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

Gloria's Birds: Darn GPS messed up again!, said the junco

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

 
Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

Gotta hightail it to the next block...

(Dark-eyed Junco late for his appointment:)

--Gloria Z. Nagler



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For the Birds: Bugs Beware – Nuthatches on Duty

Sunday, June 9, 2024

Nuthatch on fountain. Photo by Christine Southwick

By Christine Southwick

If you see an energetic small bluish bird with a black eyestripe zig-zagging headfirst down your trees, your trees are being gleaned of bugs and protected by Red-breasted Nuthatches.

Red-breasted Nuthatches eat beetles, spiders, ants, caterpillars, earwigs, and other tasties and feed these to their nestlings. They actively devour spruce budworm. These delightful birds readily come to feeders for peanuts, sunflower seeds and suet. In the winter they also eat conifer seeds, and any of those seeds/peanuts that they cached earlier.

Note: The theme for this year’s International Migratory Day is “Protect Insects - Protect Birds”.

Photo by Christine Southwick
These nuthatches build their nests in softer wood, especially in dead or dying trees, trees with dead tops or even just a softer space under a dying branch. They prefer conifer forests. They especially like cottonwood and alder that are near pines, firs, or cedars.

It is unusual for a non-woodpecker to excavate a nest hole, but both the female and male Red-breasted Nuthatches do this excavating. After they have lined the nest, they smear pine resin around their entrance hole, a unique practice to deter predators. The parents fly directly into the hole to avoid that goo.

Both feed their young 18-21 days in the nest, and then for two weeks after they fledge. She may have up to eight eggs and stays silent while on the eggs. The male feeds her while she is on the nest.

When these nestlings fledge you can track where they are by their loud tin-horn sounding “Yank, Yank.” Red-Breasted Nuthatches don’t have a song per se, their contact calls resemble something like a tin horn, which makes them easy to locate.

Nuthatch photo by Christine Southwick

They prefer to make their own nest holes, but they occasionally use nest boxes. They are fussy about sizing and aging (a preferred nest box mimics their deep, often 8-inch cavity) so it is better to put a nestbox up over the winter, which also offers shelter for local birds.

Save snag trees for the birds. Loss of habitat includes suitable trees for all kinds of cavity nesters.

When you hear their “Yank, yank” calls, especially if a brood has fledged, look for these delightful birds learning to use your suet.


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Attention fishermen: Three nearby lakes stocked with fish

Friday, May 10, 2024

Osprey and salmon photo by Jan Hansen

Perhaps I should say Attention: Fishing birds. All three of these lakes are shallow with many bird nests in the vicinity.

Echo Lake is in Shoreline. Bitter Lake and Haller Lake are just south of us in north Seattle. All three lakes are surrounded by housing, so this could be a boon for lakeside residents with fishing poles.

Each has a small public access area but no boat launch.

Bitter Lake (King County) May 7, 2024 - 1500 Rainbow @ 0.4lbs


Echo Lake (King County) May 7, 2024 - 1000 Rainbow @ 0.4lbs


Haller Lake (King County) May 7, 2024 - 1300 Rainbow @ 0.4lbs


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For the Birds: Yellow Birds - Oh So Pretty!

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Orange-crowned Warbler
Phoro by Dan Streiffert

By Christine Southwick

How many local insect-eating yellow birds can you identify?

Townsend's Warbler
Photo by Craig Kerns
Townsend's Warbler can be found here all year. They prefer evergreen forests, but in winter will use deciduous forests as well. Birdbaths and suet will draw them into your yard.

Yellow-Rumped Warbler can be found all year long, though less common here in the summer since they go north to breed. They love to eat bugs in flowering trees.

Orange-crowned Warbler—olive yellowish green above with yellow below, with a small erectable orange crown on males. Found here from late March thru usually September.

Wilson’s Warbler usually arrive here about April and leave September-ish. They prefer willow and alder stands in dense moist areas. Fountains and bird baths will likely lure them into your yard.

Wilson's Warbler
Photo by Elaine Chuang
Western Tanager
fly through our area during migration in late April-May. The breeding males have bright red heads, and brilliant yellow with back wings. 

They usually perch in trees with yellow tints (like willows) during migration which makes them hard to see. 

They can be found locally in high forested areas of Washington, especially in Ponderosa-pine and Douglas-fir forests (like Roslyn). 

The sound of fountains often attracts them to yards while migrating.

American Goldfinch are mainly in our area from May through Oct, with some wintering flocks staying and searching for local food. Basically seed-eaters, these finches prefer open areas, and will not come to feeders under branches. They use thistle down to line their nests so nest later than all our other local birds,

Yellow Warbler, male,
Photo by Tony Varela
Yellow Warbler
arrive here in May and are usually gone by September. They are most often found in deciduous habitat near streams. Running water could attract them to your yard.

Pine Siskin intermittently can be here all year long, often in numbers. They are finches with narrow bills, and yellow streaks on flanks and tails.

Evening Grosbeak can be seen intermittently all year. They arrive at feeders in numbers, with the males being a bright yellow and black, the females being brownish gray with a dark head and yellow underwing coloring. They love spruce budworm. Their large bills are indeed gross beaks.

Golden-crowned Kinglet a small yellow-tinged, fluttering insect-eating bird frequently near human habitat. Usually high in the canopies during the summer they come down lower during the winter when they may join mixed flocks.

Common Yellowthroat can be heard (witchity, witchity), and maybe seen, in wet marshy areas from early April through September.

Save birds by saving insects!

Previous columns by Christine Southwick can be viewed here.



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Two gems of the Echo Lake Neighborhood on display Saturday April 27, 2024: Densmore Pathway and Echo Lake

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Entrance to the Densmore Pathway
Photo by Jeanne Monger

You could potentially get to both events on Saturday April 27, 2024 as the Echo Lake Neighborhood celebrates Earth Day by showing the work that has been done for two of its green spaces.

Saturday, April 27, 10am, at Densmore Pathway (NE 188th between Ashworth and Densmore) Marla Tullio will lead a walking tour, discussing the "Birds and plants of Shoreline's Densmore Pathway".

The Pathway is a reclaimed space, formerly a neglected Right Of Way, which because of the work of many near neighbors, has been turned into a peaceful walk from Ashworth to Densmore.

A meandering gravel pathway lined with a variety of plants, art pieces peek through the grasses and hang overhead.

A bench, little free library, and kiosk mark the entrance on Ashworth, almost hidden behind the rain gardens which line the street. Meet there at 10an.

Parking is on-street and very limited; please be mindful of neighbors' driveways.

View from Echo Lake Park
Photo by Gidget Terpstra

Saturday, April 27, 11am, at Echo Lake Park 19901 Ashworth Ave N, Ann Michel will discuss the “Flora, Fauna and Rainwater: The Future of Echo Lake”.

ELNA volunteers have been monitoring the health of the lake and working to keep the park groomed for 25 years. Ann and the Friends of Echo Lake are working intensively to keep the lake healthy and replace invasive plants with native species.

Meet by the lake while Ann shares her extensive knowledge of this small gem.

After either event, if you wish to participate in the BioBlitz after the presentation, full information is here. Registration is encouraged but not required.


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Favorite Tree: "Eagle tree" falls at Ronald Bog

The "Eagle Tree" standing tall in 2008

Story and photos by Martin DeGrazie

It seems everyone in their life has a favorite tree. As a kid our family had a beautiful large Rainier cherry tree that adorned our front yard.

The tree was visibly leaning. 

As an adult my favorite tree lived across Ronald Bog from us. I learned to look at the tree as soon as I came out of our back door, sometimes missing the eagle right above my head in my own yard. 

I frequently took pictures of the tree, especially when I could capture its reflection in the still waters. 

Eagles built a nest but didn't stay

Birds would always flock to this tree. In 2023 I had mixed emotions when the Eagles started to build a nest in it. I considered purchasing a better camera to take pictures of baby eaglets but I was concerned for the other wildlife on Ronald Bog. I love all the critters in the water and did not want to see them disappear. 

Alas, my concerns were unfounded, as the eagles abandoned the nest. Canadian geese would enter the nest every now and then. This spring they were up there so much, I was afraid they would sit on eggs up there themselves. 

The tree is now lying in the water

This past weekend while I was out of town this beautiful tree fell into the water. 

I can't tell you how many times I looked over there and wondered if it was leaning more. We've had three trees fall into the water from our lot on the other side of Ronald Bog.

The stump was shattered

The silver lining is the tree in the water is a nice landing spot for other critters in the bog. Eagles, otters, turtles and other animals will all use it. But, I will miss it. 

I haven't been to that side of the bog in a long time and I am really impressed at all the new growth trees. They have really shot up. I expect we will see much more wildlife at Ronald Bog in the coming years. The end of an era, but a new one is on the way.


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Echo Lake Neighborhood celebrates Earth Day with five events over three days

Friday, April 12, 2024

The Echo Lake Neighborhood Association (ELNA) is going all out for Earth Day. 

They have cancelled their usual 3rd Tuesday Zoom meeting this month.

Instead, for this year’s Earth Day weekend, ELNA is hosting five interactive events, each consisting of a featured speaker followed by a "Bioblitz" gathering.

A Bioblitz? What’s that?

A bioblitz is a communal citizen-science effort to record as many species within a designated location and time period as possible. The first BioBlitz was held in Washington, D.C. in 1996. Approximately 1000 species were identified at this first event.

Download the iNaturalist app (not the Seek option; 'Connect with Nature' on iPhone) to your phone (you can do that now) and set up an account if you do not already have one. Our local events are part of the "City Nature Challenge 2024 - Seattle-Tacoma" project. (There are helpful hints on the Registration page)

When you are in one of the parks choose a plant and take a photo, following instructions on the app. 

The schedule is as follows:

Friday, April 26, 11am, at Shoreline Park, 9030 1st Ave NE

Joy Wood of Green Shoreline Partnership,
"Forest Health and Ecological Restoration"

Saturday, April 27, 10am, at Densmore Pathway (188th between Ashworth and Densmore)

Marla Tullio, 
"Birds and plants of Shoreline's Densmore Pathway"

Saturday, April 27, 11am, at Echo Lake Park 19901 Ashworth Ave N

Ann Michel, 
“Flora, Fauna and Rainwater: the Future of Echo Lake”

Sunday, April 28, 10am, at Shoreline Park, 9030 1st Ave NE

Sara Cammeresi, 
"Native and Invasive Plants at Shoreline Park"

Sunday, April 28, 1:30pm at Midvale Gardens (southeast of 192nd & Midvale)

Derek Creisler,
"Workshop on Weeds - the Midvale Gardens project, its history, and where do we go from here"


In addition:
  • Light refreshments will be available
  • Rain - cancels / does not cancel please check each event listing for details in the link below
  • Everyone is welcome
Benefits:
  • An after-covid in-person community gathering with no covid threat due to it being held outdoors
  • A reason to get outdoors, connect with nature, and connect with members of our local community
  • Learn about plants and animals in our local community
  • Work in pairs, in small groups, or individually to gather photos (a wonderful way for a family to spend time together)
  • Differently-abled (wheelchair, walkers, etc.) individuals can participate as the activity is not athletic. All locations are near paved city trails and have paved trails within the site (Densmore Pathway has a gravel path).
  • You will be helping to create records of the biodiversity in our area
Register and get more information here

We look forward to celebrating Earth Day weekend with our community at these events!


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For the Birds: Happy Morning Chorus

Sunday, April 7, 2024

Communal bathing

Story and photos by Christine Southwick

American Robins start singing their lovely cheery songs just before dawn and can be seen running across lawns and curbs, suddenly stopping and tilting their heads looking for their tasty worm meals.

When you really look at robins, you’ll see that they are pretty birds, with black stripes on a white throat, and white feathers around the eyes. Females are paler than males, and juveniles have spots on their buff breasts.

Juvie learning that leaves aren't food

Robins are one of the first birds most people learn to recognize, and their size is often used as a reference, as in, “Larger than a chickadee, smaller than a robin.”

Even though we see robins all the time, chances are they aren’t the same ones. Most here in the winter go further north to breed, and the ones who breed here probably came from Oregon or California. Even its name, Turdus Migratorius, recognizes this songbird’s short-distance movements. American Robins are members of the Thrush family.

Robins are social and feed in small flocks, with larger flocks at night, and when migrating. In addition to worms, they eat volumes of beetle grubs and caterpillars. Robins watch vigilantly for predators like cats or hawks, and you can often see a robin on guard duty while others are bathing.

Female gathering mud for nest building

The female makes the nest, coating it with mud and grass before laying three to five blue eggs in a tree or under an eave. Jays, crows, squirrels, and in some places, snakes, like their eggs. Both parents loudly and boldly protect their eggs and their fledglings until they can forage on their own. Even so, less than 25 % of each year’s broods survive to see their first November.

The worm that didn't get away

Cats, crows, hawks, window strikes and the pesticides that poison the worms and berries Robins eat, take their tolls. The average lifespan of American Robins is two years, but some have lived to 10-13 years.

Stop using insecticides and harsh fertilizers, provide a shallow birdbath and plant a crabapple or serviceberry tree, and your will be rewarded with these lovely American Robins.

When you hear cheery morning singing, take a minute to watch the early bird running across your lawn, grabbing that early worm. It will bring a smile to your face.


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Washington Department of Ecology and Coast Guard respond to sunken vessel in Lake Union

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Sunken tugboat in Lake Union
Photo courtesy Dept Ecology
SEATTLE, WA – The Coast Guard and Washington Department of Ecology continue their response Monday to a sunken tugboat in Lake Union in Seattle, Washington.

The vessel, a tugboat converted into a residence, partially sank Saturday afternoon.

Red-dyed diesel escaped from the vessel into Lake Union. There were reportedly no people aboard the vessel at the time of the sinking.

Responders from the City of Seattle and the Washington Department of Ecology placed boom around the vessel to contain the spill. A response contractor was hired to clean up the spill and salvage the vessel. 

Contractors have pumped off 400 gallons of oily water from the vessel’s tanks and cabin and removed fuel from inside the boom surrounding the vessel as well.

Professional wildlife response efforts are underway. Responders with Focus Wildlife have found several oiled birds and are taking steps to recover those animals for treatment. 

Responders are on scene assessing further risk to animals in the area. If you see oiled wildlife, report it at 1-800-22BIRDS. Do not to attempt to rescue oiled birds or other wildlife on your own.

Oil spill responders are investigating sheens reported in other parts of Lake Union. Anyone may report a spill or potential spilled material to 1-800-OILS-911.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.


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The Secret Gardens of Lake Forest Park Garden Tour and Market returns on Saturday, June 15, 2024

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Six beautiful, local gardens will open to visitors for the Secret Gardens of LFP tours

Secret Gardens of Lake Forest Park Garden Tour and Market Saturday, June 15, 2024, 9am to 3pm

Buy Tickets now

Amid the shade of old-growth trees and the sunny ridges of its watershed, Lake Forest Park residents incorporate all-weather sculptures, and create havens for chickens, honey bees, children's fairy gardens, native salmon alevin and campfire musicians.

Six private LFP gardens will be open to public view on June 15, 2024 at the 20th Annual Secret Gardens of Lake Forest Park Garden Tour. These properties provide solace and recreation and are cultivated by gifted amateurs and professionals. 

They have much to teach novice and seasoned gardeners -- "I love going to the Secret Gardens of Lake Forest Park," says local resident, Sadie, "“I always get inspiration for new ideas that I want to incorporate into my own yard.”

Detail from one of the Secret Gardens
Maps to the gardens may be bought in exchange for a tour ticket and picked up at the Garden Market, in the LFP Town Center, on the same date. 

Show up at the lower level of the main building from 9am - 3pm, get your map and answers to nettlesome questions from attending WSU Master Gardeners. 

Also available are folks from the Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation, who’ll explain how the neighborhood has managed to preserve the foundational aspects of the city: its forest, parks, and water. 

Consult and purchase garden-related services and goods: landscape professionals, specialty nursery stock, floral bouquets, and handcrafted all-weather art, including glass, stone, and metal work. Then, go explore those gardens!

Gardens can be viewed in any order you choose. Parking will be adjacent and free, and you may hear the sound of live music as you approach. 

Consult the garden owner, or you might overhear the sage observations of members of the Lake Forest Park Garden Club, the 100-yr. old association of neighborhood horticulturists. 

While exact details of these gardens are still a mystery, they’re reputed to vary in size (up to a shy acre), and include open meadows, trees of national registry significance, stone work, kitchen gardens, and of course, the native creeks that define the city.

Secret Gardens of Lake Forest Park Garden Tour and Garden Market, Saturday, June 15, 2024, 9am - 3pm

Benefitting:
  • Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation
  • Third Place Commons
  • ShoreLake Arts
  • Lake Forest Park Garden Club
Buy Tickets online starting early May ($20 in advance, $25 day of) or at:

The free LFP Garden Market is located in the lower lobby of LFP Town Center

LFP Garden Market

Tour maps to the garden tour can be picked up at the check-in table at LFP Garden Market
Admission to the Garden Market is free
Saturday, June 15, 2024, 9am to 3pm

Lower level of the Lake Forest Park Town Center 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, 98155 (intersection of Bothell Way NE/SR-522 & Ballinger Way NE/SR-104)

Find: professional advice, local environmental and natural resource agencies

Purchase: Secret Garden Tour maps, potted native and cultivated plants, cut flowers, garden art, garden-related crafts,

New and prospective vendors at Garden Market encouraged to email for information here.


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For the Birds: The spiderwebs were deliberate

Monday, February 19, 2024

Hard to get the spider web from toes to nest.
Photo by Jan Hansen

By Diane Hettrick

Remember the charming photos of a hummingbird picking spiderwebs out of her toes?

We thought she had accidentally flown through a web.

Offended hummingbird. Photo by Jan Hansen

She was a little offended at the assumption. 

According to For the Birds columnist Christine Southwick this is a female Anna's Hummingbird, who is in the process of building her nest!

Anna’s Hummingbirds nest starting as early as late December, although as cold as it was I suspect most waited until about now.

The females build a nest for their two small eggs using spider webbing to bind it together and to allow the nest to expand as the nestlings grow.

The whole nest is only about 1 1/2  inches across. 
 
Keep your feeders clean and active and you should see some juveniles in about a month.

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For the Birds: Who’s That Singing in My Yard?

Sunday, February 4, 2024

Resident Bewick's Wren foraging in the snow
Photo by Craig Kerns
By Christine Southwick

If you have a small boisterous brown bird with a white eye line flitting through your shrubs, stopping every so often to belt out lovely warbles, whistles, and trills, you have a Bewick’s Wren. 

He and his mate are probably year-round residents.

Those lively buzzes, trills, warbles and bubbly songs of these wrens bring such joy to my ears.

The male Bewick’s Wren sings to protect his territory, which he takes quite seriously, and to attract a mate. 

This is a full-time effort, especially since he must endeavor to win his mate by melodiously belting out up to 22 different songs in his repertoire, and to keep other males away.

Active nest box near house
Photo by Craig Kerns
Since the majority of these local wrens stay paired they are usually the first perching birds (passerines) in this area to start nesting.

Once he has won the affection of this year’s mate, the male fashions three or four nests full of twigs for the female’s approval. 

These are often in the most unusual places; hose bib covers, boots, corners of carports, all hidden near human habitation. 

Bewick’s Wrens will readily use a nest box near/against your house. They don’t like high-traffic areas and won’t make nests out in the open.

When the female has selected the preferred nest location, she will finish it with feathers, hair, leaves and mosses and a soft warm cup for her eggs.

While the female sits on her 4-6 eggs the male brings food to her, and he helps feed their offspring. The female often has a second brood.

Score a spider
Photo by Craig Kerns
These spunky hyperactive little birds, with their tails cocked over their backs, can be found climbing on branches, skulking in blackberry brambles, sometimes upside down, and investigating the leaves on the ground, looking for their buggy delicacies, especially those tasty spiders.

If you go too close to them while they are searching for food, they will often scold you.

Extermination at your service
Photo by Craig Kerns
Fledgling Bewick’s Wrens are the same size as their parents when they leave their nests, only their tail feathers still need to finish growing. 

Since their eyebrows are rough and uneven these juvies look unkempt until they molt into their adult feathers the next year.

Your yard is being used by one of the best insect and spider eliminators, so don’t use pesticides which will likely kill these delightful super-bug-eaters. 

Let these energetic birds be your bubbly exterminators.



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Hummingbird feeder alert: birds can't drink frozen juice

Saturday, January 13, 2024

By Gordon Snyder

I’m a hummingbird fan. I love watching and photographing them.

We have had feeders in the front and back yards for years. When it’s very cold like now, our resident hummers are dependent on us keeping their feeders thawed out. They can’t drink frozen juice.


Photo by Gordon Snyder
As soon as I hung this thawed feeder, I got a quick "Thank You Look” from this Anna's Hummingbird.

Notice the feathers are fluffed to make the warmest down coat. He was even flying around the feeder all puffed up to stay warm as possible.

Heated hummingbird feeder
Photo by Gordon Snyder
Next, I set up a heated hummingbird feeder and within seconds a Boss was guarding it selfishly.

All our hummingbird feeders were frozen solid from this cold front. To thaw them out, put them in a sink or container because they will leak sugar water as they warm.

As the warmed feeders were rehung, they were in high demand. But as usual, the hummers began setting territories. Our Anna’s Hummingbirds don’t share…

Thaw feeders in a sink because they will leak suger water as they warm.
Photo by Gordon Snyder
After thawing out and setting up a couple more feeders, the Anna's managed to share. But only between flights chasing each other away from “their” feeder. Then, during the chase, another one snuck in and filled its belly.

Please, it’s going to be cold for the next several days and nights. If you have hummingbird feeders, bring them inside at night. Then, put them outside in the morning.

The hummers will be waiting for you. You will bring joy to them and yourself.


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Gloria's Birds: Why do humans insist on saying "Birds of 'a' feather flock together” photog?

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

No such thing exists. Take me for example: head feathers, shoulder feathers, tail feathers...all different shapes and patterns. 

You guys give us no credit for the diversity that is nature!

(Cora Crow’s a mite testy, but seems to me she’s got a point! There are no birds of a feather!)

--Gloria Z. Nagler


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Garden Guy: Suggestions for After-Christmas gifts

Monday, December 25, 2023

Somehow this letter to Santa got lost in the mail - but it's not too late to help the gardener in your life get a wonderful gift with these suggestions.

Dear Santa,

I know you’re heading into your busy time of the year. So, seeing as your part of the world is challenged to grow any type of greenery, I’m thinking you and the elves may have a bit of a problem coming up with gift ideas for those good folk who happen to enjoy the experience of gardening in their lives. 


With that being the case, let me make your life a little easier by offering a few suggestions for gardener’s toys which would be appreciated in western Washington. In many cases, all that is wanted for Christmas this year is rain. I know that’s hard to believe, but the summer was dry and the poor gardens took the brunt of the summer weather. And, we still haven’t caught up on our usual annual average of rain.

In the event you can’t put that particular request under the tree (it would be a bit messy, wouldn’t it?), here’s a short list of some other items any gardeners, like me, would enjoy next spring and for years to come. And, which won’t break the gift-giving bank.

Felco F2 pruners
In the world of gardening tools, some of the most helpful items would include: a Japanese Hori-Hori knife/soil knife. They are great little tools for dividing perennials, rooting out weeds from the soil and in between pavers, etc. 

Hand pruners, like a set of Felco F2 (shown), are indispensable to just about any time a gardener steps outdoors. 

If the elves have the time, turn the pruners into a gift a set by including a whetstone and can of honing or mineral oil for blade sharpening. All gardeners will thank you next spring when their pruners cut through branches like butter. 

Finally, I know a garden kneel pad and seat or just a simple rectangular kneeling pad don’t scream ‘Christmas’, but they will keep many a set of knees comfortable during planting, weeding, and all the other low-to-the-ground tasks that are part of gardening.

Sun hats, visors, and apparel at Sky Nursery
Gardeners are not clothes horses by any stretch of the imagination, but there are some apparel items that are more for protection, rather than style. 

For instance, how about gifting a broad brimmed, UV-resistant hat to that fair skinned horticulturist with chlorophyll in their blood. Roll it up, stick it in an empty gift wrap cardboard tube and you have the makings of a fine stocking stuffer. 

The same practical value holds true for an UV-resistant long sleeve shirt as spring turns into summer. Depending on garden conditions, a pair of muck boots will keep feet warm and regular shoes clean (and, perhaps, a boot/shoe tray to keep dirt and compost from being tracked throughout the hose. You know how Mrs. Claus feels about that.).

Speaking of compost, I know it’s an unusual and unexpected sort of present, but, how about leaving a few bags of compost, fertilizer or potting soil at the front door? Putting them under the tree might be a tad too much for your back and the home’s ‘fragrance’. But, they are long-lasting gifts, won’t go stale and you can be assured they will be used during the year.

Bistro table and chairs
If someone has been outstandingly good, maybe a larger item is called for. I’m thinking about a bistro set of a table and two chairs. They can fit just about anywhere in the yard or on a balcony. 

The great thing about bistro furniture is many of them fold into easily storable pieces or could be used as an art display hanging the wall. Function, long life and color? – Santa, they’ll think you nailed this one. 

Getting back to wallet-saving gifts, a bird feeder or hummingbird feeder helps keep over-wintering birds in our yards, keeps them fed and provides the homeowner with smiles-a-plenty from the avian aerobatic antics throughout the year. 

And, if the home has cats, you’ll always know where to find them. A cat seat in front of the window might be totally appropriate as well.

Then, there are topical publications, Santa. I’m pretty sure you don’t run a printing press up at the North Pole, but I’m confident you can make some deals with publishers. Gardeners are lifelong learners and always trying to improve their skills, knowledge and acumen. 

Consequently, a year’s subscription to some type of gardening magazine will extend the thrill of your gift throughout the year. 

Taking about printed matter, let’s not forget books as gifts. They don’t even need to come from full-price bookstores. Places like Amazon and Half-Price Books can provide quality products without costing a small fortune. 

For example, publications I’m eyeing for myself in the very near future include ‘The Whole Seed Catalog,’ which is a catalog of catalogs. For those interested in developing a vegetable garden, think about putting a copy of ‘Square Foot Gardening’ or ‘Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades’ under the tree. For garden design, give them a copy of ‘The Well-Designed Mixed Garden’ or ‘Gardening in Summer-Dry Climates.’ 

For those fairly new to gardening, let me recommend that your elves pick-up copies of ‘Maritime Northwest Garden Guide’ and the ‘Sunset Western Garden Book.’ 

They are all-round excellent information to have on the reference bookshelf. Any of these publications will provide a gardener with a pleasurable way to spend the impending wet and gray wet which will besieging the Northwest for the next six months. 

Make an impact, Santa! Give gardeners knowledge and something to dream about. I’ll do my part by reminding my neighbors that the Elizabeth Miller Library at the UW Center for Urban Horticulture will have books on all types of gardening that may interest the gardener in someone’s life. Those books can, then, be ordered online by one of the elves and be received in time to be put under the Christmas Tree.

Finally, I won’t mention gift cards from a favorite nursery, but, in the same vein, how about a year’s membership to a garden organization like the Northwest Perennial Alliance or the Northwest Horticultural Society or a subscription to a lecture series like the Master Gardeners’ Growing Groceries Program or the Bellevue Botanical Garden’s lecture series? 

That’s really telling the gift recipient that their priorities and interests have been taken into consideration. Santa don’t believe in that old saw that one-size-fits-all. In this case, it’s personal.

So, you see, Santa, there are many different, green-related items you can put under (or near) gardeners’ Christmas trees as you make your rounds on the 25th. Here’s wishing you safe faster-than-sound travels that evening and, of course, my regards to Mrs. Claus. Happy Holidays one and all!

Contributing garden columnist and part-time Christmas Elf, Bruce Bennett, is a WSU Certified Master Gardener, WA Certified Professional Horticulturist, consultant and public speaker. 

If you have questions concerning this article, have a question about your own garden area or care to suggest topics of interest for future columns, please contact Bruce at gardenguy4u@hotmail.com.

Previous articles by Garden Guy and part-time Christmas elf can be seen here


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Gloria's Birds: Hermione hurried off for some last-minute holiday shopping...

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

 
Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

(Probably a Sharp-shinned Hawk because of the squared-off tail, rather than a Cooper's Hawk with a rounded tail.)

Bird folks are telling me this is a Cooper’s Hawk, and they may well be right!

--Gloria Z. Nagler


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For the Birds: There’s Snow in the Valley -- Snow Geese that is…

Sunday, December 10, 2023

Snow Geese landing. Note the black wingtips.
Photo by Ray Hamlyn
By Christine Southwick

Snow Geese have returned to Skagit Valley, one of their prime wintering grounds, near Fir Island and northward to Port Susan Bay Preserve. They spend their summer breeding on the Russian island of Wrangel, 3,000 miles away.

Snow Geese are a North American species, with both lesser (western), and Greater (eastern) subspecies, all of which breed in various parts of the Arctic Tundra. They start arriving in late September and usually leave in late March.

Snow Geese can be identified by their black tips on the underside of their wings. Snow Geese have a black edge along their bills - it almost looks like someone ran a black crayon between the upper and lower bills. 

Their legs and feet are rose-colored, but their legs and heads are often stained a rusty-brown from the minerals in the soil.

The rich farmland in Skagit County supports approximately 100,000 Snow Geese in their large wintering and migration flocks. It’s a treat to see these white geese with black under-wing tips land in nearby fields. 

They are very vocal and can be heard more than a mile away from where they are foraging.

Flock by the road. Photo by Doug Parrott

A Snow Goose usually forms a lifelong pair bond in its second year and starts raising its annual three to five goslings in its third year. The females return to their hatching grounds to breed their young. The babies leave the nest and start feeding themselves within hours of hatching but stay under their parents’ protection for the next two to three years.

Snow Geese forage by using their sharp beaks to pick up seeds and rip vegetation from the ground. Because of their increase in numbers they are starting to destroy some of their winter habitat.

Snow Geese may be hunted between October through January in Washington State, so be aware of your surroundings if you go viewing where hunting is permitted. Hunters that I have seen have obvious locations and are required to shoot upward.

The Skagit Valley is a major wintering site for Snow Geese, Trumpeter Swans, and Tundra Swans. It is well worth the trip to go see and hear the flocks. There is an annual Port Susan Snow Goose and Birding Festival in February at the Nature Conservancy’s Port Susan Bay Preserve.

Just remember to pull off the much-used rural roads, don't approach the flocks, and respect the property rights of the local landowners.

Previous For the Birds columns can be seen here


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Gloria's Critters: I'm as appealing as any Varied Thrush, photog

Thursday, December 7, 2023

 
Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

so why not lay off the birds for a while and focus instead on us mammals?

(Raelynn the Raccoon was adamant about wanting a portrait session, and so photog complied:)

--Gloria Z. Nagler


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Gloria's Birds: I'm assuming the reservations I made

Sunday, December 3, 2023

Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

to stay in your ravine are good for the entire winter, yes, photog?

--Indeed, I'd have it no other way, you splendid [male] Varied Thrush!

--Gloria Z. Nagler


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