Wanda Wonders

This is Wanda. On March 25th, I found her sitting in a brightly budding Red Maple tree. At the time, I had not yet thought of the name Wanda. I most likely did not realize she was a female. However, the bold, vertical striping on her chest clearly indicates her youth. She hatched out during 2019. She was not yet one year old. Our local raptor experts, at the Urban Raptor Conservancy, have taught me to call birds like Wanda a second year (SY) bird - because she has entered her second calendar year.

SY females often lay eggs and raise young. However, SY males are seldom successful at participating in the process. Males are responsible for providing enough food to feed themselves, their mate, and their offspring. It generally takes a couple of years to acquire adequate hunting skills. (Although, Percy, the young male at the Union Bay Natural Area, succeeded as a SY father in 2019.)

This is Walter on April 9th. He appears to be sitting in the same Red Maple tree. Walter is older than Wanda. The rusty-orange horizontal barring on his chest indicates he is a fully mature Cooper's Hawk. His exact age is unknown. However, All About Birds, indicates that the oldest know Cooper's Hawk, which was found in Washington, was over twenty years old. 

Disclaimer: I must admit that I am assuming these are the same two birds throughout this post, primarily because they consistently showed up in the same small area over an extended time. Also, their plumage (and behavior) was very consistent.

The next day I spotted Wanda again. She was alert, active, and aware. She does seem to radiate energy and youthfulness.

On the 13th, I saw them both again. Walter was back in the Red Maple.

 From the backside, young Cooper's Hawks generally display light spots.

Mature Cooper's Hawks have a more uniform gray-brown on their backs. Plus, their irises are often considerably more colorful.

It can be almost like they have a fire in their eyes.

Walter ended up on a nearby branch while Wanda occasionally called out. During breeding season female Cooper's Hawks often give a 'wah' call. My friends from the URC have taught me that this indicates the female is looking at her mate and asking him to go get her food. Wanda called several times. Walter ignored her.

Finally, Wanda came down and landed on the same branch as Walter. He quickly walked away. (The word scurried came to mind.)

Wanda hopped up and attempted to break off a branch. Apparently, hoping to add it to the nest. It almost seemed like she was showing Walter what she wanted.

Later, back on the shared branch, she assumed an inviting position. For a moment, Walter came closer. I thought it was an encouraging sign until Walter turned and flew away. Females are normally larger than males. Males do need to be respectful. Nonetheless, avoiding females is not a successful reproductive strategy.

Two days later, I watched Wanda as she made multiple trips to the nest. She was securing brittle branches from the inside of a nearby pine tree.

Walter sat stoically, just a few feet away, while looking the opposite direction.

Finally, after Wanda had made at least a half a dozen trips, Walter broke off a single twig and flew towards the nest. I felt a faint flutter of hope.

The next day I heard and finally located Wanda sitting in a Cottonwood tree repetitively making the "wah' call. While listening to her many thoughts crossed my mind. I may have even wished for wings so I could catch food for her - while eating females are usually fairly quiet. This was the day the constant 'wah' calls inspired the name "Wah-nda'.

Finally, I remembered Martin Muller's comments about females tending to do the 'wah' call only when they have their mate in sight. Since Wanda was looking almost directly at me, I started a careful visual inspection of the foliage between us.

Sure enough, Walter was half-hidden between two well-shaded branches.

At times his eyes would close. I wondered, Could he sleep through Wanda's wailing.

I finally noticed he was only closing the eye in the sunlight.

I really began wondering about Walter at this point. I thought about whether he might be bio-accumulating rodenticides from eating poisoned rats. Later, while writing this post, I would seriously wonder if a deaf Cooper's Hawk could survive in the wild.

When he leaned over to stretch I thought, 'Ah, finally he is going to get some food for her.'

But, no - he just settled back in and continued his waiting game. After about 45 minutes, Wanda grew tired. She took to the air and left. No doubt she went to find food for herself.

During the next month, while most Cooper's Hawks were incubating eggs, I do not remember seeing any sign of nesting or incubation from Wanda.

Last Sunday, after more than an inch of rain on Saturday, I found Wanda sitting just east of the nest tree. She was as alert as usual. It is interesting to note that her iris appears to be changing to a slightly darker shade of orange.

She was actively involved with feather maintenance. By gently pulling a feather between her mandibles she realigned the barbules and removed any water.

 She rearranged feathers on the back of her head.

She stretched her tail. No doubt, making sure every feather fell into the proper place.

When needed she took a closer look.

Occasionally, she called out before stretching her wings and flying. I followed.

Nearby, I found Walter.

It was obvious, he wasn't worried about his appearance. 

Although, he did not seem impressed with my appearance either.

Finally, after an extended period of silent sitting, Walter straightened a single, tiny feather.

His eyes went closed in the process.

This time the one-eyed squint was not due to the sunlight.

I am not certain about the story behind Walter's lackadaisical lifestyle. Maybe, he is simply getting too old. Maybe, he has eaten too many rats laced with rodenticide. Maybe, he is deaf, or maybe he has cloudy vision in one eye. Closing it may help him to see the world more clearly. I suspect we would have to fly a mile in his wings to truly understand.

One thing does seem certain. I doubt the Wanda-Walter, May-December relationship is going to bear fruit in 2020. Nonetheless, it has been entertaining to observe the evolving dynamics of a somewhat unconventional relationship. I suspect Wanda wonders what might have been.

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Tsuloss Watch:

The young eagle in Monty and Marsha's nest continues to grow. Sometime in the next month or two I expect Tsuloss will leave the nest. My friend Jeff and I have picked the dates when we are hoping Tsuloss will fledge.

I picked July 4th, primarily, because Independence Day seems like such a fitting time for a young Bald Eagle's first flight. If you would like to play along send me your name and the date when you hope or expect Tsuloss will leave the nest. 

July 4th   - Larry Hubbell
July 15th - Jeff Graham

The only rules I can think of for this impromptu, prize-less contest are:

A) I plan to only publish the first name I receive for each date. I want to encourage the widest variety of dates possible.

B) Practice hops do not count e.g. when the young eagle flaps, lifts up and then comes right back down in the nest.  Also branching - hopping from branch to branch - does not count. Tsuloss must leave the air space above the nest.

C) Falling does not count. Tsuloss must leave the nest and exhibit an ability to stay in the air. However, if you do see Tsuloss fall from the nest and land on the ground, especially if unable to fly, please call:

 Lynnwood PAWS at 425-787-2500. 

PAWS has rehabilitated and released 3 out of Tsuloss's 4 siblings during the last 2 years. (The fourth sibling did not require assistance.)

The following information may help you make a more accurate guess.

Eaglet Patrol - The post suggesting when Tsuloss might have hatched.

All About Birds - Contains the nestling period e.g. The range of time during which young eagles stay in the nest before learning to fly.

Tsuloss - The last eagle update.

By the way, Tsuloss is most easily seen with binoculars from the north side of Montlake Cut. The nest site is shown on this Union Bay Map.

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I sincerely wish good health, happiness, and peace to everyone around Union Bay. However, in particular, lets all work together to make sure Black Birders know they are always welcome in the Union Bay neighborhood. 

Black Lives Matter,
Larry

Going Native:

Without a well-funded Environmental Protection Agency, it falls to each of us to be ever more vigilant in protecting our local environments. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. I have been told that 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 to 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. (If natives 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.

My intention in my weekly post is to include at least one photo each week and visually challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. 

By the way, my friend Tom Brown pointed out that the application named 'Wildflower Search' is extremely helpful. Click on the highlighted link to see for yourself.

What species is this? Is it native to Western Washington?

Scroll down for the answer.

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Western Starflower: I spotted it about one month ago in the Arboretum. I have a lot to learn about plants, so feel free to chime in if you have a better identification. However, this is the only flower I could find that appears to fit the bill. Western Starflower is a native plant. In any case, it is certainly a delicate and beautiful little flower.

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The Email Challenge:

Over the years I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements regarding my posts. Even more frustrating when they go to 're-sign-up', hoping that will enable them to once again start receiving the announcements, they get a message which says 'Sorry, you are already signed up.' Google has not responded to my requests for help with this issue. 

My functional workaround is to set up my own email list and each week I manually send out a new post announcement. If you are experiencing the issue and would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Thank you for your patience!

My email address is: LDHubbell@Comcast.Net

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Here is a little reward for those who read to the end. 

One of the Ravens in Interlaken Park this week. The whole family appears to be spending less and less time in the Arboretum and more time in Interlaken Park.

By the way, I met a woman this week who said the ravens followed her as she traveled through Interlaken. It made me wonder if someone might have been feeding the ravens. Feeding ravens would be a bad idea. They are about four times larger than a crow. We want them to keep their distance and fear humans. Fearless ravens might rightfully be perceived as a threat. We do not want them to become a problem. They are a joy to watch and they provide a new active predator for rats, rabbits, and crows - all of which are populations in need of some predatory balance.

Growing Up Fast

Cooper's Hawks are both deadly and beautiful. Last week, I happened to spot this young male in Yesler Swamp. The canopy of fresh Spring leaves surrounded us both. Brilliant sunlight found the blanket of green nearly impenetrable. The result was a yellow-green glow which evidently supplied the hawk with a sense of security. The young bird felt safe enough to close his eyes while rubbing his head on his shoulder.

I found myself totally mesmerized by the bird's beauty. Moments like these feel like an indisputable argument for living in harmony with nature. Thank you to the Friends of Yesler Swamp for removing invasive plants, restoring the native flora and inspiring us all.

The dampness of the central feathers on the hawk's chest may indicate he had just finished bathing. Personally, I have yet to see a Cooper's Hawk take a bath, but Martin Muller from the Urban Raptor Conservancy says, It happens. 

(Update: The URC website is currently unavailable. From what I saw previously it will be well worth it to try again in a few days. Larry)

Martin and his partners, Ed Deal and Patti Loesche are the primary forces behind the Conservancy. In the early morning moonlight, just before the sun rises, they can often be seen searching Seattle treetops for subtle signs which indicate the nesting intent of our local Cooper's Hawks. 

Ed, Martin and Patti apply bands to the legs of Cooper's Hawks. Ed explained that the goal of the banding is, 'To study the density and productivity of Cooper's Hawks in Seattle'. All indications show a steadily growing population. The bands also allow us to get to know and follow individual birds. 

(The URC team applies purple bands on the left legs of male birds and orange bands on the right legs of females.) 

In this particular instance, the '2 over 4' code indicates this is Percy. The same young hawk who was the star of the November post entitled, Persistence. He has survived the winter and apparently considers the Union Bay Natural Area his territory.

I suspect wet, heavy feathers clump together and make flight more difficult. Part of Percy's preening process included squeezing out the water and realigning the tiny velcro-inspiring, hooks and loops of his feather barbules.

Pulling a tail feather through the beak may be the most obvious example of this behavior.

A Cooper's Hawk's long tail enables it to twist and turn between branches inside the forest canopy. The tail works like a highly flexible sail which can caress, catch and thrust against the air. The result is a high degree of maneuverability which strikes fear into the hearts of juncos, sparrows, rats, rabbits, squirrels and of course pigeons. In last November's post, we got to know Percy the Pigeon Eater.

The vertical stripes on a Cooper's Hawk's chest indicate its youth. Percy is close to one year old, but since he is in his second calendar year, he is referred to as a Second Year bird. Earlier this week Martin mentioned that the vertical stripes also inform adult Cooper's Hawks that the bird is young and not a threat.

Yesterday, Ed explained that adult Cooper's Hawks chase away other adults, but generally only those of the same gender, e.g. the competition. Adults of the opposite gender are evidently considered less threatening and more of a potential, secondary mating opportunity. 

Sometimes, immature birds are allowed to hang around an active nest site. Apparently, the resident adults, do not consider them competition. Ed calls them, 'Helpers'.

In some cases, immature birds become more than helpers. Young females, like this one, can be mature enough to lay eggs and occasionally take on the role of an adult female. 

Yesterday, on the south side of Union Bay, Ed, his wife Gerry and I, were lucky enough to see this young, un-banded female eating food supplied by her new mate. 

The male has the subtle orange chest-bars of an adult Cooper's Hawk. Ed also mentioned how young hawks have yellow irises and as they mature the irises turn orange and then ultimately they can even turn red.

Ed pointed out that the adult male's role is significantly more complicated than the female's. The male does not simply impregnate the female and leave - like a male Anna's Hummingbird.

Initially, the male does much of the nest building, for which he is rewarded with mating opportunities. The male also supplies food to the female prior to and during nesting. After hatching, and even after the young fledge, the male continues to supply food to the young birds. In addition, when the female is on-eggs the male generally defends the nesting territory from other predatory birds.

In this case, after the mating was done, the young female feasted at length. Her bulging crop, just below her head, is full of undigested food which she carried away to a higher and safer location. 

Large, moss-covered, horizontal Big Leaf Maple branches, like this one, are prime locations for Cooper's Hawk meals. Feathers and fur can often be found on the ground beneath them.

After mating the male rested for a few minutes before completing at least a dozen trips to the nest with additional sticks, which are often gathered from the brittle twigs on the inner branches of a Douglas Fir tree.

Afterwards, the male took the time to clean up the scraps.

Back on the north side of the bay, one of Percy's male neighbors met his demise, by flying headfirst into a window, earlier this week. Ed and I are hoping that Percy seizes the opportunity and begins delivering food to the female. Without a steady supply of food, the female will have to abandon her eggs. No one knows if Percy is mature enough to take on adult responsibilities. However, we do know he is highly persistent.

When you are near Union Bay you can help by bringing your binoculars, watching for banded Cooper's Hawks and reporting band sightings to the Urban Raptor Conservancy. Cooper's Hawks are capable of living over two decades. Hopefully, Percy's story is just beginning.

Have a great day on Union Bay...where nature lives in the city!

Larry

Going Native:

Without a well-funded Environmental Protection Agency, it falls to each of us to be ever more vigilant in protecting our local environments. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. I have been told that even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. My hope is that we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors and local businesses to respect native flora and to 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. (If natives 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.

My intention in my weekly post is to include at least one photo each week and visually challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms.

Is this a native or non-native type of flora?

Scroll down for the answer.

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Sorry, to disappoint everyone but I do not have a clue what kind of flower this is. I found it growing above Montlake Cut just to the west of the old boathouse. I suspect it is not native because I cannot find it in:

'Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast' - Pojar and Mackinnon

 or 

'Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest' - Turner and Gustafson

I would love to hear from someone who can identify it. My email address is:

LDHubbell@comcast.net

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Update:

Thank you to all who responded! Dennis, Richard, Tasha, Alejandro...

The winning entry appears to be, Forsythia. From what I have read, there are multiple species but they are mostly (maybe all) from the Old World and related to olives.

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For more information about native plants visit the Washington Native Plant Society.

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The Email Challenge:

Over the years I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements regarding my posts. Even more frustrating when they go to 're-sign-up', hoping that will enable them to once again start receiving the announcements, they get a message which says 'Sorry, you are already signed up.' Google has not responded to my requests for help with this issue. 

My functional workaround is to set up my own email list and each week I manually send out a new post announcement. If you are experiencing the issue and would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Thank you for your patience!

My email address is LDHubbell@comcast.net