West Seattle wildlife: Birdwatchers’ double sightings

July 15, 2011 8:58 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

Two wonderful bird photos to share this Friday night, thanks to WSB’ers – top, from Liz, who writes:

It’s fledgling time and we’ve been seeing lots of bird families at the feeders, but it was a special treat to see our pileated woodpecker bring her chick to the yard (near Schmitz Park). It’s a good time to remind people that the baby birds they find are still being cared for by their parents and are best left alone.

She included this link for more on that. Meantime, wildlife photographer/watcher Trileigh Tucker, who has shared so many rare sights, sent this scene:

Trileigh explains:

… I took some out-of-town friends on a walk to show them our amazing Lincoln Park, and was delighted to hear the Barred Owls’ typical “who-COOKS-for-you?” call. Then when we tiptoed into a sequoia grove, we found our two resident Lincoln Park lovers “sittin’ in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g” … I guess when there are no babies to worry about, they can get back to romance!

kate July 15, 2011 (9:17 pm)

LOVE that post! We’ve had baby Robins, Flickers and Starlings (and young squirrels, of course) at the feeders for the last few weeks. They young one are always so awkward and curious- cracks us up!

Sonoma July 15, 2011 (10:38 pm)

Fantastic photos. In the upper pic, which one is the mom, and which is the baby? The bird on the right has the fuzzy head of a chick, but he (or she) is larger than the one on the left.

35this35mph July 15, 2011 (10:41 pm)

Outstanding! Thanks!

strange_owl July 15, 2011 (10:56 pm)

The woodpecker on the left is the mom. Chicks are often bigger than their parents, extra fat reserves for when they’re on their own.

G July 15, 2011 (11:17 pm)

Nice pix, mixed feelings about the Barred Owls, the migrants from the East who’s populations have exploded have been competing with the native Spotted Owls.

But that’s nature, I guess.