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    Articles by Frances Wood
    WHIDBEY BIRDING | Harvey the hawk is one luck bird
    WHIDBEY BIRDING | Harvey the hawk is one...
    By Frances Wood • September 23, 2017 6:00 am

    Have you watched the YouTube videos of “Harvey,” the Cooper’s hawk that survived Hurricane Harvey?

    Read Story

    Whidbey gulls flock during crab season
    Whidbey gulls flock during crab season
    By Frances Wood • July 22, 2017 12:00 pm

    The minute crabbing season opens, I begin to notice our gulls.

    Read Story

    Springtime on Whidbey brings birdsong, familiar and unfamiliar
    Springtime on Whidbey brings birdsong, familiar and unfamiliar
    By Frances Wood • May 10, 2017 6:00 am

    As I write this, a bird belts out a song outside my window. The rhythm sounds like; “I’m a SING-er,…

    Read Story

    American white pelicans have been spotted on South Whidbey
    The American white pelican: species rare to Whidbey...
    By Frances Wood • August 2, 2016 6:24 pm

    A squadron of about 50 huge, white seabirds has been sighted flying over Whidbey. Observers, including serious birders, are scratching their heads.

    It’s the American white pelican that has put the birding community in a flutter. If you are familiar with their smaller cousin, the brown pelican, imagine an all-white bird with black feathers along the trailing edges of their wings and a large orange/yellow bill. White pelicans weigh in at around 20 pounds, twice the size of brown pelicans.

    Read Story

    A male pileated woodpecker holds still for a photo.
    A South Whidbey avian love story: a pileated...
    By Frances Wood • April 1, 2016 7:42 pm

    Two pileated woodpeckers have landed on separate branches in an old decaying alder tree in our ravine. They call to each other with long staccato tattoos, sometimes alternating, sometimes in duet. The male whacks its strong bill into dead wood and chips scatter. The female hitches up one trunk and flaps to another. Then one takes off, careens through the branches and loops across the lawn, before alighting on a different tree. The other follows.

    Read Story

    Wisdom
    WHIDBEY BIRDING | Wisdom: Still soaring after 60...
    By Frances Wood • December 9, 2015 11:31 am

    Just as she has for over 60 years, she returned. Right on schedule!

    Read Story

    Exciting summer gives way to interesting fall, winter | WHIDBEY BIRDING
    Exciting summer gives way to interesting fall, winter...
    By Frances Wood • November 6, 2015 6:53 pm

    Finally, I have time to write after a very busy summer seeking out, enjoying and monitoring birds. And spending time with family.

    Read Story

    Above: A house wren enjoys a spider snack while perched on a post. Below: A black capped chickadee peeks out of a birdhouse.
    Birdhouses: Simple but difficult to get right, and...
    By Frances Wood • April 21, 2015 6:29 pm

    Last month my husband and I headed south on a camping trip down through Western Nevada, Southeastern California and into Arizona. We visited wildlife refuges and stopped to bird wherever we saw activity. One destination was Prescott, Ariz., and a highly recommended campground northwest of the town.

    Read Story

    An American bittern peeks out from the brush.
    Mystery marsh birds herald arrival of springtime |...
    By Frances Wood • March 11, 2015 11:30 am

    Earlier this month the South Whidbey Birding in Neighborhoods group (BINS) spent some time at the marsh off Ewing Road in the Maxwelton Valley. I’d forgotten how delightful March in a marsh could be.

    Read Story

    A male dark-eyed junco gathers materials for a nest Jan. 2. The females of the species assemble the nests.
    Unusually warm winter a boon to avians too...
    By Frances Wood • February 24, 2015 6:40 pm

    Aren’t these 60-degree February days amazing? As our weather warms, some of our feathered friends are beginning their spring breeding cycle.

    The resident Anna’s hummingbirds are some of the earliest of our nesting birds. I had several reports of these birds engaged in courtship behavior during our bright, snowy days last month. Resident juncos, chickadees, nuthatches and towhees will be following soon.

    Read Story

    A European starling takes a quick dip.
    WHIDBEY BIRDING | Counting avian species both scientific,...
    By Frances Wood • January 23, 2015 6:58 pm

    Counting and listing bird species is an integral part of bird watching, and I think it serves an important purpose. The Whidbey Audubon Society recently conducted two Christmas bird counts, one centered near Oak Harbor and the other on South Whidbey.

    Read Story

    A male varied thrush inspects the melting snow.
    WHIDBEY BIRDING | Winter is a fabulous time...
    By Frances Wood • December 30, 2014 2:05 pm

    Golly, it’s cold outside as I write this.

    My friend John asked the other day, “How do the hummingbirds manage? We keep our sugar water feeder thawed the best we can, but how do they survive these cold nights?”

    Read Story

    Craig Johnson photo A Western scrub jay
    Smart scrub, Steller’s jays are welcome visitors
    By Frances Wood • November 8, 2014 8:00 am

    The Whidbey Audubon Society rare bird report recently announced that a Western scrub jay had been observed near Clinton, not far from where I live. I’ve kept my bird feeders full and my eyes peeled, but haven’t yet seen this out-of-territory species. I’m watching for a sky blue bird with a grey back, no crest and pale underparts.

    Read Story

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    • Last
    • Manifest Destiny Pro Reviews – Manifest Wealth & Abundance?
    • Protetox Reviews – What Every Consumer Should Know Before Buy!
    • The Superabundance System Reviews – Worth It or Cheap Program?
    • Whidbey worker shortage closes bagel business
    • Judge rejects parts of Navy’s environmental study of Growler impact

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