WHAS - Bird Lists and Wildlife Sightings

A Fascinating Hunting Behavior

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Last Updated: Saturday, February 15 2014 14:53

Andrew Emlen of Skomokawa observed a fascinating behavior last December.  Here are the details as described by Andrew: A female Northern Harrier landed on a duck (possibly a wigeon, of which there were others nearby) in the pond opposite Hornstra Beach in the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge. The Harrier was belly-deep in the water as the duck struggled.

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2009 Christmas Bird Count Results from Leadbetter Point

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Last Updated: Saturday, February 15 2014 14:53

For the Leadbetter Point Christmas Bird Count (CBC), on December 19, 2009, we noted 91 species, including one species new and another species with the highest number during our 35+ years of doing the Count.

Number of individuals: 29,508.  Temps: low 38F, high 54F.  Winds: 0 to 10 mph. Cloud cover 90% to 100%, light rain or mist at nearly all times, 95% of day, 0.5 inches total.  Low fog hampered views of water birds, and shortened visibility significantly.  At least the wind wasn't blowing!  Many very low counts or groups of species missing which are noted nearly every year: scoters, loons, grebes, cormorants, finches.

Our number of participants, 37, was the highest ever for our count. Our CBC circle

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2009 Christmas Bird Count Results from Wahkiakum County

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Last Updated: Saturday, February 15 2014 14:53

On December 29, 2009, 21 volunteers participated in the twelfth annual Wahkiakum Christmas Bird Count.

Though the temperature rose into the low 40's from the morning's freezing temperatures, a cold east wind blowing over 20 mph in many parts of the circle made it hard to find birds. Some afternoon rain and snow didn't help either.

The count of 104 species is three below our average. Two species were new to the Wahkiakum CBC. Eurasian Collared-Doves are now well- established on Puget Island, where 10 were found on count day. An Empidonax sp. flycatcher was found near the east end of East Birnie Slough Road, Puget Island. I attempted to relocate it, but did not succeed.

Other uncommon finds for our circle included an Eared Grebe,

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Christmas Bird Count discussed on NPR's Science Friday

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Last Updated: Saturday, February 15 2014 14:53

Listen to an interview with the Christmas Bird Count and Feeder Watch coordinators on NPR's Science Friday from 2009 here and from 2008 here and continuing here with a discussion of the benefits of shade grown coffee.  The 2009 interview in particular talks about the northward movement of birds as documented by the counts.