Date: 10/13/26 2:44 pm From: Larry Schwitters via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Whte coot
A large herd of coots showed up at Sunset Beach, Lake Sammamish State Park, yesterday. This morning a half white one had joined them. Wonder if that will be the first one the eagles take out.
Date: 10/13/26 2:08 pm From: Denis DeSilvis via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] JBLM Eagles Pride Golf Course Monthly Birdwalk - Thursday, October 15 - 8:00AM Start
Hi Tweeters,
The next Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) Eagle's Pride Golf Course (GC) birdwalk is scheduled for Thursday, October 15 at 8:00AM.
The JBLM Eagles Pride GC birders do the tour d'course the third Thursday of every month. We meet at 8:00AM<outlook-data-detector://2> through October 2026. (Change to 9:00AM in November.) Starting point is the Driving Range Tee, Eagle's Pride Golf Course, I-5 Exit 116, Mounts Road Exit. When you turn into the course entrance, take an immediate left onto the road to the driving range - that's where we meet.
Also, to remind folks that haven't been here before, even though Eagle's Pride is a US Army recreation facility, you don't need any ID to attend these birdwalks. Hope you're able to make it!
Current weather forecast is 46degF-62degF start to finish (RealFeel 46-65) with 0% chance of rain during the walk. Lookin' good! As always, dress for success!
Date: 10/13/26 11:50 am From: Carol Riddell via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Edmonds Roundup - September 2026
Hi Tweeters,
We ended September with 189 species for our Edmonds year list. The new species in taxonomic order are:
Northern Harrier (code 3), 1 at the waterfront (ID photo), 9-12-2026.
Peregrine Falcon (code 3), 1 at the waterfront (ID photo), 9-10-26.
Horned Lark (code 4), 1 at the waterfront (ID photos), 9-10-26.
Other birds of interest: The male Lesser Goldfinch (code 5), that first appeared at feeders in a private yard in November 24, appeared again on 9-15-2026. His most recent previous appearances were 3-22, 24 and 26. There were no reports of Turkey Vulture (code 3) sightings in Edmonds during September. Interestingly, there were no Pectoral Sandpiper (code 3) reports during this southbound migration.
Declined for lack of any documentation: American Herring Gull (code 4).
By way of explanation, we start additions to our year list based on birders letting me know about sightings. We then review eBird reports to see if we can add further species based on information included in checklists. With rarer birds, code 3 or rarer, we look for something more than a checklist tick. Those of us who use eBird know that we occasionally make data entry errors, so those have to be ruled out for our purposes. We then look for evidence such as a description of critical field marks, photos, or recordings. If none of those is included, we then decline to add the species at this time. This has no effect on an eBirderâs personal records.
As always, I appreciate it when birders get in touch with me to share sightings, photos, or recordings. It helps us build our collective year list. If you would like a copy of our 2026 Edmonds city checklist, please request it from this email address: checklistedmonds at gmail dot com. The 2026 checklist, with September sightings on it, is in the bird information box at the Olympic Beach Visitor Station at the base of the public pier.
Date: 10/13/26 11:28 am From: Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] FOS Varied Thrush
I just had a first-of-season male Varied Thrush in my backyard here in Twin Lakes/Federal Way. It was feeding on mountain ash berries with a horde of American Robins. It seems early and I hope it is not a sign of the winter to come!
*Hans Feddern* Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA <thefedderns...>
Date: 10/12/26 8:35 pm From: via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] WOS Monthly Meeting, November 2, 2026 (online only)
The Washington Ornithological Society (WOS) is pleased to announce our next Monthly Meeting: on Monday, November 2, Haley Olson, Senior Resource Scientist with Puget Sound Energyâs Avian Protection Program will present, âPSEâs Avian Protection Program: Protecting Birds and Improving Power Reliability."
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) serves 1.2 million electricity and 900,000 natural gas customers across 10 counties in Washington, a 6,000 square-mile service area. Since early 2000, PSE has endeavored to serve its bird customers as well, moving osprey nests to safer locations, installing protective covers and bird diverters and constructing new avian-friendly power lines. Find out how PSE has been working to reduce outages, bird electrocutions, collisions and fire hazards through the efforts of its Avian Protection Program.
Our speaker, Haley Olson has worked on avian protection for PSE for almost 20 years, striving to reduce negative effects on birds and their habitats related to the electrical utility infrastructure. Through the years, she has collaborated with industry colleagues as well as wildlife rehabilitators and NGO partners in order to benefit birds throughout PSEâs service area. Haley was recently elected Vice Chair of the Avian Power Line Interaction Committee.
This meeting will be conducted virtually, via Zoom (no in-person attendance). Sign-in will begin at 7:15 pm, and the meeting commences at 7:30 pm. Please go to the WOS Monthly Meetings page https://wos.org/monthly-meetings/ for instructions on participation and to get the Zoom link.
When joining the meeting, we ask that you mute your device and make certain that your camera is turned off.
This meeting is open to all as WOS invites everyone in the wider birding community to attend. Thanks to the generosity of our presenters, recordings of past programs are available at the following link to the WOS YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@washingtonornithologicalso7839/videos
If you are not yet a member of WOS, we hope you will consider becoming one at https://wos.org
Date: 10/12/26 10:04 am From: Jim Betz via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Regarding your Last Australia ...
Blair,
 I've enjoyed your journey and it has upped Australia on my bucket
list. Thanks! How about
another "Last Last ..." of your Best Photos (as opposed to "favs")?
                                 - Jim
in Skagit
_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 10/11/26 7:48 pm From: Dan Reiff via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC: Inside the collapse of the planet’s largest penguin colony
Date: 10/10/26 2:50 pm From: mary hrudkaj via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Turkey Vulture Report
Early this afternoon there was a group of 13 turkey vultures observed heading south from the Tahuya River bridge at North Shore Rd in the North Mason (county) area.
Date: 10/10/26 2:12 pm From: Marv via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Fwd: Ross's Goose
The ROSS'S GOOSE returned to M Street in Auburn just as I was leaving and
was still there as of about 1:00PM. The bird was easily viewed from M
Street in the field with many Minima Cackling Geese. I'll put videos of
the bird on Flickr later today.
Marv Breece
Tukwila, WA
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Mark Ahlness via Tweeters <tweeters...>
Date: Sat, Oct 10, 2026 at 9:51â¯AM
Subject: [Tweeters] Ross's Goose
To: Tweeters <tweeters...>
I just got a call from Marv Breece, who asked me to post his sighting of a
Ross's Goose this morning at M St in Auburn!
It was hanging out with one Snow Goose and hundreds of Cackling Geese. At 9
am the Ross's Goose took off with many of the Cacklers, heading north.
The Snow Goose is still at M St, visible from the road with binoculars.
Date: 10/10/26 1:02 pm From: Joan Miller via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Fox sparrows! Who Knew?
Hi Tweets,
I've had Fox Sparrows as winter visitors to my yard for several years. This is the first that I have ever heard their song. It's beautiful!! Thanks to Merlin for ID'ing it for me! I could not place the song. It doesn't sound like any other sparrow. It actually has a pretty song and is quite loud. Is it normal for them to sing at this time of year?
Joan Miller West Seattle jemskink at gmail dot com
Date: 10/9/26 3:26 pm From: B B via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] This Time It Really Is the Last Australia Birding Blog Post
I was going to include a retrospective and summary at the end of the last blog post but decided it should be separate. So this really is the FINAL Australia blog post - including 2 dozen favorite photos.
https://blairbirding.com/?p=34729&preview=true&_thumbnail_id=34739
Date: 10/9/26 6:05 am From: Shep Thorp via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Wednesday Walk at Billy Frank Jr Nisqually NWR for 10/7/2026
Hi Tweets,
We had a really good Autumn Day at the Refuge with approximately 30
birders. The morning was overcast, but the afternoon had sun.
Temperatures were in the 50's to 60's degrees Fahrenheit. There was a Low
0'9" Tide at 9:41am and a High 13'7" Tide at 4"35pm. Highlights included
many flocks of 40 plus PINE SISKIN which have recently migrated into the
Refuge and were seen at many different places throughout the Refuge; a
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH seen in the slough south of the Access Road
adjacent to the green white across from the entrance to the Education
Center parking lot; a continuing RUDDY DUCK in the Visitor Center Pond
along the west side of the Twin Barns Loop Trail; and an AMERICAN GOLDEN
PLOVER on the mudflats north of the Nisqually Estuary Trail or dike just
west of Leschi Slough on the high tide in the afternoon with BLACK-BELLIED
PLOVER and DUNLIN. Other notable sightings included PILEATED WOODPECKER in
the Orchard, over 30 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS soaring around the mouth of
the Nisqually River, and a HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL foraging near the
McAllister/Medicine Creek Observation Platform.
For the day we observed 82 species. With First of Year Northern
Waterthrush, Ruddy Duck, and American Golden Plover, we have observed 170
species thus far this year. Check out our eBird Report pasted below for
additional details and photos.
A big shout out to all the eyes, and cameras that helped make the Wednesday
Walk so much fun. Our group typically spreads out and communicates via
Walkie-Talkie and cell phone, which helps alert others of sightings as well
stake out sightings that are a challenge to relocate. We reported the
Golden Plover on the Thurston County RBA and received immediate help
identifying American Golden Plover for our birders which was super
informative.
Other species seen included Columbian Black-tailed Deer, American Bullfrog,
Pacific Chorus Frog, Harbor Seal and Puget Sound Garter Snake.
Until next week when we meet again at the Visitor Center Pond Overlook at
8am, be well, and happy birding.
Shep
--
Shep Thorp
Browns Point
253-370-3742
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR, Thurston, Washington, US
Oct 7, 2026 7:07â¯AM - 5:15â¯PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.403 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Wednesday Walk. Cloudy in the morning, sunny in the
afternoon. Temperatures in the 50âs to 60âs degrees Fahrenheit. A Low 0â9â
Tide at 9:41am and a High 13â7â Tide at 4:35pm. Others seen Columbian
Black-tailed Deer, Coyote, American Bullfrog, Pacific Chorus Frog, Harbor
Seal, and Puget Sound Garter Snake.
82 species (+6 other taxa)
Cackling Goose 20
Canada Goose (moffitti/maxima) 1
American Wigeon 75
Mallard 200
Northern Pintail 800
Green-winged Teal (American) 400
Surf Scoter 25
Common Merganser 1 Seen by Chris in Nisqually River.
Ruddy Duck 1 Previously reported. Re-found by Rod and Christy in
Visitor Center Pond, north of west side entrance. Immature female type
bird.
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 203 Entrance gate to Refuge. Highway
overpass area.
Mourning Dove 1
Anna's Hummingbird 2
hummingbird sp. 1
Virginia Rail 2
Black-bellied Plover 14
American Golden-Plover 1 Spotted by Cameron with flock of BBPL and
Dunlin on incoming high tide north of Nisqually Estuary Trail or Dike just
west of Leschi Slough in the afternoon. Observed for 30 minutes at 200 feet
with spotting scopes and binoculars. Juvenile Golden Plover foraging,
preening and roosting with surrounding shorebirds. Distinctly smaller and
more yellow than surrounding BBPL. Darker cap, very light eyebrow, smaller
bill, tan-yellow wash on sides of undertail coverts. Four feathers
observed on primary projection most consistent with AGPL in contrast to
PGPL. Overall lighter than what may be expected of PGPL. Photos of mixed
quality taken.
Killdeer 1
Hudsonian Whimbrel 1 Large distinctive shorebird observed for 20
minutes preening and foraging at 100 feet to 1/4 mile. Seen along Shannon
slough from Nisqually Estuary Trail and McAllister/Medicine Observation
Platform. Tan and brown crown stripes with long-decurved bill.
Long-billed Dowitcher 4
Spotted Sandpiper 1 West Bank of McAllister Creek.
Greater Yellowlegs 40
Dunlin 20
Least Sandpiper 200
Western Sandpiper 20
Short-billed Gull 2
Ring-billed Gull 250
California Gull 1
Glaucous-winged Gull 1
Western x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid) 10
Western/Glaucous-winged Gull 10
Larus sp. 300
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Horned Grebe 4
Common Loon 3
Brandt's Cormorant 5
Double-crested Cormorant 40
Great Blue Heron (Great Blue) 40
American White Pelican 38 Observed flying over Refuge, around the
mouth of the Nisqually River, and over the tribe site east of Nisqually
River.
Cooper's Hawk 1
Northern Harrier 1
Bald Eagle 4
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Heard by Steve in the morning north of Nisqually
Estuary Trail in Riparian Stand west of Nisqually River. Distinctive,
repeated âkyeerâ call.
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Belted Kingfisher 4
Red-breasted Sapsucker (ruber) 2
Downy Woodpecker (Pacific) 4
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Downy/Hairy Woodpecker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1 Orchard.
Northern Flicker 2
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 5
American Kestrel (Northern) 2
Hutton's Vireo (Pacific) 1 Orchard.
American Crow 100
Common Raven 4
Black-capped Chickadee 25
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 4
Barn Swallow (American) 1 Spotted by Heather flying over fields west
of parking lot.
Bushtit (Pacific) 40
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 15
Golden-crowned Kinglet 5
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
Brown Creeper 6
Pacific Wren (Pacific) 4
Marsh Wren 2
Bewick's Wren (spilurus Group) 6
European Starling 50
Varied Thrush 2
American Robin (migratorius Group) 40
Cedar Waxwing 60
American Pipit 1
House Finch 1
Purple Finch (Western) 2
Red Crossbill 16
Pine Siskin 300 Multiple groups of 40-60 birds flying in many
locations around the Refuge.
American Goldfinch 6
Fox Sparrow (Sooty) 2
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) 4
Golden-crowned Sparrow 10
White-throated Sparrow 1 Spotted by back half of the group in the
Orchard.
Savannah Sparrow (Savannah) 4
Song Sparrow (rufina Group) 19
Spotted Towhee (oregonus Group) 6
Western Meadowlark 2
Red-winged Blackbird 200
Northern Waterthrush 1 Spotted by Ken and Laurie, relocated by Gene
and Whittier, in the slough south of the Access Road immediately adjacent
to the green gate across from the parking lot entrance to the Education
Center Parking Lot. Large brown topped and yellow washed warbler with light
supercillium and streaking on the throat and breast and sides. Distinctive
tail bobbing and metallic âtinkâ call. Observed at 30 feet along waterâs
edge. Did respond to playback.
Common Yellowthroat 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) 6
Date: 10/8/26 5:51 pm From: Denis DeSilvis via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Public comment period open about proposed changes to WDFW’s listing and recovery planning processes for at-risk species
Also note that the Nov 20th Commission meeting is in Spokane.
The key dates are:
* Public comment closing date - Nov. 23
* Commission meeting in Spokane where they have a public hearing -- Nov. 19-21
* Commission decision, presumably in the Dec. Commission meeting, which is listed as a "web conference" -- Dec. 11
ACTIVITY
DATE
Filed CR-101
Nov. 6, 2025
Public Comment Period Open for CR-101
Nov. 6, 2025
Public Comment Period Closed for CR-101
Oct. 6, 2026
Filed of CR-102
Oct. 7, 2026
Public Comment Period Open for CR-102
Oct. 7, 2026
Public Meeting<https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7CymvyA9TS-hwLyNyUAOzQ> Oct. 14, 2026
Public Hearing - Commission
Nov. 19-21, 2026
Public Comment Period Closed for CR-102
Nov. 23, 2026
Commission Decision
Dec. 11, 2026
Filing of CR-103
TBD
Effective date
TBD
Date: 10/8/26 5:16 pm From: Jim Betz via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] TUVU Migration
Hi,
 When we went to Veracruz, Mx. the TUVUs migrated with the same
method/strategy as
the rest of the birds ... they started "getting up" about 10 (when the
thermals started),
circled in a thermal along with other species in the same thermal until
they reached the max
altitude (each species kind of went to a different height), then they
would peel off and
glide to the next thermal South, and start kettling up again. We never
saw them leave
the migration for that day (probably happened later/when we were at
dinner?). In
fact all of the species were doing the same. We did see migrating birds
that weren't
actively migrating - in fields, trees, inlets, on power towers, etc. -
and all of the
species seemed to go to some favorite roost (a tree, a power tower,
etc.) for the
night.
 The migration was more of a 'stream' than a 'flock' - in fact,
Veracruz is known as
"The River of Raptors". Most of the time the birds were quite high -
too far to do
any kind of photography other than the entire kettle(s). You could look
out over
the land and see the next kettle (in just about any direction).
                       - Jim in Skagit
_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
we saw that Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches had been seen at the summit of Mt. Spokane. We had never been to Mt. Spokane so were delighted by the beautiful scenery.
Date: 10/8/26 2:35 pm From: Michael Hobbs via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co.) 2026-10-8
Tweets - we were beset with fog for most of the morning today, although pre-dawn and for the first little bit we were below most of the gray. It wasn't until after the Viewing Mound that the day cleared, eventually becoming a stunningly beautiful fall day full of color. Birds were making a large number of a variety of calls, so we were very aware of their invisible presence. Sightings were more difficult.
Highlights: Hutton's Vireo - One heard near the windmill again. More than 10% of the ~50 detections of this species over the years have been in 2026 American Pipit - At least 3 along with 5+ WESTERN MEADOWLARK and 20+ KILLDEER on the grass/gravel area south of the Climbing Wall Pine Siskin - Tight flock of 40-60 flying roughly down the slough. These are our First Of Year (FOY) though we've *thought* we've heard single birds previously White-throated Sparrow - One east of the east end of the boardwalk. First of Fall (FOF), and the first time we can remember one anywhere near that corner
A late scan of the lake, once the fog had cleared, turned up three HORNED GREBE (FOF) and a NORTHERN HARRIER (FOY) that was working the lake edge.
We had no confirmed PINE SISKINS for 18 months before today.
Matt and Eric had a MULE DEER on top of the Viewing Mound pre-dawn. I had a BOBCAT (FOY) near the river bridge on my way out!
Misses today included Cackling Goose, Hooded Merganser, American Coot, Ring-billed and California Gulls, Western Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, American Barn Owl, and Savannah Sparrow.
For the year, adding NORTHERN HARRIER and PINE SISKIN, I believe we're up to 124 species for the 2026 survey. For the day, 52 species of birds.
= Michael Hobbs = <BirdMarymoor...> = www.marymoor.org/birding.htm
"If I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes".
Charles Lindbergh"
On Thu, Oct 8, 2026 at 12:50â¯PM Bud Anderson via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> By White, Cade and Enderson.
>
> Anyone out there have one you are willing to part with?
>
> Also anyone know where that itinerant Brit bookseller, David Hutchinson,
> has wandered off to? The number I have is not working.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Bud Anderson
> (360) 757-1911
> <falconresearch...>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 10/8/26 12:34 pm From: Nick Bayard via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Helen Macdonald (H is for Hawk) at BirdNote's Year-End Event
Hello all,
I'm pleased to share that Helen Macdonald (author of H is for Hawk and Vesper Flights) is our special guest for BirdNote's year-end event on November 5. We'll also be joined by comedian (and birder) Joe Zimmerman and Grammy Award-winning musician Madison Cunningham.
Date: 10/7/26 6:53 pm From: Robert O'Brien via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Sept.2026 tuvu report
Portland, kettle of about 100 went over downtown yesterday late afternoon
heading south
Bob obrien portland
On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, t vulture via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> To: <Tweeters...>
>
> Date: 10 October 2026
>
> Turkey vulture report for September 2026
>
>
> Hi, Tweets â While numbers were building at the end of Vancouver
> Island in late September, few mentions of crossing the strait. Perhaps
> the nice weather has made migration a bit late. I still donât find
> large numbers in ebird of vultures passing south through Washington
> and Oregon, but by the time this report is out, Iâm sure there will
> be. Thanks for all the sightings from August and September.
>
>
> AUGUST
>
> 26 -- 25 turkey vultures feeding on dead things on the beach between
> Tokeland and Grayland, Grays Harbor County.
>
> 30 -- 17 roosting in a woodlot east of Sumas, later soared up in a
> kettle and headed southwest; 20 at the Nooksack Salmon Hatchery at
> noon, both in Whatcom County.
>
>
> SEPTEMBER
>
> 05 -- Four circling over Nisqually, Thurston County; one over Gateway
> Park, Gig Harbor at 10:30, Pierce County.
>
> 06 -- Ten at Suncadia Resort at 15:00, Kittitas County.
>
> 08 -- One over Suncadia Prospector Golf Course, Roslyn at 06:00,
> Kittitas County.
>
> 10 -- Four seen at 09:30 (no location); one at Theler Wetlands at
> 10:45, Mason County.
>
> 11 -- Five at W. Skokomish Valley Road at 11:00, Mason County.
>
> 12 -- One turkey vulture flying south to north near Shelton View
> Forest, Bothell, 14:59, Snohomish County; one at Theler Wetlands and
> 11:00.
>
> 19 -- Two along I-90 near Easton at 10:41; five along I-90 near Cle
> Elum, at 10:50; two at the RR Ponds in South Cle Elum at 10:56 feeding
> on a dead skunk; one along I-82 south of Ellensburg at 12:20, all in
> Kittitas County.
>
> 20 -- 17 circling above Fairwood in Renton (near 128th Ave.S) in the
> afternoon, King County;
>
> one at Belfair at 10:30.
>
> 22 -- One along Hwy 1 just west of Hope at 15:19, Fraser River Valley, B.C.
>
> 24 -- One from I-90/mp 71 (Lake Easton) at 15:15, Kittttas County;
> three at Theler Wetlands at 10:20.
>
> 26 -- 200 noted w/30 crossing the strait ca 14:00 at East Sooke
> Reg.Park/Hawk Lookout in B.C.
>
> 27 -- 41 at Salt Creek County Park, ca.11:00, Clallam County; six seen
> plus a golden eagle from the Mount Pugh Trail in the Glacier Peak
> Wilderness Area, Snohomish County.
>
> 28 -- Three turkey vultures circling & rising near Rainbow Bridge in
> LaConner, ca noon, Skagit County; one above Gulf Road Beach near
> Cherry Point at 11:36, Whatcom County;
>
> one above the Nooksack River at Emerson at 15:04, Whatcom County
>
>
> NOTE: 09/30 â 500 turkey vultures estimated with many large kettles at
> Beachey Head, Vancouver Island, B.C., with no mention of any crossing.
> Numbers are/were very high along the small section at the end of
> Vancouver Island where most of the vultures cross but no mention of
> any crossings except on the 26th. The 28th was always our biggest day
> at Salt Creek in years past.
>
>
> Cheers, Diann
>
>
> Olympic Vulture Study
> 22622 - 53rd Avenue S.E.
> Bothell, WA 98021
> <tvulture...>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 10/7/26 6:51 pm From: Scott Downes via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Oregon volunteers to help track wildlife impacted by roads
In Washington, Conservation Northwest uses volunteers to support this work, part of their community wildlife monitoring which is often paired with planned or proposed wildlife crossings https://conservationnw.org/get-involved/volunteer/ Scott Downes
<Downess...>
Yakima Wa
Date: 10/7/26 1:26 pm From: t vulture via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Sept.2026 tuvu report
To: <Tweeters...>
Date: 10 October 2026
Turkey vulture report for September 2026
Hi, Tweets â While numbers were building at the end of Vancouver
Island in late September, few mentions of crossing the strait. Perhaps
the nice weather has made migration a bit late. I still donât find
large numbers in ebird of vultures passing south through Washington
and Oregon, but by the time this report is out, Iâm sure there will
be. Thanks for all the sightings from August and September.
AUGUST
26 -- 25 turkey vultures feeding on dead things on the beach between
Tokeland and Grayland, Grays Harbor County.
30 -- 17 roosting in a woodlot east of Sumas, later soared up in a
kettle and headed southwest; 20 at the Nooksack Salmon Hatchery at
noon, both in Whatcom County.
SEPTEMBER
05 -- Four circling over Nisqually, Thurston County; one over Gateway
Park, Gig Harbor at 10:30, Pierce County.
06 -- Ten at Suncadia Resort at 15:00, Kittitas County.
08 -- One over Suncadia Prospector Golf Course, Roslyn at 06:00,
Kittitas County.
10 -- Four seen at 09:30 (no location); one at Theler Wetlands at
10:45, Mason County.
11 -- Five at W. Skokomish Valley Road at 11:00, Mason County.
12 -- One turkey vulture flying south to north near Shelton View
Forest, Bothell, 14:59, Snohomish County; one at Theler Wetlands and
11:00.
19 -- Two along I-90 near Easton at 10:41; five along I-90 near Cle
Elum, at 10:50; two at the RR Ponds in South Cle Elum at 10:56 feeding
on a dead skunk; one along I-82 south of Ellensburg at 12:20, all in
Kittitas County.
20 -- 17 circling above Fairwood in Renton (near 128th Ave.S) in the
afternoon, King County;
one at Belfair at 10:30.
22 -- One along Hwy 1 just west of Hope at 15:19, Fraser River Valley, B.C.
24 -- One from I-90/mp 71 (Lake Easton) at 15:15, Kittttas County;
three at Theler Wetlands at 10:20.
26 -- 200 noted w/30 crossing the strait ca 14:00 at East Sooke
Reg.Park/Hawk Lookout in B.C.
27 -- 41 at Salt Creek County Park, ca.11:00, Clallam County; six seen
plus a golden eagle from the Mount Pugh Trail in the Glacier Peak
Wilderness Area, Snohomish County.
28 -- Three turkey vultures circling & rising near Rainbow Bridge in
LaConner, ca noon, Skagit County; one above Gulf Road Beach near
Cherry Point at 11:36, Whatcom County;
one above the Nooksack River at Emerson at 15:04, Whatcom County
NOTE: 09/30 â 500 turkey vultures estimated with many large kettles at
Beachey Head, Vancouver Island, B.C., with no mention of any crossing.
Numbers are/were very high along the small section at the end of
Vancouver Island where most of the vultures cross but no mention of
any crossings except on the 26th. The 28th was always our biggest day
at Salt Creek in years past.
Date: 10/7/26 11:18 am From: Martha Jordan via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Mute Swan perspective in Great Lakes area
While this is not in WA, it is relavent to what is happening throughout the U.S. and the significant environmental issues this poses for all our waterbirds and more.
Date: 10/7/26 10:40 am From: Martha Jordan via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Oregon volunteers to help track wildlife impacted by roads
This is an interesting article today in The Daily Standard. About
recruiting volunteers to monitor along the roads for killed, injured or
just present between Oct 17-25. A great idea, hope it comes to Washington.
The URL is:
Date: 10/6/26 12:39 pm From: Scott R via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] New free tool for exploring your personal eBird history by county
Iâve developed a new free web app called *My County Birds* for birders who
enjoy county listing or simply want a different way to explore their eBird
history.
After importing your personal eBird data export, the app maps your birding
by county and lets you drill down into individual states, counties, and
species. It also identifies potential county *Targets* based on species
youâve recorded elsewhere in the state, maps where you have and havenât
recorded individual species, and tracks county-listing progress and goals.
The app requires no account and is designed with privacy in mind: *your
eBird records are processed and stored entirely on your own device and are
not uploaded to a server.* It can also work offline once installed.
If youâd like to see how it works before using your own data, there is a
full Sample Data mode.
Date: 10/6/26 9:49 am From: Kim Thorburn via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] WDFW seeks public comments on recommendation to list burrowing owl as endangered
Hi Tweets.
Thank you for the discussion. Certainly, the comment examples of factual observations by Blythe and Rhonda would contribute to the scientific framework that will support the burrowing owl status decision. As noted in the WDFW press release, staff recommends listing the species as endangered and Blythe's and Rhonda's examples support the information put forward by the department. Observations about habitat loss would also be instructive.
Ultimately, science policy decisions incorporate social and cultural values within the framework of science. During my tenure as a fish and wildlife commissioner, much testimony was expression of values, which is entirely relevant. Social and cultural values related to wildlife are numerous and diverse and ideally, all are respected and considered in wildlife policy unless they are contrary to conservation and management. It was my experience that constituents often thought that the values expressed by a "majority" should be the ones captured in a decision. However, durable policy captures values diversity rather than considering values as a political either/or.
I realize my initial email did not acknowledge the value of expressing beliefs and perspectives in policy advocacy. It is that multiple expressions of the same or similar values are generally weighted as one in decision making.
Good birding (and policy advocacy),
Kim
Kim Marie Thorburn, MD, MPH
Spokane, WA
(509) 465-3025 home
(509) 599-6721 cell-please use for texting
________________________________
From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces...> on behalf of Ronda Stark via Tweeters <tweeters...>
Sent: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 8:33 AM
To: Blythe Horman <blythe.horman...>
Cc: TWEETERS tweeters <tweeters...>
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] WDFW seeks public comments on recommendation to list burrowing owl as endangered
Hello Blythe,
Thank you for a wonderful response. As a retired attorney, I think your points are well taken. Further, individual experiences do have a place in public comments. For example, if you watched a pair of burrowing owls and they are no longer in that location, that is valuable first hand knowledge. Or, if a photographer frequently went to an area just north of Quincy where there were a number of burrowing owls in that area that all but disappeared, that is an important comment. It demonstrates that the loss of burrowing owl habitat effects the individual living in Washington and can be just as powerful as scientific evidence. In fact, during in person testimony, these are some of the most important types of comments.
Finally, it can also help to mention economic benefits to the state for granting protected status. If hundreds of birders travel to Eastern Washington every year to see burrowing owls and spend a night or two in rural communities, this is economically helpful to the local community. We used this very effectively to advocate for preservation of wild and scenic rivers. Fortunately, we had data to back up these claims with dollars spent per recreation user days. Admittedly, this data is probably lacking for the burrowing owl, but I have spoken with small businesses and motel operators who definitely benefitted from the presence of burrowing owls that attracted birders to their areas.
Ronda
Ronda
On Tue, Oct 6, 2026 at 8:02â¯AM Blythe Horman via Tweeters <tweeters...><mailto:<tweeters...>> wrote:
Thank you for the clarification, Kim.
My intention in requesting 'talking points' was precisely to locate synthesized summaries of the current peer-reviewed dataâsuch as specific localized population trends, documented habitat fragmentation rates, and nesting success metricsâso that any submitted public comments can be grounded as rigorously in the relevant science as possible.
Given your eight years of service as a Washington Fish and Wildlife Commissioner, I can understand how this process looks from an internal administrative lens. However, viewing public advocacy and scientific data as mutually exclusive can create an unfortunate institutional barrier. If citizen input 'bears little weight,' it raises the question of why a statutory public comment window is built into the legal framework at all.
Providing accessible data templates simply allows constituents to communicate their support for these urgent listing recommendations using the exact scientific metrics the Commission is legally required to weigh. With fewer than 100 breeding pairs of burrowing owls remaining in our state, the public deserves a transparent path to participate meaningfully in their protection.
Best regards,
Blythe
Blythe Horman, Lynnwood
On Sun, Oct 4, 2026 at 2:54â¯PM Kim Thorburn <kthorburn...><mailto:<kthorburn...>> wrote:
WDFW status determinations are a legal process that considers the current science, such as facts about population changes, habitat status, reproductive results, etc. Advocacy talking points are included in the record but bear little weight in the process.
Kim
Kim Marie Thorburn, MD, MPH
Spokane, WA
(509) 465-3025<tel:(509)%20465-3025> home
(509) 599-6721<tel:(509)%20599-6721> cell-please use for texting
Date: 10/6/26 8:44 am From: Ronda Stark via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] WDFW seeks public comments on recommendation to list burrowing owl as endangered
Hello Blythe,
Thank you for a wonderful response. As a retired attorney, I think your
points are well taken. Further, individual experiences do have a place in
public comments. For example, if you watched a pair of burrowing owls and
they are no longer in that location, that is valuable first hand knowledge.
Or, if a photographer frequently went to an area just north of Quincy where
there were a number of burrowing owls in that area that all but
disappeared, that is an important comment. It demonstrates that the loss of
burrowing owl habitat effects the individual living in Washington and can
be just as powerful as scientific evidence. In fact, during in person
testimony, these are some of the most important types of comments.
Finally, it can also help to mention economic benefits to the state for
granting protected status. If hundreds of birders travel to Eastern
Washington every year to see burrowing owls and spend a night or two in
rural communities, this is economically helpful to the local community. We
used this very effectively to advocate for preservation of wild and scenic
rivers. Fortunately, we had data to back up these claims with dollars spent
per recreation user days. Admittedly, this data is probably lacking for the
burrowing owl, but I have spoken with small businesses and motel operators
who definitely benefitted from the presence of burrowing owls that
attracted birders to their areas.
Ronda
Ronda
On Tue, Oct 6, 2026 at 8:02â¯AM Blythe Horman via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> Thank you for the clarification, Kim.
> My intention in requesting 'talking points' was precisely to locate
> synthesized summaries of the current peer-reviewed dataâsuch as specific
> localized population trends, documented habitat fragmentation rates, and
> nesting success metricsâso that any submitted public comments can be
> grounded as rigorously in the relevant science as possible.
> Given your eight years of service as a Washington Fish and Wildlife
> Commissioner, I can understand how this process looks from an internal
> administrative lens. However, viewing public advocacy and scientific data
> as mutually exclusive can create an unfortunate institutional barrier. If
> citizen input 'bears little weight,' it raises the question of why a
> statutory public comment window is built into the legal framework at all.
> Providing accessible data templates simply allows constituents to
> communicate their support for these urgent listing recommendations using
> the exact scientific metrics the Commission is legally required to weigh.
> With fewer than 100 breeding pairs of burrowing owls remaining in our
> state, the public deserves a transparent path to participate meaningfully
> in their protection.
> Best regards,
> Blythe
>
> Blythe Horman, Lynnwood
>
> On Sun, Oct 4, 2026 at 2:54â¯PM Kim Thorburn <kthorburn...> wrote:
>
> WDFW status determinations are a legal process that considers the current
> science, such as facts about population changes, habitat status,
> reproductive results, etc. Advocacy talking points are included in the
> record but bear little weight in the process.
>
> Kim
>
>
>
> Kim Marie Thorburn, MD, MPH
>
> Spokane, WA
>
> (509) 465-3025 home
>
> (509) 599-6721 cell-please use for texting
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 10/6/26 8:23 am From: Kathleen Snyder via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] SEABIRDS AS SENTINELS Thursday Oct 8th 7 pm Olympia
*Learn what the fate of seabirds, especially Rhinoceros Auklets, reveal about the changing North Pacific, one of the most productive ecosystems on earth. Speaker Eric Wagner is author of Seabirds As Sentinels and a staff writer with the Puget Sound Institute at the University of Washington, Tacoma.*
There are two ways to enjoy this program. You can come to Temple Beth Hatfiloh (201 8th Ave. SE, Olympia) to watch the speaker live and enjoy the company of others with social time starting at 6:30 pm OR you can register below to watch from home via Zoom. This is a free program from South Sound Bird Alliance.
Date: 10/6/26 8:12 am From: Blythe Horman via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] WDFW seeks public comments on recommendation to list burrowing owl as endangered
Thank you for the clarification, Kim.
My intention in requesting 'talking points' was precisely to locate
synthesized summaries of the current peer-reviewed dataâsuch as specific
localized population trends, documented habitat fragmentation rates, and
nesting success metricsâso that any submitted public comments can be
grounded as rigorously in the relevant science as possible.
Given your eight years of service as a Washington Fish and Wildlife
Commissioner, I can understand how this process looks from an internal
administrative lens. However, viewing public advocacy and scientific data
as mutually exclusive can create an unfortunate institutional barrier. If
citizen input 'bears little weight,' it raises the question of why a
statutory public comment window is built into the legal framework at all.
Providing accessible data templates simply allows constituents to
communicate their support for these urgent listing recommendations using
the exact scientific metrics the Commission is legally required to weigh.
With fewer than 100 breeding pairs of burrowing owls remaining in our
state, the public deserves a transparent path to participate meaningfully
in their protection.
Best regards,
Blythe
Blythe Horman, Lynnwood
On Sun, Oct 4, 2026 at 2:54â¯PM Kim Thorburn <kthorburn...> wrote:
WDFW status determinations are a legal process that considers the current
science, such as facts about population changes, habitat status,
reproductive results, etc. Advocacy talking points are included in the
record but bear little weight in the process.
Date: 10/5/26 6:00 pm From: Dennis Paulson via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Fwd: Tufted Puffin and Marbled Murrelets Research: A Year in Review
Date: 10/5/26 1:42 pm From: Kim Thorburn via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] WDFW seeks public comments on recommendation to list burrowing owl as endangered
WDFW status determinations are a legal process that considers the current science, such as facts about population changes, habitat status, reproductive results, etc. Advocacy talking points are included in the record but bear little weight in the process.
Kim
Kim Marie Thorburn, MD, MPH
Spokane, WA
(509) 465-3025 home
(509) 599-6721 cell-please use for texting
________________________________
From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces...> on behalf of Blythe Horman via Tweeters <tweeters...>
Sent: Saturday, October 3, 2026 5:25 PM
To: <tweeters...> <tweeters...>; <tweeters-request...> <tweeters-request...>
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] WDFW seeks public comments on recommendation to list burrowing owl as endangered
Thank you Denis regarding your note "WDFW seeks public comments on recommendation to list burrowing owl as endangered". Might there be talking points available online to utilize as a template?
Message: 1
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2026 19:46:27 +0000
From: Denis DeSilvis via Tweeters <tweeters...><mailto:<tweeters...>> To: Tweeters <tweeters...><mailto:<tweeters...>> Subject: [Tweeters] Fw: WDFW seeks public comments on recommendation
to list burrowing owl as endangered
Message-ID:
<SN6PR02MB4688992809EE43E42FCC0954FC892...><mailto:<SN6PR02MB4688992809EE43E42FCC0954FC892...>>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"
In case you haven't seen this request from the WDFW....
May all your birds be identified,
Denis DeSilvis
avnacrs 4 birds at outlook dot com
________________________________
Date: 10/5/26 9:31 am From: Karen Fardal via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Found binoculars at Conibear shellhouse / Union Bay
Did anyone here lose their bins on the Conibear dock recently? One of the managers asked me today and said he has them on his workbench. He didnât offer a phone number er email but said to stop by there anytime during business hours, ask for Graham, and describe them.
Date: 10/5/26 9:27 am From: Jamie Acker via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Northern Saw-whet Owls are back!
Good morning Tweeters!
Saw-whets are back in a big way. This has been the best start to my banding season ever. Over 90% are hatch year birds, indicating a very good breeding year. However, most of them are on the lean side.
Date: 10/5/26 8:12 am From: Kathleen Snyder via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] SEABIRDS AS SENTINELS Thursday Oct 8th 7 pm Olympia
*Learn what the fate of seabirds, especially Rhinoceros Auklets, reveal about the changing North Pacific, one of the most productive ecosystems on earth. Speaker Eric Wagner is author of Seabirds As Sentinels and a staff writer with the Puget Sound Institute at the University of Washington, Tacoma.*
There are two ways to enjoy this program. You can come to Temple Beth Hatfiloh (201 8th Ave. SE, Olympia) to watch the speaker live and enjoy the company of others with social time starting at 6:30 pm OR you can register below to watch from home via Zoom. This is a free program from South Sound Bird Alliance.
Date: 10/4/26 7:55 pm From: Scott R via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Free WA Review List bird alerts from Chase Report
Hi all,
Chase Report (chasereport.com), which scores eBird rarity reports by how likely the bird is still present, now offers free alerts for state Review List birds in New Mexico, Arizona and Washington.
How it works:
The state of WA has a Telegram channel. Chase Report posts there once per bird, when it first rates a new Review List bird Likely Present.
Each post gives the location, when the bird was first reported and how many reports there are, with links to the Chase Report page and the latest eBird checklist.
Chase Report checks eBird hourly, every 15 minutes on weekends. Posts between 9 PM and 6 AM arrive silently.
It's free, with no Chase Report account. You need the free Telegram app, and you can leave the channel at any time.
Date: 10/4/26 1:49 pm From: t vulture via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] TUVU migration
Just a quick note that Sept/Oct are the months for turkey vulture migration. If you have any interesting numbers to add to the fall reports, let me know. Thanks so much.
Cheers, Diann MacRae Olympic Vulture Study <tvulture...>
Date: 10/4/26 12:14 pm From: Dianna Moore via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Raptor survey PEFA
Hey Tweets...I was fortunate to be on a raptor survey with Dan Varland this morning when we saw a large sub-adult female Peales Peregrine. It was pretty heavy fog and the sun was right above the distant tree-line somewhere close to the Ocean City beach access I think..pretty hard to tell where we were. We circled around to see her breast markings without the sun in our eyes and Dan should have some good photos at about 50 ft. The thing that struck all four of us was how big she was. She was very cooperative and we got about five minutes to watch her watching us before she took off north. It has been a long time since Dan has seen a peregrine out here. Dianna Moore
Date: 10/3/26 5:34 pm From: Blythe Horman via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] WDFW seeks public comments on recommendation to list burrowing owl as endangered
Thank you Denis regarding your note "WDFW seeks public comments on
recommendation to list burrowing owl as endangered". Might there be talking
points available online to utilize as a template?
Best regards,
Blythe
Blythe Horman
Lynnwood, WA
On Sat, Oct 3, 2026 at 12:01â¯PM via Tweeters <tweeters...>
wrote:
This lost falconry bird was posted on FB today. Per Tess Starr it's
telemetry
was on - frequency is 216.35.
Direction last seen heading per Tess in the comments:
"South. She was in forest land south of 99 when the GPS stopped at around 9
last night and wouldn't pick up a signal again."
Date: 10/3/26 10:31 am From: B B via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Marvelous Melbourne Blog Post
This is the second of what will be five blog posts about our recent visit to Australia. It covers birding and much more in the wonderful city of Melbourne. Next up will be our visit to Uluru.
https://blairbirding.com/2026/10/03/marvelous-melbourne/
Date: 10/2/26 6:04 pm From: Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Dumas Bay Sanctuary Franklin’s Gull
We took a walk down to Dumas Bay Sanctuary here in Federal Way this
afternoon. Things were quite lively, but an adult -likely- Franklinâs Gull
was the most interesting. It had a dark/dirty back of the head, dark
mantel, incomplete eye ring and was a little bigger than the Bonaparteâs
Gulls. It was hanging out at the mouth of the creek flowing into the bay.
Also at Dumas were 200 or more Bonaparteâs Gulls, American Wigeons, Surf
Scoters, Short-billed Gulls and a single Ring-billed Gull. A Black-bellied
Plover flew in, landing right in front of us and showing its âdirty
armpitsâ. It joined a pair of Killdeer.
Good Birding!
Hans
*Hans Feddern*
Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA
<thefedderns...>
Date: 10/2/26 12:58 pm From: Denis DeSilvis via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Fw: WDFW seeks public comments on recommendation to list burrowing owl as endangered
In case you haven't seen this request from the WDFW....
May all your birds be identified,
Denis DeSilvis
avnacrs 4 birds at outlook dot com
________________________________
From: Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife <WDFW...>
Sent: Friday, October 2, 2026 11:08
To: <royhome...> <royhome...>
Subject: WDFW seeks public comments on recommendation to list burrowing owl as endangered
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
October 2, 2026
Media contact: <Communications...><mailto:<Communications...>
WDFW seeks public comments on recommendation to list burrowing owl as endangered
OLYMPIA The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking public input on a draft status report for the burrowing owl, which includes a recommendation to classify the owl as a state endangered species. The public comment period is open through Dec. 31, 2026.
While burrowing owls used to be present across much of Washington, theyve since been eradicated from most of the state outside of the Yakima Valley and Columbia Basin, said Gerald Hayes, WDFW burrowing owl specialist and lead author on the recent status report. Today, we estimate that fewer than 100 breeding pairs can be found in Washington. Habitat loss and degradation are major contributors to the burrowing owls population decline in Washington.
Following the public comment period, WDFW staff will brief the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission on the status report and recommendation. The Commission has the authority to approve or decline the Departments request to list the species as endangered. The Commission is currently scheduled to consider this topic in February 2027.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.
This email was sent to <royhome...> using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife · 1111 Washington St. SE · Olympia, WA 98501
Date: 10/2/26 10:34 am From: louiserutter1000 via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Clay-colored sparrow
Continuing at the Montlake Fill urban farm. Was in the pollinator habitat with savannahs and golden-crowned then flew over towards the beans.Louise RutterKirklandSent via the Samsung Galaxy A6, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 10/1/26 5:27 pm From: Michael Hobbs via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co.) 2026-10-01
Tweets - Unexpectedly nice weather this morning, as there was no pre-dawn fog and the thin overcast cleared by about 8:30. So mostly sunny, no wind, pleasant temperatures. The switch-over to fall/winter birds continues.
Highlights: Greater White-fronted Goose - One somewhat briefly associated with Canadas north of the Viewing Mound. First of Fall (FOF) American Wigeon - Two flew down the slough (FOF) Killdeer - About 20; quite a lot, really Wilson's Snipe - One below weir (FOF) Double-crested Cormorant - One flew north; we had one 3 weeks ago, so this is Second of Fall California Gull - At least one with a few Glaucous-winged Gulls, staying on the Event Pad (paved area west of the velodrome) (FOF) Cooper's Hawk - Juvenile harassing/being harassed by American Crows all morning Hutton's Vireo - At least 2 near the windmill (FOF) American Pipit - A couple of flybys; at least two birds Evening Grosbeak - Calling while flying north (unseen) White-crowned Sparrow - "Gambel's"-type heard singing (FOF for subspecies) Savannah Sparrow - We counted at least 8, so a migrant push of these; none the last 2 weeks. Western Meadowlark - At least 5, including some singing, near Climbing Rock and north of Fields 7-8-9 (FOF) Common Yellowthroat - A very few heard calling, quite probably the last of the year
That's six species FOF, and one subspecies. Quite the changeover.
Misses today included Gadwall, Hooded Merganser, American Coot, Green Heron, Red-tailed Hawk, and Bushtit. Rather a short list.
For the day, 55 species.
= Michael Hobbs = <BirdMarymoor...> = www.marymoor.org/birding.htm
Date: 10/1/26 1:55 pm From: Kathy Kaplan via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Union Bay Parking Updates
Hello! I hadn't been in bit to Union Bay but now it seems like a new change
even from the new paid parking and I'm hoping someone can confirm: I
noticed today that the entire parking lots on both sides of the
horticulture center now have not only the paid parking signs, but also
"Event Parking Only, all hours" everywhere. Does that mean we birders who
are looking to walk but not attend an event should not be parking in those
lots at all anymore? Thanks for clarifying!
Kathy Kaplan
:)
On Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 5:44â¯PM Karen Fardal via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> Hi all, I have a few updates about the parking changes at UBNA/Montlake
> Fill.
>
> First of all, there is zero signage in the Yesler lot and nearby parking
> areas about the two hours of free parking, so many people are parking in
> the neighborhood and crossing the busy street (41st) where cars go fast and
> there are no crosswalks. If you plan to stay fewer than two hours, parking
> in the lot and registering your license plate with the Pay to Park app will
> save you that hassle and danger. They were supposed to put a registration
> kiosk in the main lot for those who donât have or bring their smartphones
> but that has been delayed for unknown reasons. There are currently two, one
> in the smoking area behind the CUH loading dock and one near the bird info
> kiosk/UW farm. I am continuing to bug UW Transportation about these issues
> and they say they will take care of them.
>
> Another confusing thing is that on one recent day, all of the Pay to Park
> signs were covered up with a placard that said âEvent Parking Only - All
> Spacesâ but no event seemed to be going on and the lot was empty. I asked
> CUH to clarify and this is what they said:
>
> â When the event parking sign is posted that means parking is "free" for
> everyone that day. We have events going on most days so this is what will
> be posted when that is the case. You don't have to register your car on
> the days this sign is posted, you can park in the lots at no charge if
> spaces are availableâ
>
> Confusing, but maybe eventually they will get better signs and we will all
> figure it out. If you are leading or attending any groups with Parks & Rec,
> Birds Connect Seattle or other orgs, please consider telling folks so
> nobody ends up frustrated and going home since street parking can be very
> tight with all the construction in the area.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Karen Fardal
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 10/1/26 12:33 pm From: Heidi Erland via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Ecuador guide book, out of print
Hi Tweets!
I would like to buy a copy of: Fieldbook of the Birds of Ecuador including Galapagos by Miles McMullan and Lelis Nvarette. Asking here in case anyone has a copy they no longer use and are willing to sell.
Date: 10/1/26 12:10 pm From: Tom Benedict via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Turkey Vulture movement
The does are definitely not laughing. Male deer and elk are known to âdecorateâ their antlers with weeds and grasses to enhance their desirability. I suspect that guyâs chances at reproductive success are pretty good this season. Especially if he keeps his head dress.
Tom Benedict
Seahurst, WA
> On Oct 1, 2026, at 11:45, mary hrudkaj via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> We have an adult buck with a large piece of chicken wire fencing stuck on one of his antlers. He's able to feed, forage, and follow the does around so we're leaving him alone. And the other deer are nice enough to not laugh out loud when they see this guy sporting the latest head dressing.
>
Date: 10/1/26 11:56 am From: mary hrudkaj via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Turkey Vulture movement
As I arrived home above the Tahuya River NE of Tahuya, a group of 7 Turkey Vultures were headed SW toward Tahuya. Migration is still on. Hopefully more will be seen over the next couple weeks.
A neighbor in the other end of our subdivision has a family of 8 Mountain Quail feeding in her driveway yesterday afternoon.
We have an adult buck with a large piece of chicken wire fencing stuck on one of his antlers. He's able to feed, forage, and follow the does around so we're leaving him alone. And the other deer are nice enough to not laugh out loud when they see this guy sporting the latest head dressing.
Date: 9/30/26 10:12 pm From: Madrone Ruggiero via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Whidbey Island Fieldtrips (Pelagic, Small Sit, Deer Lagoon, BINS/BINN)
Hi all,Thanks to everyone who attended Wings Over Whidbey last week. If you missed the event we will be repeating two of the fieldtrips in October, have a seawatch small sit, the Whidbey Audubon Society general meeting on October 8th and the usual BINS North and South outings.Â
This weekend Saturday October 3rd is a Keystone to Port Townsend Ferry Boat Pelagic on the 1015 AM boat. Jaegers and shearwaters seen recently in the area so a chance of something rare. More information and pre-registration here https://www.whidbeyaudubonsociety.org/events-list/poor-mans-pelagic
October 8th 7pm General Meeting: Working Together for Spotted Owl Resilience in Washington with Emilie Kohler and Emma Gashi at the Coupeville School Performing Arts Center and on zoom https://www.whidbeyaudubonsociety.org/monthly-programs-3 October 14 9AM -11 AM Birding in the Neighborhoods North More information herehttps://www.whidbeyaudubonsociety.org/events-list/o2nrmz9h80fuv79tjvctxp41aacmuy-2erec-5kzaf-6pwgx-4byyb-h6wr8-lae9s-m4am6-nya2x-ndwjt-9mg5z-k8h74-e8exd-7yknc-yh4mg-fkjfb-tkcxg-4g3jh-3dm5f-k4f7n-33xef-dla6t-2tnlx-h8sp8-gnyhk-lynz3
Everyone is welcome to attend these free Whidbey Audubon Society events. We also have some events already scheduled for November and beyond so check out the events calendar for future events.-Madrone Greenbank (Whidbey Island)
Date: 9/30/26 10:11 pm From: Shep Thorp via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Wednesday Walk for Billy Frank Jr Nisqually NWR for 9/30/2026
Dear Tweets,
Approximately 25 of us enjoyed a nice Fall day at the Refuge with fog in
the morning clearing to sunny skies and temperatures in the 50's to 60's
degrees. There was a High 13'1" Tide at 9:16am, so we skipped the Orchard
in the morning to chase the tide. Highlights included a PEREGRINE FALCON
catching a GREEN-WINGED TEAL in flight, great views of an AMERICAN KESTREL
in the surge plain, a MARBLED GODWIT seen well from the Puget Sound
Observation Platform, and nice views of WHITE-THROATED SPARROW just north
of the northeast corner of the Twin Barns Loop Trail. The RED-SHOULDERED
HAWK was heard only in the morning west of the west end parking lot. We
observed GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE adjacent to CACKLING GEESE in the
flooded field between the access road and entrance road.
For the day, we saw 77 species. The Marbled Godwit was FOY, and we have
now seen 167 species this year. See our eBird report pasted below.
Other fun sightings included River Otter in the slough adjacent to the Twin
Barns and crossing the old Nisqually River dike just south of the Nisqually
River Overlook.
Until next time when we meet again at 8am at the Visitor Center Pond
Overlook, happy birding,
Shep
--
Shep Thorp
Browns Point
253-370-3742
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR, Thurston, Washington, US
Sep 30, 2026 7:08â¯AM - 4:29â¯PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.168 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Wednesday Walk. Fog in the morning, transitioning
to sun. Temperatures in the 50âs to 60âs degrees Fahrenheit. A High 13â1â
Tide at 9:16am. Others seen Eastern Cottontail Rabbit, Columbian
Black-tailed Deer, Muskrat, Townsendâs Chipmunk, Pacific Chorus Frog,
Harbor Seal, River Otter, Eastern Gray Squirrel.
77 species (+5 other taxa)
Greater White-fronted Goose 14 Roosting in field between access road
and entrance road.
Cackling Goose (minima) 420
Cackling Goose (Taverner's) 5
Canada Goose (moffitti/maxima) 15
Wood Duck 12
American Wigeon 100
Mallard 150
Northern Pintail 500
Green-winged Teal 500
Surf Scoter 1 Puget Sound Observation Platform.
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 45
Anna's Hummingbird 3
Virginia Rail 1
Black-bellied Plover 2
Killdeer 4
Marbled Godwit 1 Observed foraging on mudflats 100 yards east of Puget
Sound Observation Platform at the end of the Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk
Trail. A large tan shorebird with long two toned upwardly curved bill and
dark legs. Larger and longer billed then area Greater Yellowlegs. Plain
faced. Using bill to probe deeply into mud as it foraged for food. Observed
twice and seen for over 5 minutes. Observed flying as well.
Greater Yellowlegs 40
Dunlin 1 Scoped on Nisqually Reach with peeps from Puget Sound
Observation Platform.
Least Sandpiper 200
Western Sandpiper 40
peep sp. 300
Rhinoceros Auklet 8
Ring-billed Gull 200
California Gull 1
Western x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid) 15
Larus sp. 500
Caspian Tern 2 Foraging along McAllister Creek in the afternoon.
Pied-billed Grebe 1 Visitor Center Pond.
Western Grebe 2 Nisqually Reach.
Common Loon 2
Brandt's Cormorant 4
Double-crested Cormorant 20
Great Blue Heron (Great Blue) 30
Northern Harrier 2
Bald Eagle 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Heard only. Repeated Kyeer call from riparian
Forrest west and south of west end parking lot.
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Belted Kingfisher 6
Red-breasted Sapsucker 4
Downy Woodpecker (Pacific) 5
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 6
American Kestrel (Northern) 2
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 1 Captured and ate a Green-winged Teal.
Hutton's Vireo 1 Orchard.
Steller's Jay 1
American Crow 125
Common Raven 4
Black-capped Chickadee 15
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 3
Barn Swallow 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 10
Golden-crowned Kinglet 15
Red-breasted Nuthatch 4
Brown Creeper 9
Pacific Wren 4
Marsh Wren 4
Bewick's Wren 6
European Starling 300
Varied Thrush 2
Swainson's Thrush 2
American Robin (migratorius Group) 30
Cedar Waxwing 25
American Pipit 4
Purple Finch (Western) 2
Red Crossbill 4
Pine Siskin 20
American Goldfinch 25
Fox Sparrow 4
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) 15
White-crowned Sparrow (Gambel's) 1 Orchard.
Golden-crowned Sparrow 30
White-throated Sparrow 1 Observed north of the NE corner of the Twin
Barns Loop Trail.
Savannah Sparrow (Savannah) 20
Song Sparrow (rufina Group) 25
Spotted Towhee (oregonus Group) 8
Western Meadowlark 1 Surge plain.
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged) 250
Common Yellowthroat 2
Northern Yellow Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) 10
Date: 9/30/26 7:26 pm From: Louise via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Ruffed grouse
I managed to get a photo of a ruffed grouse today! I was out hiking near Easton and it was just sitting on the edge of the forest road to the trailhead. I think this is the first time I've ever got to study a ruffed grouse instead of seeing a back half of a bird disappearing into the bushes...
Date: 9/30/26 3:43 pm From: via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Reminder: WOS Monthly Meeting, October 5, 2026 (online only)
The Washington Ornithological Society (WOS) is pleased to announce the first of our new season of Monthly Meetings, which commences on Monday, Oct 5, when Jeff Kozma will present, "Western Bluebird Nest Survival and Nest-site Selection in Ponderosa Pine Forests."
Western Bluebirds (WEBL, Sialia mexicana) are brilliant blue songbirds found in a variety of western U.S. habitats. On the west side of the Cascades, they historically had relied on mature Garry oak woodlands: because of habitat loss (e.g., old oak trees with natural cavities), the WEBL is listed as a "Species of Greatest Conservation Need.â Groups in Washington have been putting up nest boxes for the WEBL for decades. Did you know that the Western Bluebird is also thriving by using nest cavities in managed ponderosa pine forests? Join us and Jeff Kozma by Zoom on October 5 to learn more.
Our speaker, Jeff Kozma moved to Washington in 1996 as biologist for the Armyâs Yakima Training Center where he worked on habitat restoration projects and surveys of Sage Grouse, Bald Eagle and other raptors. Since 2002 Jeff has worked as a Wildlife Biologist for the Yakama Nation, where Gray Flycatcher, White-headed Woodpecker and Western Bluebird are among his most favored subjects of field research and surveys.
This meeting will be conducted virtually, via Zoom (no in-person attendance). Sign-in will begin at 7:15 pm, and the meeting commences at 7:30 pm. Please go to the WOS Monthly Meetings page: https://wos.org/monthly-meetings/ for instructions on participation and to get the Zoom link.
When joining the meeting, we ask that you mute your device and make certain that your camera is turned off.
This meeting is open to all as WOS invites everyone in the wider birding community to attend. Thanks to the generosity of our presenters, recordings of past programs are available at the following link to the WOS YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@washingtonornithologicalso7839/videos
If you are not yet a member of WOS, we hope you will consider becoming one at https://wos.org.
Date: 9/30/26 1:02 pm From: Scott Ramos via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] UNBA Clay-colored Sparrow
Finding a window of time to finally chase the frequently seen Clay-colored Sparrow, I made my way to The Fill, heading toward the UW Farm where the bird has mostly been reported. Not really knowing where 'the beans' were, I figured it would be obvious. Approaching the planted area, I could see from a distance a few sparrows perched on the support poles. Two were clearly Savannahs but the third had a different appearance.
Before I could get any closer a Merlin came zooming through the area from behind me, scattering birds in every direction. A crow gave chase but couldn't keep up, so went its own way. At least 30-40 small passerines could be seen frantically trying to avoid the hunter. But the Merlin passed through the entire garden area, then turned north. And the small birds quickly resumed feeding, mostly disappearing into the vegetation.
When I got close enough to the tall plants I could see 'the beans', but no birds were visible at that point. Another birder, Douglas M, had just arrived and came over and we talked about what we had seen. And then the Clay-colored appeared on the ground right in front of us! It spent most of the time feeding on the grasses mixed in with the nasturtiums edging a row of tomato plants just south of the beans. We got great looks for several minutes.
Doug had to leave after a satisfying show, while I stayed to see if the sparrow would pop up again. After only a minute or two, an immature Cooper's Hawk flew in and perched on the netting above the next row of vegetables, looking intently toward the beans and to the ground; the sparrow flew quickly deeper into the tomato patch, not to be seen again.
The Coop seemed unperturbed by my presence. I wanted to see if it was banded so slowly moved closer to where I could see the legs--no band. Again, it was unconcerned that I was now about 10 feet away. It then jumped to the ground and an unidentified sparrow flew into the beans. The hawk continued looking around and eventually started walking in my direction, approaching close enough that I could no longer focus my telephoto lens! It turned to look in the other direction and eventually gave up and flew off.
So, I guess I was lucky to have seen the sparrow, given the circumstances. And the sparrow can be considered lucky as well to have averted potential attacks from two different raptors in the space of 15 minutes. Hope its luck continues.
Date: 9/30/26 9:07 am From: Elaine Chuang via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Come Join The Big Sit! SUNDAY, Oct 11, 2026 (Discovery Park, Seattle)
Tweets, apologies for my date error in the subject line, and thanks to AG. The Big Sit! for us at Disco is on Sunday (not Saturday), October 11.
Begin forwarded message:
From: Elaine Chuang <elc...>
Subject: Come Join The Big Sit! Sat, Oct 11, 2026 (Discovery Park, Seattle)
Date: September 29, 2026 at 8:33:17â¯PM PDT
To: "<tweeters...>" <tweeters...>
If you're casting about for something birdy to do on Oct 11, consider taking part in The Big Sit <https://www.thebigsit.org/>! For those unfamiliar, the The Big Sit! was founded in New Haven, Connecticut in 1992 and is conducted annually for fun (internationally in fact). Without question, this is birding's most sedentary event (also designated The Big Snack by Neil, our local leader). Veteran devotees (NZ, AS, KS, AG, EC et al) will again be joining forces for an autumn dose of Community Science and Camaraderie over birds. We, the "South Meadowlarks" will take up our posts in the required 17-foot diameter circle, from pre-dawn until who-knows-when, on Sunday, October 11. The goal is to identify as many species as possible by sight and / or sound (to date, our team record is 60 species), and per the rules, participants cannot venture outside of that tiny 17-foot circle.
Come by for as short or as long a visit as you wish! We'll be at Discovery Park in the South Meadow (he, he) at the Sand Dunes (47°39'25.2"N 122°25'17.8"W), next to the bluff. We take up our post there starting at 6:00AM (for owls) and will persevere racking up species, seen or heard, for as long as we can manage (the rule is to confine the count to a 24 hour period).
We welcome your eyes and ears, encouragement, snacks, etc. Wave if you are sailing by on Elliott Bay, or clue us in to approaching Brown Pelicans or Shearwaters heading our way around West Point. Hope to see ya for some good birding and fellowship!
Date: 9/29/26 8:43 pm From: John Williams via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] More details on Peru tours
I recommended Patricia (itâs her company) at Patu Peru Tours without checking if it was easy to find information. I couldnât. So today I contacted her on WhatsApp and had some long âconversationsâ. We (4 of us) were there in 2018. COVID had a really large negative effect on the travel industry in Peru. But, she survived and still is in the travel business. She mostly works by word of mouth and designs custom tours.
We traveled with friends mostly for birding, but obviously couldnât miss traveling to Machu Picchu. We did go birding there, and at a couple of sites in the Cusco area. Patricia also arranged 2 days of travel to see Lima and a day birding on the coast. We spent 9 days on the Manu portion. We had 4 different birding guides and identified 423 species.
I havenât tried contacting her via the website, but via WhatsApp works:
+51 984 384 852.
Since she works mostly by word of mouth, indicate that I provided her number (which she said was okay).
Sent from my iPhone _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 9/29/26 8:42 pm From: Elaine Chuang via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Come Join The Big Sit! Sat, Oct 11, 2026 (Discovery Park, Seattle)
If you're casting about for something birdy to do on Oct 11, consider taking part in The Big Sit <https://www.thebigsit.org/>! For those unfamiliar, the The Big Sit! was founded in New Haven, Connecticut in 1992 and is conducted annually for fun (internationally in fact). Without question, this is birding's most sedentary event (also designated The Big Snack by Neil, our local leader). Veteran devotees (NZ, AS, KS, AG, EC et al) will again be joining forces for an autumn dose of Community Science and Camaraderie over birds. We, the "South Meadowlarks" will take up our posts in the required 17-foot diameter circle, from pre-dawn until who-knows-when, on Sunday, October 11. The goal is to identify as many species as possible by sight and / or sound (to date, our team record is 60 species), and per the rules, participants cannot venture outside of that tiny 17-foot circle.
Come by for as short or as long a visit as you wish! We'll be at Discovery Park in the South Meadow (he, he) at the Sand Dunes (47°39'25.2"N 122°25'17.8"W), next to the bluff. We take up our post there starting at 6:00AM (for owls) and will persevere racking up species, seen or heard, for as long as we can manage (the rule is to confine the count to a 24 hour period).
We welcome your eyes and ears, encouragement, snacks, etc. Wave if you are sailing by on Elliott Bay, or clue us in to approaching Brown Pelicans or Shearwaters heading our way around West Point. Hope to see ya for some good birding and fellowship!
Date: 9/27/26 8:39 pm From: John Williams via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Bird guides in Peru
I can highly recommend Pata Peru Travel. The owner (Patricia) is amazing. She can arrange travel itineraries that include excellent bird guides. For general travel in Cusco and the Sacred Valley, sheâll likely lead the tour. She set up bird guides for us in areas around Cusco, on a trip to Machu Picchu (stayed 2 nights), and the Lima area. We had an amazing guide with whom we hiked (6 hours) into Machu Picchu from mile post 104 where the train stopped. Not only a great guide in Machu Picchu, but he also took us around Aguas Calientes to see a lot of birds in the surrounding area. Patricia can set up a Manu trip also.
Sent from my iPhone _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 9/27/26 9:03 am From: Louise via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] THE WASHINGTON POST: Ospreys made a great comeback. Now they’re in crisis along the East Coast.
Thanks for the info, Dan. Non-paywalled link for those who need one.
At the Reedville plant, menhaden are processed on an industrial scale into
fishmeal, fish oil and other products. Its exclusive supplier, Ocean
Harvesters, caught nearly 300 million pounds
<https://archive.is/o/X9MuJ/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/08/19/fight-save-tiny-fish-powering-atlantic-coast/> of Atlantic menhaden for the plant in 2024. That scale alone has made the
fleet impossible to ignore in the debate over how many menhaden are being
left for everything else that eats them.
Louise Rutter
Kirkland
On Sun, Sep 27, 2026 at 7:41â¯AM Dan Reiff via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
>
> *Ospreys made a great comeback. Now theyâre in crisis along the East
> Coast.*
> At the center of a widening crisis for one of the nation's great wildlife
> comebacks is a fish most Americans would hardly recognize.
>
> Read in The Washington Post: https://apple.news/AXaSSkrMFRgitypo0uww6Pg >
>
> Shared from Apple News <https://www.apple.com/news> >
> Sent from my iPhone
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Doug Santoni
Seattle, WA
Dougsantoni at gmail dot com
> On Sep 27, 2026, at 7:41â¯AM, Dan Reiff via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> Ospreys made a great comeback. Now theyâre in crisis along the East Coast.
> At the center of a widening crisis for one of the nation's great wildlife comebacks is a fish most Americans would hardly recognize.
> Read in The Washington Post: https://apple.news/AXaSSkrMFRgitypo0uww6Pg
Date: 9/27/26 7:50 am From: Dan Reiff via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] THE WASHINGTON POST: Ospreys made a great comeback. Now they’re in crisis along the East Coast.
Date: 9/27/26 3:45 am From: Ellen Cohen via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Juan Fernandez petrel in BC
Visiting NYC now. This is from the equivalent of tweeters, for those who might want to check out the ebird report and chase:Â
"While vastly far from NY, or anywhere in the east, a stunning seabird find, probably new to the nation of Canada if confirmed in any avian-records committees, was confirmed for eBird, off British Columbia - of a Juan Fernandez Petrel, photographed and thus far agreed by experts to be of that species, and seen from land, no less. Thats in the northeastern Pacific so we easterners should not be expecting that, but it is a reminder that pelagic birds can show up at times far from where typically expected."
Also, Steve Shunk, a birder from Central Oregon who wrote the Peterson
Reference Guide to Woodpeckers, now lives just south of Puerto Vallarta.
He is based out of Rancho Primavera, which is itself a birding
destination. He also offers tour services. See here:
https://www.paradisebirding.com/rancho-primavera-mexico
Both great options.
Have a great trip!
Thanks,
Duke
Duke Tufty
503.320.3130
<dukedt...>
On Sat, Sep 26, 2026 at 6:05â¯PM Robert O'Brien via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> Just up in the hills east of the town is great. You can walk up there, 20
> years ago, anyway. When I was there i photographed a immature warbler, long
> tailed type fantstic plumage, that in a worldwide warbler book, was listed
> as undescribed. Had never been kmown, the immature plumage that is. BUT
> that was 20 years ago.
> Bob obrien carver OR
>
> On Saturday, September 26, 2026, Nagi Aboulenein via Tweeters <
> <tweeters...> wrote:
>
>> Mark Stackhouse is based out of San Blas, maybe 1.5h north of Puerto
>> Vallarta. BTW, San Blas is must-see if you havenât birdied there before -
>> multiple different habitats within a 20km radius make for an amazing bird
>> diversity, and Mark is literally a bird whisperer.
>>
>> â
>> Nagi Aboulenein
>>
>>
>> On Saturday, Sep 26, 2026 at 15:43, Shelf Life Community Story Project
>> via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>> Hi Dorothy,
>>
>> Worth the trip north to San Pancho, you could arrange a guided tour with
>> Luis from the San Pancho Bird Observatory. Truly amazing people and REALLY
>> amazing birds.
>>
>>
>> https://www.avesanpancho.org/bienvenidos-welcome/home/about-us/spbo-visitor-center >>
>> Jill Freidberg
>>
>>
>> On Sep 26, 2026, at 12:09â¯PM, Dorothy Jacobsen via Tweeters <
>> <tweeters...> wrote:
>>
>> I would appreciate some suggestions . It will be a group of 4 birders in
>> Nov. ð thanks - Dorothy
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Tweeters mailing list
>> <Tweeters...>
>> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Tweeters mailing list
>> <Tweeters...>
>> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >>
>> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 9/26/26 6:17 pm From: Robert O'Brien via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Guides in Puerto Vallarta
Just up in the hills east of the town is great. You can walk up there, 20
years ago, anyway. When I was there i photographed a immature warbler, long
tailed type fantstic plumage, that in a worldwide warbler book, was listed
as undescribed. Had never been kmown, the immature plumage that is. BUT
that was 20 years ago.
Bob obrien carver OR
On Saturday, September 26, 2026, Nagi Aboulenein via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> Mark Stackhouse is based out of San Blas, maybe 1.5h north of Puerto
> Vallarta. BTW, San Blas is must-see if you havenât birdied there before -
> multiple different habitats within a 20km radius make for an amazing bird
> diversity, and Mark is literally a bird whisperer.
>
> â
> Nagi Aboulenein
>
>
> On Saturday, Sep 26, 2026 at 15:43, Shelf Life Community Story Project via
> Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
> Hi Dorothy,
>
> Worth the trip north to San Pancho, you could arrange a guided tour with
> Luis from the San Pancho Bird Observatory. Truly amazing people and REALLY
> amazing birds.
>
> https://www.avesanpancho.org/bienvenidos-welcome/home/ > about-us/spbo-visitor-center
>
> Jill Freidberg
>
>
> On Sep 26, 2026, at 12:09â¯PM, Dorothy Jacobsen via Tweeters <
> <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> I would appreciate some suggestions . It will be a group of 4 birders in
> Nov. ð thanks - Dorothy
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
>
Date: 9/26/26 4:03 pm From: Nagi Aboulenein via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Guides in Puerto Vallarta
Mark Stackhouse is based out of San Blas, maybe 1.5h north of Puerto Vallarta. BTW, San Blas is must-see if you havenât birdied there before - multiple different habitats within a 20km radius make for an amazing bird diversity, and Mark is literally a bird whisperer.
â
Nagi Aboulenein
> On Saturday, Sep 26, 2026 at 15:43, Shelf Life Community Story Project via Tweeters <tweeters...> (mailto:<tweeters...>)> wrote:
> Hi Dorothy,
>
> Worth the trip north to San Pancho, you could arrange a guided tour with Luis from the San Pancho Bird Observatory. Truly amazing people and REALLY amazing birds.
>
> https://www.avesanpancho.org/bienvenidos-welcome/home/about-us/spbo-visitor-center >
> Jill Freidberg
>
>
> > On Sep 26, 2026, at 12:09â¯PM, Dorothy Jacobsen via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
> > I would appreciate some suggestions . It will be a group of 4 birders in Nov. ð thanks - Dorothy
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Tweeters mailing list
> > <Tweeters...>
> > http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 9/26/26 3:54 pm From: Shelf Life Community Story Project via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Guides in Puerto Vallarta
Hi Dorothy,
Worth the trip north to San Pancho, you could arrange a guided tour with Luis from the San Pancho Bird Observatory. Truly amazing people and REALLY amazing birds.
> On Sep 26, 2026, at 12:09â¯PM, Dorothy Jacobsen via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
>
> I would appreciate some suggestions . It will be a group of 4 birders in Nov. ð thanks - Dorothy
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Red-necked Phalarope (code 3), 84 at the waterfront (ID photos), 8-30-26. (There were reports earlier in the month but other birders provided no documentation of the species. Assuming these were all correct reports, there was an unusual abundance of these phalaropes either lingering or passing through Edmonds waters.)
Arctic Tern (code 5), 1 at waterfront (ID photos), 8-27-26.
Elegant Tern (code 5), 2 at waterfront (critical field marks described), 8-20-26.
Great Egret (code 4), 1 at Edmonds marsh (ID photos), 8-25-26.
Other birds of interest: Sightings of a Tufted Puffin (code 5) along the waterfront that began in late July continued into August. There were no reports of Turkey Vulture (code 3) sightings in Edmonds during August.
Declined for lack of any documentation: Black-bellied Plover (code 4); Lesser Yellowlegs (code 4); Peregrine Falcon (code 3). Regarding Peregrine Falcon, as it becomes more and more difficult to see in Edmonds, it pops up with greater frequency on Merlinâs Sound ID, particularly at Edmonds marsh where this bird was ticked. If there is no Peregrine in sight, when you play back the recording, it is almost always some sort of human or mechanical noise for which Merlin offers the falcon as a suggestion. It is necessary to have an excellent recording or actually see and describe the bird.
By way of explanation, we start additions to our year list based on birders letting me know about sightings. We then review eBird reports to see if we can add further species based on information included in checklists. With rarer birds, code 3 or rarer, we look for something more than a checklist tick. Those of us who use eBird know that we occasionally make data entry errors, so those have to be ruled out for our purposes. We then look for evidence such as a description of critical field marks, photos, or recordings. If none of those is included, we then decline to add the species at this time. This has no effect on an eBirderâs personal records.
As always, I appreciate it when birders get in touch with me to share sightings, photos, or recordings. It helps us build our collective year list. If you would like a copy of our 2026 Edmonds city checklist, please request it from this email address: checklistedmonds at gmail dot com. The 2026 checklist, with August sightings on it, is in the bird information box at the Olympic Beach Visitor Station at the base of the public pier.
Date: 9/25/26 3:02 pm From: via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Whidbey Audubon Society “Wings over Whidbey” Festival
We would love to see you there! We will have our Bird Specimen Collection for hands-on engagement. It is pretty amazing!
Louie Shellenberger
Subject [Tweeters] Whidbey Audubon Society "Wings over Whidbey" Festival
From Jim Ullrich via Tweeters <tweeters...>
To <tweeters...> <tweeters...>
Date Thu 12:07
Hello Tweets:
If nothing planned, maybe we should all consider supporting Whidbey Audubon Societies "Wings over Whidbey" event this weekend. Visit: https://whidbeyaudubonsociety.org [1] for trips, talks and vendors setup at Fort Casey. Swarovski Optiks display and Orchard Mason Bees featured in the vendor area.
Date: 9/24/26 2:10 pm From: Michael Hobbs via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co.) 2026-09-24
Tweets - Changes are afoot as we enter into the darker half of the year. It was a chilly 49 degrees to start, and we were mostly under overcast skies. Winter birds are arriving, and we've lost most or all of our "summer" birds.
Highlights: Cackling Goose - One with Canadas on Fields 7-8-9. First of Fall (FOF) Hooded Merganser - One at the Rowing Club - First since early August. Does that make it (FOF)? Band-tailed Pigeon - Distant flyby of ~6. Last of the year, possibly California Scrub-Jay - One heard at East Meadow (FOF) Ruby-crowned Kinglet - Single birds, East Meadow and Rowing Club (FOF) Pacific Wren - One at the Rowing Club (FOF) Evening Grosbeak - One high over the weir area, calling CHIPPING SPARROW - One in the NE corner of the Pea Patch. First of Year (FOY) Black-throated Gray Warbler - One below the weir with Yellow-rumps Townsend's Warbler - One at Rowing Club with Yellow-rumps; for the survey, (FOY)
The CHIPPING SPARROW is both First of Year and very likely Last of Year. We've never had one after September. Probably also our last BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER. We had no Osprey, Swainson's Thrush, nor Western Tanager, and those are all probably done for the year.
Missing birds today included American Coot, Green Heron, American Barn Owl, Barn Swallow, American Pipit, Savannah Sparrow, and Orange-crowned Warbler.
For the day, 56 species. For the year, the survey is at 122 species.
= Michael Hobbs = <BirdMarymoor...> = www.marymoor.org/birding.htm
Date: 9/24/26 12:16 pm From: Jim Ullrich via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Whidbey Audubon Society “Wings over Whidbey” Festival
Hello Tweets:
If nothing planned, maybe we should all consider supporting Whidbey Audubon
Societies âWings over Whidbeyâ event this weekend. Visit:
https://whidbeyaudubonsociety.org for trips, talks and vendors setup at
Fort Casey.
Swarovski Optiks display and Orchard Mason Bees featured in the vendor
area.
Jim Ullrich
Date: 9/23/26 8:37 pm From: Shep Thorp via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Wednesday Walk at Billy Frank Jr Nisqually NWR for 9/23/2026
Hi Tweets,
Approximately 37 of us enjoyed our first of Fall walk at the Refuge;
conditions were nice and the birding was great. There was a Low 0'11" Tide
at 10:07am and a High 12'9" Tide at 5:08pm. Highlights included the return
of CACKLING GEESE, minima variety. A BARRED OWL was near the Orchard. We
observed a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK hunting in the Willows on the west side of
the field south of the Twin Barns. VIRGINIA RAIL was seen on the west side
of the Twin Barns Loop Trail. We had great looks of PECTORAL SANDPIPER
along the Nisqually Estuary Trail. A single WESTERN GREBE swam up
McAllister Creek on the incoming tide.
For the day we observed 86 species. With First Of Year RED-SHOULDERED
HAWK, PINE SISKIN, and WESTERN GREBE, we now have observed 166 species so
far this year. For more details see our eBird Report pasted below.
Other fun sightings included Mink, Muskrat, Harbor Seal and River Otter.
Until next week when we meet again at 8am at the Visitor Center Pond
Overlook, happy birding!
Shep
--
Shep Thorp
Browns Point
253-370-3742
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR, Thurston, Washington, US
Sep 23, 2026 7:17â¯AM - 5:33â¯PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.196 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Wednesday Walk. Mostly cloudy with temperatures in
the 50âs to 60âs degrees Fahrenheit. A Low 0â11â Tide at 10:07 and a High
12â9â Tide at 5:08pm. Others seen: Columbian Black-tailed Deer, Eastern
Cottontail Rabbit, Mink, Harbor Seal and River Otter.
86 species (+3 other taxa)
Cackling Goose (minima) 360
Canada Goose (moffitti/maxima) 24
Wood Duck 30
Northern Shoveler 16
Gadwall 6
American Wigeon 20
Mallard 200
Northern Pintail 1000
Green-winged Teal 500
Surf Scoter 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 80
Band-tailed Pigeon 20
Mourning Dove 1
Anna's Hummingbird 3
Virginia Rail 3 One seen adjacent to the Twin Bench Overlook south of
Twin Barns cut-off.
Black-bellied Plover 11 Counted individually. Seen multiple times
through out the walk on the surge plain and mudflats. Seen foraging,
roosting, flying and vocalizing.
Killdeer 1
Long-billed Dowitcher 1
Greater Yellowlegs 40
Least Sandpiper 100
Pectoral Sandpiper 3 Surge plain and Nisqually Estuary Trail.
Western Sandpiper 80
Rhinoceros Auklet 8
Short-billed Gull 1
Ring-billed Gull 200
Glaucous-winged Gull 1
Western x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid) 10
Western/Glaucous-winged Gull 30
Larus sp. 300
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Western Grebe 1 Seen in McAllister Creek on incoming tide.
Common Loon 4
Brandt's Cormorant 8 Nisqually River channel marker.
Double-crested Cormorant 75
Great Blue Heron (Great Blue) 15
Turkey Vulture 1
Cooper's Hawk 2
Northern Harrier 2
Bald Eagle 8
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Spotted by Danielle and seen by group in the
Riparian Stand along the central access road between the old McAllister
Creek access road and Twin Barns. Observed foraging from the Willow trees
on the west side of the field south of the Twin Barns. Perched and flying.
First year subadult bird. Small buteo with prominent crescents at base of
flight feathers. Strongly barred long tail. No belly band.
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Barred Owl 1 Spotted by Ken and Cathy, seen by group, along slough
across from the entrance to the Education Center parking lot near green
gate.
Belted Kingfisher 4
Red-breasted Sapsucker 5
Downy Woodpecker (Pacific) 6
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 4
American Kestrel 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Hutton's Vireo 2
Western Warbling Vireo 1
Steller's Jay (Coastal) 3
California Scrub-Jay 1
American Crow 100
Common Raven 6
Black-capped Chickadee 30
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 8
Barn Swallow 30
Bushtit (Pacific) 8
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8
Golden-crowned Kinglet 12
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Brown Creeper 8
Marsh Wren 6
Bewick's Wren (spilurus Group) 6
European Starling 20
Varied Thrush 1
Swainson's Thrush 1
American Robin (migratorius Group) 30
Cedar Waxwing 60
American Pipit 10
Evening Grosbeak 3
Purple Finch (Western) 4
Red Crossbill 2
Pine Siskin 20
American Goldfinch 8
Fox Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) 2
White-crowned Sparrow (Gambel's) 16
Golden-crowned Sparrow 30
White-throated Sparrow 1 Spotted by Laurie in the Orchard.
Savannah Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow (rufina Group) 22
Spotted Towhee 3
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Brown-headed Cowbird 1 Spotted by Marc in the Orchard.
Orange-crowned Warbler (lutescens) 3
Common Yellowthroat 10
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) 2
Date: 9/23/26 10:33 am From: Denis DeSilvis via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Passing through and returning
Tweeters,
Western Bluebirds have been passing through our place in Roy the past few days. This morning we had two small groups of four each drop by and leave, heading south.
Golden-crowned Sparrows were here when we returned from back East; this morning eight of them were at some ground feeding spots we have set up. They were briefly gone after some California Quail showed up and took over the ground feed.
May all your birds be identified,
Denis DeSilvis
avnacrs 4 birds at outlook dot com
Date: 9/22/26 2:42 pm From: Hank Heiberg via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Piano Ranch Bear
FYI for people who bird at Piano Ranch in Fall City. On Sunday our neighbor encountered a bear with two cubs on the path from the parking area to the path that parallels the river.
Date: 9/20/26 8:16 am From: Hans-Joachim Feddern via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] "Pish" rarities app
Thanks for the heads-up Gary! Maybe you should Yahoo to rest ?? Hope this
finds you well! I am sitting at the Orlando airport right now. Just got in
from a cruise this morning. Not too birdy, nothing pelagic except for a few
Frigatebird. Now I am partial to them since I added them to the Colorado
state list! Google frigatebird in Colorado sometime!
Tschuess!
Hans
*Hans Feddern*
Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA
<thefedderns...>
On Sat, Sep 19, 2026 at 2:35â¯PM Chuq Von Rospach via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> On Sep 19, 2026 at 11:16:36, Gary Bletsch via Tweeters <
> <tweeters...> wrote:
>
>> As several Tweeters have recently reported, the new app "Pish" is
>> supposed to notify birders about rarities. I just tried it out, but was not
>> at all impressed.
>>
>
> I fired up Pish when it was first announced and itâs earned a place on my
> phone. Itâs not perfect, but itâs a nice and solid 1.0 release.
>
> Unlike Gary, I didnât have any issues signing in. The biggest issue Iâve
> seen so far is it has a tendency to forget my settings, and reset the
> search list to everything. An easy and quick fix when I fire it up, but
> still a bit annoying.
>
> (Note on using a yahoo.com email: as someone who used to run large scale
> email systems for a living, Iâd strongly encourage people to migrate their
> email address to something else. Investment/maintenance of Yahoo stuff Is
> minimal these days, and Iâm honestly surprised they havenât retired the
> system already)
>
> What really makes me suspicious of Pish is that the next closest rarity on
>> its map of my region is an Ivory-billed Woodpecker, reported from some
>> place up north of Toronto.
>>
>
> This is not a Pish problem, itâs an eBird thing. A couple of days after I
> fired up Pish, I started getting REALLY funky rarity reports from it; it
> turned out someone decided to visit the Tacoma Zoo and eBird list every
> thing they saw at the zoo that day. Those sorts of things happen and I
> sympathize with eBird reviewers that get to sort it out.
>
> The thing Pish solves for me is something Iâve wanted eBird to do forever:
> let me drop a pin somewhere and only get rare bird alerts within a range
> from that point. Where I live here in Kitsap, if I want to monitor rarities
> within about an hourâs drive, I need alerts set up for five different
> counties, and those will include locations 3-4 hours away. Pish solves that
> and does so pretty well. So far, where Iâve checked on it, itâs reported
> everything I expect it to, and it hasnât neglected to report something to
> me, so it seems accurate.
>
> I havenât used some of the secondary features (like loading in my lifer
> list), so I canât comment on that. Iâd be just as happy if they did away
> with those and focus on refining and improving the core feature. Itâs good
> â Iâd give it a B grade as a first release, and I think it has potential,
> and so far, itâs been a useful addition to my phone.
>
> chuq
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------------
>
> Chuq Von Rospach (http://www.chuq.me)
> Silverdale, Washington
> Birder, Nature and Wildlife Photographer
> Vice President, Kitsap Audubon Society
>
> Email me at: <chuqvr...>
> Mastodon: @<chuqvr...>
>
> Stay Updated with what I'm doing: https://www.chuq.me/6fps/ > My latest e-book: https://www.chuq.me/ebooks >
> I have opinions
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 9/19/26 1:40 pm From: Marv via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Kent Valley Shorebirds
Early this morning there was a STILT SANDPIPER with a BAIRD'S SANDPIPER at the M Street Marsh in Auburn. The birds were at the east edge of the plowed field next to the main pond. After about 20 minutes, the birds took flight. The Stilt flew out of sight to the south and I lost track of the Baird's.
Date: 9/19/26 11:42 am From: Chuq Von Rospach via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] "Pish" rarities app
On Sep 19, 2026 at 11:16:36, Gary Bletsch via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> As several Tweeters have recently reported, the new app "Pish" is supposed
> to notify birders about rarities. I just tried it out, but was not at all
> impressed.
>
I fired up Pish when it was first announced and itâs earned a place on my
phone. Itâs not perfect, but itâs a nice and solid 1.0 release.
Unlike Gary, I didnât have any issues signing in. The biggest issue Iâve
seen so far is it has a tendency to forget my settings, and reset the
search list to everything. An easy and quick fix when I fire it up, but
still a bit annoying.
(Note on using a yahoo.com email: as someone who used to run large scale
email systems for a living, Iâd strongly encourage people to migrate their
email address to something else. Investment/maintenance of Yahoo stuff Is
minimal these days, and Iâm honestly surprised they havenât retired the
system already)
What really makes me suspicious of Pish is that the next closest rarity on
> its map of my region is an Ivory-billed Woodpecker, reported from some
> place up north of Toronto.
>
This is not a Pish problem, itâs an eBird thing. A couple of days after I
fired up Pish, I started getting REALLY funky rarity reports from it; it
turned out someone decided to visit the Tacoma Zoo and eBird list every
thing they saw at the zoo that day. Those sorts of things happen and I
sympathize with eBird reviewers that get to sort it out.
The thing Pish solves for me is something Iâve wanted eBird to do forever:
let me drop a pin somewhere and only get rare bird alerts within a range
from that point. Where I live here in Kitsap, if I want to monitor rarities
within about an hourâs drive, I need alerts set up for five different
counties, and those will include locations 3-4 hours away. Pish solves that
and does so pretty well. So far, where Iâve checked on it, itâs reported
everything I expect it to, and it hasnât neglected to report something to
me, so it seems accurate.
I havenât used some of the secondary features (like loading in my lifer
list), so I canât comment on that. Iâd be just as happy if they did away
with those and focus on refining and improving the core feature. Itâs good
â Iâd give it a B grade as a first release, and I think it has potential,
and so far, itâs been a useful addition to my phone.
chuq
---------------------------------------
Chuq Von Rospach (http://www.chuq.me)
Silverdale, Washington
Birder, Nature and Wildlife Photographer
Vice President, Kitsap Audubon Society
Date: 9/19/26 11:26 am From: Gary Bletsch via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] "Pish" rarities app
Dear Tweeters,
As several Tweeters have recently reported, the new app "Pish" is supposed to notify birders about rarities. I just tried it out, but was not at all impressed.
I had hoped to use Pish, since eBird's Rare Bird Alert balks at any attempt to use it with my Yahoo e-mail address. As an aside, I heard a story on NPR the other day, in which Yahoo and some other "legacies" on the Internet were described as "zombies," a term which seems quite accurate! Pish is far too young to be a zombie, but it does lumber about in an ungainly manner.
Anyway, the first failing of Pish occurred every time I tried to log on with my newly selected user name and password. Pish sent me on an endless loop, saying that my e-mail address was not confirmed. I had already confirmed my e-mail address with Pish, having received a message intended to accomplish that step. I had had a similar experience with Pish a few weeks ago, after I had first heard about it. So, problem number one involves signing up for an account.
Pish allows one to check for rarities as a guest, so I tried that. I don't know how Pish is working for rarities in Washington, but it is not working very well in Western New York and surrounding areas. Within a large radius of Jamestown, NY, there are only a handful of rarities showing up. A Eurasian Moorhen in Rochester is showing up on Pish's map. I am wondering if that is really a Eurasian Moorhen, or just a misidentified Common Gallinule. I see nothing about a recent NY State occurrence of a Eurasian Moorhen on eBird.
What really makes me suspicious of Pish is that the next closest rarity on its map of my region is an Ivory-billed Woodpecker, reported from some place up north of Toronto. As best I know, the presumably extinct IBWO was never ever recorded anywhere in Canada, so this is probably a report by a beginner who had seen a Pileated Woodpecker. It seems that Pish does not vet the rarities it reports. So, problem number two is that a birder using Pish gets stuck with the "Boy Who Cried Wolf" effect.
From my current geographic standpoint, the next suite of rarities shown on Pish's map are a bunch of what I'd call "good birds," all of which are down in the New York City area. They include an Eastern Whip-poor-will, a Pine Siskin, a Savannah Sparrow, and a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. The last three are just normally occurring migrants that one would expect to see down there every year; the Whip-poor-will is a species in severe decline, but still reported annually in NY State. Those are all four very nice, but three of them are probably not worthy of a rare-bird alert. For example, there are scores of other reported Savannah Sparrows in the greater NY metro area, just for September of 2026. I don't know why a single one merits mention on Pish, while the others are all ignored, unless perhaps it was a good bird for the county where it showed up. So, problem number two is a seemingly inconsistent reporting of uncommon or "barely rare" birds.
The next closest bird reported on Pish's map is a Yellow Grosbeak reported from Central New Jersey. That grosbeak is normally found in Mexico, but has occurred a handful of times in the SW United States, as well as Arkansas and Iowa. I suppose it might be legit, but I would certainly not drive all day to look for a bird reported on a website that also reports an Ivory-billed Woodpecker in Ontario! That is especially true in view of the fact that there is absolutely nothing that I can find on eBird in reference to a Yellow Grosbeak in NJ.
Well, how do I find out about rarities? I have found a workaround on the eBird rare bird alert. I put a shortcut to it on my cell phone, and so I can check it when the thought crosses my mind. My barely functioning old Yahoo e-mail account won't let me receive any alerts, but at least I can check for them manually. Unless Pish cleans up what appear to be several serious drawbacks, I won't be bothering with it anytime soon.
Yours truly,
Gary BletschÂ
<garybletsch...>
_______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 9/18/26 2:19 pm From: deborah kirner via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Fwd: Highly recommended: Featured Article in the New Yorker magazine, September 21, 2026: “Flight Risk” “A scientist called the bird’s trip from Patagonia to Alaska “technically impossible“
Date: 9/18/26 1:27 pm From: Jeff Harrell via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Fwd: Highly recommended: Featured Article in the New Yorker magazine, September 21, 2026: “Flight Risk” “A scientist called the bird’s trip from Patagonia to Alaska “technically impossible“
On Fri, Sep 18, 2026 at 1:00â¯PM Dan Reiff via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
>
>
> *Subject:* *Highly recommended: Featured Article in the New Yorker
> magazine, September 21, 2026: âFlight Riskâ âA scientist called
> the birdâs trip from Patagonia to Alaska âtechnically impossibleâ*
>
> Hello Tweeters,
> I have a subscription for New Yorker magazine. I do not have a link for
> you.
> Perhaps a Tweeter can find a way of posting the article.
>
> When the New Yorker magazine does a long lead article on birds, it gets my
> attention. And it will be read by many that are not in the world of Birds.
> Which, I hope will bring more positive attention to birds, and birds in
> their environments and all environments.
>
> I highly recommend this article.
> a really fine piece of interesting and very informative writing. It covers
> much ground: research and researchers; firsthand experiences in the field,
> history, and past ideas about birds and migration. And highlights the
> importance of shorebirds to the environments.
> I can imagine Dennis smiling while reading it.
>
> âThe perils and triumphs of the astonishing migration of the Hudsonian
> Godwitâ
>
> Yes, an adult Hudsonian godwit is larger than a city pigeon.
>
> Dan Reiff, PhD
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 9/18/26 1:27 pm From: Carla Conway via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Fwd: Highly recommended: Featured Article in the New Yorker magazine, September 21, 2026: “Flight Risk” “A scientist called the bird’s trip from Patagonia to Alaska “technically impossible“
Thank you, Dan. I don't have a New Yorker subscription but am looking
forward to reading this article with the Libby app. Anyone with a valid
library card from KCLS, Seattle Public Library and almost any other public
library can download the app for access to magazines, ebooks, etc.
Have a good weekend,
Carla
On Fri, Sep 18, 2026 at 12:59â¯PM Dan Reiff via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
>
>
> *Subject:* *Highly recommended: Featured Article in the New Yorker
> magazine, September 21, 2026: âFlight Riskâ âA scientist called
> the birdâs trip from Patagonia to Alaska âtechnically impossibleâ*
>
> Hello Tweeters,
> I have a subscription for New Yorker magazine. I do not have a link for
> you.
> Perhaps a Tweeter can find a way of posting the article.
>
> When the New Yorker magazine does a long lead article on birds, it gets my
> attention. And it will be read by many that are not in the world of Birds.
> Which, I hope will bring more positive attention to birds, and birds in
> their environments and all environments.
>
> I highly recommend this article.
> a really fine piece of interesting and very informative writing. It covers
> much ground: research and researchers; firsthand experiences in the field,
> history, and past ideas about birds and migration. And highlights the
> importance of shorebirds to the environments.
> I can imagine Dennis smiling while reading it.
>
> âThe perils and triumphs of the astonishing migration of the Hudsonian
> Godwitâ
>
> Yes, an adult Hudsonian godwit is larger than a city pigeon.
>
> Dan Reiff, PhD
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 9/18/26 1:07 pm From: Dan Reiff via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Fwd: Highly recommended: Featured Article in the New Yorker magazine, September 21, 2026: “Flight Risk” “A scientist called the bird’s trip from Patagonia to Alaska “technically impossible“
>
> Subject: Highly recommended: Featured Article in the New Yorker magazine, September 21, 2026: âFlight Riskâ âA scientist called the birdâs trip from Patagonia to Alaska âtechnically impossibleâ
>
> Hello Tweeters,
> I have a subscription for New Yorker magazine. I do not have a link for you.
> Perhaps a Tweeter can find a way of posting the article.
>
> When the New Yorker magazine does a long lead article on birds, it gets my attention. And it will be read by many that are not in the world of Birds.
> Which, I hope will bring more positive attention to birds, and birds in their environments and all environments.
>
> I highly recommend this article.
> a really fine piece of interesting and very informative writing. It covers much ground: research and researchers; firsthand experiences in the field, history, and past ideas about birds and migration. And highlights the importance of shorebirds to the environments.
> I can imagine Dennis smiling while reading it.
>
> âThe perils and triumphs of the astonishing migration of the Hudsonian Godwitâ
>
> Yes, an adult Hudsonian godwit is larger than a city pigeon.
>
> Dan Reiff, PhD
>
Date: 9/17/26 10:08 pm From: Kenneth Brown via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Eagle's Pride.
The calendar says it's still summer, but today was an early fall day. Sure, it was warm, the sky was clear, the air mostly still. Birds were active and vocal in the early morning. But the light lets you know. There is something different, the air seems clearer than before, the contrast and color saturation turned up, just a bit.
We gathered outside the driving range shed without the founding father of the walk, Denis DeSilvas. He's away attending a familial obligation. We muddled through, none the less. Right from the start, those with ears to hear reported Red Crossbills, lots of them. They occupied the tops of most of the visible fir trees. North of the road there were birds in almost constant motion from a small puddle to nearby trees and back again. The Crossbills, some Golden-crowned Sparrows, and Pine Siskins, bathed communally. Red-breasted Nuthatches could also be heard. A couple of Barn Swallows swooped over the nearby pond, late to head south.
Walking to the first pond, we were surrounded by more Crossbills and Nuthatches, a Merlin flew northwesterly overhead. A lone young Pied-billed Grebe, some juvenile face striping still evident, was the pond's only occupant. Returning to the pond near the start, no bird swam in the receding water but the encircling willows held Golden-crowned and White-crowned Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, and a couple more Pine Siskins.
Throughout the remainder of the usual route we continued to be inundated with more Crossbills, Nuthatches, and Juncos. Also encountered were Band-tailed Pigeons, Crows, Steller's Jays, a California Scrub Jay, House Finches, Black-capped and Chestnut -backed Chickadees, Golden-crowned, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Anna's Hummingbirds, an Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Wood Ducks and a couple more Pied-billed Grebes on Hodges Lake. The happiest surprise for me was a Nashville Warbler.
The Autumnal Equinox, the official astrological start of autumn, will occur at 5:04 p.m. P.T., September 22 this year, next week. So I guess it's not autumn yet, but it is early fall. _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 9/17/26 2:27 pm From: Matt Bartels via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co.) 2026-09-17
Hi Tweets -
Micheal was out today, so it was up to Jordan and I to lead a small group of 4 on the weekly Marymoor walk. It was a beautiful clear day after a little ground fog burned off, and though the birds werenât numerous, it definitely showed the changing of the seasons - winter sparrows had returned - Golden-crowned Sparrows were here in force, and Fox Sparrows were ticking away from the brush. White-crowned Sparrows also seem to have increased in numbers.
Highlights:
Osprey - still one lingering
American Kestrel - one in the East Meadow, being pursued by 3 Annaâs Hummingbirds
Horned Lark - 6 in the gravel parking lot near the Climbing Wall - first in a long time for the Marymoor walk
American Pipits - same field as the Horned Larks - should be around for a long stretch now
Fox Sparrow & Golden-crowned Sparrows [see above] First of Fall [FOF]
Lincolnâs Sparrow 2 seen well
Western Tanager - 2 around
Misses today were numerous - we missed American Goldfinch, European Starling, Brown Creeper and Golden-crowned Kinglet! - we also missed swallows and swifts --
Date: 9/17/26 1:00 pm From: Shep Thorp via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Wednesday Walk at Billy Frank Jr Nisqually NWR for 9/17/2026.
Dear Tweets,
Approximately 40 of us had a beautiful last day of Summer Walk at the
Refuge with sunny skies and temperatures in the 50's to 70's degrees
Fahrenheit. There was a High 11'10" Tide at 10:31am so we followed our
routine route. Highlights included significant bird activity in the
morning, featuring migration and song (perhaps the autumnal recrudescence
of the amatory urge). The Orchard yielded migrating OLIVE-SIDED
FLYCATCHER, GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW, HUTTON'S VIREO and RED-BREASTED
NUTHATCH (species typically difficult to find on the Refuge). Numerous
CEDAR WAXWING and PURPLE FINCH were seen along the Access Road. The group
had great views of VIRGINIA RAIL on the west side of the Twin Barns Loop
Trail 100 feet south of the Twin Barns cut-off on the inside of the trail.
The Twin Barns Overlook offered good views of migrating warblers including
TOWNSEND'S WARBLER and NORTHERN YELLOW WARBLER. The dike or Nisqually
Estuary Trail was great for shorebirds, including expected SEMI-PALMATED
PLOVERS, WESTERN SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER, and GREATER YELLOWLEGS. We
observed three falcon species: AMERICAN KESTREL, MERLIN and PEREGRINE
FALCON. Most of the group had nice views of the WILSON'S SNIPE in the
freshwater marsh. In the morning before the walk there was a large flock
of over 20 EVENING GROSBEAKS in the riparian forest around the big Douglas
Fir near the center of the Visitor Center Pond. We also had a couple of
brief flyovers of First of Year AMERICAN PIPIT.
For the day we totaled 81 species, including the first of the year AMERICAN
PIPIT, we now have seen 163 species this year. Check out our eBird Report
pasted below for further details.
Other sightings included Eastern Cottontail Rabbit, Townsend's Chipmunk,
Columbian Black-tailed Deer, Muskrat, Harbor Seal, a Townsend's Vole being
ingested by a Great Blue Heron, and many Common Green Darners.
Until next week when we meet again at 8am at the Visitor Center Pond
Overlook, happy birding.
Shep
--
Shep Thorp
Browns Point
253-370-3742
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR, Thurston, Washington, US
Sep 16, 2026 6:49â¯AM - 5:08â¯PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.389 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Wednesday walk. Sunny with temperatures in the
50âs to 70âs degrees Fahrenheit. A High 11â10â Tide at 10:31am. Others
seen Eastern Cotton-tailed Rabbit, Townsendâs Chipmunk, Columbian
Black-tailed Deer, Muskrat, Pacific Chorus Frog, Red-legged Frog, Common
Green Darner, and Harbor Seal.
81 species (+4 other taxa)
Canada Goose (moffitti/maxima) 24
Wood Duck 13 Visitor Center Pond.
American Wigeon 45
Mallard 75
Northern Pintail 150
Green-winged Teal (American) 15
Hooded Merganser 6 Shannon slough.
Common Merganser (North American) 2 Nisqually River.
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 50
Band-tailed Pigeon (Northern) 16 Peregrine Tree or Douglas Fir in
center of Visitor Center Pond.
Mourning Dove 1
Anna's Hummingbird 3
hummingbird sp. 1
Virginia Rail 2 One showing very well for entire group on the inside
of the west side Twin Barns Loop Trail south of Twin Barns cut-off.
Killdeer 4
Semipalmated Plover 9 Mudflats west of Leschi Slough and north of
Nisqually Estuary Trail.
Wilson's Snipe 1 Freshwater marsh.
Spotted Sandpiper 1 West side of McAllister Creek.
Greater Yellowlegs 40
Least Sandpiper 200
Western Sandpiper 100
Ring-billed Gull 250
Western Gull 1
California Gull 5
Glaucous-winged Gull 1
Western x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid) 10
Western/Glaucous-winged Gull 20
Larus sp. 500
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Brandt's Cormorant 4 Nisqually River channel marker.
Double-crested Cormorant 35
Great Blue Heron (Great Blue) 25
Cooper's Hawk 1 Spotted by Ken.
Northern Harrier 2
Bald Eagle 8
Red-tailed Hawk (calurus/alascensis) 1
Belted Kingfisher 4
Red-breasted Sapsucker (ruber) 2
Downy Woodpecker (Pacific) 2
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 6
American Kestrel (Northern) 1
Merlin 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Olive-sided Flycatcher 2 Orchard.
Willow Flycatcher 2
Hutton's Vireo (Pacific) 2
Western Warbling Vireo 4
Steller's Jay (Coastal) 3
California Scrub-Jay 9
American Crow 50
Common Raven 3
Black-capped Chickadee 30
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 4
Barn Swallow (American) 8
Bushtit (Pacific) 60
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 10
Red-breasted Nuthatch 6
Brown Creeper 6
Marsh Wren 3
Bewick's Wren (spilurus Group) 4
European Starling 250
Swainson's Thrush (Russet-backed) 1
American Robin (migratorius Group) 25
Cedar Waxwing 30
American Pipit 4
Evening Grosbeak 25
Purple Finch (Western) 8
Red Crossbill 4
American Goldfinch 15
Fox Sparrow (Sooty) 2
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) 2
White-crowned Sparrow (Gambel's) 10
Golden-crowned Sparrow 25
Savannah Sparrow (Savannah) 6
Song Sparrow (rufina Group) 22
Lincoln's Sparrow 2 Nisqually Estuary Trail.
Spotted Towhee (oregonus Group) 4
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged) 200
Orange-crowned Warbler (lutescens) 3
Common Yellowthroat 10
Northern Yellow Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) 1
Townsend's Warbler 1 Spotted by Pat at Twin Barns Observation Platform.
Western Tanager 2
Date: 9/17/26 12:54 pm From: Debbie Mcleod via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] The Autumnal Recrudescence of the Amatory Urge
I was just thinking about that this morning! I was at the Trestle Bridge on the Sammamish River Trail checking for salmon. No luck there - but I did hear 21 different birds! And observed some action in the river below. A pair of mallards getting frisky. There was bobbing, and preening. He had her pinned underwater, briefly. She didn't seem to care that he was not resplendent in breeding plumage. Debbie McLeod, Redmond _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
Date: 9/17/26 12:28 pm From: Jim Betz via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] The Autumnal Recrudescence of the Amatory Urge
Elaine,
 I was at Hayton Reserve on Fir Island yesterday. There was a "pair"
of Killdeer that
were flying around 'together' in what I'd describe as a "playful"
manner. I saw them
several times over at least a half hour. Here, there, and everywhere -
always together
and never combative/territorial ... go here (sweeping and swooshing as
they went),
perch near each other, get up and rinse and repeat. What they didn't do
was to go
to the ground like they do in Spring ... otherwise it seemed like
"courtship".
 I have also seen pairs of Anna's doing similar things here around our
fountain.
 Most of the birds at our fountain are 'immature Goldfinches' and
that's been
true for about 2 or 3 weeks.
 The rest of the bird world seems "pretty typical" here in Skagit
County. The increase
(arrival?) of Harriers and Short-Eared Owls hasn't quite started yet.Â
No sign of any
Snow Geese or Trumpeter Swans yet. LOTS of Canada Geese.
Date: 9/16/26 9:31 pm From: Elaine Chuang via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] The Autumnal Recrudescence of the Amatory Urge
Dear Tweets. It's that time of year again: September 22 is the Fall Equinox (thank you PPL), and as regular as rain, "The Autumnal Recrudescence of the Amatory Urge" becomes evident!
Wait! Did that Anna's hummingbird male just execute a "J-dive" display?! Have you been hearing bird song or observing somewhat out-of-season behavior lately? We have begun to enjoy the annual avian phenomenon that's based upon partial reactivation of breeding behaviors. Whether triggered by the effects of the changing "photoperiod" on birdy hormones (the prevailing explanation) or other factors, the shift has poetically become known as, "The Autumnal Recrudescence of the Amatory Urge." Please honor Susan Stiles, who gave us this lovely bit of verse (and with thanks to Dennis Paulson, from whom many of us first heard Stiles' poem):
"The Autumnal Recrudescence of the Amatory Urge" - by Susan Stiles (December 1973)
When the birds are cacaphonic in the trees and on the verge
Of the fields in mid-October when the cold is like a scourge.
It is not delight in winter that makes feathered voices surge,
But autumnal recrudescence of the amatory urge.
When the frost is on the punkin' and when leaf and branch diverge,
Birds with hormones reawakened sing a paean, not a dirge.
What's the reason for their warbling? Why on earth this late-year splurge?
The autumnal recrudescence of the amatory urge.
The scientifically best and yet âreadableâ article on the general topic, in my humble opinion, has been one by the wonderful GrrlScientist (https://about.me/grrlscientist): "Why do songbirds sing in autumn? Many songbirds sing in autumn. If these birds arenât breeding in the autumn, then why are they singing?â Iâm sorry to find that the author has placed a paywall around this article since last year. https://grrlscientist.substack.com/p/why-do-songbirds-sing-in-autumn
Date: 9/15/26 11:56 pm From: Dee Dee via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Edmonds Lesser Goldfinch returns
This afternoon (~3pm) I was thrilled to see a male Lesser Goldfinch (LEGO) on our large 6-port tube-feeder. Exclamations of delight and a sprint for the camera (6 feet away) ensued.
I had been hoping to see if a male LEGO would appear in my yard again this fall, as in the past two years; the first sighting of this species in my yard was in late November 2024, with numerous more sightings each month through February 2025. After a 6-month hiatus, a male LEGO was sighted in the yard in late September 2025, again in December 2025, and again multiple times in January through late March of 2026. Then no LEGOs were seen for 5 months, until today. This green-and-yellow bird is a treat to see, especially now that the American Goldfinches are molting out of their bright breeding plumage.
I have submitted an eBird checklist and a couple of the photos for those whoâd like to see them (spoiler alertâhe looks the same as before). As in the previous two winters, I will be interested to see word of any other sightings of this species in the Snohomish County area.
Date: 9/15/26 4:03 pm From: Krystal via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Suspected Avian Pox in West Seattle?
Hello-
A couple of the juvenile House Finches that frequent our feeder in south West Seattle have foot growths that look very much like Avian Pox. Feeders and birdbath are down and being disinfected.
Please keep an eye out if you have feeders or birdbaths nearby!
Date: 9/15/26 11:46 am From: Denis DeSilvis via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] JBLM Eagles Pride Golf Course Monthly Birdwalk - Thursday, September 17 - 8:00AM Start
Hi Tweeters,
The next Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) Eagle's Pride Golf Course (GC) birdwalk is scheduled for Thursday, September 17 at 8:00AM.
The JBLM Eagles Pride GC birders do the tour d'course the third Thursday of every month. We meet at 8:00AM<outlook-data-detector://2> through October 2026. (Change to 9:00AM in November.)
Starting point is the Driving Range Tee, Eagle's Pride Golf Course, I-5 Exit 116, Mounts Road Exit. When you turn into the course entrance, take an immediate left onto the road to the driving range - that's where we meet.
Also, to remind folks that haven't been here before, even though Eagle's Pride is a US Army recreation facility, you don't need any ID to attend these birdwalks. Hope you're able to make it!
Current weather forecast is 50degF-69degF start to finish (RealFeel 54-73) with 0% chance of rain during the walk. Lookin' good! As always, dress for success!
Note: I won't be there (wedding in Beantown) but other folks will fill in the gap.
Date: 9/14/26 9:41 pm From: Madrone Ruggiero via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] New Wings Over Whidbey Field Trips Added!
Hi all,I wanted to let folks know that there have recently been a few field trips added to the Wings Over Whidbey Bird Festival on September 25 and 26th. There has also been an additional live raptor presentation by Dr. Mark Borden added on the 26th from 3:30 to 4pm.The new field trips are:Â Penn Cove Small Sit from noon to 2 pm (there are two 1 hr time slots to choose from) on the 25thCamp Casey scope station from 11:30am to 1pm on the 26thShoreline Walk with Sound Water Stewards 10-11 am on the 26th
The link below will take you to the Wings Over Whidbey event page where you can read field trip descriptions and sign up if you are interested. Wings over Whidbey Bird Festival â Whidbey Audubon Society
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Wings over Whidbey Bird Festival â Whidbey Audubon Society
Date: 9/14/26 3:51 pm From: Marv via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] BBSA in Auburn
Late this morning there was a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER at the M Street Marsh in Auburn. The bird was pectoral-sized with a dark eye surrounded by buff & no facial markings. There was a small amount of spotting on the sides of the breast. The bird was on a dirt clod facing me for about 15 seconds until it took flight. I could not find the bird again. No photos.
The bird was in the field between M Street and the main pond, as opposed to the overflow of Mill Creek to the south. A probable beaver dam just south of 29th has backed up the water in this area, making access difficult. Scoping from M Street into the bare fields may be the best option, if the bird remains.
-- Marv Breece Tukwila, WA *<marvbreece...> <marvbreece...>*
Date: 9/14/26 12:06 pm From: mary hrudkaj via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Turkey Vulture report
This morning when driving into Gorst from Port Orchard there was a growing kettle of Turkey Vultures over Gorst. We were able to pull into the parking area of the public storage facility on Hwy 3 between Hwy 16 and Hwy 3 northbound.
The kettle grew from 10 to 14 vultures. We watched for a few minutes but no more TV's appeared. We headed south on Hwy 3 to Belfair but none of the vultures were seen in Belfair after we got groceries. The vultures in Gorst appeared to come up from the area of Old Belfair Hwy, about a quarter mile north of Hwy 3 and may have been in trees in Jarstad Park. There's also a basalt quarry just a bit farther north they might have overnighted in.
Hopefully those vulture watchers farther south in the Sound area will be visited soon by this flock.
Date: 9/14/26 8:53 am From: via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] WOS Monthly Meeting, October 5, 2026 (online only)
The Washington Ornithological Society (WOS) is pleased to announce the first of our new season of Monthly Meetings, which commences on Monday, Oct 5, when Jeff Kozma will present, "Western Bluebird Nest Survival and Nest-site selection in ponderosa pine forests."
Western Bluebirds (WEBL, Sialia mexicana) are brilliant blue songbirds found in a variety of western U.S. habitats. On the west side of the Cascades, they historically had relied on mature Garry oak woodlands: because of habitat loss (e.g., old oak trees with natural cavities), the WEBL is listed as a "Species of Greatest Conservation Need.â  Groups in Washington have been putting up nest boxes for the WEBL for decades. Did you know that the Western Bluebird is also thriving by using nest cavities in managed ponderosa pine forests? Join us and Jeff Kozma by Zoom on October 5 to learn more.
Our speaker, Jeff Kozma moved to Washington in 1996 as biologist for the Armyâs Yakima Training Center where he worked on habitat restoration projects and surveys of Sage Grouse, Bald Eagle and other raptors. Since 2002 Jeff has worked as a Wildlife Biologist for the Yakama Nation, where Gray Flycatcher, White-headed Woodpecker and Western Bluebird are among his most favored subjects of field research and surveys. Â
This meeting will be conducted virtually, via Zoom (no in-person attendance). Sign-in will begin at 7:15 pm, and the meeting commences at 7:30 pm. Please go to the WOS Monthly Meetings page: https://wos.org/monthly-meetings/ for instructions on participation and to get the Zoom link.
When joining the meeting, we ask that you mute your device and make certain that your camera is turned off.
This meeting is open to all as WOS invites everyone in the wider birding community to attend. Thanks to the generosity of our presenters, recordings of past programs are available at the following link to the WOS YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@washingtonornithologicalso7839/videos
If you are not yet a member of WOS, we hope you will consider becoming one at https://wos.org.
Date: 9/14/26 7:01 am From: Louise via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] “1000 hour fuels” Exclusive: TNT gets tour of the new landscape at Mount Rainier's Sunrise area
Thanks for the article, Dan. Sunrise is one of my favourite places for
summer and autumn hiking, and I'm sad I won't get to do Burroughs now this
year.
I'm not sure I want to see what Grand Park looks like after the fire's
burned there for so many weeks. I'd been planning to do that hike from the
Lake Eleanor entrance this year, but the fire got there first. Grand Park
was a stunningly gorgeous place - I just hope the trees weren't all killed
and recovery might take years rather than centuries :-(
Louise Rutter
Kirkland
On Mon, Sep 14, 2026 at 1:25â¯AM Dan Reiff via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> Hello Tweeters,
>
> Sunrise, Mt Rainier, for me, is an Eden and a place I truly love. Day and
> night.
>
> Some Definitions of Eden: âa place of pristine or abundant natural
> beautyâ. âA place or state of great happiness; an unspoiled paradise.â
>
> I understand and accept, but am sad that I and others will not be able to
> visit there this fall.
> I respect and appreciate the efforts of the firefighters. I find it
> startling to see the necessary clear-cuts around the buildings.
>
> https://www.thenewstribune.com/outdoors/article317132292.html >
> As always, if you cannot open the link, copy and paste the article title
> onto your browser, Safari or Google, and tap the enter key on your computer
> or phone.
>
> Best regards,
> Dan Reiff, MPH, PhD
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> <Tweeters...>
> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters >
Date: 9/14/26 1:33 am From: Dan Reiff via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] “1000 hour fuels” Exclusive: TNT gets tour of the new landscape at Mount Rainier's Sunrise area
Hello Tweeters,
Sunrise, Mt Rainier, for me, is an Eden and a place I truly love. Day and night.
Some Definitions of Eden: âa place of pristine or abundant natural beautyâ. âA place or state of great happiness; an unspoiled paradise.â
I understand and accept, but am sad that I and others will not be able to visit there this fall.
I respect and appreciate the efforts of the firefighters. I find it startling to see the necessary clear-cuts around the buildings.
As always, if you cannot open the link, copy and paste the article title onto your browser, Safari or Google, and tap the enter key on your computer or phone.
