Home › Forums › Open Discussion › Large, Interesting Bird at Alki
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July 15, 2009 at 2:12 pm #591547
MagnumsMemberHi. Myself and my son are amateur bird enthusiasts. We live on a little farm in Issaquah where we can see different types of woodpeckers, great blue herons, and a lot of red tailed hawks, and bald eagles.
One of the most interesting birds we’ve seen flies along Alki beach. Nobody else seems to notice it. This bird has a massive wingspan, much larger than anything we see in Issaquah. It has a white and brown underside, mostly white, brown on the top wing. This is not a seagull. He flies along the beach, and dives in just a few feet offshore to catch fish, at incredible speed.
I think someone must know what kind of bird this is. Thanks for any feedback.
July 15, 2009 at 2:24 pm #672069
LjMemberMy guess would be an Osprey. I’ve seen one fishing around the alki beach area lately.I think there even might be a nest somewhere on the Duwamish.
July 15, 2009 at 2:30 pm #672070
MagnumsMemberThat is probably what it is. Any other suggestions or comments are appreciated. I just looked online and it seems that the bird we’ve seen on two recent visits to Alki looks just like an Osprey, based on pictures I just saw online. Here is a related story about an Osprey in downtown Seattle. Could be the same guy.
http://www.komonews.com/younews/43924062.html
Any local bird watching groups might want to take note. He’s at Alki a lot. Massive wingspan. Flies about 50+ feet high, spots a target, and dives. Quite a show.
July 15, 2009 at 3:42 pm #672071
miwsParticipantA large bird flew overhead, while we were waiting for the Pirates’ Landing, down at Alki last Saturday.
Being colorblind, I couldn’t tell you what color it was, but, someone in the crowd mentioned osprey
Mike
July 15, 2009 at 6:40 pm #672072
WSBKeymasterWe had a very good osprey in flight photo here a little while back. See this story:
July 15, 2009 at 7:26 pm #672073
B-squaredParticipantI would guess Osprey also. there was a rather large and successfull nest on the duwamish last year – on a large industrial light pole. they give the eagles quite the competition. i’ve even seen the eagles trying to chase them out of the area. it works for a few minutes.
July 18, 2009 at 3:39 am #672074
RAKParticipantOsprey also down here in Fauntleroy south of ferry dock. Just saw one tonight (Friday 7/17)
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