Thanks for the update, Tom.
Got any bird pics?
- Thread starter Wadin' Boot
- Start date
Okay birders, I have a question—are the terns missing? Usually by this time of year I hear terns calling over my house at times. And there are terns that gather in a specific spot on the Duwamish estuary. This year, no terns. I think they are Caspian terns but I am not 100% sure.
Is it just me, or are the terns late? Or missing?
Is it just me, or are the terns late? Or missing?
They were on the Snohomish delta this spring, but low numbers...thinking bird flu, google caspian terns bird flu washington...also seal numbers seem way down, seals can get bird flu and if not, transient Orca snack
That tracks.
Now that you and @Matt B mention it, I haven't seen as many Caspian terns this year. There were lots of birds on the islands on Banks Lake this spring but I thought maybe WDFW's efforts to reduce nesting habitat on "Goose Island" (O'Sullivan Reservoir) was working as I didn't see (or hear) many terns on Goose Island.
Went for a late afternoon paddle yesterday to check out the Ospreys.
there are about 6 nests within a half mile radius, this time last year the pair in this nest had no baby, this year they have a new one...
these guys will probably be out of here in three-four weeks
Parents were not super cool with me paddling nearby. It's interesting, depending on the pair sometimes you can get no closer than 50 yards, other times they are skittish at 25. This Mama was particularly peeved. Message heard!
Papa didn't really care much, he flew closer to see what the fun was.
there are about 6 nests within a half mile radius, this time last year the pair in this nest had no baby, this year they have a new one...
these guys will probably be out of here in three-four weeks
Parents were not super cool with me paddling nearby. It's interesting, depending on the pair sometimes you can get no closer than 50 yards, other times they are skittish at 25. This Mama was particularly peeved. Message heard!
Papa didn't really care much, he flew closer to see what the fun was.
This month I spent a week in the Ochocos with 2 friends for about the 18th year. I brought a feeder for the first time this year, hoping to lure a Black-chinned hummer. Given that we were 8 miles from the closest dwelling, I was surprised at how quickly the birds were on the feeder. No Black-chinneds, but here is a female Rufous, heavily cropped from a handheld 1200mm shot.
Flickers are nice birds. A big share of their diet is ants. That’s why you often see them on sidewalks. Of course, they also love suet, as do many other birds.
Gyrfalcon22
Legend
Had this pygmy owl catch my attention on my way to hit a tough day hike on the eastern slopes of the Olympics this Summer (last 2 miles of the hike gain 3200 feet alone). I wonder how many owls and other neat creatures I walk right by? This one was one of those times you suddenly have a, "I think I'm being watched" feeling. No cougar or sasquatch..this time.. Such a joy to share a carefree wild animal connection from just feet away.
Hope to hit some higher meadows on a longer hike or two in this coming week and maybe see a goshawk or golden eagle, but am perfectly happy with whatever I come across. Been lucky to have a long injured Achilles tendon build up so much scar tissue now that I feel invincible. Might get a chance to chase golden trout in the cascades in the next month and spend time with ptarmigan and mountain goats in the same haunts. Love Summer !
Hope to hit some higher meadows on a longer hike or two in this coming week and maybe see a goshawk or golden eagle, but am perfectly happy with whatever I come across. Been lucky to have a long injured Achilles tendon build up so much scar tissue now that I feel invincible. Might get a chance to chase golden trout in the cascades in the next month and spend time with ptarmigan and mountain goats in the same haunts. Love Summer !
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Some less than stellar pics.
Osprey watching me fish.
Heron enjoying a nice morning.
Hummer in my back yard.
Osprey watching me fish.
Heron enjoying a nice morning.
Hummer in my back yard.
Nice composition on this one Brian!
Nisqually NWR, mid-August 2025. American bitterns are masters of camouflage. Their preferred habitat is deep in the reeds and cattails of a freshwater marsh. When stalking prey, their movements are very stealthy. Their plumage is a great match to their environment. You know that they must be there, but good sightings are rare. [Frankly, I see more Wilson’s snipes than bitterns each year.]. But for the last week or so, a family group of American bitterns has been putting on a show at Nisqually Billie Frank Jr. NWR.
A week ago, I noticed a cluster of excited birders / photographers along the Causeway Trail. Hurrying to join them, I was delighted to share this special opportunity. Four fledgling bitterns were on display. Fluffy feathers from their nestling phase still adorned their heads, giving them a “punk” appearance. Two fledglings were perched separately on cattail blades at the edge of the marsh, perhaps 20 feet from the edge of the Causeway Trail. This one has some “grumpy-old-man" vibes.
They spent most of time preening their feathers, removing the fluffy feathers of their nestling phase.
The other two fledglings stood in the midst of a patch of mare’s tail that had developed in a mud flat in the freshwater marsh.
These fledglings made some half-hearted foraging movements or craned their heads toward the sky in the typical bittern camouflage pose.
After giving everyone a good view of the fledglings, a parent flew into the patch of mare’s tail to deliver lunch. The parent inserted its bill deep inside the wide throat of the fledgling
and regurgitated a meal. Lunch looked to be a fish.
While the overall plumages of the fledglings were a tawny brown, the parent’s plumage was darker, grayer.
Later, the parent stalked for additional food at the edge of mare’s tail patch and cattails.
So, five bitterns in about 50’ of marsh… According to “All about Birds”, the parents will feed the fledglings for up to six weeks after they emerge from the nest.
I brought my wife to Nisqually a few days later so that she might have a chance to see this family group too. The bitterns weren’t out on our first pass down the Causeway trail. But several folks pointed them out to us on our walk back. Three bittern fledglings were in view perched on cattail blades. They were not doing much except preening. Later, a parent flew in and again fed a fledgling. A four bittern morning.
And the unusual sightings on that trip didn’t just include the bitterns; we saw a long-tailed weasel scampering along the boardwalk of the Twin Barns loop
and a sora
and its chick were feeding in the marsh opening where I had seen the bitterns a few days earlier.
Better to be lucky than good.
Steve
A week ago, I noticed a cluster of excited birders / photographers along the Causeway Trail. Hurrying to join them, I was delighted to share this special opportunity. Four fledgling bitterns were on display. Fluffy feathers from their nestling phase still adorned their heads, giving them a “punk” appearance. Two fledglings were perched separately on cattail blades at the edge of the marsh, perhaps 20 feet from the edge of the Causeway Trail. This one has some “grumpy-old-man" vibes.
They spent most of time preening their feathers, removing the fluffy feathers of their nestling phase.
The other two fledglings stood in the midst of a patch of mare’s tail that had developed in a mud flat in the freshwater marsh.
These fledglings made some half-hearted foraging movements or craned their heads toward the sky in the typical bittern camouflage pose.
After giving everyone a good view of the fledglings, a parent flew into the patch of mare’s tail to deliver lunch. The parent inserted its bill deep inside the wide throat of the fledgling
and regurgitated a meal. Lunch looked to be a fish.
While the overall plumages of the fledglings were a tawny brown, the parent’s plumage was darker, grayer.
Later, the parent stalked for additional food at the edge of mare’s tail patch and cattails.
So, five bitterns in about 50’ of marsh… According to “All about Birds”, the parents will feed the fledglings for up to six weeks after they emerge from the nest.
I brought my wife to Nisqually a few days later so that she might have a chance to see this family group too. The bitterns weren’t out on our first pass down the Causeway trail. But several folks pointed them out to us on our walk back. Three bittern fledglings were in view perched on cattail blades. They were not doing much except preening. Later, a parent flew in and again fed a fledgling. A four bittern morning.
And the unusual sightings on that trip didn’t just include the bitterns; we saw a long-tailed weasel scampering along the boardwalk of the Twin Barns loop
and a sora
and its chick were feeding in the marsh opening where I had seen the bitterns a few days earlier.
Better to be lucky than good.
Steve
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Coach Potter
Life of the Party
Well camouflaged.
SF
SF
It is a time of abundance at Nisqually NWR. Ripe berries and fruits, like those of this black hawthorn
or this Himalayan blackberry,
are everywhere. Both resident bird species and migratory species are exploiting this abundance. On a recent visit, I hadn’t even opened the door of my truck when I saw several cedar waxwings chowing down on black hawthorn fruits.
Not far away, a juvenile song sparrow, an omnivorous species, was enjoying sweet blackberries.
Steve
or this Himalayan blackberry,
are everywhere. Both resident bird species and migratory species are exploiting this abundance. On a recent visit, I hadn’t even opened the door of my truck when I saw several cedar waxwings chowing down on black hawthorn fruits.
Not far away, a juvenile song sparrow, an omnivorous species, was enjoying sweet blackberries.
Steve