Mission: To promote the appreciation of wildlife and increase harmony between humanity and nature.

On Instagram: @unionbaywatch

Saturday, February 17, 2024

Seeing Snipe

When most people think of snipe hunting they imagine an innocent person being told to wander around in the dark while hoping to catch some illusive, nonexistent creature. Snipes can be challenging to see, but they are real.

Earlier this month, near the small, repaired bridge over Arboretum Creek, I saw this one. If it had not been facing me, i.e. providing a bit of contrast between its belly and its surroundings, I might have missed it.

(This is the same bridge that was hit by an airborne car a year or two ago. For months, the bridge had bright orange barricades instead of the normal metal railings. It is just southeast of the intersection of Lake Washington Blvd and Boyer Street in the Washington Park Arboretum.)

This part of Arboretum Creek was enhanced with native plants in 2017 as part of the Loop Trail Project. This area of the creek is currently maintained by Seattle Parks and Recreation with assistance from the Friends of Arboretum Creek, The University of Washington Botanic Gardens, and The Arboretum Foundation

Last year, a young woman doing her UW Capstone project reported seeing a Snipe further downstream along Arboretum Creek. I have seen them many times in Duck Bay, further down beyond the mouth of the creek, however, this was my first time spotting one along the creek. 

This sighting tells me that the creek is no longer just a ditch for Lake Washington Blvd runoff. The return of the Snipe is nature's way of saying "Good job! Well done." They stopped to feed here because a healthy ecosystem is coming back along the creek.

Here is an example of a typically camouflaged view of a Snipe. (It is slightly to the left of the center.) If you look closely you will notice the bird is looking back at the camera.

While taking the photos I would occasionally stop to make sure the photos were turning out OK. Each time I looked away from the Snipe I would have to search hard to find it again. Even though my feet, the Snipe's feet, and our relative positions remained virtually unchanged

I am sure the snipe noticed me, however, it seemed confident that I could not see it. I love it when wild creatures just go on about their business as if I wasn't there. The Snipe was feeding on worms.

It would grab them with the tip of its bill, sometimes reaching deep into the mud, and then slurp them up. Actually, I suspect its tongue was pulling the worms up into its mouth.

Unlike a Great Blue Heron or a Belted Kingfisher Wilson's Snipes do not throw their heads back, and use gravity to help pull their prey into their mouth. If anything the Snipe consumed its food more like a Pileated Woodpecker or a Northern Flicker eating ants. 

There were no extravagant movements just constant and efficient feeding. The eyes of a Snipe are placed on the sides of its head. They can see in a three hundred and sixty degree circle, even when their bill is embedded in the ground.

Later in the morning, I stopped by again. The Snipe had only moved a few feet when a flicker of motion caught my eye. (Did you notice that its bill and legs are about the same length?)

A pair of Mallards floated into view while feeding in the creek. Spring is coming and if anything the female seemed a bit more focused on feeding than the male. I suspect part of the male's evolutionary job is to be on the lookout while the female build up nutrients so she can lay a dozen or more eggs come Spring.

The Snipe was probably five or six feet from the open water where the Mallards would pass by. Mallards can weigh as much as two and a half pounds while Snipes usually weigh under six ounces. Immediately, I began wondering if the Snipe would fly. (I wasn't expecting that the Mallards would attack the Snipe, but the size difference is so great that even accidental contact could damage the Snipe.)

The Snipe stopped feeding and carefully watched the Mallards' progress.

It began stretching a wing, just in case it needed to fly.

I was amazed at the bright orange of the tail feathers, partially visible behind the primary wing feathers.

After it closed the wing the spread of the tail feathers remained wider than normal, indicating it was fanning and stretching its tail as well.

A moment later it raised both wings above its back without unfolding them. Stretching out a different set of muscles.

It seemed like scratching its neck might be its final flight preparation.

Notice how the tail feathers are now back to the "normal" resting width with most of the feathers stacked one on top of another.

The Snipe peered back at the Mallards as if trying to decide if they were really a danger or whether it was safe to continue feeding.

The Mallards continued feeding. They did not seem to notice the Snipe.

The careful Snipe also returned to feeding. However, it kept turning so it could keep a watchful eye focused on the Mallards.

Suddenly, there was a great thrashing and splashing of water by the male Mallard. Immediately, the Snipe stood tall and watched with keen interest.

The Mallard caught a dark-colored creature. He immediately turned his back on the female Mallard and started moving upstream. He kept his body between his treasure and his mate. The female sensing something special was afoot crept closer, as if waiting to gobble up anything the male happened to drop.

Mallards, unlike Raptors, are not equipped with sharp bills that can quickly dispatch living prey. Much of the year they eat mostly vegetation, during breeding season they eat more larvae, worms, and other small creatures that they can easily swallow. 

The creature the Mallard caught was probably five or six inches long. It would be a feast for the Duck, if it could manage to subdue it, and also not lose it to the female. In the past, I have seen bull frogs in the Creek. I wondered if the Mallard had caught a very large tadpole.

I occasionally saw the tail of the creature as it struggled.

 The Mallard could only squeeze it, repeatedly, until the resistance ceased.

During this whole process, the Snipe stopped feeding and stood stiffly at attention - like a soldier at the funeral of a fallen friend.

The female stayed very close as the male worked its way slowly upstream.

For a moment, it appeared the Mallard lost its catch.

Howeverit was just the final rinse before consuming the Northwestern Salamander.

This was also my first time seeing a Salamander in Arboretum Creek. In 2021, I did see one being removed from the Lower Woodland Garden pond, which is downstream and up a seasonal rivulet to the east. Click Here to read the story and see the photo of the Barred Owl that caught that Salamander. 

Click Here to find the Lower Woodland Pond on my map, which also includes nearby nest sites.

As the Mallards disappeared around the bend...

...the Snipe continued to pay close attention.

Then, it turned and looked directly at me, almost as if to say, "Did you catch all that?"

Finally, with the danger passed, the Snipe returned to feeding.

On this occasion, the worms the Snipe was eating were relatively large and visible. I understand with smaller items they can pull them up and swallow them even while their bill is stuck in the mud and searching around for more food.

The next day and the day after there were two Wilson's Snipe at this location.

Have a great day on Union Bay...where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!

Sincerely,
Larry


Going Native:

Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and the local native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. 

I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:

1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.
2) Remove invasive species and then wait to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)
3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.
4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants. 

*************** 

Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy, in the book "Nature's Best Hope ", explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds, particularly young birds in their nests, than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. 

Note: Flowering plants and trees, i.e. those pollinated by bees, are also included as Keystone Plants.

This video explains the native keystone plants very nicely:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030


The Top Keystone Genera in our ecoregion i.e. Plants and trees you might want in your yard: 

Click Here


Additional content available here:

https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf



******************

In the area below, I am displaying at least one photo with each post to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. 




There are two different plants in this May, 2019, photo. One is native to our area and one is not. Do you know which is which?









Scroll down for the answer.







******************







Tall Oregon Grape: The native plant on the left. It belongs in our yards and is a contributing member of a healthy PNW ecosystem.

English Holly: The non-native invasive plant on the right. If left unchecked it will cover up and shade out native plants. The Holly reduces the richness and health of the ecosystem, and it is poisonous to humans and pets.

These two can be confused, especially, in the Winter, when they are without fruit or flowers. 

Learning to distinguish these plants will help us to protect the local ecosystem. A key difference, which I am still working to remember, is that on the native plant the leaflets are in pairs, directly opposite of each other, except for the final leaflet. It is like they are working together, maybe that can help us to remember this species works together with other native plants and creatures in the PNW. 

With English Holly, the leaves sprout out at alternating locations. It is as if each leaf is only concerned about itself and its own growth.






*****************





The Email Challenge:


Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,
 Google has discontinued the service.

In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:

                Larry, Please add me to your personal email list. 

My email address is:  

                     LDHubbell@comcast.net

Thank you!


*******************


The Comment Challenge:

Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. 
Bottom Line: 
If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.
My email address is:  

                     LDHubbell@comcast.net

Sincerely,
Larry



 

Monday, January 22, 2024

Winter Warmth

A Red-breasted Sapsucker provides a spark of fiery color during the cold, gray of Winter.

On New Year's Eve, while watching a Downy Woodpecker foraging among the branches of this Willow tree, a faint motion, next to the trunk of the tree, diverted my attention. I felt fortunate to spot a Red-breasted Sapsucker (RBSA). 

By this time of year, most leaves from deciduous trees have fallen, I expect the sap created in the leaves would normally have already descended to the roots, and that hungry Sapsuckers would have usually switched to feeding on evergreen trees.

However, this old Willow is unique. At some point, probably many years ago, the tree slipped into this horizontal position. The root system must have stayed intact. Not only did the tree survive, it appears to be thriving. It now supports numerous vertical branches, each of which behaves almost like an individual tree. I wonder if this single tree could one day become a grove of genetically identical trees. 

This tree resides, or maybe I should say reclines, on the shore of Duck Bay, next to the path to Foster Island, in the Washington Park Arboretum.

Surprisingly, this tree retained numerous leaves, even in early January. The presence of the leaves, the Sapsucker, and the obvious moisture around the fresh holes, indicated that the sap was still flowing. 

The Arboretum Tree Map says this tree is a "Salix sp."  I understand that to mean it is one of more than 300 species of willows in the world, but which one is uncertain. I faintly remember a gardener suggesting that this tree might be a Salix alba. The word alba means white, which is apparently a reference to the light color on the underside of the leaves. Salix alba is a willow species that originated in Europe and Asia.

After a while, the Sapsucker moved to a second set of holes on one of the other "trunks" of the tree. The Downy Woodpecker moved towards the sap wells that the Sapsucker had just abandoned. I suspect the Downy was hoping to find insects caught in the sweet, sticky substance. Immediately, the Sapsucker moved back to defend its investment in the original set of holes.

It is interesting to note that there are only four Sapsucker species in the world, and they all live in North America. I suspect that trees from other areas in the world, like the Salix alba, may have been less motivated to develop thick bark, in part, because in their original range, they never encountered Sapsuckers. 

To the east of the Cascade Mountains in Spring you can find Red-naped Sapsuckers (RNSAs) and Williamson's Sapsuckers (WISAs). Further to the east and up into Canada and Alaska are the Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers (YBSA) in the Spring. 

The author of this post, about YBSAs, suggests that when they begin working on a tree the YBSA drills an exploratory set of horizontal holes. The idea is that they are looking for the highest volume of sap. When they find the desired sap flow they begin drilling their way up the tree, creating vertical sets of holes. Multiple sources imply that YBSA and RBSAs behave similarly. Perhaps, this behavior applies to RBSAs too i.e. the horizontal holes are exploratory and the vertical ones are maximizing their mining effort.

I can't say I have documented the behavior, but it will be interesting to pay closer attention to how they work.

This Sapsucker did seem to feed primarily near the tops of the vertical columns of holes. That makes sense especially if it was feeding on the sap created in the leaves and flowing down to the roots. This sap travels down via the phloem. So it can be safely stored for the winter without freezing. During, the first week or two in January, I found what appeared to be this same Sapsucker, in the same tree, multiple times. 

I wonder if the Sapsucker knew that the cold snap was coming. Did it target the tree with the leaves? Were the leaves like little flags blowing the breeze, sending a signal that the sap was still flowing? In any case, the Sapsucker was clearly taking advantage of this last source of deciduous sap.

 RBSAs can also drill deeper holes to access the water and minerals that flow up from the roots via the xylem. The Xylem is a bit deeper in the tree than the phloem so the holes require different depths. However, with cold weather approaching, I would expect the tree would not be pulling up water that could potentially freeze and shatter the tree.

On January 3rd, toward the end of the day, the Sapsucker left the tree and flew west across Duck Bay. I could only think of one other tree, in line with its flight path, where I had seen a RBSA before. I figured it was a long shot but decided to check out, just in case.
 
To my surprise, it worked. There was a RBSA in the tree. But was it the same bird? 
.
After the RBSA moved to the opposite side of the trunk, these photos were taken just 7 seconds apart. They are both of the same bird.

Do you notice any differences in the feather patterns between the two photos?

The white vertical bar, along the side of the bird, is very obvious in the second photo but mostly hidden in the first one. The point is that birds can appear to be in pretty much the same position but still change the arrangement of their feathers (particularly wing feathers) and their appearance.

This white bar covers the upper portion of their primary wing feathers. Whether we see it or not is dependent on the way the bird happens to be holding its folded wings. So, even though a wing bar is an obvious field mark, it is not be a useful way to distinguish one Sapsucker from another.

A couple of years ago, I did notice a small set of white-tipped feathers on the backside of RBSAs that seem to be very consistent, often visible, and perhaps unique to each bird. (Click Here to read my first explorations along this line.) 

The bird on the left was photographed in the willow next to Duck Bay. The one on the right is the bird I saw further to the west. Do you see any markings that make you think they may or may not be the same bird?

I believe the red arrows are pointing to the tip of the innermost tertial, i.e. the innermost wing feather that is closest to the body, in this case, on the right wing of each bird. The yellow arrows point to the tip of the next tertial, i.e. one feather further out from the body of the bird. The white tips on the first bird look somewhat similar to the letter "U" while on the second bird, they look more like the number "1". The point is these markings are different for each of the birds. 

In Birds of the World (BOTW), referring to RBSAs is says, "...the distal portion of tertials variably white along shaft and at tip." (Citation Below) This documented variability is what helps make the case for me that these are two different birds.

(By the way, BOTW is free to Washington Ornithological Society members.)

I think it helps that the location of these inner feathers protects them from wear and tear. Hence, the white tips are less likely to change shape between molts. Plus if they do not get much wear they may not need to be replaced during every annual molt.

These white-tipped feathers could look similar on some RBSAs. However, when the tips look distinctly different, at nearly the same time, I think it is logical to conclude they are two different birds.

On the other hand, when these feathers look alike, on birds found at the same location, over a week or two, it also seems fair to assume we are probably looking at the same bird. 

The photos above, for example, were taken ten days apart and both birds were in the reclining Willow next to Duck Bay. Even though the angle is slightly different and the wings are held a bit differently the white tips of the visible tertials look remarkably similar. (I also have additional photos that show these same patterns on the Duck Bay Sapsucker.) As the second photo illustrates, depending on how the bird holds its wings, not all four feather tips are visible all of the time.

Even though I believe this is the same bird, it is interesting how the other lightly-colored feathers, higher on the bird's back, look somewhat different in each photo. Trying to identify individual birds by their markings is certainly not foolproof, but it is a fun way to challenge ourselves to learn more about our wild neighbors.

Sadly, for the Sapsucker, last week some truly cold weather came to Duck Bay. I have not been able to locate a RBSA since then. However, a friend in Ballard did see one near his house this week. It is reassuring that they haven't all gone south. However, it does raise the question, How do they survive the bitter cold?

Overall, many probably survive by migrating south. However, if you watch eBird's weekly dynamic map of sightings it is obvious that they migrate in two different ways. Some migrate north to south in the Fall, like other species, while others migrate east to west i.e. vertically. 

In the Spring, much of their nesting takes place in the mountains of British Columbia and Washington. However, in the Winter, many RBSAs move to a lower elevations, instead of going south. Lucky for us, there are sightings of them year-round in the lowlands of Western Washington.

I suspect that on cold Winter nights, those who spend the Winter here may use old nest holes as roosting cavities. Hopefully, the surrounding wood of a dead snag provides adequate insulation. Nonetheless, they almost certainly need to find food during daylight hours to secure enough energy to make it through the cold nights. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that some of you had RBSAs visiting your feeders during the cold snap.


Recommended Citation

Walters, E. L., E. H. Miller, and P. E. Lowther (2020). Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (A. F. Poole, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.rebsap.01


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By the way, the Arboretum, including the trees, birds, insects, nest sites, fruit, flowers, squirrels, salamanders, rabbits, pollinators, butterflies, dragonflies, bees, frogs, and to some degree even the coyotes, otters, beavers and the occasional deer, thrive because of private support. 

Both the City of Seattle and the University of Washington contribute funding to the Arboretum, however, significant private support is required to keep it functioning. The most enjoyable way to support the Arboretum is via the Annual Opening Night Party. (If you sign up soon feel free to request a seat at my table. If the timing works out, we will have a chance to enjoy a delightful dinner during the birthday celebration.)

Opening Night Party 2024
Celebrate the Arboretum's 90th Anniversary at the

Botanical Birthday Bash

Tuesday, February 13, 2024
5 - 9 pm

With a preview of the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival!
A Benefit for the Washington Park Arboretum (1934 - 2024)

~~~~~

You'll enjoy:

An opportunity to purchase and bid on unique and enticing experiences
(Like a hosted Raptor Road Tour around the Skagit area)

An exclusive preview of the Garden Festival before it opens to the public

Hosted social hours with drinks and appetizers

Seated dinner

The 90th birthday toast and celebration!

~~~~~

Click Here to Sign Up


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Have a great day on Union Bay...where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!

Sincerely,
Larry


Going Native:

Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and the local native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. 

I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:

1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.
2) Remove invasive species and then wait to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)
3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.
4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants. 

*************** 

Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy, in the book "Nature's Best Hope ", explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds, particularly young birds in their nests, than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. 

Note: Flowering plants and trees, i.e. those pollinated by bees, are also included as Keystone Plants.

This video explains the native keystone plants very nicely:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030


The Top Keystone Genera in our ecoregion i.e. Plants and trees you might want in your yard: 

Click Here


Additional content available here:

https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf



******************

In the area below, I am displaying at least one photo with each post to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. 






Which of these is a native Alder and which is not?

This next photo provides a hint about the common name of our native Alder.









Scroll down for the answer.







******************



Red Alder: Our native Red Alder tends to have the more pointed leaf. The European Alder, which can also be found in the Arboretum, has a much more "rounded" leaf. 

Did you notice the holes in the native Alder leaves. These are a wonderful sign that a native life form, possibly caterpillars, know how to feed on this tree. Indirectly, this turns the tree into a food source for a wide variety of young birds.





*****************





The Email Challenge:


Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021,
 Google has discontinued the service.

In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:

                Larry, Please add me to your personal email list. 

My email address is:  

                     LDHubbell@comcast.net

Thank you!


*******************


The Comment Challenge:

Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the 
robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. 

Bottom Line: 

If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.
My email address is:  

                     LDHubbell@comcast.net

Sincerely,
Larry


Parting Shots: