West Seattle, Washington
20 Saturday
(Photos and video courtesy PAWS)
Three weeks after her rescue at Don Armeni Boat Ramp, the ailing Bald Eagle nicknamed “Bey” has recovered and been released at another West Seattle park. First word of the successful release came from local wildlife advocate Kersti Muul, and today we have video, photos, and information from PAWS Wildlife Center, the regional nonprofit that helped “Bey” get well so she could return to the wild. Here’s what happened when her carrier was first opened Tuesday at Hamilton Viewpoint Park:
And here she is, flying free:
PAWS wildlife naturalist Jeff Brown reports:
We released her at a safe place where she had plenty of room to take off. She immediately left the carrier when the door was opened but spent a few minutes gaining her bearings before flying off. She has been spotted in West Seattle multiple times since release. She was banded with a visual Identification band that is easier to read with binoculars.
We rely on observation from the public to keep track of banded birds. If anyone spots a banded eagle, or any banded raptor in the area, please report the sighting to reportband.gov. Please note the alpha-numeric code, the color of the band, the color of the numbers, which leg is banded, and the location (GPS or address). This data is very important to us, and we appreciate you all putting the extra time to report sightings to the bird-banding lab!
If you missed the previous coverage – the eagle was spotted at Don Armeni, lingering on the ground, listless, and local wildlife advocates organized a rescue on February 25th, with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife agents and even Seattle Police part of the operation to capture her and transport her safely to PAWS’ rehab center in Snohomish County (which is donation-supported). Veterinarians there diagnosed her with, and treated her for, anemia from internal bleeding.
(February 25th photo by Kersti Muul)
Good news if you’ve been following the story of the ailing Bald Eagle rescued last month from Don Armeni Boat Ramp, where it had been hanging around on the ground, clearly ill or distressed: The PAWS Wildlife Center veterinarians who have been treating her for internal bleeding say she’s continuing to improve. PAWS spokesperson Laura Follis tells WSB that might mean they can release her soon:
The eagle was evaluated on Monday, March 8, and her blood values are continuing to improve. She was moved to our flight pen and is flying well. She is due for another veterinary check tomorrow with the hope that her blood values will be back to normal. If they are, we will be releasing her back to the wild that day.
She’s believed to be half of a resident pair nicknamed “Bey and Jay,” after the married musicians.
To brighten your drippy Sunday, here are more West Seattle birds, thanks to your neighbors who have been sending in photos! Above, the always festive Northern Flicker, photographed by Michelle Green Arnson. Below, a Dark-eyed Junco, photographed by Mike Russell:
From Mark MacDonald, a Chestnut-backed Chickadee at Lincoln Park:
You can’t miss this orange-and-black bird if it shows up in your yard – a Varied Thrush that Max Welliver reports he was “surprised to see”:
Two leucistic birds showed up at local feeders – Samantha Burton photographed this Goldfinch:
This Hummingbird contribution is by someone who asked to be anonymous:
In the Duwamish Head Greenspace, J. Way encountered two Barred Owls, and caught this one on camera:
Finally, four awesome views of local Bald Eagles. First, from Jim Borrow:
From Danny McMillin:
From Chris Frankovich:
And from Jamie Kinney, an Eagle with an in-flight snack:
(If those photos have you wondering about the ailing, rescued Bald Eagle, we hope to have another update this week!)
Thanks again to everyone sharing photos, from breaking news to cool sightings – westseattleblog@gmail.com, or text 206-293-6302 if it’s happening now!
Quick bird break – two pheasants! For all the bird photos we’ve published over the years, this is the first time we’ve featured a Ring-necked Pheasant; two people sent us photos – the one above is from Stewart L., who saw it at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (the other sighting was near Alki Point). Below, a pheasant we’ve seen a few times over the years – Josh Niederberger photographed this Golden Pheasant near Hillcrest/Genesee:
Thanks again to everyone who shares bird photos – we have some others in queue for a gallery next weekend!
Along with direct action to save endangered orcas, education is key. A West Seattle resident who specializes in that – as well as research – has just been honored with a statewide award. Jeff Hogan of Killer Whale Tales has received the Outreach Award from the Washington chapter of The Wildlife Society. From the organization’s announcement, prepared for an upcoming edition of its newsletter:
Since 2000, Jeff Hogan has dedicated himself to Killer Whale Tales. Jeff had an idea that would pull together his Orca research experience with theatrical storytelling, science, and childhood education. His decision to put everything on the line to start a nonprofit is indicative of just how committed he is to ensure that the next generation understands the way consumer behaviors impact the environment, and also that science is cool!
For the first 10 years of the program’s existence, Jeff ran the program, creating and updating the program materials, delivering the program, fundraising, analyzing data, accounting, marketing, and scheduling almost entirely by himself. More recently, as the program has evolved to include more-robust data reporting and communications, Jeff has been able to rely on board members to help with some of the back-end functions, but the program materials, delivery, relationship building with teachers / researchers / major funders / other similar organizations still falls mainly on Jeff’s shoulders.
He has brought engaging environmental education to 125,000 elementary school students throughout the West Coast and Canada, and over 60,000 students have completed and returned “Kids Making a Difference Now” conservation worksheets, meaning they have taken action at home to reduce their family’s environmental footprint and help the whales. Jeff has continuously been the driving force in this nonprofit and has sacrificed personally to keep it going.
Jeff has some kind of a magical presence that inspires everyone he meets to take interest in the Southern Resident killer whales, science, and/or the environment. It is truly a remarkable talent that very few others possess. Killer Whale Tales have now converted over to online learning due to the pandemic and as odd as it may sound, it has opened up a whole new set of opportunities. Jeff is now working with children and families across the globe – from India, to the UK, and up and down the eastern seaboard of the U.S., he has “pods” of young future scientists sprouting up all across the planet!
Jeff also is a researcher. He co-authored recently published research showing that vessel noise interrupts Southern Resident Killer Whales’ feeding, especially females. Vessel noise is a major focus for advocates trying to increase the chances of saving the endangered orcas from extinction.
P.S. Killer Whale Tales is a nonprofit; here’s how to support its work.
(February 25 photo by Kersti Muul)
Good news about the ailing Bald Eagle rescued at Don Armeni Boat Ramp one week ago today. We checked back with PAWS Wildlife Center, where she’s being cared for – here’s what PAWS wildlife veterinarians Dr. Nicki Rosenhagen and Dr. Bethany Groves report:
Her veterinary re-check found a significant improvement in her anemia. This means she is starting to regenerate red blood cells, crucial for continued improvement along with many other factors which determine if an animal can recover from injury or illness. She is strong and eating well and the plan is to allow her another week to recover before moving her to our larger flight pen to assess her flight and then allow time to recondition before her hopeful release.
She had been on the ground, listless, for some time on the lawn at the park before local wildlife advocates/experts and state/local officers teamed for the rescue. Those advocates included Kersti Muul, who reported here that this Eagle is a mated West Seattle resident known as “Bey.”
(Thursday photo by Kersti Muul)
Four days after a listless Bald Eagle was rescued from Don Armeni Boat Ramp, it’s in “stable” condition. That’s according to PAWS spokesperson Laura Follis, who had told us on Friday that vets had diagnosed “severe anemia” and internal bleeding. In our exchange today, Follis added, “Our wildlife veterinarians are re-checking the blood tomorrow and we will have a statement of progress Wednesday morning.” The eagle was taken to the PAWS Wildlife Center after local wildlife advocates teamed with state and local officers to safely capture it for transport to be cared for.
(Thursday photo by David Hutchinson)
We’ll follow up again on Wednesday.
Thanks again to all the WSB readers who have sent bird photos! We have another collection for you – starting with sea/shore sightings. First, the bird above is a Belted Kingfisher near Don Armeni Boat Ramp, photographed by Steven Director. Off Alki, Danny McMillin caught Brant passing a Kitsap Transit foot ferry:
Two from Matthew Olson – a Red-necked Grebe:
And a Common Merganser:
Robin Sinner photographed a Black Turnstone taking off, leaving its shadow behind:
Now to birds more often seen away from the shore. Here’s a Purple Finch, from Gentle McGaughey:
A Pacific Wren at Lincoln Park, from Mark MacDonald:
A leucistic Crow taking flight near Alki Beach, photographed by Michelle Laughlin:
Two Steller’s Jays, from WTR:
And we close with two Hummingbird photos – William Wright photographed one feeding on a winter-blooming Grevillea during the snow earlier this month:
And Kersti Muul shows us one building a nest:
If you’re doing outdoor work this time of year, be very mindful about not disturbing nests – hummingbirds’ nests are especially small. Here’s what we published two years ago with advice from Kersti.
(Thursday photo by David Hutchinson)
After a veterinarian examined the Bald Eagle that was listlessly hanging around Don Armeni Boat Ramp on Thursday, we now have word on what’s wrong with it. Via email, the PAWS wildlife-rehab facility‘s spokesperson Laura Follis tells WSB:
On intake, she was standing, alert, and defensive, but bloodwork noted a severe anemia with bleeding from her gastrointestinal tract. She received a blood transfusion and is being cared for by PAWS wildlife veterinary and rehabilitation team. Her prognosis is very guarded at this time and we are hopeful for her recovery.
(Thursday photo by Kersti Muul)
The safe capture of the ailing bird involved local wildlife advocates as well as officers from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and Seattle Police. Bald Eagles are often seen in the area, but won’t often just linger on the ground the way this one did unless there’s something wrong.
Last Saturday, we published a reader report from Barrett, wondering about a furred animal part that turned up in his Admiral yard. Others offered theories, and he pursued with wildlife experts. Here’s what he heard back:
The Woodland Park Zoo confirmed that it is in fact partial remains of a black bear. They offered 2 possible explanations. The first is that it was hunted and brought to West Seattle to be processed. These remains could be waste scavenged from the hunter’s property. Since it is way outside bear hunting season for Washington, this has been reported to WDFW. The second explanation the zoo put forth is that the bear traveled here from the east side and deceased from any number of urban hazards. Another great idea I’ve heard from a few people now is that the remains were dropped by a large bird of prey. This is a pretty good catch-all theory…and as a bonus it preserves some faith in humanity.
So the mystery is partly solved. (We have had a few past bear sightings …)
(Photo by Stewart L.)
5:17 PM: Thanks for the tips and photos! Wildlife advocates and state/local officers teamed up this afternoon to help a possibly injured or ill Bald Eagle at Don Armeni Boat Ramp.
(This photo and next by David Hutchinson)
One neighbor explains that he observed the eagle spending a long time just hanging out on the ground, moving very little even with people nearby – that’s unusual behavior. Wildlife advocate Kersti Muul told us, “It was flying short distances as they were chasing it but it did not want to fly. Its tail looked like it might be a little off.” It was captured for transport to PAWS:
David Hutchinson of Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network says his group got a call about the eagle being on the lawn at the park; “Seal Sitters assisted in taping off the area. A number of calls had been made and Fish & Wildlife Police dispatched two officers. They eventually captured the eagle and provided transport to PAWS for examination and possible rehab. Special thanks to the passersby who took an interest in helping this eagle and to Seattle Parks and the Seattle Police Department, who quickly responded and helped monitor and secure the area.”
11:12 PM: Kersti says she’s been told a vet will examine the eagle tomorrow. Meantime, she sent photos from this afternoon too:
Every so often, an animal mystery lands in the WSB inbox. (Like the Beach Drive cow 10 years ago.) Tonight, a new one – what looks like part of a wild animal turned up in Barrett‘s yard. He’s looking for help in figuring out what it is:
I found in my side yard a large piece of what appears to be skin from a bear’s head. It is fresh and covered in thick black hair with a distinctly large and round furry ear. Am in North Admiral. Where could this have come from?? Presumedly left by a raccoon. Seriously, it really looks like it’s from a bear. Could there be any readers out there who recently hunted and skinned a bear at home and mismanaged the bits? Maybe a reader could identify it as lost pet remains?
The photo isn’t particularly gross but nonetheless, we’re not showing it unless you want to see it by clicking hereor here. Any ideas, please comment, or email us.
As noted in the comment section following this afternoon’s report on transient orcas’ visit, their cousins the Southern Resident Killer Whales have a new addition.
A new calf in L pod! The Center for Whale Research (CWR) is thrilled to confirm that a new calf, L125, has been born into the Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW) community. https://t.co/pLc7lCSxQK pic.twitter.com/TSxpFbu7EP
— Whale Research (@CWROrcas) February 18, 2021
From the Center for Whale Research‘s announcement:
Following word that J, K, and L pod were in Haro Strait, CWR dispatched two boats with field researchers to photo-identify the new calf and as many other SRKWs as possible for our annual population census.
CWR’s photo-ID expert, Dave Ellifrit, captured images that show L125 with fetal folds, indicating a relatively recent birth. “It is nicely filled out and appears to be a perfectly normal little calf,” said Ellifrit.
L125’s size and shape are typical of a calf in good physical condition. The new calf’s mother is L86 [born in 1991], her fourth offspring.
Drs. John Durban and Holly Fernbach (SR3) captured drone photos of L125 and, given its size, estimate it to be 1 – 1 1/2 months old.
L125 has one living sibling, L106 (male), born in 2005. L86 has given birth to two other calves: L112 and L120, both now deceased. L112 (born in 2009) was killed by blunt-force trauma during military exercises in 2012. L120 was born and died in 2014.
L125 is the first calf born into L pod since January 2019, when L77 gave birth to L124.
The last time the Center for Whale Research encountered Southern Resident orcas in the Salish Sea was January 20, 2021 (J and K pod). CWR’s most recent previous encounter with L pod was September 24, 2020.
The other calves born into J pod in 2020, J57 and J58, were observed today and looked to be doing well.
Both of those calves were born last September.
(First 2 photos by Trevor Simonton)
2:52 PM: Thanks to Kersti Muul from Salish Wildlife Watch for the report – transient killer whales are passing West Seattle again, southbound right now, visible from Alki. Let us know if you see them!
3:29 PM: Via email, Robin Sinner says they’re moving southwest, with a research boat trailing.
4:16 PM: Kersti and Robin both note in comments that the orcas are now in Elliott Bay, near the grain terminal.
(Photo by Liz Murdock)
6:51 PM: Photos added.
From the photos sent by WSB readers throughout the snowy weekend, we’ve saved these for a separate “snowbirds” collection. Even as the snow buried birdbaths and froze feeders, the birds were in view seeking food, water, and refuge. Above, a Great Blue Heron “got comfortable on a branch right outside of my daughter’s window,” reports Mrs. E. Below, 15-year-old Drew Atkinson photographed a Crow in the Roxhill area:
The most frequently sighted birds, though, were Hummingbirds. First, from (corrected) Jamie Kinney:
From Brad Lovejoy, a hummingbird on a magnolia:
From Eric Bell, “Buzz” was hanging out in the bamboo:
Steve Fredrickson recorded the scene at a busy feeder:
The one in Lawrence Heeren‘s photo had a feeder to itself:
Lawrence also photographed a Barrow’s Goldeneye off the snowy shore:
The European Starling and American Robin are from J:
And a Dark-eyed Junco from Yma in Gatewood:
(added) Here’s a Spotted Towhee, from Rick Rasmussen:
Big thanks to all the bird photographers – we publish galleries periodically (and have a few non-snowy images in queue for the next one) – westseattleblog@gmail.com next time you want to share your pic of a West Seattle bird!
5:47 PM: As dusk approaches, transient orcas are southbound off Constellation Park, reports Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch. Thanks to Sue Kearns for the photo of one of them off Alki earlier! In our afternoon snow coverage, we mentioned Kersti’s first report that the whales were in Elliott Bay.
ADDED: Here’s a photo from Kersti:
In honor of Super Bowl Sunday, here’s a super lineup of contributed bird photos. Above – something to watch for – a hummingbird nest, photographed by Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch. Kersti also shared this photo of a Red-winged Blackbird:
From Jerry Simmons, a Spotted Towhee:
Another orange-and-black bird you might see around, the Varied Thrush, photographed by Mark MacDonald:
Also from Mark, a Golden-crowned Kinglet:
Steve photographed this Great Blue Heron hanging out in a tree:
One more seabird view – WSB’s Patrick Sand saw these while we were checking out the wind and waves at Constellation Park on Sunday:
We don’t have an ID on those, nor on these photographed by Jessica Benson:
Meantime, we end where we began – with hummingbirds. Gentle McGaughey shared the feeder view:
(It’s best to have your feeders out of service right now, though.) And Theresa Arbow-O’Connor got the colorful closeup:
Big thanks, again, to everyone who shares photos, from birds to breaking news – westseattleblog@gmail.com!
Earlier this month, we reported on wildlife advocates’ advice to temporarily remove your bird feeder to save birds’ lives, because current crowding can spread potentially deadly salmonellosis among them. On Tuesday, Seattle Audubon hosted a state expert ta talk about the problem; the video is above. If you’re concerned about the birds, it’s worth watching. Thanks to Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch, also a longtime bird steward, for letting us know!
Thanks to everyone continuing to share West Seattle bird photos with us so we can share them with you! Time for a weekend gallery. Above and below (with a shrimp snack), Mark MacDonald photographed Common Mergansers.
Here’s another seabird – a Cormorant drying itself, photographed by Stewart L.:
Two views of Anna’s Hummingbirds – first, from Jerry Simmons:
And from Gentle McGaughey:
Max Welliver shows us a Red-breasted Nuthatch:
From Mark Dale, a Cooper’s Hawk:
And here’s a tree full of Crows, photographed by Michael Burke:
If you catch a great view of a local bird, westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
3:12 PM: Thanks to Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch for the tip: Orcas are in view from West Seattle right now! They’re visible from Constellation Park, east of mid-channel, Kersti says, southbound, passing Blake Island. Let us know if you see them.
3:29 PM: Update from Kersti – they’re “just hanging” off Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook (across from Me-Kwa-Mooks – she says they’re transients so they may well be hunting (transients eat other marine mammals, unlike resident orcas, who focus on fish).
4:22 PM: Among those who’ve seen them, Mike Jensen:
A January treat…my first Orca sighting #seattle #westseattle #PNW pic.twitter.com/MmBUDOGgGh
— Mike Jensen (@mjtwit) January 14, 2021
ADDED THURSDAY NIGHT: Along with the photos in comments, here’s another one – from Kersti:
That’s a Pine Siskin, photographed in West Seattle by Mark Wangerin in December 2019. At the time, he told WSB that they seemed to be showing up in larger numbers. That’s happening again this year, and it’s led to a health problem that has at least one wildlife-advocacy organization suggesting you temporarily take down your feeder(s) to save birds’ lives. Geoff M. emailed us to point out this alert on the PAWS website, which says in part:
We are currently witnessing one of the biggest reported irruption years of Pine Siskins in the United States. Irruptions are sudden, dramatic increases in the abundance of an animal, in this case caused by conifer cone shortages in northern North America. The large flocks we are seeing all over western Washington are incredible to witness. However, this event has caused pine siskins to gather in even larger numbers around bird feeders, which can increase the spread of Salmonella, a potentially fatal bacterium. PAWS has admitted 68 Pine Siskins in the last 60 days and the admissions staff are fielding multiple calls daily about sick siskins.
Usually, we recommend removing feeders for a few weeks when a sick bird is found nearby and cleaning the area thoroughly. However, the flocks are so large and cases so frequent right now, we recommend removing your feeders even before you detect a sick bird until the irruptive migrants move on. Learn more about how to combat salmonellosis here and check out our website for general recommendations about bird health in your yard.
Geoff says, “This is affecting West Seattle, and in the past few days we’ve noticed a few dozen sick and four dead siskins and have since taken down our feeders for the time being.”
Thanks to everyone who sent bird photos so we can continue our mini-tradition of galleries on Seahawks game days. Above, Danny McMillin photographed a Bald Eagle; below, two photos from Michelle Green Arnson – first a Spotted Towhee and (in the background) House Finch:
Below, a Townsend’s Warbler:
Next, two closeups of Anna’s Hummingbirds – first, by Jerry Simmons:
Next, by Nicholas Chesarino:
Gentle McGaughey sent this photo of a Ruby-crowned Kinglet:
Max Welliver photographed a Hermit Thrush:
Another thrush – from Mark MacDonald, a Varied Thrush:
Mark Dale photographed this Cedar Waxwing:
And one of our favorite birds ever, the ever-raucous and colorful Steller’s Jay, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor:
(All the species links go to pages on the Seattle Audubon BirdWeb, where you can learn more about the birds and even hear their calls.)
From the scanner: Someone called 911 to report a “small bear cub” seen near 35th SW/SW Trenton. The dispatcher told officers it would be reported to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Checking our archives, we had a bear-sighting report five years ago, in the Beach Drive greenbelt vicinity.
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