tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65743252335688020342011-12-01T16:47:14.777-08:00Explorations, sightings, and musings on all things birds-- as seen through the eyes of the North Central Washington Audubon Society.Torrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707839956129989286noreply@blogger.comBlogger401100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-9539372461757585832011-11-30T09:15:00.001-08:002011-11-30T09:16:47.008-08:00

Please note the change of date for the Leavenworth Christmas Bird Count. Leavenworth Christmas Bird Count: Sunday, December 18. Contact Karen Haire karenhaire@nwi.net or Gretchen Rohde, gretchenrohde@me.com. CBC counters will get together at Barn Beach Reserve to warm up and share bird stories and enjoy a potluck dinner at 4:30 p.m. Barn Beach will be open at 3:30 to plug in slow cookers, etc.

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-68930229345622061112011-11-29T10:20:00.001-08:002011-11-29T10:27:43.834-08:00

In our four-county region of North Central Washington there are at least seven Christmas Bird Counts for birders of all skill levels to enjoy. This is an entirely volunteer-driven citizen science effort. Your rewards for getting up early include seeing and learning about the wintering birds of our area, camaraderie with other birders over coffee and throughout the potentially, cold day, and

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-77808512913014052502011-09-06T13:24:00.000-07:002011-09-06T13:24:05.792-07:00

One of my favorite ways to bird is from my kayak. Patterson Lake in Okanogan County is an excellent choice for birding by boat. It has a posted speed limit for motorized craft and that limit is generally followed. Many people powered boats can be seen there as well, including other kayaks, canoes, sculls and row boats. If you don't have a boat, you may be able to rent one from Sun Mountain's

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-24192273012216989842011-06-24T14:36:00.000-07:002011-06-24T14:36:22.347-07:00

Only two of us turned out for the bird walk on Monday of this week. It was probably the nicest morning of the year, weather-wise. Perfect for a walk. We decided to go to the MVSTA Suspension Bridge parking area on the Community Trail and walk down valley towards the cottonwood forest in hopes of seeing some Redstarts and other specialties of that habitat. Neither one of us is good with calls of

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-1869674471481706122011-06-14T13:33:00.000-07:002011-06-14T13:33:19.279-07:00

Sunday, June 26th starting at 9:00 a.m. Looking for citizen scientists! Join biologist Phil Archibald as he leads a group for the Annual Butterfly Count from Swakane Canyon to Chumstick Mountain. Similar to the Great Backyard Bird Count, this day focuses on citizen scientists helping conservation and greater understanding of butterfly health, habitat, and migration patterns. Plus, it’s fun!  

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-317303404558824862011-04-28T10:12:00.000-07:002011-04-28T10:12:28.184-07:00

Why we bird: Reminders from a Spring Bird Walk, by Mark Oswood, NCW Audubon Society President   A few weeks ago, we had one of our traditional bird walks at Confluence Park and Horan Natural Area, in Wenatchee. We’ve had these bird walks, with a shared meal fore or aft, in spring and fall, for some years. You can never take the same bird walk twice, of course; every trip is a once-only. We

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-39699848668917338272011-04-21T04:41:00.000-07:002011-04-21T04:41:04.492-07:00

Yesterday's Methow Valley Bird Walk went to Pearrygin Lake State Park. Seven of us quite lucked on the weather with a sunny calm morning. The water was perfectly smooth as we walked from the main campground south to the group camp area along an old road that gives views into the brush and trees below it and the lake beyond. Highlights included a calling Virginia Rail and some people saw an Osprey

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-58301293541583780452011-04-18T15:50:00.000-07:002011-04-18T15:52:31.582-07:00

You are cordially invited to attend Highland Wonders on the first Friday of May. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about local loons. Here is the basic information: What: Okanogan Highlands Alliance presents a Highland Wonders educational event: "Washington's Not-So-Common Loon." Come and learn about WA loons, as Daniel and Ginger Poleschook share from their observations, research and

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-45660723895614181612011-04-10T20:43:00.000-07:002011-04-10T20:45:09.356-07:00

This sighting/query was sent in by Virginia Palumbo.  Any thoughts?  Please post any comments/help below this post.  Thanks! ----------------------------------------- Has anyone seen a Pine Grosbeak in downtown Chelan or nearby? I'm nearly certain that is what I had at my feeder yesterday, but have a few questions about it, having never seen one before. It was feeding in with the Goldfinches,

Torrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707839956129989286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-80963151745522744472011-04-07T08:25:00.000-07:002011-04-07T08:25:11.750-07:00

Please join fellow Auduboners, families, and friends in celebration of the arrival of spring!  Enjoy a morning of birding in the Horan Natural Area, followed by lunch and convivial conversation at Walla Walla Point Park, Wenatchee. When:  Saturday April 9, 2011.   9 AM - 1:30 PM (or so) Where:  Meet at picnic shelter #2 in Walla Walla Point Park (Wenatchee) at 9 AM.  We will take a leisurely, 2-

Torrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707839956129989286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-10518365999640048442011-03-24T06:28:00.000-07:002011-03-24T06:28:19.667-07:00

One sure sign of spring is the passage of sandhill cranes through Washington state, on their way to breeding grounds to the north.  Right now, many of these magnificent birds have congregated in the fields around Othello, WA.   To see them up close, come to the 14th annual Othello Sandhill Crane Festival, March 25-27, 2011!   It's a fun weekend full of talks, tours of the Columbia National

Torrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707839956129989286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-15963552198505577642011-03-03T13:11:00.000-08:002011-03-03T13:11:51.014-08:00

This flicker has been visiting our feeders recently. For how long, I don't know - I just noticed him a couple days ago. I have looked for images of flickers similar to this one but have not seen one quite like this. Maybe they are all different? It is orange shafted, like the flickers of the west usually are. However that marking on the back of his head is not like the the other hybrids I've seen

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-56493236053829663972011-02-22T11:00:00.001-08:002011-02-22T11:02:05.599-08:00

Sage-Grouse field trip March 5thLeave the Easy Street Park and Ride at 5:00 AM in WenatcheeIt may be possible to meet the group somewhere along the wayYes, 5:00 AM.Visit a lek.Return to Wenatchee by noon.Led by Dr. Dan Stephens, Biology Professor, Wenatchee Valley CollegeContact Dan for more info at (509) 682-6752 or dstephens@wvc.edu

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-83648834308601193802011-02-18T11:13:00.000-08:002011-02-18T11:13:10.866-08:00

This weekend, Feb. 18-21, is the 14th annual Great Backyard Bird Count.  This is an event where Citizen Scientists all across the US and Canada count birds and upload their observations to a central website.  You can participate for as short as 15 minutes or for all 4 days; it's free, it's fun, and it helps scientists and the birds.  You can watch the counts grow in real time as the weekend

Torrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707839956129989286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-50063977248865840122011-02-03T07:19:00.000-08:002011-02-03T07:21:24.086-08:00

Come to the North Cascades Basecamp in Mazama for another in their winter soup-and-lecture series.  Kent Woodruff, USFS Wildlife Biologist, will give a presentation Feb.3, titled "Lessons of a Little Accipiter".  He will tell you about the long-term studies of raptor migration at Chelan Ridge, conducted with HawkWatch International, and will share some surprising things he's learned about the

Torrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707839956129989286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-23759342857638881782011-01-24T19:49:00.000-08:002011-01-24T19:49:33.503-08:00

The Clarks Nutcracker was first observed by William Clark (Lewis and Clark) and bears his name. I suppose it could be called Williams Nutcracker.....Generally it eats pine seeds which it carries in a pouch unders its tongue and then caches for a rainy, or snowy, or sunny day.This week a nutcracker decided our suet feeders looked pretty good. I wonder if it has finished its caches of seeds? Or 

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-46126728424953441942011-01-22T10:01:00.000-08:002011-01-22T10:01:39.490-08:00

Some folks think this is a Clarks Grebe, others think it is a Western Grebe. It is regularly observed just above the Chief Joseph Dam on the Columbia River by the 'burn pile'.

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-19859190816778134142010-11-29T10:37:00.000-08:002010-11-29T10:37:14.854-08:00

 December 14, Bridgeport, Meredith Spencermerdave@homenetnw.net, (509) 686-7551The Bridgeport CBC will meet in Brewster, at Lindsey’s, on the corner of 5th and Main at 7:00 a.m. It is across the street from the Health Beat Fitness Center.  December 15, Leavenworth, Karen Hairekarenhaire@nwi.net, (509) 433-6402.Birding parties will be determined before the count day. The group will convene at the

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-12630668430269827312010-11-15T17:30:00.000-08:002010-11-15T17:31:52.926-08:00

Are you seeing any interesting birds at your feeders these days? Over on Harrier Hill they have a male Evening Grosbeak along with their House Finches and Goldfinches. In Pine Forest a while back, I heard they had all three nuthatches and a White-headed Woodpecker and Clarks Nutcrackers coming to their feeders. Here on our little hill, I've seen Northern Shrikes a few times since the weather got

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-41110857331613147152010-10-25T09:00:00.000-07:002010-10-25T09:00:16.951-07:00

Note: This article originally appeared in the October 2010 issue of North Central Washington Audubon Society's newsletter, The Wild Phlox. Birders are generally conservation minded people. They truly care about the animals they are interested in seeing and hearing. However, in their quest to observe as many species as possible some birders are using tools that can be harmful to the birds they

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-10161714537312945552010-10-08T10:43:00.000-07:002010-10-08T10:43:55.233-07:00

Bridget Egan, organizing committee chair had this to say: After an early start of sign ups, field trip carpools and last minute shuttle shuffling, the wonderful Torre Stockard handed me a cup of coffee. It was then that I sighed, stopped, and finally really looked around. Three kids were hammering away at bird boxes while Ken Bevis happily supervised; Kim Bondi was painting owls and hawks on

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-49615258554088146332010-08-18T15:10:00.000-07:002010-08-18T15:10:30.587-07:00

Just a short post to let you know that our next Audubon Methow Valley Bird Walk is September 8th. We will continue to meet at the MVSTA parking lot in Winthrop at 7:30 am. We are heading down valley to Cassimir or Bridgeport Bar on the Columbia in hopes of seeing American White Pelicans and other waterbirds. Bring your lunch and something to drink and of course your bird books and binos. This

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-69838890203921653992010-08-11T07:18:00.000-07:002010-08-11T07:18:53.590-07:00

Five of us met at the MVSTA parking lot in Winthrop Monday for the last of our scheduled summer bird walks. It was a lovely morning as we all piled into a Prius to make the drive to North Cascades Basecamp. The Basecamp is stop number 40 on the Cascade Loop of the Great Washington Birding Trail, produced by Audubon Washington and it is open to birders to walk its trails at no charge. We knew we

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-3031665503690796542010-08-09T15:53:00.000-07:002010-08-09T15:53:45.835-07:00

Join the Methow Valley Ranger District, North Central Washington Audubon Society, and HawkWatch International for a free family event to learn about and celebrate raptors as they journey to winter territories. Shop vendors, see live birds, and take a field trip to the spectacular Chelan Ridge Raptor Migration Site. This amazing, interactive raptor event will take place at Memorial Park in Pateros

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-4760236439381204812010-07-26T13:07:00.000-07:002010-07-26T13:42:40.898-07:00

Sitting in front of my computer on a near-100 degree day, it's hard to believe I just added another species to my life list. But I did, and maybe you did too, without even knowing it and hopefully doing something more life affirming than staring at your computer. Here's how it happens.The FIFTY-FIRST SUPPLEMENT TO THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNIONCHECK-LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS hits the

Don McIvorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03355987782741975789noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-39927044979849950622010-07-07T05:55:00.000-07:002010-07-07T05:57:13.842-07:00

Nine of us met at the MVSTA parking lot yesterday and car pooled up to Pearrygin State Park. At the parking lot I saw two Pygmy Nuthatches in the pines overlooking the ice rink and a Turkey Vulture roosting across the river. It was comfortably cool but by the time we were were walking at the park, the sun had warmed considerably. Summer is finally, really here. We went into the park at the south

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-38243535347964747432010-07-03T09:43:00.000-07:002010-07-03T09:43:00.233-07:00

This is something I think many of us have pondered:  what are the pros and cons of having bird feeders in our yards? The following post was sent in by one of our board members, Rachel Scown.   I must say I was fascinated to learn that she's observed more activity and diversity since removing the feeders-- I would not have expected that!  She and all of us would love to hear what experiences

Torrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707839956129989286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-57487240019070195492010-07-03T09:04:00.000-07:002010-07-03T09:04:57.779-07:00

Thanks to Sarah Knudsen for sending in the following observation.  My guess would be female Belted Kingfisher.  Can anyone else help?  Thanks! Downtown Winthrop - Sitting on the deck at the Duck for dinner yesterday, we saw a large woodpecker-shaped bird, flying back and forth from the canal area to the river, I assume.  It had a white-banded neck, red breast and dark-colored back and wings.

Torrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707839956129989286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-73890938920619541252010-06-24T07:20:00.000-07:002010-06-24T07:50:21.349-07:00

Yesterday, 8 of us met at the MVSTA parking lot for one of NCW Audubon's summer bird walks. Weather was at long last, perfect - warm and calm and dry. It seems that summer has finally arrived. We car pooled to the Big Valley section of the Methow Wildlife Area in hopes of observing Veerys, Lazuli Buntings, various vireos and American Redstarts, among others. None of us were 'experts' and we are

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-89130335428968331712010-06-24T06:16:00.000-07:002010-06-24T06:16:07.818-07:00

This nest was located along a private road going to a friend's house. She had noticed the adults flying in and out and was able to observe the eggs and then the young. Apparently it is normal for these birds to nest on the ground with grass covering the site. Normally there would be a better grass cover than this one had. A few days after I saw it she said the young were gone. With a little

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-6899601236714133422010-06-15T16:45:00.000-07:002010-06-15T16:46:11.356-07:00

Four of us met at the MVSTA parking lot at 7:30 and drove over to the Winthrop National Fish Hatchery for a morning bird walk. Weather was windy and cool. Will we ever get reliable weather? The hatchery has lots of mature deciduous trees, a flowing body of water referred to as either Spring Creek or the Foghorn Ditch, depending on who you ask. In addition to birds a person can see young fish

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-3871247921037155812010-06-07T20:51:00.000-07:002010-06-07T20:53:56.690-07:00

I went with my friend Juliet to the Oden burn on the Okanogan side of the Loup today. We were hoping to find some morels and maybe see some interesting birds. We did both and saw some cool plants and many fruiting lichens. Also observed some strange logging going on turning tiny streams and seeps into muddy holes and trenches. It was hard to tell what was the purpose of all the heavy equipment

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-75304402656999915182010-06-03T06:37:00.000-07:002010-06-03T06:40:10.170-07:00

One of our members, Patti (near Castle Rock, Wenatchee), just sent us this question: "How long do the Evening Grosbeaks stay here?   They are eating me out of house and home.   So far they have eaten well over 15 lbs of sunflower hearts in less than 6 days."  She reports having as many as 25 in her yard at once! We thought this would be a great question to pose to all our viewers, to compare

Torrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707839956129989286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-81181198987537344272010-05-20T15:09:00.000-07:002010-05-20T15:09:44.538-07:00

A group of birding acquaintances got together this week for a birding walk in a lovely riparian area along a stream with beaver ponds and a multi faceted canopy of aspens and cottonwood, willows and dogwoods, pines and douglas fir trees. One side of the stream had a long open hillside. One couple who brought the group together played their iPod based bird calls for all of us to learn the various

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-40494717408381952062010-05-09T08:34:00.000-07:002010-05-09T08:34:06.147-07:00

...or is that jetsam? Well, it's been fun to learn about the various "xenos" that have popped up in our valley this week with the unsettled weather.  Monday we had sun-rainbow-snow (half an inch)-cloud-sun-wind....which repeated until Wednesday (minus the snow and rainbow).   On Monday night (May 3), just before dark, I heard funny sounds overhead, and looked up to see first one, then another ,

Torrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707839956129989286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-59079392057009571152010-05-06T12:34:00.000-07:002010-05-06T13:18:00.391-07:00

What a great time of year to be out with a pair of binoculars! What ever drove me to come inside to this stupid computer...well, more on that in a moment.Migration is in full swing and the activity level out there is frenetic. It seems that every bird is either trying to gather more food for the journey northward, or organize a nest and corner a mate for a short stay here. And it's a great time

Don McIvorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03355987782741975789noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-44071726694038440432010-05-06T10:26:00.000-07:002010-05-06T10:26:58.538-07:00

Looks like just one young hawk for the parents to feed. Last year three birds fledged from this nest. Today being the first truly nice day in quite a while, it's easy to see the fuzzy white baby stretching his wings and taking in the sun. If there's someone out there skilled in digiscoping that wants to take a try at getting some good pictures, let me know.

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-30754670415898056932010-04-19T15:42:00.000-07:002010-04-19T15:42:58.173-07:00

From our living room, we can see a Red-tailed Hawk nest across the river. The scope is usually pointing towards it. This morning I saw the first hatchling of the season! There may be more but only one fuzzy white head was showing.

Reflected Light Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16233254439711135080noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-22214320240758410292010-04-11T08:17:00.000-07:002010-04-11T08:45:01.977-07:00

Despite weather that is at times, windy, sunny, warm, cold, and snowing, all within an hour or so, birds are returning to North Central Washington. Tuesday I had to be in Wenatchee for a day long Vet appointment and so I took my kayak and I saw a pair of Osprey at the mouth of the Wenatchee River. It was a nice reward for the trip. At our house in the Methow on Friday, a Rufous Hummingbird

Torrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707839956129989286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574325233568802034.post-14156972381891568102010-03-31T16:08:00.000-07:002010-04-07T20:52:26.230-07:00

And so we embark on a new endeavor: the creation of a blog for the North Central Washington Audubon Society!    As you know, our chapter encompasses a HUGE geographical area within our fine state:  Okanogan, Ferry, Douglas, and Chelan Counties, with a diverse array of habitats and plethora of associated birds.  In that sense, we are fortunate!  However, it can be a daunting task to bring together

Torrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707839956129989286noreply@blogger.com0