April 3- 2017 Daily walk NG. 1 female NG., soaring and flapping, Anacortes. Observation time about 4 minutes.
4/7 Female Cooper’s- 3 second look- at a dark , fairly large accipiter was diving between buildings, cold winds of 25 miles per hour or more.
August 20- Mature female NG, flapping and gliding to perch on top of tall evergreen. Then hawk went soaring , flapping and circling. Observation time - 3 or 4 minutes. Naked eye - Saint Mary’s Church, Anacortes.
August 21- One female NG, flapping and gliding, Saint Mary’s Church (SMC).
Oct. 31- near SMC, 1 male NG, in flight and perched on very top of tall evergreen tree.
Oct. 8- 1 NG soaring at 200 feet altitude, Mount Erie School, Anacortes. Probably female, observation time, 2 minutes.
Nov. 17 - down the hill at Mike’s house- a previous posting.
Dec. 10- a female NG soaring and drifting over my house- about 200 feet altitude. Bright sun - no wind. Now on to 2018- on another posting.
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Sunday, June 24, 2018
paucity of raptors
This post is not scientific because it is only about me and my observations, or lack of observations. For many weeks I have been observing the sky, daily and throughout the day, yet I realize that I am only one person and can only be in one place at any particular time.
Here are the raptors that are in short supply- eagles, ospreys, Red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, and Northern Goshawks. I am not a birder. I am a hawk watcher, and I’m in the field (the sky every day) even though I am traveling on the highway at 60 mph. or winding down a steep country road at 15 mph., or even from inside my house as I am often looking into the sky.
Recently, over the last 2 months or more, my home base is Anacortes, I have travelled to Stanwood and the Arlington area twice, that also means Fir Island Road and Conway, and twice toward Samish Flats.
Paucity means zero Peregrine falcons in flight. The most Turkey Vultures observed were 3 and then 30 minutes later another three. On one drive there were some (three) perched Red-tailed hawks. The only raptors I record or photograph are Golden Eagles and goshawks, sometimes I will record Sharp-shinned hawks, because, for me, they are a very uncommon species.
Here are my recent sightings, from my field notes: Zero Merlin this year; zero Sharp-shinned hawks; zero Peregrine falcons. I just today observed the 2 Osprey nests, downtown Anacortes. Zero activity at the one nest on the metal tower, and mature Osprey with one chick or more, at the second tower.
The sighting lasted about about one minute. The location is very near The Market, which is near Safeway. Then it was over to the March Point Refinery- with one perched Red-tailed hawk. As an aside- 23 White Pelicans soaring over Whitmarsh Junction which is the South-east corner of the refinery property.
I often, more than once a day pay attention to the Tweeters birding listserve. It seems that raptors are not being observed, as related to organized field trips or to the tally counts of an individual or two.
Be water- my friend.
Here are the raptors that are in short supply- eagles, ospreys, Red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, and Northern Goshawks. I am not a birder. I am a hawk watcher, and I’m in the field (the sky every day) even though I am traveling on the highway at 60 mph. or winding down a steep country road at 15 mph., or even from inside my house as I am often looking into the sky.
Recently, over the last 2 months or more, my home base is Anacortes, I have travelled to Stanwood and the Arlington area twice, that also means Fir Island Road and Conway, and twice toward Samish Flats.
Paucity means zero Peregrine falcons in flight. The most Turkey Vultures observed were 3 and then 30 minutes later another three. On one drive there were some (three) perched Red-tailed hawks. The only raptors I record or photograph are Golden Eagles and goshawks, sometimes I will record Sharp-shinned hawks, because, for me, they are a very uncommon species.
Here are my recent sightings, from my field notes: Zero Merlin this year; zero Sharp-shinned hawks; zero Peregrine falcons. I just today observed the 2 Osprey nests, downtown Anacortes. Zero activity at the one nest on the metal tower, and mature Osprey with one chick or more, at the second tower.
The sighting lasted about about one minute. The location is very near The Market, which is near Safeway. Then it was over to the March Point Refinery- with one perched Red-tailed hawk. As an aside- 23 White Pelicans soaring over Whitmarsh Junction which is the South-east corner of the refinery property.
I often, more than once a day pay attention to the Tweeters birding listserve. It seems that raptors are not being observed, as related to organized field trips or to the tally counts of an individual or two.
Be water- my friend.
Saturday, May 12, 2018
Two questions
On my post— On Fred; what is the gist of the post? What is the crux of the situation? You can put yourself standing next to me in that small group gathered around Fred. Or imagine yourself away from the group or looking downward into the group. What is Fred saying?
You are as a hawk watcher and have a clear observation of a bird in the sky, meaning the bird is at altitude of 100 or more feet. There is no obstruction of any background “noise” such as terrain features or textures competing for your attention. So the only background is the blue of the sky. The bird is about one-half mile from your position. You contemplate the bird is a Robin, even though the bird is not within a flock. You are using your 8X binos, and also have borrowed your friend’s 10x binos.
The question— how small is the Robin, with the 8X binos. Also, how small is the Robin with the 10X binos.
The answer to the first question. Fred is smarter than you!
The Robin question— the Robin is nine to eleven inches small!
Why am I the only one observing Goshawks in Texas? In chronological order— in Livingston, Rockport, Tyler, Kemah (Houston), Galveston, and Georgetown? Because I am smarter than you. All of the birders in Texas? Yes! But do not misunderstand— more later, on my next post.
You are as a hawk watcher and have a clear observation of a bird in the sky, meaning the bird is at altitude of 100 or more feet. There is no obstruction of any background “noise” such as terrain features or textures competing for your attention. So the only background is the blue of the sky. The bird is about one-half mile from your position. You contemplate the bird is a Robin, even though the bird is not within a flock. You are using your 8X binos, and also have borrowed your friend’s 10x binos.
The question— how small is the Robin, with the 8X binos. Also, how small is the Robin with the 10X binos.
The answer to the first question. Fred is smarter than you!
The Robin question— the Robin is nine to eleven inches small!
Why am I the only one observing Goshawks in Texas? In chronological order— in Livingston, Rockport, Tyler, Kemah (Houston), Galveston, and Georgetown? Because I am smarter than you. All of the birders in Texas? Yes! But do not misunderstand— more later, on my next post.
Goshawks of Bakersfield
I have stopped in Bakersfield, CA always at the Orange Grove RVPark, for a week or sometimes for just a day or two. I have never birded or hawked the actual city, but have cut through the town, two or three times on route 99, or on the outskirts on route 58. Although I was always aware of any raptors in the sky as I drove through, I believe that Bakersfield will contain many NG— many—meaning 4 NG.
On at least two occasions, I have observed NG in the sky from the RV Park on the east side of Bakersfield, that is Edison Road.
Where are these NG coming from? I say— there is little doubt these NG are coming from and breeding in the Tehachapi Mountains! Is that where the Goshawks of San Diego are coming from?!
The Thought— John Kerry: Dirty Diaper Progenitor— DDP.
On at least two occasions, I have observed NG in the sky from the RV Park on the east side of Bakersfield, that is Edison Road.
Where are these NG coming from? I say— there is little doubt these NG are coming from and breeding in the Tehachapi Mountains! Is that where the Goshawks of San Diego are coming from?!
The Thought— John Kerry: Dirty Diaper Progenitor— DDP.
Friday, May 11, 2018
More on my friend
For 20 years Mike has been traveling to Alaska with his truck, sometimes twice a year. I am of the opinion the Mike has observed a NG passing in front of his truck. Mike must have observed some NG’s soaring, as he was driving. However, my friend is not a birder, is not very interested in birds. But, he is my friend and my one-half mile away neighbor.
Back to you, your neighbor, your friend. With Skagit Audubon at Rasar State Park— in a very light rain, a female NG lifted out off the evergreen trees, to spiral upward. Then a few seconds later, another female NG lifted from the same area; at Iverson Spit— a male NG was displaying in the sky, as I called the hawk; at Port Susan Preserve a female NG was going toward small trees or to ground behind a berm, as I alerted Gary Bletsch to the hawk.
In Tucson, on the pickle ball court, on more than one occasion, I called out a NG in flight, as was observed by the players on the court and the players waiting their turn to get on the court.
On a whale watch boat off of the Paul Allen Estate, Lopez Island, I pointed out a female NG to the tour guide instructor.
The thought— Take pride in your work; or you will hear from your neighbors.
Back to you, your neighbor, your friend. With Skagit Audubon at Rasar State Park— in a very light rain, a female NG lifted out off the evergreen trees, to spiral upward. Then a few seconds later, another female NG lifted from the same area; at Iverson Spit— a male NG was displaying in the sky, as I called the hawk; at Port Susan Preserve a female NG was going toward small trees or to ground behind a berm, as I alerted Gary Bletsch to the hawk.
In Tucson, on the pickle ball court, on more than one occasion, I called out a NG in flight, as was observed by the players on the court and the players waiting their turn to get on the court.
On a whale watch boat off of the Paul Allen Estate, Lopez Island, I pointed out a female NG to the tour guide instructor.
The thought— Take pride in your work; or you will hear from your neighbors.
Saturday, May 5, 2018
You’ve seen goshawks
You’ve seen goshawks; Your friends have seen goshawks; Your neighbors have seen goshawks! And I will say it over and over again.
Do not misunderstand; I am not saying that you have misidentified NG. It is simply that you haven’t made an attempt to identify a raptor in flight. And this will lead into another post; Don’t cop out on me— Don’t cop out on yourself. Nearly every one of my posts will lead into another one or more of my postings. So far, right now, this post relates to my number one rule. That is — I will never say you misidentified a bird, unless I am there with you in the field, and we are both onto the same bird.
I was with my neighbor on his property, which is just behind my house, when he calls “look.” There was a NG circling. And this has happened more than once, with my sharp-eyed neighbor-friend. He should be sharp-eyed as he is a tug boat captain. I went walking to an acquaintance’s house which was a half- mile away. He was outside working on his house. I called, “look” as a NG was circling. It was around Christmas 2016 when I was talking with my neighbor across the street. We were standing on his front yard when he called, “look.” There was a mature female NG circling low over my house. Then fifteen-seconds later, I brought to his attention, another female NG over my house, at the same altitude, and the same flight direction as the first NG. You’ve seen goshawks; Your friends have seen goshawks; Your neighbors have seen goshawks!
Recently, in winter 2017-18, I went down my steep road, and there was my friend in his yard. Mike is a hunter, trapper, machinist, who assembles his own rifles and hunts big game in many areas of British Columbia and Alaska. To our front was a raptor ripping through, low over the near-by roof top. Mike asked— what kind of bird was that! I replied— a northern goshawk, mature. “ Did you see the silver and white coming off that bird.” I quickly departed the area, as I had my camera, and went to chase.
Do not misunderstand; I am not saying that you have misidentified NG. It is simply that you haven’t made an attempt to identify a raptor in flight. And this will lead into another post; Don’t cop out on me— Don’t cop out on yourself. Nearly every one of my posts will lead into another one or more of my postings. So far, right now, this post relates to my number one rule. That is — I will never say you misidentified a bird, unless I am there with you in the field, and we are both onto the same bird.
I was with my neighbor on his property, which is just behind my house, when he calls “look.” There was a NG circling. And this has happened more than once, with my sharp-eyed neighbor-friend. He should be sharp-eyed as he is a tug boat captain. I went walking to an acquaintance’s house which was a half- mile away. He was outside working on his house. I called, “look” as a NG was circling. It was around Christmas 2016 when I was talking with my neighbor across the street. We were standing on his front yard when he called, “look.” There was a mature female NG circling low over my house. Then fifteen-seconds later, I brought to his attention, another female NG over my house, at the same altitude, and the same flight direction as the first NG. You’ve seen goshawks; Your friends have seen goshawks; Your neighbors have seen goshawks!
Recently, in winter 2017-18, I went down my steep road, and there was my friend in his yard. Mike is a hunter, trapper, machinist, who assembles his own rifles and hunts big game in many areas of British Columbia and Alaska. To our front was a raptor ripping through, low over the near-by roof top. Mike asked— what kind of bird was that! I replied— a northern goshawk, mature. “ Did you see the silver and white coming off that bird.” I quickly departed the area, as I had my camera, and went to chase.
Sunday, April 29, 2018
Very smart Crows
My friend has a very large walnut tree near his backyard. The crows will pick the walnuts and fly over and near his house to drop the walnuts in the road. The crows are hoping to get cars to smash the walnuts. Some of the very smart crows will wait on the side of the road and watch the action of the hit or miss action of the car tires. Some of the crows will nudge the walnut to another position if the car tire misses the walnut.
However, you will never see a crow get hit by a car or a dead crow on the road. Here is what is happening. There is always a crow that acts as a Sargent-of the guard, and is always perched on high, as on a telephone pole or wires acting as a lookout. And every time a car comes near, the guard screams— Karrr Kaarrr karrr!
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However, you will never see a crow get hit by a car or a dead crow on the road. Here is what is happening. There is always a crow that acts as a Sargent-of the guard, and is always perched on high, as on a telephone pole or wires acting as a lookout. And every time a car comes near, the guard screams— Karrr Kaarrr karrr!
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