Showing posts sorted by relevance for query for the birds. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query for the birds. Sort by date Show all posts

Garden Guy: Climate Ready landscape plants

Monday, October 16, 2023

By Bruce Bennett

Gardeners who have read this column for a while have seen me write about the proper watering of their gardens and landscapes. Yet, the right irrigation schedule can be a bit costly with the arrival of each public utility bill. The last three years have given us some of the increasingly hottest weather on record and forecasts for the next decade really don’t provide us much hope for the cooler, ‘normal’ weather cycles. 


There must be a better way, right? How about we take the next logical step in landscape development for a present and future that includes the issue of global warming in our part of the world? Let’s look at some existing plants that are being trialed as horticultural candidates which are up to the challenges of heat and drought.

For the past two years your Garden Guy has been part of an evaluation process of some fifteen different types of plants which may benefit our area’s gardens. 

The UW Botanical Gardens joined a multi-year endeavor initially begun by the University of California-Davis California Center for Urban Horticulture and is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

The expanded trials now include garden plots at the UC-Davis, the University of Washington Botanical Gardens, the South Coast Research and Extension Center, the University of Arizona, Utah State University, Oregon State University and the North Willamette Research and Extension Center.

These Landscape Irrigation Trials are a longitudinal research project will help identify some of the best water-wise plants for our region. The findings will help the live-goods trade and gardeners in the Puget Sound make smart plant choices for the hotter, drier summers climate scientists predict for the years ahead. 

From the ranks of the wholesale nursery industry, garden centers, Certified Master Gardeners from King County, etc. evaluators will rate some 350 plants in terms of their foliage, flowering, pest tolerance/disease resistance, vigor and overall appearance (AKA, the “WOW factor”). 

The plants which thrive best with the lowest amount of irrigation will be classified as the “winners”, so to speak. And, those that do best under low-water conditions will be recommended to the green industry and northwest gardeners, similar to the suggestions from the Great Plant Picks program through the UW’s Center for Urban Horticulture.

As this is only the UW’s second year participating in these trials, there is not, as yet, a list of drought-tolerant plants for the Northwest to recommend. You can, however, visit the UC-Davis website 

Remember to select plants to research for your landscapes which grow well in our US Hardiness Zones (Zones 7 and 8). From these past two years of trials (and 20-years of hands-on experience), the Garden Guy has come away with a short list of his own favorites from the trials. Among these full-sun (6+ hours/day) loving candidates for your consideration are:

Chaste Tree
Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) ‘Blue Diddley’ is a dwarf (6’ x 5’) version of the straight species which can grow quite large (18’ x 15’). 

As a Mediterranean native, Vitex has proven to be extremely drought tolerant. This compact, intensely colored, freely blooming shrub could become a very popular landscape plant in many different spaces.

‘Blue Diddley’ could find a space in a mixed border or on a sunny condo deck. It would also be a great alternative to those who want the ‘look’ of the invasive Buddleia (Butterfly Bush) in their yards.

Crape Myrtle
Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) ‘Center Stage Red’ is another great color counterpoint in the landscape. In late summer this 12’ x 10’ small tree/large shrub commands the spotlight with its deep burgundy -to-black leaves and red flowers.

It naturally grows with a narrow, space-saving habit and needs minimal pruning. 

If you find the leaves on your Redbud or Japanese Snowbell crisping during our increasing heat domes, a Crape Myrtle just might be the new urban setting tree for your yard. 

An added bonus these plants offer is their disease and deer resistance. They should be used more often.

Maiden grass
Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis) ‘Bandwith’ is the new gold (banded) standard in a dwarf (3’ x 3’) Miscanthus. 

This compact Maiden Grass has green foliage with pronounced yellow banding. The habit is solidly upright like 'Zebrinus’ but stands half the height. Bandwidth flowers late in the season and adds extra interest to fading gardens. It makes a great landscape accent or a ‘thriller’ in containers. 

Miscanthus is versatile from a design standpoint; it can be used as a single specimen, for mass plantings or screening or in large containers. 

Even though it dies back in early winter, it will provide a buff-colored presence of winter interest which birds will enjoy for the seeds provided the homeowner for the vertical visual show.

Nine bark
Nine Bark (Physocarpus opulifolius) ‘Little Devil’, (4’ x 3’) with its upright spreading habit, fine-texture and really dark foliage sets it apart from the many greens of the landscape and provide a nice contrast and can replace thorny barberries in the yard. 

This less-than-thirsty shrub is definitely easy-care and requires little, if any, pruning. 

Additionally, it is virtually free from pest and disease issues and adapts well to wet or dry soil. Clusters of small purplish-white flowers bloom in June that contrast nicely with the burgundy foliage.

Rosa
Rose (Rosa x) ‘Oso Easy ‘Urban Legend’ is a true-red excellent carpet rose (2’ x 3’) that blooms from early summer until hard frost and without trimming and deadheading, no less. 

The glossy green leaves seem to be pretty resistant and usually have no need for fungicides. This plant’s size and rigor make it an excellent candidate as a ground cover, edging or sunny spot that could use a bit more summer color. 

As with all of the plants on my list, once established, they require far less water than others in their taxa. I’d recommend an application of a granular fertilizer in spring and pruning in early spring.

Nine Bark blooms
A few other trial recommendations for you to consider include Bluebeard (Caryopteris x clandonensi), Buxus ‘Little Missy’, California Lilac (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus) ‘Victoria’, Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) ‘Summertime Blue’, Cotoneaster x suesicus ‘Emerald Beauty’, Nine Bark (Physocarpus opulifolius ) ‘Diablo’, Rose ‘Blushing Drift’ and Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) ‘Pink Chiffon’. 

Check out some of these drought-tolerant plants and win on several fronts; hold onto a bit more of your public utilities dollars, have a better looking yard and save some time watering your yards (I try to help out where I can). 

 Happy gardening all!

Bruce Bennett, Garden Guy
Contributing garden columnist, Bruce Bennett, is a Washington State University Certified Master Gardener, public speaker and Seattle-area garden designer. 

If you have questions concerning this article, have questions concerning your garden or want to suggest a topic for a future column, contact Bruce at gardenguy4u@gmail.com.

See his previous columns here

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Community collaboration saves 94 mature trees along Dayton Ave N

Sunday, November 14, 2021

Trees on Dayton were marked for removal.
Photo by Jamie Holter looking south.
How WSDOT, the City of Shoreline, and Save Shoreline Trees worked together to preserve trees

By Melody Fosmore, CoChair, Save Shoreline Trees

It started in early 2019 with a few neighbors who attended an open house at the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Regional Headquarters in Shoreline to learn about its impending $46.5 million remodeling project.

Looking south on Dayton today. Photo by Melody Fosmore

At the open house, a map showed every tree that surrounded the WSDOT facility on N 160th St, Dayton Ave N and N 155th St was marked with a dark “X”. City representatives at the open house explained that the trees were slated for removal because Shoreline Municipal Code required 8-foot-wide concrete sidewalks and other frontage improvements along the right-of-way streets surrounding WSDOT due to the size of the project. 

In addition to the 8-foot-wide sidewalks, the other frontage improvements included 5-foot amenity strips for signage and landscaping, and parallel parking along Dayton Ave N. These improvements necessitated the removal of the trees. 

The iconic trees surrounding WSDOT are 75-150 years old (estimated) and a remnant of a much larger urban forest. These trees work together to stay strong during high winds; they provide shade for humans and a resting place for migrating birds and, through their root system, cleanse stormwater runoff that feeds the Boeing Creek watershed. The prospect of losing them was heartbreaking.

The new sidewalk and the trees that were saved.
Photo by Melody Fosmore

After the open house, one of the neighbors posted the news on social media. A solid core of community support emerged and Save Shoreline Trees was founded. In its first three months, Save Shoreline Trees held rallies, sent more than 300 letters and emails to the City, and attended City Council meetings to speak for these trees. 

A concerned family installed a large banner sign posted in front of a home that alerted the community in detail of the plans. This same family made 'save me' signs and wrapped them around the trees on Dayton Ave N, providing a compelling and daily reminder to pedestrians and car drivers of what was at stake. 

In January 2020, a pivotal Save Shoreline Trees community meeting hosted representatives from WSDOT and the City, along with more than 50 community members who shared ideas for saving these trees. We all asked if there were alternative sidewalk options. 

WSDOT and Abbott Construction leadership took the suggestions and in the following months, submitted several revisions to the frontage improvement plan, including alternative sidewalk proposals.

New sidewalk on shallow footings. 
Photo by Melody Fosmore

The City of Shoreline agreed to extend the required ROW permit deadline so WSDOT could continue their interior remodeling work while creating a new plan for the alternative sidewalks. The City also agreed to waive street parking and landscaping, but continued to maintain the 8-foot-wide sidewalk requirement. 

As the process slowly moved along, Save Shoreline Trees kept making weekly public statements to the City Council about the WSDOT project and maintained communication with both the City and WSDOT for updates. Save Shoreline Trees kept the public and supporters informed of the progress.

WSDOT’s research finally resulted in a “Memorandum of Understanding” with the City that the trees on Dayton Ave N and N 155th were effectively doing the work (and had been for decades) to filter stormwater so a proposed underground stormwater system was not needed and an alternative sidewalk plan could work, thereby saving most of the trees. 

Trees and PermaTrak® photo by Melody Fosmore

Even more significant, Chris Lee, Senior Project Manager with the project contractor, Abbott Construction, went a step further and found a product based in North Carolina, used primarily in the south and east coasts for park pathways and hiking trails, called the PermaTrak® system. This system would work as an alternative sidewalk for Dayton Ave N. 

Since the shipping costs to Seattle would have been astronomical, Chris Lee worked behind the scenes with Olympian Precast Inc, a concrete pre-cast company in Redmond and ‘brokered’ a deal with PermaTrak® to have the sidewalk pieces made in the Seattle area, which not only made the alternative sidewalk more affordable, but would also give PermaTrak® a manufacturing presence in the Northwest. By using a local manufacturer, they also avoided the environmental and economic impact of trucking the concrete plus the wages for manufacturing workers and material suppliers stayed here in Washington.

Another important note is the overall costs of this frontage improvement. There were two very expensive costs that were avoided by using the PermaTrak® solution. One was the cost of paying a “fee in lieu” for each of the trees to be removed, which the City requires when a tree is removed and no replacement tree is scheduled to be planted. 

Another was the cost of moving all the utilities to the middle of the street which would have shut down this busy arterial for several weeks. The net result, after taking in the avoided costs, was the PermaTrak® system costs less than the original plan and the trees were allowed to stay.

After more than a year of research, planning, and permit revisions, the permit was approved with WSDOT’s new plan which included an elevated PermaTrak® sidewalk on Dayton Avenue N. In addition, the relocation of the sidewalk on N 155th St saved trees. 

34 mature trees were cut down on N 160th St.
Photo by Melody Fosmore

However, the City did not approve WSDOT’s recommendation for a 6-foot-wide sidewalk along N 160th St, so 34 mature trees were cut down on August 9, 2021.

As a result of this collaboration, WSDOT’s Chris Linden and the HQ Capital Facilities office has been nominated for the Annual WSDOT Environmental Award. 

When asked about the point where things changed the most, Chris said, “the advocacy and tenacity of Save Shoreline Trees made a huge difference in the outcome of this project. Yes, the design and outcome are driven by costs just like any other project, however in this instance the players of this multi-leg stool all wanted to save the trees. Everyone just had to work harder to get to the solution.”

This collective effort by Save Shoreline Trees, WSDOT, Abbott Construction and the City of Shoreline shows the value of community collaboration with an aligned focus on environmental goals. This WSDOT project outcome is an excellent example of a positive collaboration between a state, a city, private, and community organizations. 

With the PermaTrak® option now locally available, the City has a new resource for capital projects and sidewalk designs.

Ongoing development, along with climate crisis, are detrimental to all mature conifers and native trees. More than ever, we ALL need to work together to save our environment during this climate crisis. 

Saving the Dayton Ave N tall mature trees positively affects the lives and health of our community. Most of the time, we don’t appreciate what these magnificent trees do for us every day, however if these trees had all been cut down, the effect would have been felt for generations to come.

Save Shoreline Trees continues to advocate for tall mature conifers. To learn more about its strategies and activities, visit www.saveshorelinetrees.com


Updated to PermaTrak® and added link http://permatrak.com/



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For the birds: Birds Need Special Habitats

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Snow Geese landing
Photo by Doug Parrott

Birds Need Special Habitats
by Christine Southwick

Birds need good nutrient-rich feeding spots. For most water birds, these areas are flat areas that collect water during part to all of the year. These are the types of land that are easily and frequently filled in and made into parking lots. Since habitat loss is the number one cause of avian deaths and species decline, there needs to be a way to protect these areas important to birds.

Long eared owl
Photo by Doug Parrott

Did you know that Washington State has 74 designated Important Bird Areas? These aren’t large areas of land, most are quite small and may be a combination of public and privately owned, but these parcels are vital to migrating and/or specialized birds.

Important Bird Areas (IBA’s) are areas that have been determined to provide essential habitat for breeding, wintering, and/or migrating birds. To be accepted as an IBA the site must be of unique importance for one or more species of bird. There are three classifications of IBA’s—State, Continental, or Global.

Thirteen of Washington’s Important Bird Areas have been designated as being of “Global Importance”.

Of these thirteen, ten are here in western Washington, and all these areas are vital to birds that need water. Three are needed for the listed Marbled Murrelet; and two areas are used by 90% of the Snow Geese coming from Wrangle Island in Russia. These Snow Geese stop in the Skagit Bay area during their winter migration, with 60% staying here all winter.

Bald eagle
Photo by Doug Parrott

Anywhere there are large quantities of birds, there are predators who feast on these flocks. Since the Skagit area also has great habitat for shorebirds and other wintering flocks, there are lots of raptors that can be seen: Bald Eagles, Peregrines, Harriers, American Kestrals, Merlins, Long-eared and Short-eared Owls, and an occasional Prairie Falcon, or Gyrfalcon all visit this area known for good hunting. And duck and goose hunting season ended Jan 25th.

If you drive up to the Skagit-Fir Island area, be safe and thoughtful. Pull over, off the road. Use your car as a “Blind”, if possible, so as not to disturb the flocks. Every time flocks are startled and forced to fly these birds burn much needed energy. Some farmers have agreed to plant winter crops for the geese. Don’t walk on property without permission—unless marked as “Public”, all property is privately owned.

Now is a good time to go see wintering flocks.


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Help count birds for science during Audubon’s Annual Christmas Bird Count

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Portions of Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, and Kenmore
are in the Edmonds Bird Count circle

The National Audubon Society invites birdwatchers and people with backyard bird feeders to participate in the longest-running citizen science survey - the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC). On Saturday, December 17, birders and nature enthusiasts will take part in this tradition, many rising before dawn to participate.

“This year Pilchuck Audubon is making a special effort to count birds visiting yard bird feeders,” says Rick Taylor, a volunteer with Pilchuck Audubon. “Recent research has highlighted the importance of suburban habitats and the surprising diversity of bird species that make use of our suburban yards and greenbelts.”

Birders of all ages are welcome to contribute to this fun, nationwide citizen science project, which provides ornithologists with a crucial snapshot of our native bird populations during the winter months.

The Edmonds / South Snohomish County CBC is performed in a count circle with a diameter of 15 miles that is centered near Martha Lake in Lynnwood. This circle covers central to south Snohomish county, as well as Kenmore, the northern half of Lake Forest Park, and part of north central Shoreline.

In last year’s CBC, people watched their feeders at 37 locations in South Snohomish County and Northern King County. They reported the only White-throated Sparrows in the circle, and accounted for 64% of the Townsend’s Warblers, and 43% of the Anna’s Hummingbirds observed. Collectively, they observed 48 species and 1,880 individual birds. Complete results of last year’s Edmonds CBC can be found on the Pilchuck Audubon Website here.

To participate by counting birds in your yard and feeders, first confirm that you live within the Edmonds count circle, using this map. (Shown above) Click on the link and when the map is displayed, enter Edmonds in the search box in the upper-right-hand corner of the page. Then zoom in or out until you see the whole circle. Verify that your home is located within it.

You will also need to follow specific counting directions which, along with additional general information about the Edmonds CBC, can be found on Pilchuck Audubon’s website at: Detailed Instructions for Home Counters. You can also contact Rick Taylor at 425-214-2764) or Bob Schmidt at 425-273-1579.

Each year, the National Audubon Christmas Bird Count mobilizes over 72,000 volunteer bird counters in more than 2,500 locations across the Western Hemisphere. The Audubon Christmas Bird Count utilizes the power of volunteers to track the health of bird populations at a scale that scientists could never accomplish alone. Data compiled in South Snohomish and Northern King County area will record every individual bird and bird species seen in a specified area, contributing to a vast citizen science network that continues a tradition stretching back more than 100 years.

To date over 200 peer-reviewed articles have resulted from analysis done with Christmas Bird Count data. Bird related citizen science efforts are also critical to understanding how birds are responding to a changing climate. This documentation is what enabled Audubon scientists to discover that 314 species of North American birds are threatened by global warming as reported in Audubon’s groundbreaking Birds and Climate Change Study. The tradition of counting birds combined with modern technology and mapping is enabling researchers to make discoveries that were not possible in earlier decades.

The Audubon Christmas Bird Count began in 1900 when Dr. Frank Chapman, founder of Bird‐Lore – which evolved into Audubon magazine – suggested an alternative to the holiday “side hunt,” in which teams competed to see who could shoot the most birds. This program brings out the best in people and they tend to stay involved for the long run. And so the tradition continues.

The National Audubon Society saves birds and their habitats throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on‐the‐ground conservation. Audubon's state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, Audubon's vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Audubon is a nonprofit conservation organization.



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For the Birds: Snowy Owl Facts and Precautions - Interview with Nature and Bird photographer Paul Bannick

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Phone interview with Paul Bannick, Author and Photographer of The Owl and The Woodpecker 11/17/2011, by Christine Southwick

With the reports of sighting along the Washington coast, this year appears to be an irruptive year for the Snowy Owl.

"Snowy Owl Singing in Fog"  Photo: paulbannick.com
Reprinted with permission


Paul, WHERE ARE THESE OWLS COMING FROM AND WHY ARE THEY HERE?

Snowy Owls breed on the Arctic Tundra, but the young disperse widely, so we don’t know if these owls are from Alaska, Canada, or Asia. We do know that they are here in search of food. The most common explanation is that the birds are responding to a fall in lemming populations to the north. The success of the prior year’s breeding owls likely plays a role as well, with many more birds putting pressure on whatever lemming populations remain.

These owls are hungry. The only reason that they fly this far south is to get enough food to survive. They need all the energy and fat that they can acquire. It is important that people, in their enthusiasm to see these magnificent owls, don’t crowd them and cause them to waste valuable calories. Expending energy unproductively can be the margin between surviving or starving.

IS THERE A SPECIFIC AGE OR SEX OF THE SNOWY OWLS THAT FLY SOUTHWARD TO FIND FOOD?

There is a hierarchy in Snowy Owls, with the adult females initially retaining breeding territories, while males and juveniles move south with juvenile males traveling the furthest. Therefore, most of the Snowy Owls who travel down into Washington are juveniles, and the majorities of these are males.

WHAT KINDS OF FOOD ARE THESE OWLS EATING WHILE THEY ARE HERE IN WASHINGTON?

They are eating mostly rodents, and opportune birds. Rodents mostly move at night or dusk, so while the Snowy Owls are in Washington, most are hunting dusk through dawn. Having found an area that sustains it, a Snowy Owl may stay in the area for a while.

HOW WOULD I KNOW IF I AM TOO CLOSE AND CAUSING A SNOWY TO WASTE ENERGY?

These owls live on or near the ground. They need much more distance than other owls because of their exposure. If you are closer than 100 yards (length of a full football field), you may be too close! Half a mile is more ideal. If you see the owl opening its eyes during full daylight, defecating, climbing to a higher perch, or especially flying away from you, you are probably TOO CLOSE. You are causing an owl harm every time it has to launch itself for reasons other than feeding.

WHAT SUGGESTIONS WOULD YOU OFFER PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO SEE THESE OWLS IN WAYS THAT ARE HEALTHY FOR THE OWLS AND SATISFYING FOR THE VIEWERS?

First and foremost, keep your distance. That means use a scope if at all possible. If you are taking pictures, take advantage of high-powered lenses and tripods and/or digi-scoping . Be prepared to stay in one place for a while.

It is recommended that people wait for a few weeks when they hear about a Snowy Owl in a new location. By late December or January, many of these owls will be in place and settled, and less likely to require that half mile. It may even be able to tolerate a closer approach, especially if you use your car as a blind. Watch for those signs of nervousness, and back away if you are bothering the owl.


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Local soccer teams to square off in season finale Tuesday

Monday, October 22, 2018

Soccer ball
Photo by Wayne Pridemore
Tuesday night, October 23, 2018 at 7pm at Shoreline Stadium, the Shorecrest and Shorewood girls soccer teams square off in the regular season finale.

If ever there was a night for local youth coaches (of both boys and girls teams) from the Hillwood and Shorelake Soccer organizations to bring their teams to a game, this would be it. 

Nearly all the players they’ll be watching are the product of the two programs, and watching the ‘big kids’ play can teach them invaluable soccer techniques as well as great lessons regarding sportsmanship, effort, hustle, and team play. Dry weather is in the forecast.

The teams come into the game with very similar records. The Scots are 8-3-2 in WesCo action, while the T-Birds are 8-4-1.

Both teams have strong coaches. Mindy Dalziel is at the helm for the Scots, while long-time local coach Gary Harris leads the T-Birds.

Both schools have long, proud, and successful programs, with State Championship banners adorning the walls of both gyms. Michelle Akers, arguably the greatest female American player, was a Scot, while her US National and World Cup Champion teammate Lori Henry (who is a long-time assistant coach for SC) played for the T-Birds. 

Nina Lowe, a two-sport SW State Champion (in soccer and basketball, as well as a former T-Bird girls basketball coach) was on the 1999 championship team, while Scots coach Mindy Dalziel won State in 1992 and 1993 as a player at Shorecrest.

It will be the first meeting of the year between the two teams, and with the District One 3A playoffs starting next weekend, much is at stake.

Those teams ranked in the top six in the complex RPI system earn their way into Districts with a bye into the tournament, while those ranked 7-10 must win a dreaded ‘win-or-go-home’ play-in game that precedes Districts. Both teams have a chance to finish in the top six. A top-four finish earns a team a first-round home game.

The latest RPI rankings can be found HERE.

The outcome of Tuesday’s match will go a long way to determining the final seeding of both teams, as well as deciding if either (or both) teams get a first-round home game next Saturday.

Players to watch - For Shorewood, freshman twin sisters Kaitlyn and Morgan Manalili are very technical ball-handlers with great awareness, along with the ability to create and finish plays. Look for senior defender Hai-Ying Aw to make long throw-ins. Sophomores Grace Kamilla and Shea Mertel both hustle like crazy.

For Shorecrest - Junior Izzy Menning plays with passion and drive. Junior defender Sydney Van Ness is a stud; an anchor on the back line with a big free-kick leg. Junior Sevi Mitsopoulos, back from injury, is a real playmaker. Senior captain Amanda Kagarabi brings great all-around athleticism and leadership qualities to the team, as well as the experience that comes with having been a part of two state champion teams for the Scots, in track and basketball.

Kagarabi, especially, is looking forward to Tuesday’s showdown. 

“I’m so excited for this game. We are all playing for pride, and our games with Shorewood always have a whole ‘nother type of energy. We’re excited to end the regular season on a high note as we prepare for the playoff battle coming up over the next few weeks.”

--Sports Desk



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For the birds: Birds need them - we need them - let’s save the trees

Friday, August 2, 2019

Golden-crowned Kinglet in tree
Photo by Elaine Chuang
By Christine Southwick

All our local birds need trees. Our yard birds are classified as Perching Birds since their feet have evolved to clinging to tree branches.

Most of the birds in our area eat, sleep, and breed in trees. Northern Flickers, Downy, Hairy, and Pileated Woodpeckers, and Red-Breasted Sapsuckers are prime examples.

Did you know that Black-capped and Chestnut-backed chickadees, plus Red-breasted Nuthatches, are just some of the birds that use old woodpecker cavities for their nests

That’s already eight cavity nesters that need good-sized local trees for food, raising their young, and for shelter and sleeping.

Red-breasted Nuthatch high in tree
Photo by Elaine Chuang

All kinds of birds build their nests in our local trees: Robins, Steller’s Jays, Yellow Warblers, et al. 
  • White-crowned Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, and Spotted Towhees use trees as look-out posts from which to watch for predators near their nests.
  • Golden-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Merlins, Band-tailed Pigeons, and many other birds need tall evergreens in which to lay their eggs
  • Red-breasted Nuthatches have been known to build their nests 120 feet high in conifers, Cedar Waxwings and kinglets often nest 60 feet up.
  • Willow Flycatchers, Olive-sided Flycatchers and Pacific Slope Flycatchers pass through our area during northern and southern migrations and use treetops from which to fly out and catch the bugs needed to fuel their journeys.

Birds glean tiny bugs off trees, helping to keep trees healthy. Their lilting songs lift our hearts and reduce our stress levels. Birds and bees help pollinate trees.

Pileated Woodpecker on old tree
Photo by Elaine Chuang


How do we humans benefit from trees? Why should we keep them? 

Trees reduce noise, moderate temperatures, reduce dust and help clean the air. Trees, especially year-round conifers, deflect rain and snow from falling directly to the ground, thereby slowing runoff and diminishing stormwaters and flooding.

Many people don’t know that Shoreline Parks only have 20% of our city’s tree canopy, while 71% of the tree canopy is owned by private homeowners. Therefore, tree-cutting homeowners directly reduce Shoreline’s tree canopy, and affect their related neighborhood.

Red-breasted Sapsucker with sap holes
 (these holes do not hurt trees)
Photo by Elaine Chuang
Trees need to be kept. Thin a tree, don’t cut it down.

If a tree is sick, don’t cut it flush to the ground, leave a ten foot or higher snag. It will cost you less, and the woodpeckers will start using the snag.

Other birds will soon claim the used woodpecker holes.

Give birds places to live and improve our breathing/noise/and climate change issues.

Keep the trees! 
Help save the Birds!



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For the Birds: Babies to the left of me, babies to the right...

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Song Sparrow fledgling begging for food
Photo by Christine Southwick


By Christine Southwick

Babies to the left of me—Babies to the right of me-Babies over my head!

Finally, a sunny weekend allowed me to see the following baby birds:
  • A newly fledged Spotted Towhee in its dark camouflage;
  • A juvie Oregon Junco wearing its striped suit;
  • A fledgling Song Sparrow learning to bathe (and still begging for food);

Three, hours-old, fledgling Black-capped Chickadees, wings a-flittering were squeaking for food. These came this morning from the nest box in my blue spruce. Both parents are yard-residents. I know this because they were both color-banded in my yard for a local study being done by the Puget Sound Bird Observatory.

Oregon junco father feeding his two striped off-spring
Photo by Christine Southwick

A little group of Chestnut-backed Chickadees, probably as young as the Black-capped Chickadees, were also fluttering their wings, and begging. These were being fed suet by one dutiful parent who was color-banded.

One of my banded Red-breasted Nuthatches was feeding suet to two freshly fledged babies. Suet is such a quick source of healthy protein, and makes the job of feeding a brood much easier for the parents.

Fledgling Chestnut-backed Chickadee -learning to use feeder
Photo by Christine Southwick

And a Bewick’s Wren has built a second nest. The first one was in a nest box — this one is on an under-eave wall-divider near the nest box. The jury is still out as to whether this is for a second brood, or is a replacement brood. I can’t check the nest box until she is done with this nesting.

What joy making my yard a “Certified Wildlife Habitat”  has brought me!

By supplying the four essentials: food; water; space; and a place to raise young; and by not poisoning the bugs they eat; I have created an oasis that is beneficial to wildlife and uplifting me.

Juvie Red-breasted Nuthatch--Now, where is the food?
Photo by Christine Southwick

Did you know that Shoreline is a National Wildlife Certified Community Wildlife Habitat? We became one in 2010. In order to maintain our certification, the community needs to earn 40 NWF points a year. We earn these points through educating local groups, environmental work parties, and staffing booths at local events. We encourage home/apartment owners (one point each), workplaces, and places of worship (three points each), and schools (five points each) to become certified wildlife habitats. 

I may not be able to save all the birds in the world, but I can make a difference in my part of the world. I choose to do so—will you join me?


Christine Southwick is a Board member of the Puget Sound Bird Observatory and is their Winter Urban Color-banding Project Manager. She has completed the 40-hour class to become a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat Steward.

For previous For the Birds columns, click the link under the Features section on the main webpage.

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Birds at the Burke Saturday

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Puget Sound Bird Observatory is partnering with the Burke Museum for an annual event about birds from your backyard, and around the world.

Birds at the Burke, Saturday, October 19, 2013, 10 am – 4 pm
Included with museum admission; FREE for Burke members or with UW ID

Join the Burke Museum for a new annual event all about our feathered friends! See and touch hundreds of birds from the Burke’s ornithology collection, from hummingbirds to hornbills.

Activities include:

  • See beautiful nests with eggs from the Burke’s bird collection – on public view for the first time ever.
  • Also learn about the most common nests you can find in your backyard.
  • Meet a live macaw from Cougar Mountain Zoo (10 am - 12 pm) and a live owl from Woodland Park Zoo (1-3pm).
  • Discover how scientists safely capture and band wild birds for research with mist net demonstrations, and practice with toy birds.
  • Examine how birds are prepared for museum collections by viewing bird specimen preparation.
  • Hands-on bird crafts and family activities.
  • 11:30am & 1pm: join Neil Zimmerman from Seattle Audubon for a short bird walk around the museum grounds. Bring your Binoculars!
  • Talks throughout the day ranging from how birds learn to sing, to the lives of owls

Our "For the Birds" columnist Christine Southwick, President of the PSBO, will be at the event with exhibits on local birds and what they eat.



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Football: Rotary Cup Recap

Thursday, October 3, 2019

Family photo at the Rotary Cup
Rod Mar, SC grad, does this every year


Football Rotary Cup 9/29 @ Shoreline Stadium
Shorecrest 42 - Shorewood 22

By Rob Oxford

Whether either team wants to admit it or not, the Rotary Cup between Shorecrest and Shorewood is undoubtedly the biggest game of the season sans any playoff. Made even more so by the presence of Chris Egan and the KING 5 “Yellow Jackets” who were there to film Friday Nights “Game of the Week” for broadcast. (See article here)

Chris Egan King 5 interviews QB
Eladio Fountain for the Big Game story
Photo by Rob Oxford
After a 30-minute delay due to lightning in the area, Shoreline Stadium had nearly reached its capacity when the 41st Annual Rotary Cup began.

Projected to be the dominant team in 3A WesCo South this year, with the exception of a convincing win over Everett, Shorecrest has looked anything but “dominant” in their first 4 games this season and last Friday’s matchup against Shorewood would once again test the team’s collective mettle.

Shorewood would receive the kickoff and maintain control of the ball for the first 7 minutes of the game. Although the Scots Defense appeared physical in their attack and were applying ample pressure, the Thunderbirds were able to weave their way down field amidst poor tackling and unnecessary penalties, something the Scots must address before their next away game at 2 – 2 Snohomish. Many a big play has been negated this year due to lack of discipline on the field.

The T-Birds were able to put the first points on the board after what appeared to be a punt situation caught the Scots off guard and extended the drive with a first down. Shorewood Quarterback Spencer Osborn then handed the ball to Ibrahim Benzina who scampered 12 yards into the end zone untouched.

During their first offensive series, Scots Quarterback Eladio Fountain again showcased his incredible arm by barely overthrowing a wide-open Des Fox, a play Coach Christensen would return to later in the game with a much different result. The Scots also made good use of the screen pass moving the ball into scoring position, but an errant pitch to Markus Selzler fell to the ground and was recovered by the Thunderbirds on their own 7-yard line, resulting in another stalled Shorecrest drive.

The Rotary Cup changes hands
Photo by Rob Oxford

Surprisingly, both the Scots Offense and Defense were tested the entire night as the Shorewood Coaching Staff seemed to have developed an effective game plan to combat the “favorites”.

Later in the 2nd quarter Robbie Oxford stepped up with 2 big plays to slow down the Thunderbird Offense. The first, a batted ball intended for a wide-open Shorewood Receiver and the second forcing a T-Bird ball carrier back inside on an attempted end around. The result was a fine defensive play by his teammates and a 7-yard loss for the Birds. Unfortunately, due to what was deemed a “blow to the head, dead ball personal foul,” Shorewood was given yet again, another fresh set of downs.

The Scots Defense would then muster an impressive goal line stand and keep Shorewood out of the end zone, sending both teams to the locker room with the Thunderbirds up 7 – 0 at the half.

The rain stopped just in time for the customary “Family Photo” taken by Seahawks Photographer Rod Mar, a Shorecrest Graduate, and the Scots were anxious to receive the second half kickoff.

Late in the 3rd Quarter, Offensive Coordinator Tommy Eulberg would dial up a similar pass play to the one just out of Des Fox’s reach in the first quarter. This time Eladio Fountain would deliver a beautifully thrown ball 45 yards to the sure-handed Fox and the Scots would be on the board. After Gavin Dalziel tacked on the PAT, the game would be all tied up and the momentum would seem to have shifted to the Home Team Scots.

The Thunderbirds continued to challenge the Scots, but after a fumble recovery in the 4th Quarter, Shorecrest would go back to what has so far been their bread and butter, the tandem running attack of Markus Selzler and Marcus Tidwell. Tidwell would eventually gallop through a giant hole opened up by the Scots O Line and Shorecrest would take the lead for good.

The responsibility for preserving the win would first fall on the shoulders of the Scots Defense who needed to stop the Thunderbirds from driving downfield during the closing minutes. A final 4th Down pass attempt by Osborn to tie the score was broken up by Shorecrest DB’s Jacob Cruz and Mo Dean.

With only minutes left on the clock and a 6 point lead, Fountain, Tidwell, Selzler and Junior Gabe Nelson would rely on the big fellas up front to chew up the clock by continuing to gain first down yardage. When they needed it most, 2-way starter James Huffman, Juniors Elijah Shultz, Jacob Halvorson, Jordan Glessener and Senior Damarious Kellogg-Duncan kept pushing the Thunderbirds Defense back towards their own end zone.

When the clock hit double zeros, many Highlander fans admitted it was an “ugly win,” but a win they’ll take nonetheless.



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For the Birds: Barred Owl- fierce protector of its territory

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Barred Owl. Note barring at neck and chest
Photo by John Riegsecker


By Christine Southwick

Barred Owls want to know, “Who cooks for you?  Who cooks for you all?”

But don’t answer near the nest tree—they will strafe invaders with their strong talons—the only defense they have. Unlike other raptors, owls rarely tear their food, preferring to swallow it whole, and then cough up the un-digestible parts in tidy packets, called pellets, which can often be found underneath their roost trees.
Barred Owl away from trunk
Photo by Doug Parrott
Barred Owls are closely related to Spotted Owls, and will hybridize with them where their territories overlap.  Barred Owls are larger and fiercer than Spotted Owls, with the females weighing up to two  pounds, but looking bigger because of all the feathers.

Barred Owls are generalist hunters, meaning that they have a wider range of prey choices than the Spotted Owls, which allows the Barred to live in mature second growth, and the edges of logged old growth, where they out-compete the pickier Spotted Owls. Barred Owls have learned to use abandoned hawk, crow, or squirrels nests, in addition to their traditional nests in large tree cavities. They will often use the same nest for a number of years.

Barred Owl
Photo by John Riegsecker

Barred Owls are recent arrivals in Washington State, having been long established on the East Coast.  They did not arrive in eastern Washington until 1965, and western Washington in 1973. This has put extra pressure on  the already threatened Spotted Owls. 

Barred Owls form long-term monogamous pair bonds, and both defend their territories throughout the year, but especially in early spring when they begin raising their two-to-four young. Reports of owl attacks usually occur during late fall, when people are still jogging and using trails late in the day, within the actively-defended Barred Owl territory. In the early spring, fewer people are running during the times the owls are active.

My,what a big foot you have
Photo by Doug Parrott
Usually it is hard to see any owl. Barred Owls mostly hunt at night, but will call, and hunt during the day, if the prey comes where they are sitting, waiting. Crows, jays and other birds will mob an owl, and will often be your best Barred Owl locator during the day. Look for owls high up in tall trees, near the trunks. Whitewash on the trunk or nearby branches, and pellets at the base of trees, are also good clues.

So, next time you hear, “Who cooks for you?," look for your successful local Barred Owl.


Christine Southwick is on the Board of the Puget Sound Bird Observatory and is their Winter Urban Color-banding Project Manager. She is a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat Steward, having completed their forty hour class. We're happy that she is sharing her expertise with us about the birds in our backyards.

For previous For the Birds columns, click on the link under the Features section on the main webpage.



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For the Birds: Killdeer love lawns - and Cromwell Park

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Killdeer baby, Olympia
Photo by Keith Brady
By Christine Southwick

Killdeer can be found running and searching for insects and other delicacies along water edges, on lawns, gravelly driveways and parking lots, and even golf courses. This mostly land-based shorebird prefers earthworms, snails, and aquatic insect larvae, but will eat large insects, grasshoppers, beetles, even small frogs and dead minnows and crawfish. Being an opportunistic eater it can thrive in places other birds ignore.

Killdeer
Photo by Glenn Hansen
Killdeer got their name from their loud call that sounds like “Killdeerr”. They call early and into the night, and even on the wing. You will usually hear a Killdeer before you see it. Their coloring blends with many backgrounds (except the lawns) making it hard to notice. It usually runs in bursts, then stops to search for its next meal, sort of like a robin. It is most easily identified by its round head, shorebird-length legs, double chest bands, and by their loud distinct call.

Killdeer will nest in almost any open, fairly flat area with vegetation one inch or lower, and that has sufficient water and food nearby. The male make several scrapes, not-built nests, on the ground, and the female selects the one she’ll use for her four to six eggs. The other nest scrapes may help confuse predators, and from time to time the parents add twigs and rocks to the scrapes.

The "broken wing" trick
Photo by Doug Parrott
Like all plovers, the babies are precocial—meaning that they are born with full feathers, and as soon as the feathers dry from hatching, the babies start running around. The babies are tiny, only have one neck ring and hide under their parents for protection. The watchful parents protect their young by loudly faking a broken wing and leading any predator astray.

Killdeer mother and chick
Photo by John Tubbs
In Shoreline, check out Cromwell Park, with its wetlands created to slow and clean rain runoff flowing into the north branch of Thornton Creek. Now that the native plants are filling in, both Killdeer and Red-winged Blackbirds are raising their young within viewing range of observant people.

Another place you can usually find a Killdeer or two is at Thornton Place near Northgate, where the Northgate branch of Thornton Creek is day-lighted.

The nest by the side of the road
Photo by Leah Serna
Listen for loud “Kill-deerr, Kill-deerr” starting about April when they have returned from wintering in South America. Then look on the ground for a bird about the size of a long-legged robin, running, stopping, then running again. You will find your noisy Killdeer.



Christine Southwick is on the Board of the Puget Sound Bird Observatory and is their Winter Urban Color-banding Project Manager. She is a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat Steward, having completed their forty hour class. We're happy that she is sharing her expertise with us about the birds in our backyards.

For previous For the Birds columns, click on the link under the Features section on the main webpage.


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For the Birds: What’s Your Name, Little Bird?

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Juvenile Junco - How could you not love this face?
Text and photos 
by Christine Southwick

Are you seeing strange birds, mostly brown stripy things that don’t look like birds in your bird books?

You could perhaps have a rare bird for this area, but more likely you are seeing juvenile birds that have been born nearby.

Congratulations! You are doing something right for the environment with your yard.

Spotted Towhee juvie
just starting to change coloring
Perhaps you have plants with berries, flowers that attract hummingbirds plus other birds, and water for bird baths.

Majorly important, you have made space for them — either with bird boxes, or trees and bushes for them to rest and to hide in.

And you are not using pesticides which kill the bugs that parent birds feed their young!

How do you learn to identify these young rascals?

Watch — do you see an adult that you do recognize feeding this mystery bird? 

Song Sparrow juvie with gape
 (colored area around mouth for parental feeding)
Dark-eyed Junco’s, especially the black-headed males, will often be seen feeding their young (the females are most likely on a second brood).

Watch for a flash of white in the outer tail feathers as they fly away — this is what is call a “diagnostic” clue for all local juncos.

Or maybe you see a gorgeous Spotted Towhee around some gawky-looking brownish-rust colored birds.

These birds are larger, and have darker wings and tails than the other funny looking Song Sparrows juvenile(juvie).

Young Red-breasted Nuthatch
How do I get to the food?
These are our year-round resident birds, so they are the ones that you will most likely see and can learn to identify.

There may be other juveniles stopping at your feeders and water spots.

Black-headed Grosbeaks (BHGR) are starting to head South. I saw a female BHGR at one of my feeders yesterday evening, at least I believe it was a female.

Purple Finches will be hard to determine gender — young males don’t show color for a year. 

Some warblers may look funny right now through August, if you do get a good look at one. Probably it is another juvie.

Another way to ID a juvie is to watch how it moves and interacts with its environment.

Male Junco feeding juvie
A chickadee on the ground, looking confused? Probably a juvie.

A red-breasted Nuthatch being mystified to the access to a seed feeder? Probably a juvie.

A Pileated Woodpecker with an orange punk head not knowing how to hammer? Probably a juvie.

You are making a difference -- you have living proof in the form of juvenile birds visiting!



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