The sharp-shinned hawk is the smallest of our accipters and is one of the raptors often seen on the Winter Raptor Survey. It has blue-gray crown, a reddish-yellow eye and white fluffy undertail feathers. The dark bars on its tail are relatively wide. Its legs and feet are yellow.

Last week I reported that two readers of the Chinook Observer from Rosburg sent in a report about a leucistic dark-eyed junco. Here’s more about leucism along with the photo that perfectly illustrates what the leucistic dark-eyed junco that is hanging out with his flock at their bird feeders looks like.

As can be seen, it is mostly white and shows up beautifully in their fall trees.

Leucism is an abnormal condition created by a genetic mutation that inhibits the melanin and other pigments from being deposited in feathers, hair or skin. Thus, instead of a bird’s usual color, its color is overall pale or has just a few patches of reduced coloring. Birds that are leucistic are, as described by our readers, “mostly white.”

It is not the same as albinism, which is very rare. Leucism is more common. The difference is that with leucism there is only a partial loss of pigmentation. Eye pigmentation is not affected. However, in albinistic birds or animals, eye pigmentation changes. They have pink eyes.

More sightings

The burrowing owl is still being seen at the Cape D jetty. A belted kingfisher was observed recently fishing at Cape D but near the boat launch. It seems to be a regular in that area. Golden-crowned kinglets, a great blue heron and a dark-eyed junco were also seen at Cape D. Cape D seems to be a catch basin for birds every once in a while, especially after a major storm. The burrowing owl is a good example. There is still a good chance to see it even now, a few weeks after the storms.

The Winter Raptor Survey is now underway. It begins in November, which is not winter per se, but it tells us about the tail end of the migration movement of raptors before winter begins. The winter survey will tell researchers what raptors are still in place in each of the 500-plus routes covered by the survey. This in turn helps them to determine whether the area(s) can support raptors thoughout the winter months. Two surveyors were counting raptors in one of the areas that includes Parpala Road, the Bear River and Chinook River dike vicinities.

Thirty-nine bald eagles were seen, of which 31 were adults birds and eight were juveniles. Other species sighted include five red-tailed hawks, three American kestrels, one sharp-shinned hawk, two northern harriers and one red-shouldered hawk.

This is a good time to get out into the field if you are interested in seeing raptors. Drive the roadways and check out fields and trees where raptors might be hunting. There may be a few raptors on the beach or along the shores of Willapa Bay. They could be feeding on carrion or situated on suitable perches along the water’s edge.

One of our other readers reports that the birds are few and far between at his feeders these days. However, several black-tailed deer do stop by as they pass through the backyard. Yet another observer notes that four bald eagles were eating carrion on the shores of Willapa Bay, and a number of waterfowl were observed in the bay.

Nature is still here in sufficient numbers for us to observe and enjoy. Birds and mammals are being observed by Observer readers. If you see nature unfolding in your yard or on your drives, please don’t hesitate to let me know.

Happy birding!