West Seattle, Washington
07 Tuesday
It’s Wildlife in the City Week! Great reason to showcase more West Seattle bird photos:
Twp from longtime contributor Mark Wangerin – above, those are Barred Owls in Fauntleroy Park; below, a Black-headed Grosbeak:
Next two are from Mark MacDonald – a Wilson’s Warbler at Lincoln Park:
And a (corrected) juvenile Bald Eagle over Alki:
From Ann Anderson, mom Crow feeding baby:
You can learn all about Crows’ nesting/mating/etc. in this recent post by a Seattle Animal Shelter naturalist.
Speaking of which, if you’re out doing yard work, be careful! Don’t accidentally bring down a nest. Kelly Howard was out working in her yard and noticed this:
Her research suggested it might be a Bushtit nest.
Thanks as always to everyone sharing photos, from birds to breaking news – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302!
(WSB file photo of Jeff Hogan presenting Killer Whale Tales at a local school)
Learning can be fun … and free … AND focused on fascinating wildlife. Here’s an update from Jeff Hogan of West Seattle-based educational nonprofit Killer Whale Tales:
I have added two additional classes to our weekly lineup: Fish and Chips (what are whales eating and where it is coming from) and the Orca Acoustic Game Show (Learn individual whale calls and win prizes!) .
Classes are open to students of all ages and are designed to meet Washington State Science Standards. A full description and registration information is available here. All classes are being offered, as always, at no cost to the participant!
(Still time to get in on “Game Show” at 12:30 pm today!)
Thanks to everyone for the continued contributions of West Seattle bird photos! That’s an Osprey above, Pacific-slope Flycatcher below, both photographed by Mark Wangerin:
In the big group below are Surf Scoters, photographed by James Tilley:
The next two photos are by Mark MacDonald – first, Sanderlings:
Next, a Horned Grebe:
You’ll of course recognize the Bald Eagle, photographed by Raul Baron:
Hans A. sent the photo of American Goldfinches (our state bird):
And adorable baby waterfowl by Jim Clark:
P.S. Seems birdwatching is booming these days.
From wildlife watchers:
KEEP YOUR DISTANCE: The photo taken earlier this week is from Bob Karnofski, who writes:
A seal pup was resting comfortably at Don Armeci boat launch. Seal Sitters – who I’ve volunteered with – aren’t staffing perimeters at this time, but the dock has barricade tape up as the pup has been here often. I was watching from a distance as a lady and her small child strolled down the dock to get a better look. This frightened the seal pup, who arose and dove into the water. Can you please remind readers that seals are protected and to leave them be and admire from a distance? Thank you. I took this shot with a zoom lens. You can see the pup looking up and getting anxious.
WATERFOWL: It has been a long time since we got photos of Common Loons – and this week we received two! From David Hutchinson, at Lowman Beach:
And from Mark MacDonald, at Lincoln Park:
WHAT THE HERRING LEFT BEHIND: Remember the recent herring-spawning event that drew seals/sea lions and birds off our shores? “Diver Laura” James has sent photos of the eggs on offshore sargassum:
Learn more about herring here.
P.S. More wildlife/bird photos this weekend – along with the rest of the news!)
Up for some evening whale-watching? Kersti Muul sends word that transient orcas are in view off Constellation Park (south of Alki Point) right now – “on a kill,” so no particular direction. Let us know if you see them!
A baleen whale has been making its way slowly northbound along West Seattle’s west-facing shores. The person who texted us from The Arroyos said it looks like a gray; now it’s off Point Williams in Lincoln Park, where Kersti Muul says that’s just been confirmed. If you’re near, or north of, there, be on the lookout!
It’s a bit blustery out today so you might not be going out on that neighborhood-nature walk. No worries – photos we’ve received will bring the wildlife to you! The photos above and below are from Mark MacDonald -above, a Bushtit; below, a Towhee:
Next, the local Golden Pheasant made an appearance in Matt S‘s Charlestown Hill yard:
Kyle Riley in Seaview sent this view he identified as a Red-Tailed Hawk:
Lura Ercolano photographed this Great Blue Heron:
From Brian Michel – you’ll recognize this species:
And Barry J. White shared this video of hummingbirds in a white pine near their home:
(Yes, we asked, and Barry assures us the drone was only used for views of the tree AFTER the nesting babies were gone.)
Thanks to everyone who’s sharing what they’re seeing!
Another amazing sight off West Seattle’s west-facing shores …
That photo by David Hutchinson, and the one below by Matthew Olson, show Bonaparte’s Gulls, not often seen around here, apparently drawn to our section of Puget Sound by the herring-spawning event we noted last weekend.
You can hear them in Robin Sinner‘s video:
We don’t know if these were the same birds, but the waters have drawn flocks for days – Jonny L. sent this sighting from last Saturday’s sunset:
On Sunday, “Diver Laura” James recorded this aerial view of how the spawning changed the water’s color:
As we showed you that day, it was also a big draw for sea lions – Diver Laura photoggraphed them too:
Jamie Kinney shared an aerial view of one as tt swam:
If you walk on the beach sometime soon, watch out for herring eggs – our 2017 story shows them close up.
12:22 PM: Those are just a few of the sea lions hanging out off Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook (4503 Beach Drive SW) this midday, some “sailing” while taking a break from an all-you-can-eat brunch. Birds too:
Consensus so far seems to be that they are feeding on spawning herring.
That would seem to be borne out by the water color difference you can see in this reader-contributed video from Terence:
Here’s a story about a similar recent event up north. Our archives show a local spawning event three years ago.
P.S. Thanks for all the tips on this!
ADDED 4:32 PM: Kersti Muul sends this photo of herring eggs on the shore:
And from Erica Sokoloff, two more Beach Drive sights – first, a tern (those are the birds with the prehistoric-sounding screech); second, a sea lion nosing out of the water:
ADDED LATE SUNDAY: Aerial view from “Diver Laura” James:
We asked Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network‘s David Hutchinson about the phenomenon:
The Hotline has had a number of calls recently about sea lions offshore, with people expressing concern that they were entangled or injured. We encourage people to call and report these sightings to the Seal Sitters Hotline (206-905-7325) so we can keep track of this activity and just in case a sea lion is actually in distress. A couple weeks ago, our contact at WDFW reported there were herring spawn events in the area (Purdy, Indianola, Case Inlet) which are likely attracting those large numbers of sea lions. Most of these animals will be heading out of our area within the next month.
Not quite walking weather yet today – so enjoy some of these West Seattle bird photos! (Each species name links to more info.)
We start with two waterfowl images by Mark from Nature’s Eye Photos, above, a Bufflehead, and below, Harlequin Ducks:
Next – by Mark Wangerin, a Red-breasted Sapsucker:
From David Hutchinson, a juvenile Bald Eagle:
And from Susan Romanenghi, an Anna’s Hummingbird on the lookout:
Thanks as always to everyone who contributes (we have more in queue, too!) – westseattleblog@gmail.com.
Before Easter ends, bunny sightings from the inbox:
Along Alki Avenue this morning, Stewart L. saw that skateboarding “bunny.” Later in the day in Gatewood, Troy Sterk saw the more-common kind:
Also caught on video, more running than hopping:
Thanks again for all the photo contributions!
We’ve been saving up these contributed photos (THANK YOU!) over the past week:
Above, from Mindi Katzman; below, from Jeffrey Jones:
Below – if you saw this, you might think it’s a passing orca, but it’s not:
That’s a sea-lon behavior known as “sailing” (explained here in the past). Above, from Jim Spraker; below, from James Moore:
Later today, some great bird photos from the past week (not The Turkey, who by the way is still in Burien at last report!).
Thanks to Anne de Vore for the photo! Spending more time at home and in local neighborhood(s), you might be noticing wild rabbits. (She says that one’s been turning up in her yard around 5 pm daily; we’ve had one in our yard for a while too.) We don’t have stats but they seem to have become more common in the past few years. You can learn about bunny behavior via this state Department of Fish and Wildlife fact sheet.
As the one-year anniversary of its mysterious appearance nears, The West Seattle Turkey is back in the neighborhood where those early sightings happened.
WSB commenter “1994” texted that photo from north Arbor Heights tonight. Earlier, Emily K. photographed it in Upper Fauntleroy, near 36th/Cambridge:
Steve also reported a sighting there, while a texter saw TWST at 36th/Cloverdale: “I have always wanted to see her on a walk and then she appears right outside our yard! So cool!” The day began with Amy‘s sighting in Seaview:
TWST has covered a lot of ground in the past few weeks – south to Fauntleroy, then north to North Admiral, and now all the way south to Arbor Heights. BirdWeb says of the wild turkey, “They typically get around by walking although they can fly and often roost overnight in tall trees.”
The West Seattle Turkey is on the move again …
After hanging out a while in North Admiral, today we got three sighting reports from Genesee Hill. The photo above is from Larry; below, from Wendy, who explained, “Pleasantly perched in the upper right of the cherry tree, the famous West Seattle turkey! It’s the most exciting thing to happen to us in a month… ”
And via Twitter:
West Seattle Turkey sighting in Genesee Hill area @westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/fDnQJhjNCb
— Kristin (@kkSeahawks) April 8, 2020
Thanks as always for the photos!
More West Seattle bird sightings – thank you to all the photographers!
Above, the always-spectacular (and loud) Steller’s Jay, photographed by Mark Wangerin, whose photos we have featured so often with our daily calendar highlights – which are mostly on hiatus now in this eventless time! Below, a Brown Creeper, photographed at Lincoln Park by another Mark, from Nature’s Eye Photos:
And we’ve received several great views of Bald Eagles – here are two, first from Chris Frankovich:
And one spotted in mid-meal, photographed by Dan Ciske:
P.S. Want to help monitor how our current altered lifestyle is affecting birds? Check this out! (Hat tip KUOW.)
Thanks to everyone who sent photos of their encounters with The West Seattle Turkey, who spent the day in North Admiral:
Diane and Lorne Dyke sent that video of The Turkey at the door. Katie, meantime, found TWST on her deck:
Katie said, “He’s been here for hours and even our dog has gotten used to his presence.” Below, Grace Lee photographed a young passerby doing a doubletake:
Diana Niederberger sent the next photo, saying, “Thought readers would like to see the Turkey strolling on Sunset Ave in North Admiral.”
Jacob Bridge saw The Turkey at Sunset/Hill:
The Turkey apparently started the day near Stephen‘s house on 45th SW, around 6:30 am:
“My wife heard our dogs barking this morning and was thrilled to see The Turkey back in Admiral.”
TWST has now crossed the peninsula north to south twice – first turning up a year ago in Arbor Heights, eventually spending months in Admiral, then recently heading south for a stay in Gatewood, and now all the way to North Admiral. Where it’s originally from, no one seems to know.
Thanks to everyone who’s been sending photos – we have more in queue but first this afternoon, seal sightings. Longtime contributor David Hutchinson, who also is a longtime volunteer with Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network, took both these photos of recent harbor-seal sightings on the West Seattle shore.
Both were taken from a distance – don’t ever try to get up close for a photo.
Friday night birding …
GREAT BLUE ON THE BRIDGE: In case you missed that photo posted by James Riley in a comment on Thursday morning, it remains our favorite photo so far this week. The Great Blue Heron was taking advantage of the traffic-free West Seattle Bridge
THE WEST SEATTLE TURKEY HEADS NORTH: Not to be outdone, TWST also posed with a street sign today. Kat sent that photo from Admiral. The Turkey ranged into North Admiral during the day:
Jesse and Dawson Rogers sent that photo after a sighting at 44th/Seattle. Betty saw TWST one block west of there:
PLEASANT PHEASANT: Seen on Genesee Hill again, the Golden Pheasant:
Thanks to Eddie for the photo. westseattleblog@gmail.com if YOU have a sighting to share!
After a week-plus of roaming to the south, The West Seattle Turkey is back in the area where it has spent much of the past near-year – Admiral. It was back at Rose De Dan‘s home today – she sent the photo above (and has shared sightings before). From the West Seattle High School area, Rob Braby sent this video:
And Mayra caught The Turkey climbing near 39th/Admiral:
During its recent meanderings, The Turkey was seen as far south os south Gatewood, and was even spotted crossing busy streets in The Junction. Thanks for the sightings!
No, not The Turkey this time ….
SAFE CROSSING: Eric Shalit took the photo, and explains:
While out on bicycle earlier (Tuesday), I encountered a Seattle police officer rescuing a family of geese that attempted to cross Spokane Street under the West Seattle Bridge. In the attached photo, he has successfully herded all but one out of the road and is trying to shoo the last baby to rejoin its family in a safe place.
WILDLIFE HOURS? Ellie Vann spotted this owl in the Roxbury Safeway lot, perhaps waiting for its turn at the store:
Thanks for the photos! Always appreciated – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302
We interrupt the rest of the news for a quick safety alert about The West Seattle Turkey. Today, it’s been seen in The Junction … Kristina sent the photo above, after seeing it crossing usually busy SW Alaska. Earlier in the day, it was southeast of The Junction, walking in a much-safer place, up someone’s stairs:
In recent days TWST (now in its 12th month in West Seattle) has gone from Gatewood to High Point to Snake Hill to, now, The Junction. So there’s yet another reason to stay home … avoid running over The Turkey (not to mention helping your fellow humans stay safe).
If you are a longtime WSB reader, you know that most days, we feature West Seattle bird photos with the daily calendar highlights. But the no-event orders mean no highlights. However, thanks to your neighbors, we have bird photos to share anyway!
That’s a Red-Breasted Sapsucker, photographed by Mark Wangerin. Below, the even-more-colorful Golden Pheasant:
That photo’s from Lori on Genesee Hill; Riley spotted it this week too. Sightings have recurred in recent years, including last spring, about the same time this celebrity bird first showed up in West Seattle:
This afternoon, The West Seattle Turkey turned up on Snake Hill, sipping from that pothole near 31st/Findlay; Tyler and Gabbi sent the photo. Yesterday, TWST wandered north to 35th/Edmunds – this photo was texted:
And from Chris Frankovich – a Bald Eagle:
Thanks to everyone who sends photos – birds, breaking news, bears, or … westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302!
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