March 28, 2015 – MOUNTAIN QUAIL PERFORM!

On March 28, 2015, a small group met at 6 AM (pre-dawn) at the Theler Wetlands parking lot in Belfair to motor over to Mountain Quail sites on the Tahuya peninsula. By invitation, we started at the home of Mary Hrudkaj, going up the switchbacks of Canyon Drive to gain altitude to the heights of the Tahuya peninsula. Mary had her living room set up like a theater for the 9 of us, and we were given strict instructions that when the Mountain Quail were sited (IF they were) to hold perfectly still, as any little perceived movement would send them off rapidly. As dawn started to show itself, we were treated to views of the Olympic Mountains and Tubby and Stubby the raccoons.

Mourning Doves showed up and copulated in front of us, and then the Bandtails showed up, looking like Mourning Doves on steroids. The background of the yard was soon stuffed with Steller’s Jays, Juncos, Robins, and other expected species, and then the two regular Mountain Quail (a pair) ran in. Yes, they ran. No sense walking if you can run!

These rotund birds kept us frozen as we gawked at them, noticing the subtle differences between the genders and the fact that there were TWO feathers making that crest, not just one. Every so often, one would run off, then run back, like wind-up toys. The sun then poked above the trees enough to light them up for great photographs! Thanks for keeping your window glass so clean, Mary!

Finally the Quail finished their breakfast and ran out to the road, and we were released from our frozen stances. We then piled into the cars, and Mary took us to a couple of other spots to highlight the glories of the Tahuya peninsula including the wonderful Dewatto Bay with its soon-to-be-busy Pigeon Guillemot holes right on the road, then to the very reliable Dipper bridge just northeast of there, where Donna LaCasse ducked under the bridge and saw an unoccupied-as-yet nest. Both Dippers dipped for us! Every target bird was seen and in good light!

Many photographs were taken by the group, some of which can be seen here: 76552838@N03/sets/72157651161797007/” >https://www.flickr.com/photos/76552838@N03/sets/72157651161797007/

Photos below by Diane Y-Q and Heather Roskelley. Click to enlarge.

March 23, 2015: The Paul Bannick Woodpecker event was a big hit!

Paul brought his woodpecker slide show to ABC and tantalized us with glimpses of his upcoming works on Owls as well. He had his new book, Woodpeckers of North America, written with David Benson, as well as his famous book, The Owl and the Woodpecker, for sale to the enthusiastic ABC crowd.

Paul started off the evening by showing us some slides he just took yesterday far east of here of Short-Eared Owls’ courtship behaviors. Stunning stuff, and new info to some of us, such as their different vocalizations during courtship, as well as their stunning aerial displays.

Only a person who has stalked so many woodpeckers with his camera on hands and knees asl well as lift mechanisms could have such personal insights into these woodpeckers. Paul knows every kind of hole every woodpecker employs, every kind of tree, every behavior, even pounds per square inch of drilling power.

A woodpecker hole can later house up to 30 different types of birds needing cavities (including many of the small owls), but are unable to drill their own holes. Other critters use the holes as well, and Paul showed reintroduced Fishers who will use the bigger holes.

It was interesting to have a dialog between ABC’ers and Paul about this winter’s interesting incursion of Acorn Woodpeckers into the state, especially into the Lakewood area of Pierce County. We’ll all be watching what happens with this species in the state.

Visit Paul’s website at: http://www.paulbannick.com/

Below: Paul talks about Flickers and then signs books for us. (Click to enlarge)

March 23, Monday – 6:45 PM – University Place Library. Paul Bannick, co-author and photographer for the new book, Woodpeckers of North America, A Naturalist’s Guide, will examine each of the North American woodpecker species through award winning images, intimate sounds and stories and observations from the field. Paul’s presentation will help you distinguish between species by behavior, habitat and field markings. He will also touch upon races of woodpeckers, adaptations to specific habitats, morphology and cultural ties.

Check out Paul’s website! It has lots of video interviews and looks at his owl photos as well. http://www.paulbannick.com/

We were fortunate to get Paul to speak to our club and are suggesting an honorarium of around $10 each to offset his usual speaking fee.

Paul is a celebrity to non-birders as well, having chosen two “iconic” families of birds, woodpeckers and owls, as his targets, so be sure to invite your friends and family to this presentation.