Lessons from Dillon

Published on January 25, 2010 in Uncategorized. Closed Tags: , , , , , , , , .

“Can we go bird chasing tomorrow?!”

We are visiting Scott’s family in the tiny town of Spences Bridge, British Columbia.  His young great-nephew is eager to go birding with us again.  We have taken him out in the height of the spring and early summer when Lewis’s Woodpecker, Lazuli Buntings, and Osprey drip from the trees around the rivers.  But this is November. The birds have moved south for the winter and seeing anything is going to be a real challenge – particularly for an active 9-year-old.

But undaunted, we arm Dillon with a pair of Nikon 9×25 Travelite V Binoculars, grab our Leica spotting scope, pocket my iPhone loaded with bird apps, and head up the Thompson River to Scott’s brother Mike’s orchards.  Surely we’ll be able to find something, anything, at the Hilltop Gardens.  We venture up into a canyon above the gardens where pure mountain water burbles down through rocky walls and supports a large stand of naked trees shut down for the winter cold.

An hour later we have seen nothing, not a peep, whistle, or chip note, to be heard.  But we are undeterred.  With eagerness and energy only a 9-year-old can produce, we scrambled high on the canyon walls following Big Horn sheep trails while Scott struggled below next to the rushing stream, desperately balancing the scope as he maneuvered the narrow trail.  We stop to inspect an old mine, hoping to spy hibernating rattlesnakes; to my disappointment and Dillon’s relief, the snakes seem to be sleeping in a protected area away from our prying eyes.

Having thoroughly explored the canyon, the three of us decide perhaps the orchards near the river may have attracted some birds.  Surely the combination of water, trees, and leftover fruit will produce something… anything!  We meandered through the apple trees, scanned the river repeatedly, stepped carefully around and over the bear scat, but still nothing.  Scott and I cannot remember a time when birds were completely absent.  And now the cold and silence are taking a toll on Dillon- he is getting understandably anxious and a bit bored.  Unwilling to let this moment pass and dampen the flame of a young birdwatcher, Scott and I continue to plod along.

Suddenly Dillon spots a flash of green across the river.  Training his binoculars on movement he declares, IT’S A BIRD!  No prettier words have ever been heard.  We all scan madly and come up with five Black-billed Magpies.  After almost two hours of empty skies and desolate habitat, no bird has every looked better.  Hopping, sailing, and yakking from pine to pine, the Magpies flash their iridescence in the pale winter light.  Dillon astonishes us with his scoping skills as he focuses on each Magpie so we can all enjoy a long look.  He quickly follows individuals with the scope as they fly along the cliff face above the Thompson River – a scoping feat that took me hours of practice to achieve.  Happy and chilled to the bone, we turn toward the path home.

No sooner had we quit “birdchasing” when Dillon spots another bird.  Quickly he picks up the silhouette perched on the pine with his Nikons; positions the scope precisely on the target; and proceeds to whip out the iPhone, scroll through the bird guide apps, and locate the page for Clark’s Nutcracker.  While he is delighting in playing the calls and viewing the range map, we spot more movement in the lone pine.  Sure enough, there is a Downy Woodpecker.  Dillon repeats his modern birding technique, bin scan, scope lock, and bird app.  It is a marvel to watch his focus, energy, skill, and enthusiasm.  A Northern Flicker joins the Downy and Nutcracker in this busy tree.  Never have so few species of birds provided such an incredible reward.  With four species under our belts and the cold taking a toll on all of us, we happily end our day of birdchasing.

Gems of the North

Published on January 15, 2010 in Binocular Uses and Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

Bundle up. Bird bloggers Scott and Penny take us on a winter birding adventure, north of the border.


“^(!@&$%(! Hawk Owl!”

I braked sharply, sliding the car to a stop, narrowly avoiding the snow bank.  Following Scott’s shaky directions, I spied the lovely Northern Hawk Owl perched serenely on the top of a stunted pine.  Turning to look in amazement at Scott after his uncharacteristically explicative outburst, I see he is still shaking with excitement, barely able to hold his binoculars.  And rightly so… we had been exploring the Hat Creek drainage in southeastern British Columbia for hours.  Through deep 4-wheel drive snow searching high and low for birds – any birds.  And here, not only do we have a spectacular owl but a life bird for Scott as well.

Birding during the winter in eastern British Columbia gives one a whole new perspective on migration.  Birders often congregate and chase birds during migration, flocking to fallout areas of warblers, sparrows and raptors.  But on the reverse end of migration is the emptiness left behind by departing species.  The frozen north is an area for birds to leave, not to congregate.  But the species that do make their winter home in this frozen landscape are spectacular finds – giving proof to quality over quantity.

During our long winter birding expeditions in British Columbia we have been rewarded with Prairie Falcons perched on the cross bars of power poles along the highway, Short-eared Owls silently sailing over frozen ranch land, Trumpeter Swans floating serenely over the last remaining open water.  Where else could the most commonly-seen bird, Townsend’s Solitaire, be?  Each Solitaire staking out a territory of juniper bushes loaded with bitter, sweet berries; calling back in forth incessantly to each other; proclaiming their rights to this coveted winter food source.  Where, too, are birders rewarded with glimpses of Common Redpoll flocks flitting from pine to pine?  Desperate searching can turn up gold nuggets such as a Pygmy Owl, decorating the top of an evergreen, mimicking the star on top of a perfect Christmas tree.

But now all the swans and Solitaires are forgotten – we have a life owl!  Gently easing out of the car so as not to bump the Hawk Owl, we quietly set up the spotting scope.  Breathlessly we take turns gazing at this remarkable bird; its gold eyes ablaze and piercing within its black bordered white facial disc.  The Northern Hawk Owl, also known as the Canadian Owl, is one of the few diurnal owls in North America.  Their penchant for hunting during the day is a treat for us, allowing an unobstructed look into the otherwise obscured life of owls.  This owl’s style of swooping low and reemerging at the top of fence post, tree or other handy perch during active hunting is very reminiscent of Accipiters.  The pointed wings and long rounded tail add to this impression.  But the distinctly rounded head does not allow this impression to remain long.

We watched the Hawk Owl for precious moments as it hunted its way down the snowy farm lane.  Eventually it was out of sight and we were left with a life bird and a lifelong memory of the rare wonders of the Canadian winter.

The Trouble with Tabbies

Published on December 22, 2009 in Uncategorized. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , .

Here’s another post from our birding experts, Penny Rose and Scott Hoskin:

The dreaded phone call finally came on a Friday afternoon.  While relaxing on his day off Scott was horrified to see Lady Raz catch and kill a Dark-eyed Junco in our backyard before he could intervene.  This little tabby had shown up in our backyard sanctuary about two years ago.  A petite version of our big boy inside tabby – Razzie, the name Lady Raz was instant.  Checking with all the neighbors for her home we discovered everyone knew this sweet little girl but she was apparently owned by no-one.  I searched for someone who would adopt her and give her a good in door home.  Success!  A trainer with the Parks Department took her into his heart and home.  But on the first visit to the vet it was discovered that she had a microchip.  He did the right thing and returned her to the original owner.  Problem solved.  Lady Raz disappeared for several months.

Spring rolled around and there she was again lolling about in our backyard.  Drinking from the bird bath and sleeping in our fisherman’s cottage, she was apparently being fed by any and all soft-hearted neighbors.  The difference this season was Lady Raz never went home again.  Day after day she was still there.

During the spring and summer months her presence didn’t cause a problem.  Being in a dense urban neighborhood, our tiny backyard has no ground-feeding birds during the spring and summer.   But time was not on our side.  Fall brings Dark-eyed Juncos, Song Sparrows and occasional migrants such as Hermit Thrush and Fox Sparrow who find sanctuary in this tiny green space.  Having a well-fed “feral” cat in the garden was a recipe for disaster for our birds.

After the disturbing phone call action was necessary.  When I arrived home from work I picked up this little lovely fur-wrapped package and took her inside.  Tucking her safely away in the upstairs bathroom away from Razzie and our tortoiseshell Lily, Scott and I explored our options.  None of them seemed satisfactory.  She obviously no longer had an owner, the shelter was a sure death sentence, and other rescue places just prolonged the problem.  Scott and I checked on Lady after our discussion.  She squeezed her four little white ballerina feet together and squinched her eyes deeply at us.  “We have enough room for three cats in our house” Scott said.  Decision done!

Three weeks later the chaos between the tabbies has settled to a mild roar.  Lily monitors their growling progress from a distance.  Lady’s vet visit transferred the microchip to my name.

But most importantly, the backyard is a sanctuary once again.  Northern Flickers feast on ants between the paving stones of the path.  Thirty-plus Oregon Juncos  and two Slate-colored Juncos pick seeds from the garden, double scratching through the fallen leaves in search of the most delicious hidden treasures.
Anna’s Hummingbirds sip nectar from the hardy fuchsia blossoms just inches from the ground.  The Song Sparrows chase each other around under the ocean spray competing for insects and seeds.  Bushtits glean insects and eggs sacs from the currant and mock orange shrubs.  Their tiny bodies dangling with impunity just a foot above the ground.

Lady, Raz and Lily relax safely inside, away from dangers of cars, fleas, raccoons and wet, windy Seattle weather, rousing on occasion for a vicarious “hunt”  of the House Finches and Goldfinches visiting the window feeder.

How Suet It Is

Published on November 24, 2009 in Uncategorized. Closed Tags: , , , .

I am freezing.  Every piece of clothing I packed for our trip to sunny Arizona is now layered on my body, yet the bone-chilling desert cold is still seeping in.  And I couldn’t be happier.  We are racking up life birds left, and right from the cold comfort of a deck chair on the back porch of Mary Jo Ballator’s Ash Canyon Bed and Breakfast.  The morning has been filled with a flurry of bright and bold life Arizona species.  Acorn Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Arizona Woodpecker, Mexican Jay, Bridled Titmouse and Scott’s Oriole to mention a few. A great many of these special species were attracted to suet feeders filled with a unique mixture. Mary Jo is an incredible host, allowing us to spend as much time as we like oohing and ahhing at her amazing backyard despite the fact that we are not guests at her bed and breakfast.  Her depth of knowledge and care about each bird that visited her backyard was matched by her willingness to share.

And share she did – her parting gift as we returned to rainy Seattle was a recipe for the suet mixture she used in her backyard feeders.  That Northwest birds would be as interested in what appeared to be a magical formula in a backyard in Arizona was uncertain. I mixed it with some trepidation, but as I thought about it, I began to realize something: backyard birds east, west, north and south know a good food source when they find it.

I have been mixing and using “Mary Jo’s” for over a year with incredible results.  Even in our tiny, extremely urban backyard in the heart of Seattle we have been able to attract interesting species by putting out “Mary Jo’s.” Yellow-rumped Warblers, Downy Woodpeckers, Dark-eyed Junco’s and literally dozens of Bushtits are a few of the species that have enjoyed feasting on the suet mixture.  For several weeks we fed an injured Western Scrub-Jay.  With a broken beak, the only food she was able to spear and get into her system successfully was the pieces of Mary Jo’s suet we placed carefully on the porch roof.

As an experiment, I placed a regular suet block (a brand I have successfully fed for years) next to a block of the Mary Jo’s.  Mary Jo’s won hands down.  The gift Mary Jo shared with us has been a tremendous boost to the birds in our backyard.  Try it in your backyard- whether the wilds of Arizona or in less likely urban backyard, you will be delighted with the results.

Mary Jo’s Suet for the Birds

  • 2 cups Peanut Butter (crunchy)
  • 2 cups Suet
  • 4 cups Corn Meal
  • 4 cups Rolled Oats (quick)
  • 1 cup flour

In a large heavy sauce pans over low heat melt the peanut butter and suet.  Mix thoroughly.  Remove from heat and gradually mix in corn meal, and rolled oats.  Once the mixture is combined spoon into a baking dish.  Place in the refrigerator till cooled.  Cut into squares and place in suet cages, logs or other feeding device.  Place extra squares in plastic bags,  store in the refrigerator or freezer.

For best results use a natural peanut butter without added chemicals or sugars.  Many local bird feeding stores will carry plain suet in tubs.  This is an easy alternative to raw suet from the butcher.

Food for Thought- Feeding Hummingbirds

Published on November 16, 2009 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

Feeding hummingbirds correctly is simple and rewarding.  Doing it incorrectly can be disappointing or worse, fatal for the hummingbirds.  Keys for success include following the simple 4 to 1 ratio recipe that mimics the sugar content of wildflower nectar and keeping the feeders clean.

Difficulties arise in feeding when we humans attempt to enhance this recipe.  Common mistakes include adding red dye.  The innocent thought is that hummingbirds will be attracted to the red syrup.  However, dye is unnecessary as most hummingbird feeders have some red built into their structure.  Again the feeder mimics the red flowers hummers love, so there’s no need to make the syrup red as well.  The jury is out on whether the dye can be harmful but if it is unnecessary, why risk it?

A second mistake we make is using honey in place of sugar in the honest thought that honey is more natural.  Unfortunately honey is a perfect culture for growing a mold and bacteria that are deadly to hummingbirds.  In this case sugar is much better and safer than honey.

Believe it or not, another potential deadly mistake innocent bird feeders make is using artificial sweeteners.  Think about it for a minute, have you every seen an overweight hummingbird?  Hummingbirds feed on syrup and flower nectar for the energy the sugar provides.  Flapping their wings an average of 60 times a second leaves no room for artificial sweeteners.

Finally the most important step that any backyard hummingbird fan MUST do is keeping the feeders clean.  In a hot climate and or during summer months feeders must be cleaned at least every three days.  In cooler climates or during winter months the feeders can be cleaned once a week.  If you cannot make this commitment to your birds, think twice before starting to feed.

All feeders will grow mold if left uncleaned.  The best models of feeders are quickly taken apart and easy to clean.  A beautiful model with no access to cleaning the inside will become a mere lawn ornament as the birds will not use it, or if they do, may become sick.

The best way to keep the feeders clean is by rinsing with vinegar and scrubbing with small brushes designed specifically for feeders.  Vinegar leaves no residue like soap can.  It’s high acidity also helps to clean any molds that may have begun to grow.  After cleansing with vinegar, rinse thoroughly.  A good rule of thumb is to rinse until you think they are clean, then rinse one more time.

A little effort will provide hours and years of enjoyment, as these feathered jewels of the air will grace your garden and linger well within the range of your binoculars. All it takes is a clean hummingbird feeder filled with a simple sugar solution.

Hummingbird Syrup

  • 4 cups water
  • 1 cup sugar

Bring water to a boil.
Add sugar.
Bring mixture back to a boil.
Remove the sauce pan from heat.
Cool, fill clean feeders.
Place extra syrup in a container and refrigerate for future use.

New Swarovski EL SwaroVision Binoculars

Published on October 21, 2009 in Binocular Reviews. 1 Comment

swarovski-el-swarovision-biNew Swarovski EL SwaroVision Binoculars – The best just got better?

When Swarovski told us the EL binoculars were getting on upgrade, we were curious how the heck they planned on making them any better.  The Swarovski EL Binocular has always been known as the benchmark of ultra-high-end optics.  In October 2009, Swarovski announced the all new EL SwaroVision models.  Here are a few highlight features of the new Swarovski EL Swarovision:

Available in 8.5×42 EL Swarovision and 10×42 EL Swarovision models

  • Field Flattener Lenses – The new Swarovision technology eliminates all loss of sharpness and distortion at the edges of the binoculars field of view.  The edges are razor sharp with no distortion.
  • HD Glass – Fluoride HD Glass
  • Longer Eye Relief – now 20mm in the EL Swarovision binoculars
  • SWAROTOP, SWARODUR, SWAROBRIGHT and SWAROCLEAN coatings
  • Wider field of view – 8.5x model has 399 ft @ 1000 Yards and the 10x model has 336 ft @ 1000 yards
  • Improved close focus of 4.9 ft.
  • Improved focusing wheel
  • Improved objective cover design
  • Rubber armoring on the inside portion of each barrel to enhance grip
  • Rugged Magnesium Housing

Well thats a mouth-full!  But are they any better?  Well lucky us, Swarovski took the new EL Swarovision binocular on a tour to come and see us.  We were lucky enough to see the 8.5x model in person.  I think the every-day user would never know what to look for in improvements, however if your an optic savvy professional, the difference is pretty clear.   The new EL binoculars offer much improved edge-to-edge performance.  They are literally perfect all the way to the extreme end of the field of view.  This alone, is the major upgrade.  I have never seen a binocular with absolute perfection across the entire field.

The new Swarovski EL Swarovision binocular will be available in January 2010 from Binoculars.com

What Began as a Birding Adventure …

Published on October 21, 2009 in Binocular Uses and Uncategorized. Closed Tags: , , , , , .

It’s time for the next birding adventure with birding experts Penny Rose and Scott Hoskin:

“Skunk!…………….Swimming!” Scott exclaimed. “What?”

My partner Scott and I had just completed a six hour arduous but gorgeous journey from Seattle to the heart of Okanogan County. I was sure that the stress of driving the open top Land Rover over the severe North Cascades, combined with the fear of not getting “our” campsite was taking a toll on Scott’s sensibilities. Granted we had discovered “our” campsite waiting and available with no other birders, fisher folk or outdoor enthusiast for miles around. The tent was set up, the kitchen in order and the scope was in place scanning the lake for our feathered friends of previous visits. But skunks, swimming?! Sure enough as I stepped up and looked through the eyepiece a magnificent Striped Skunk was paddling across the lake in the most serene manner. Its long black and white tail floating behind just as if this was an ordinary short cut for any self respecting skunk. It eventually reached shore and waded through the cattails in search of more skunkly pursuits.

Thus began another intriguing weekend in the Okanogan- an area we have visited and camped in regularly over the last four years, always in search of good bird sightings.
Each spring we conduct a breeding bird survey over a 25-mile route, counting innumerable Western Meadowlarks, thrilling at the Bobolink and Bank Swallow colonies, and marveling at the occasional Golden Eagle. This September we were setting up another survey route through the Wildlife Refuge in hopes of adding species of interest in the confines of the refuge.

At least that was our goal. But there are so many other wonders of nature to discover when one goes birding. The concrete outhouse near the campsite surprised us last spring with a very large Western Rattlesnake guarding the front door. Not a shock one wants to discover prior to entering any bathroom. This fall I checked immediately to see if it was still on duty. Alas, the snake had moved on but the quarter sized female Black Widow was doing a superb job of guarding the interior from any unsuspecting flies that may have wandered in.

While marking the stops of our new bird route on the GPS I caught sight of yet another “cool critter”. Quickly insisting Scott stop the Land Rover, I jumped out and caught the biggest Rubber Boa I have ever seen. A fascinating snake, gentle in manner, unless you are a vole, small bird or smaller snake; they defend themselves by curling up and placing their head shaped tail up through the coils, while hiding their real head safely at the bottom of the pile. We enjoyed its cool, rubbery muscular body gliding gently over our hands then quietly placed it back in a safe area away from the road.

The new route marked carefully on to the lap top, we returned to the campsite for some real birding. This consists of carefully placing oneself in a camp chair facing the lake and waiting for the world to fly and float by. We were rewarded with no less than 38 Wood Ducks dabbling about in the water weeds. Many of the group was adults in full breeding plumage – the males could not have been more stunning reflected against the quiet windless lake. It was good to see the large number of young they had successfully raised during the long hot summer months. The Pied-billed Grebes were still raising their stripy headed youngsters – trying desperately to fill the months of these peeping beggars. Their cries were heard across the lake from dawn till dusk.

Each evening as we watched the sky fill with a carpet of stars from horizon to horizon, listening for Western Screech Owls and Great Horned Owls calling from the pines we promised we would go to sleep right after the next shooting star. But it was hard as the days and nights were filled with so many sights and sounds of nature at her best in the Okanogan. And really isn’t that what birding is all about – getting outside, discovering new and vivid memories. So go outside – go birding – you never know, you might see a skunk swimming!

The Big Sit – A Birder’s Ultimate Tailgate Party

Published on October 21, 2009 in Binocular Uses and Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Administrator’s note: This is the first blog post slated for the new BirderBlog, scheduled to launch soon. If you’ve ever been birding, you’ll appreciate authors Penny Rose and Scott Hoskins’s expertise. Even if you’re new to birding, Penny and Scott are known for getting first-timers hooked on this rewarding pastime.

The Big Sit- October, 2009

The Big Sit is a very simple yet intriguing event sponsored each October by Birder’s Digest. Your team chooses a 17 foot circle to count species for any length of time during a 24 hour period. Simple right!?

List of absolute necessities for a successful Big Sit:

  • The 17 ft circle – the PERFECT circle
  • Chairs – very comfortable chairs
  • Snacks – lots and lots of snacks
  • Warm clothes – lots and lots of warm clothes
  • Tide Chart – read it accurately- your return home depends on it
  • Binoculars – clean
  • Spotting scope – one for EVERY member of the team
  • Patience – lots and lots of patience

Our team consisted of Scott Hoskin and myself; the site, Discovery Park. As I work in this park our circle had to be out of the public arena. Scott recognized I would have wasted precious birding time providing compliance and interpretive moments for every passerby. The solution – a tucked away pocket beach accessible at low tide in the wee hours of the morning with no escape (or entrance) at high tide during the public hours.

We slogged a mile and half through the seaweed during the pre-dawn hours, toting chairs, scopes, thermoses, and all the essentials for a good day. Settled into to the circle we awaited the first birds. The early morning was maddening with tremendous birding activity: migrating flocks of Band-tailed Pigeons, Song Sparrows galore, several species of gulls to sort through. The stress of missing even one species was exhausting. How could birding be so tiring!?

Yet the rewards were countless. A Hermit Thrush graced us with her presence, feeding along the edge of the forested cliff at our backs and occasionally bobbing amongst the driftwood, close enough to touch. We captured views of Red-throated Loons flying over Puget Sound, their heads seemingly too heavy to hold up. Mid-morning the Belted Kingfisher who had been rattling at us repeatedly, flew to a nearby cliff and began excavating a nest hole. We were fascinated with its woodpecker tail balancing act for over ½ an hour till we realized – Arghh we need more species!

The Law of Diminishing Returns. The more species you see the less you will see. So scan and scope, scan and scope. Soon we picked out a Black Scoter to add to our White-winged and Surf Scoters, Horned Grebes to add to the Red-necked Grebes. A Red-tailed Hawk floated past, oblivious to the angry Kingfisher’s calls. Later a Cooper’s Hawk and Bald Eagle bumped up the raptor list.

And so the day went. The late afternoon lull was spent snacking and focusing on the tide line. Would it really get low enough for us to hike back around the bluff from our little pocket beach? You can’t change the tide, so back to scanning Puget Sound. Low and behold is that a blow from a whale!? The next hour was spent in high excitement watching a super pod of Orca frolic together. Huge dorsal fins identified the adult whales and tiny, tiny dorsal fins spread the good word that young Orca are in the Sound. Spy hopping, tail lobbing, fin splashing. Joyous greetings of three separate Orca pods coming together. We could feel their welcome from our perfect birding circle.

The tide out and our way clear, it was time to call it a day. Just one more scan before leaving rewarded us with a single Western Grebe and the first Bufflehead of the fall, bringing our count to 42 species. As we slipped and slogged back through the seaweed in the gathering dusk, reminiscing about our favorite birds and potential treats to pack next year, I nearly stepped on a Pectoral Sandpiper. Truly a marvelous reward for a very Big Sit.