Another unusual flyby reported over Alki tonight. Last night, military helicopters – tonight, Pelicans! Brittany sent the photo taken by her husband Jeffrey; we believe these are American White Pelicans.

The last sighting for which we received photos/reports was in November 2013.

Thanks to Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch for a rare sighting – an elephant seal off West Seattle. She saw this one from shore south of Brace Point, watching the transient orcas that swam by on Saturday. Checking WSB archives, we have two past photos from elephant-seal sightings, both from Seal Sitters – in 2011 and in 2017.

“Bey” the rescued Bald Eagle, photographed by James Tilley as she fended off competition for food, starts our gallery of readers’ West Seattle bird photos. Staying on the shore, we have two from Lawrence Heeren – Sanderlings in flight:

And Brant:

Two forest birds from Mark Wangerin – a Downy Woodpecker:

And a Dark-eyed Junco:

Trileigh Tucker sent this photo to show that the Rufous Hummingbirds are back:

A Spotted Towhee, photographed by Mark MacDonald:

Matthew Olson sent this photo of a Finch:

Theresa Arbow-O’Connor calls this Steller’s Jay “Bluebell”:

Thanks again to everyone sharing bird photos – westseattleblog@gmail.com is our best address for non-breaking news.

A week and a half after her post-rehab release in North Admiral, the Bald Eagle nicknamed “Bey” is still in our area. We received photos of two sightings in the past day-plus – Mike Russell spotted her atop a tree by the Admiral Way Bridge over Fairmount Ravine this morning and watched for about 20 minutes until she flew away – the photos above and below are his.

On Friday afternoon, Frank Smith was driving through the ravine when he happened onto “Bey” and prey:

In both cases, the birdwatchers saw the green band verifying her identity, placed while PAWS Wildlife Center was caring for her after her rescue from Don Armeni Boat Ramp a month ago and subsequent internal-bleeding diagnosis.

Today we checked in with Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch, the local advocate/steward who was involved in the rescue. She is continuing to track “Bey” and reports that the eagle did eventually reunite with her mate “Jay.” If you see her you can contact Kersti at kersti.e.muul@gmail.com. But whatever you do, don’t approach “Bey” (or any other wildlife). Kersti adds, “I would absolutely advise giving her a wide berth. As with any wild animal, but especially her right now. She just recovered from an infection that almost killed her. And the infection was from an environmental exposure, perhaps something she ate. She’s better but is just a week and a half out of rehab.” Kersti also notes that “when birds on the ground are startled, they flush and fly straight up quickly, often right into the grill of a car.” So help save wildlife by keeping your distance.

(Pine siskin, 2017 photograph by Mark Wangerin)

Back in January, we reported on a warning about bird feeders, and a recommendation that you remove yours to keep a deadly outbreak of salmonellosis from spreading among birds, particularly Pine Siskins, which have been gathering in larger-than-usual numbers. This week, a reader emailed to ask if it’s safe to put the feeders back up again. We contacted state Department of Fish and Wildlife‘s Chris Anderson – who gave this presentation a few weeks after the original warning – and he pointed to a recent update of their original post:

UPDATE: A drop in the number of reports of sick or dead birds across Washington and other northwest states means backyard bird feeders can be put up again around April 1, but with caution.

An outbreak of salmonellosis in pine siskins and other songbirds had WDFW staff asking people with bird feeders and baths to put them away for a few months earlier this winter to discourage wild birds from congregating and potentially passing salmonella bacteria to each other. When birds flock together in large numbers at feeders, they can transmit the disease through droppings and saliva.

Since WDFW first put out word of the outbreak in early January, reports of sick or dead birds have decreased substantially, but they are still coming in.

“The disease is still circulating, and we could see the numbers jump back up if we ease precautions too quickly,” said WDFW veterinarian Dr. Kristin Mansfield. “If you usually feed birds at multiple feeders, consider putting up only one or two – widely spaced on your property – to start.”

You may also wish to use feeders that accommodate fewer birds (such as tubes rather than platforms) and continue to keep the ground below bird feeders clean by raking or shoveling up feces and seed casings that could spread salmonella. Provide only enough feed to last a day or two — in support of regular cleaning efforts within that same span; and to help keep wastage underneath the feeders down and manageable for cleaning under feeders. These measures assist in spreading birds out and keeping seed fresh and feeders clean. There is a possibility that handling infected contaminated bird feeders can spread the salmonella bacteria to humans. When filling or cleaning feeders, be sure to wear disposable gloves and wash hands thoroughly afterward.

The state still wants to hear from you if you see a sick or dead bird – you can report it here.

(Photos and video courtesy PAWS)

Three weeks after her rescue at Don Armeni Boat Ramp, the ailing Bald Eagle nicknamed “Bey” has recovered and been released at another West Seattle park. First word of the successful release came from local wildlife advocate Kersti Muul, and today we have video, photos, and information from PAWS Wildlife Center, the regional nonprofit that helped “Bey” get well so she could return to the wild. Here’s what happened when her carrier was first opened Tuesday at Hamilton Viewpoint Park:

And here she is, flying free:

PAWS wildlife naturalist Jeff Brown reports:

We released her at a safe place where she had plenty of room to take off. She immediately left the carrier when the door was opened but spent a few minutes gaining her bearings before flying off. She has been spotted in West Seattle multiple times since release. She was banded with a visual Identification band that is easier to read with binoculars.

We rely on observation from the public to keep track of banded birds. If anyone spots a banded eagle, or any banded raptor in the area, please report the sighting to reportband.gov. Please note the alpha-numeric code, the color of the band, the color of the numbers, which leg is banded, and the location (GPS or address). This data is very important to us, and we appreciate you all putting the extra time to report sightings to the bird-banding lab!

If you missed the previous coverage – the eagle was spotted at Don Armeni, lingering on the ground, listless, and local wildlife advocates organized a rescue on February 25th, with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife agents and even Seattle Police part of the operation to capture her and transport her safely to PAWS’ rehab center in Snohomish County (which is donation-supported). Veterinarians there diagnosed her with, and treated her for, anemia from internal bleeding.

(February 25th photo by Kersti Muul)

Good news if you’ve been following the story of the ailing Bald Eagle rescued last month from Don Armeni Boat Ramp, where it had been hanging around on the ground, clearly ill or distressed: The PAWS Wildlife Center veterinarians who have been treating her for internal bleeding say she’s continuing to improve. PAWS spokesperson Laura Follis tells WSB that might mean they can release her soon:

The eagle was evaluated on Monday, March 8, and her blood values are continuing to improve. She was moved to our flight pen and is flying well. She is due for another veterinary check tomorrow with the hope that her blood values will be back to normal. If they are, we will be releasing her back to the wild that day.

She’s believed to be half of a resident pair nicknamed “Bey and Jay,” after the married musicians.

To brighten your drippy Sunday, here are more West Seattle birds, thanks to your neighbors who have been sending in photos! Above, the always festive Northern Flicker, photographed by Michelle Green Arnson. Below, a Dark-eyed Junco, photographed by Mike Russell:

From Mark MacDonald, a Chestnut-backed Chickadee at Lincoln Park:

You can’t miss this orange-and-black bird if it shows up in your yard – a Varied Thrush that Max Welliver reports he was “surprised to see”:

Two leucistic birds showed up at local feeders – Samantha Burton photographed this Goldfinch:

This Hummingbird contribution is by someone who asked to be anonymous:

In the Duwamish Head Greenspace, J. Way encountered two Barred Owls, and caught this one on camera:

Finally, four awesome views of local Bald Eagles. First, from Jim Borrow:

From Danny McMillin:

From Chris Frankovich:

And from Jamie Kinney, an Eagle with an in-flight snack:

(If those photos have you wondering about the ailing, rescued Bald Eagle, we hope to have another update this week!)

Thanks again to everyone sharing photos, from breaking news to cool sightings – westseattleblog@gmail.com, or text 206-293-6302 if it’s happening now!

Quick bird break – two pheasants! For all the bird photos we’ve published over the years, this is the first time we’ve featured a Ring-necked Pheasant; two people sent us photos – the one above is from Stewart L., who saw it at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (the other sighting was near Alki Point). Below, a pheasant we’ve seen a few times over the years – Josh Niederberger photographed this Golden Pheasant near Hillcrest/Genesee:

Thanks again to everyone who shares bird photos – we have some others in queue for a gallery next weekend!

(February 25 photo by Kersti Muul)

Good news about the ailing Bald Eagle rescued at Don Armeni Boat Ramp one week ago today. We checked back with PAWS Wildlife Center, where she’s being cared for – here’s what PAWS wildlife veterinarians Dr. Nicki Rosenhagen and Dr. Bethany Groves report:

Her veterinary re-check found a significant improvement in her anemia. This means she is starting to regenerate red blood cells, crucial for continued improvement along with many other factors which determine if an animal can recover from injury or illness. She is strong and eating well and the plan is to allow her another week to recover before moving her to our larger flight pen to assess her flight and then allow time to recondition before her hopeful release.

She had been on the ground, listless, for some time on the lawn at the park before local wildlife advocates/experts and state/local officers teamed for the rescue. Those advocates included Kersti Muul, who reported here that this Eagle is a mated West Seattle resident known as “Bey.”

(Thursday photo by Kersti Muul)

Four days after a listless Bald Eagle was rescued from Don Armeni Boat Ramp, it’s in “stable” condition. That’s according to PAWS spokesperson Laura Follis, who had told us on Friday that vets had diagnosed “severe anemia” and internal bleeding. In our exchange today, Follis added, “Our wildlife veterinarians are re-checking the blood tomorrow and we will have a statement of progress Wednesday morning.” The eagle was taken to the PAWS Wildlife Center after local wildlife advocates teamed with state and local officers to safely capture it for transport to be cared for.

(Thursday photo by David Hutchinson)

We’ll follow up again on Wednesday.

Thanks again to all the WSB readers who have sent bird photos! We have another collection for you – starting with sea/shore sightings. First, the bird above is a Belted Kingfisher near Don Armeni Boat Ramp, photographed by Steven Director. Off Alki, Danny McMillin caught Brant passing a Kitsap Transit foot ferry:

Two from Matthew Olson – a Red-necked Grebe:

And a Common Merganser:

Robin Sinner photographed a Black Turnstone taking off, leaving its shadow behind:

Now to birds more often seen away from the shore. Here’s a Purple Finch, from Gentle McGaughey:

A Pacific Wren at Lincoln Park, from Mark MacDonald:

A leucistic Crow taking flight near Alki Beach, photographed by Michelle Laughlin:

Two Steller’s Jays, from WTR:

And we close with two Hummingbird photos – William Wright photographed one feeding on a winter-blooming Grevillea during the snow earlier this month:

And Kersti Muul shows us one building a nest:

If you’re doing outdoor work this time of year, be very mindful about not disturbing nests – hummingbirds’ nests are especially small. Here’s what we published two years ago with advice from Kersti.

(Thursday photo by David Hutchinson)

After a veterinarian examined the Bald Eagle that was listlessly hanging around Don Armeni Boat Ramp on Thursday, we now have word on what’s wrong with it. Via email, the PAWS wildlife-rehab facility‘s spokesperson Laura Follis tells WSB:

On intake, she was standing, alert, and defensive, but bloodwork noted a severe anemia with bleeding from her gastrointestinal tract. She received a blood transfusion and is being cared for by PAWS wildlife veterinary and rehabilitation team. Her prognosis is very guarded at this time and we are hopeful for her recovery.

(Thursday photo by Kersti Muul)

The safe capture of the ailing bird involved local wildlife advocates as well as officers from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and Seattle Police. Bald Eagles are often seen in the area, but won’t often just linger on the ground the way this one did unless there’s something wrong.

Last Saturday, we published a reader report from Barrett, wondering about a furred animal part that turned up in his Admiral yard. Others offered theories, and he pursued with wildlife experts. Here’s what he heard back:

The Woodland Park Zoo confirmed that it is in fact partial remains of a black bear. They offered 2 possible explanations. The first is that it was hunted and brought to West Seattle to be processed. These remains could be waste scavenged from the hunter’s property. Since it is way outside bear hunting season for Washington, this has been reported to WDFW. The second explanation the zoo put forth is that the bear traveled here from the east side and deceased from any number of urban hazards. Another great idea I’ve heard from a few people now is that the remains were dropped by a large bird of prey. This is a pretty good catch-all theory…and as a bonus it preserves some faith in humanity.

So the mystery is partly solved. (We have had a few past bear sightings …)

Every so often, an animal mystery lands in the WSB inbox. (Like the Beach Drive cow 10 years ago.) Tonight, a new one – what looks like part of a wild animal turned up in Barrett‘s yard. He’s looking for help in figuring out what it is:

I found in my side yard a large piece of what appears to be skin from a bear’s head. It is fresh and covered in thick black hair with a distinctly large and round furry ear. Am in North Admiral. Where could this have come from?? Presumedly left by a raccoon. Seriously, it really looks like it’s from a bear. Could there be any readers out there who recently hunted and skinned a bear at home and mismanaged the bits? Maybe a reader could identify it as lost pet remains?

The photo isn’t particularly gross but nonetheless, we’re not showing it unless you want to see it by clicking hereor here. Any ideas, please comment, or email us.