks now and see it harassed by crows or chasing a small bird through the yard. The neighborhood has no marsh or tall grass areas. It's suburban forests, so weeds a bit out of place here.
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- Willow Flycatcher nesting in a hidden alcove under our deck. Not in a bush, but about six feet off the ground on a corbel under our deck. Mom's been incubating for almost two weeks so should be ready to hatch any day.
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- Two Caspian Terns harassing an adult Bald Eagle in flight. I hadn't seen this before. Kind of a turn of events for the terns, whose colonies suffer greatly by eagle predation.
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>>
Tom Benedict
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benedict.t at comcast.net
>>
>>
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