On February 21, 2017, ABC welcomed Eric Dudley, assisted by Mary Kay Elfman, to get his report on the Svalbard archipelago.

Eric Dudley took a cruise through the Svalbard archipelago last summer, way above the Arctic Circle, to see some of the rarest sights on the planet.

Birds included Jaegers, Red Phalaropes, Ivory and Glaucous Gulls as well as Kittiwakes, Arctic Terns, Common Eiders, and thrilling colonies of Thick-billed Murres.

Eric’s presentation included short movies of the ship moving through the Murres’ cliffs as well as Kittiwakes and terns hunting among the ice floes alongside the ship.

Mammals were thrilling as well, with this being one of the last best places to see Polar Bears, although no history of human/bear trauma, as well as Walruses, Arctic Foxes, and Reindeer. With plant life being rather sparse, the assortment of fauna was amazing.

The scenery itself with glacier after glacier surrounded by icebergs was stunning. Eric also provided a history of human settlement of these most northernmost towns on earth.

Many ABC’ers asked questions that seemed to have to do with making plans to go there! Only Melissa and Dennis Sherwood had been there previously, and they also recommended it as a trip to remember.

Great photos, Eric!!

ABC held its annual celebration party on January 24, 2017, celebrating our uber-birders for 2016. Plus we had a neverending spread of goodies and much good cheer! Thanks to those who brought goodies!

Those who told about their Big Years included guest star Blair Bernson from Edmonds (#2 in the state), our own Brian Pendleton who was NUMBER ONE in the state, Ed Pullen who was the only one of us to show up on the NATIONAL LIST (as well as high on the Pierce and Kitsap lists), Bruce LaBar (NUMBER ONE in PIERCE, #4 in the STATE), Mike Charest who blew the competition out of the water in 2014 for Pierce and helped start this ABC tradition before anyone knew who he was (but we sure know now!), Heather Voboril who once she realized her year was going to be big went REALLY BIG in Pierce (#2) and Kitsap (#4), Ken Brown who continued on his quest to own Kitsap County (#3) and break 200 in that county (203!), and John Riegsecker, the Mason County specialist who wants to do away with the concept that Mason County is a birding desert.

After catching our breath from those reports on ambitious birding, we started to roll through everyone’s 5 best photos from 2016, but there were so many we ran out of time. Yes, we have THAT many great birders and great photographers!

Eric Dudley volunteered a little time from his presentation next Month (Feb 21, same time & place) to finish showing the 5 best photos that we didn’t get to, knowing what a hit they are with the group. Eric’s presentation will be on his trip to the Svalbard Archipelago. Dress warmly!! Read more: http://abcbirding.com/svalbard-archipelago-feb-21-2016/

Saturday Jan 14th Ken Brown and 15 other ABCers headed east for what has become an annual MLK weekend trip we call our freezathon.” As we have in recent years we met at 7:30 AM at the Snoqualmie Pass ski area comfort station in carpools, this year 4 cars of 4 each. Heather Vorobil was the only first timer on the trip and she rode with Ken, Ryan Wiese and myself, so caravanning was easy, and we set off for the first potty stop at the Confluence State Park in Wenachee. There we saw Redheads as well as a few other waterfowl and quickly headed for the Waterville Plateau. We went up a different way this trip, ascending through McNeil Canyon but on the way saw 9 Trumpeter Swans (unusual for this season and area) in the Columbia River just south of mile marker 229, and got a flock of about 30 Bohemian Waxwings in a tree beside the road along with a few Cedar Waxwings.

We didn’t see much on the ascent through McNeil Canyon, but the day on the Waterville Plateau was wonderful. The visibility was excellent, avoiding the fog that can often make it difficult, and we saw huge numbers of Horned Larks, one flock we conservatively estimated at 2-3000, another of >1000 and many flocks we estimated to be 100-500 bitds. Interesting it seemed most of the HOLA were a pale subspecies, with very little or no yellow, and a minority were the more bright yellow birds we tend to see locally. Our theory is that this may be a big year for northern migrants in this area. We also for the first time on this annual trip found Lapland Longspurs on several occasions

We had a pair of Short-eared owls, initially one perched, then the pair flying over a field. We also spotted a falcon we all hoped would be a Gyrfalcon, but turned out to be a very puffed up Prairie Falcon on a cliff edge for great scope views for all.

We descended from the plateau down Bridgeport Hill Rd., and Ryan managed to get us on a few Sharp-tailed Grouse as they flew from some distant trees into a cattail marsh area near the usual water birch stand. Next we got to Bridgeport State Park about 3 PM, earlier than

usual and all got very close looks at the now seemingly annual Northern Saw Whet owl there.

We added a wintering California Gull at the toilets before the park and headed for the Omak Inn. We cleaned up, bemoaned the Seahawks loss, and had dinner at the Breadline as usual.

Sunday we spent the day in the Okanogan Highlands. On the way up we stopped a Fancher Loop to look for the usual Golden Eagle (successfully) and Chukar (not in the morning). The rest of the day was spent driving the roads, stopping for anything we could see, and being amazed at the almost entire absence of any finches of any type. No Gray-crowned Rosy Finches, no crossbills of either species, no Redpolls, no Siskins, no Pine Grosbeaks, just nothing. We did get nice looks at Ruffed Grouse, Golden Eagles, modest numbers of buteos, both Rough-legged and Red-tailed Hawks, a single Gray Jay and two Clark’s Nutcrackers. We had planned to stay for owling, but by 3 PM were just worn down by unrewarded eye-strain and headed down early to try for White-headed woodpecker, seen by the WOS group near 777 Okanogan Highlands Road, where we just could not find a place to get off the road to park 4 cars, and so we went for a last chance try for Chukar. This time the women in the back car spotted them near the usual place by the farm on the lower loop area and we all got nice scope looks as dark approached. Tonight dinner at Rancho Chico where I was thrilled at a whole new menu with a nice vegetarian section, and we all enjoyed the food.
Monday we started by going up the north end of Cameron Lake Rd looking for the White-headed woodpecker and Pygmy Nuthatches we often find in the pines near the American Flag over the road. Today it was early, cold and nearly birdless there. We saw or heard Ravens, Stellar’s Jays and little else. No action at the cattle operation and no sparrows to look over for possible American Tree Sparrows, so we headed back to the Waterville Plateau to try for Gyrfalcon and tree sparrows. No luck on the Gyr, but we did strike American Tree Sparrow nirvana. We initially found them at the copse of trees on Heritage Rd where we also looked for Long-eared owl but without success on the owl. The sparrows responded to a song recording right from the road to pop up for great views.

The rest of the day we looked for Snowy Owl or Gyrfalcon without success, but found a flock of about 40 American Tree Sparrows, found another 1500 or so Horned Larks, found 2-3 Snow Buntings and at least 3 Lapland Longspurs mixed in these flocks.

We called it a day about 2 PM in Waterville, where we all headed for home. A very cold weekend of good time with friends, mixed success at finding our winter specialties, but as always excited to be out birding again. I put a few more photos on my birding blog site and expect much better photos from Pat and Heather when they get them ready. Pat and Heather, please add links to your photos in comments below.

Total Species: 64
Okanogan County Species: 38
Douglas County Species: 41

Kay and I joined Bruce Labar, two other central california birders, and two guides on a 15 day birding trip to Kenya in November. James Bradley, our primary guide is almost ready with a detailed trip report on his website Birding in Kenya Safaris and I’ll let you know when this is ready, but I did a report more focused on the experience (it was fabulous) than just the birds since James’ report will be much better than any I can do re the birding. Here is the post to my report. I think I’ll be able to get James to give a talk on Kenya birding to our group next year. Kenya 2016 Trip Report.

Feb 21, 2016 – Virtual ecotour of the Svalbard Archipelago, 6:45 PM, University Place Library.

GOLDEN EAGLES OF WASHINGTON – POPULATION STATUS, ECOLOGY, & THREATS

Jim Watson, raptor researcher for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, educated ABCers on November 29, 2016, about one of our most iconic avian raptors, the Golden Eagle.

First Jim covered the lore of this worldwide species, covering the gamut from love to hate, victim to villain. Myths about Goldens carrying off humans and large livestock much heavier than the their carrying capacity were dispelled, as well as other beliefs. Although they can kill large prey, they can’t carry it off. That story of the eagle taking all day to kill one weakened pronghorn was especially interesting.

Distribution across our state was interesting, since most of us only see this bird in eastern Washington. The Olympics and San Juans have continuing small populations, though seldom seen.

Using much of his own original research, Jim covered the alarming decreases in populations, especially in adult raptors in a species that takes at least 5 years to reach reproductive age. Official population statistics treat immatures and adults the same, so can be misleading about the condition of the species since they treat “normal” losses of young birds as equivalent to the dire losses of successful adults. With populations at historic lows in Washington, Jim had numbers for us on threats: Unspecified trauma (23%), lead poisoning (18%), electrocution (10%, perhaps lessening), wind turbines (8%, definitely increasing), etc. Shooting deaths still happen, but are slowly decreasing (3%). Jim gave actual mechanisms of lead poisoning on the isotope level for both direct ingestion and ingestion of poisoned prey. Wildfire has not been proven to significantly impact the birds, perhaps actually improves their ability to find prey sometimes, although this manifestation of a warming world needs to be watched.

The wind turbine story is disheartening, as wind farms tend to be erected along the same air current corridors that raptors use for lift, migration, etc. Many wind farms were licensed before there was any research available. Most licenses are for 30 years, so in Washington a lot more birds will die. There is much evidence of wind farm people downplaying raptor deaths, as well as passerine and bat mortality. Jim has been involved in much of the original research including 3 papers which studied 17 Golden Eagles in Washington from 2004 to 2013 near wind turbines. Regulations about placement of turbines near known nests fail to take into account the slopes and ridges that eagles need to fly, which we were able to enjoy in 3-D animations that Jim’s team had made. This topic really caught the attention of the ABCers, and there was some discussion of European model turbines which are much more benign and that the current industry in the U.S. may be too entrenched in its own more destructive models.

It was interesting to find that a few of these immature birds do travel, some south, some north, but usually do return to their birthplaces to settle down and raise their families. The adults in Washington are sedentary, however. Goldens have proved to be adaptable as to diet in this state where their favorite food, rabbit, has dwindled. Marmots are now 23% of their diet, deer fawns 13%, upland birds 12%, and coyote pups 8%.

Jim finished up with a fun “quiz” to help dispel the gloom and doom about these beautiful birds.

Jim also recommended the Smartphone app, Raptor ID, from Hawkwatch International. You can get it for iPhone or iPad from the iTunes marketplace and now for Android from Google Play. $9.99.

Thanks, Jim Watson, for sharing your knowledge with us and leaving us hungering for more. It’s reassuring to us to know that people like you are out there actually working on the problems we know exist.

GOLDEN EAGLES!! 

Tuesday, November 29, 2016, 6:45 PM, Pierce County Library Administration Bldg, 3005 112th Street East, Tacoma, WA 98446-2215, near Hwy 512 & Waller Rd.  All are welcome.  $10. Honorarium

ABC (Advanced Birding Club) and Tahoma Audubon welcomes James Watson, raptor expert with the Department of Fish & Wildlife. James Watson will tell us the latest on Golden Eagles in Washington.

Ironically, recent interest in North America’s other eagle, the Golden Eagle, stems from impacts on this species from green energy development. Yet throughout history the species has continued to survive human interaction from their prized value and use in Native American cultures, large scale aerial gunning and poisoning in the mid-20th century, and ongoing impacts from electrocution and lead poisoning.  Join us as we explore what current research reveals about natural history of Golden Eagles in Washington including population dynamics, aspects of breeding and wintering ecology, and major threats potentially limiting the future population. Bring your questions, whether related to field identification or weight-lifting capacity of an eagle, and we’ll attempt to “de-myth” their secretive lifestyle.

Jim Watson is a Wildlife Research Scientist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the lead researcher for statewide raptor studies.  He has spent the past 40+ years studying raptors in the western United States and abroad.  Jim’s research focus includes raptor population dynamics, migration ecology, and management of raptors in human landscapes. His recent work evaluates impacts of wind energy and lead contaminants on golden eagles and ferruginous hawks. Come join us for this special presentation.

BORNEO BIRDBANDING WITH JERRY & CLARICE, 10/24/16

Jerry Broadus and Clarice Clark went birdbanding in Borneo and joined long-time friend and Morse Preserve bander, Suzanne Tomassi, who is running a 10-year study and banding project in the Danum Valley in northern Borneo, an unforgettable and remote area with perhaps the oldest rainforest in the world with many species still unrecorded by Science. They were there through SEARRP (South East Asia Rainforest Research Partnership http://www.searrp.org/) and Suzanne’s group, the Borneo Rainforest Project.

Suzanne has a fundraising website for the Borneo Rainforest Project wtih an entertaining video that you should watch — both to understand what they need and for the sheer enjoyment of vicariously visiting the place, as we did with Jerry and Clarice. If you send in any amount to them through INDIEGOGO, they will give you a token gift that you couldn’t get anywhere else: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/borneo-rainforest-project#/backers

Jerry and Clarice vividly protrayed the highs (the birds) and the lows (leeches and bad trails with disappearing bridges and slimy mud) and the interesting facilities and accommodations. It’s not the Ritz (though the only other place you can stay in the vicinity is — the very expensive Borneo Rainforest Lodge). They also talked about the available bird books with their competing sets of Latin names for the birds. With all the photos they took, Jerry and Clarice practically made a new field guide, judging by the many great slides they showed us.

Concerning bird stories they told us concerned Hornbills (the Chinese have now turned to Hornbills’ bills since Rhino horns have become so hard to obtain) and Swifts with edible nests, now “farmed” and sold in grocery stores.

They recommended if you hire guides to be sure to get the Sticky Rice Guide Service for real birders. Other “guides” available are only there to keep you from getting lost, but not to help in any other way.

 
Banders are forging new territory, as there nothing like the Pyle guides to help them catalog what they’re banding. They take blank bird drawings and fill them in as they go along, basically making the banding guide as they go.

Other great birds they interacted with included Kingfishers and Trogons and many many more!  It was interesting to hear that Kingfishers just lie still for banding as long as they’re on their backs.

It’s not just birds in Borneo! Insects, reptiles, and mammals were everywhere! The logo of SEARRP is one of those unforgettable tiny Tarsiers (pause for people to say “aaaahhh!”). And Orangutans are the critters most people think of when they think of Borneo, and they deserve some thought and protection.

Botanists go crazy there, too! Of course there were plenty of Clarice’s favorites, native Rhododendrons (check out her bumpersticker), including Vireyas, among others. Some of these rhodies are actually epiphytes, and many of them dangle from trees above the trail. Of interest was that many trees have smooth bark (koompassias, for example), which protect the trees and nesters from climbing vines. Eyecatching Durian fruit are loved by Orangutans and people, but are outlawed in hotel rooms due to a lingering odor.

Clarice always likes to end her presentations with a diabolical quiz, but this time it was like no other. She wasn’t trying to catch us or teach us, but rather she was hoping WE could help HER identify a bird! She and Jerry have a difference of opinion what it could be, and the references available differ widely in possible plumages. I’m afraid we didn’t give them a definitive answer. Hey, it COULD be a bird not previously described to Science, even though it did appear just outside the dining hall…

Kitsap Author Leigh Calvez will discuss her new book, The Hidden Lives of Owls, tomorrow night (Sept 27) at The Tacoma Library, sponsored by King’s Books in Tacoma at 7 PM.  For more info:  http://www.kingsbookstore.com/event/owls.

Several of us had already heard her talk about The Hidden Lives of Owls  and sign it when she appeared at Eagle Harbor Books on Bainbridge, her home base, on 9/15/16, as well as having heard her speak about it pre-publication at the WOS conference this year.  That event in Bainbridge was an overflow crowd that included many of her friends including Washington owl expert Jamie Acker.

Leigh Calvez’s (pronounced Cal-VAY) previous history is as a naturalist studying marine mammals.  This seeming stretch to owls came about slowly until one day she realized she was obsessed with owls and needed to follow that obsession.  As a naturalist, she knew it would take expert guidance, and she also knew how to find those experts and cajole them into bringing her along.  The resultant book is therefore a combination of the most up-to-date knowledge on several critical species as well as a personal odyssey.  She didn’t just interview the experts — She went with them.  She experienced the same cold, wet, dark, afraid-to-breathe, long and sometimes boring stakeouts and now knows how hard it is to study owls first-hand.

Spotted, Great Grays, and Flammulated Owls are among the hardest to find and are covered in the book with a sense of adventure, as well as many others.

Line drawings by noted local bird artist Tony Angell are added for each species, in a more whimsical style than he usually employs, somewhat reminiscent of his own recent owl book, The House of Owls (thanks for loaning this to me, Vera!).

This is an easy-to-read book that will leave you educated effortlessly as you hurry to turn the page.

By the way, Eagle Harbor Books on Bainbridge will be hosting Paul Bannick on October 30th 4-5 PM when his new book, OWL, comes out.  His photographic study will be a good companion book to Leigh Calvez’s book.

JOHN KLICKA AT ABC! 9/22/16

ABC welcomed Burke Museum curator of birds and intense researcher, John Klicka, on September 22nd. The new director of Tahoma Audubon, Emily Kalnicky, was also introduced to the group by TAS president (and noted birder/bander) Jerry Broadus. We are happy she made her debut public appearance to the birders!

Professor Klicka is a dedicated researcher with very specific points of view on recent taxonomy work on birds due to his personal hands-on  research.  After Kay Pullen asked him to tell us about the changes going on at the Burke (all new facilities in new building!), he was eager to show us what he has been up to, studying genomes of House Wrens and other birds and discovering temporal, geographical, and geological connections, some of which was very surprising!

Before getting down to the specifics of the House Wren, Prof Klicka touched on how modern technology has discovered major diet changes (smaller prey) in the Marbled Murrelet that may be as important, or more so, than habitat loss. This was possible through the specimens collected over a hundred years ago looked at with new technology. Thus, specimens collected now by the museum may seem more important at some unforeseen time in the future, making growing and preserving museum collections their #1 purpose. #2 and #3 are the obvious purposes of education and research.

A discussion of genetic mutations followed with numerous examples, the most “colorful” of which was Trogon species color differences. Doing the molecular analysis shows that it is the head/breast hue and not the belly color that distinguishes different clades (descendants of the same ancestor). The other fascinating finding is that there is a molecular clock, which shows within 2% in millions of years when two descendants diverged.

That molecular clock leads directly to the profound theory of the Great American Interchange — the period of time when species from the north pioneered south and vice versa. It turns out that there is much correlation here with the point 3-1/2 million years ago when the Panama isthmus filled in. Even though birds can fly, they apparently still want to see the land below them when they move their households.

Troglodytes aedon might really be a bunch of different species spread throughout the Americas including some strange strains endemic to small islands off the north coast of South America. They are of temperate origin, but once pioneers cleared that isthmus, they radiated enthusiastically and now live in every corner of South America. Of the 75 Troglodytes species, 45 now inhabit the southern continent.

An even more extreme case is the true Tanagers, of which all 413 species crossed that Panamanian landbridge from the north and never looked back. One of the ah-hah moments was realizing that once they’ve tasted the tropics, they never want to leave. The reverse is rare.

Thanks, Professor Klicka for a peek into molecular taxonomy! We are discussing visiting your museum in 2017 and look forward to seeing you again.