1, 2 and 4 November

1 November 

eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S96996465

weather:  11 am 5C wind calm, 1 pm 7C wind WNW 8, cloudy, then rain

tide: 12 noon, 2.7 m, rising

2 November

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S97036898

weather:  8:30 am 8C wind SE 4, 12 m 10 C SE 15, very cloudy

tide:  2.1m, rising

4 November

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S97134152

weather:  3 pm 15 C WSW 5,  5 pm 14 C SSW 4  cloudy, occasional showers

tide:  4:30 pm 4.6m,  peak, falling

A week of drizzly, dark weather.  Low tides, until November 4th, when I visited the Estuary late, and found a very high tide and very high river.  

1 November

The eagle building project seems to be on hold.  I suspect it has to do with low tides--I'm not sure, but my suspicion is that the eagles were out gathering food on the tidal flats when I went out to check on them.

The old nest near the new construction project is now visible and looks to be intact.


I'd guess that it's possible that after 30 years, a new nest is attractive, hence the nearby construction project.  I did note that the upstream nest that was in use last spring had an eagle checking it out today.



From what I read, November seems to be the month for renovations among coastal Eagles.  I shall monitor the situation, as I find it interesting.  Time was I didn't much like eagles, as mostly big jock scavengers, but after this past year, I've come to respect them.

2 November

A very dark morning.  I find myself looking forward to "falling back" this weekend, so that the mornings are perhaps a bit lighter.  It appeared that more snow had fallen, lower, on the mountains,


although we're facing a warm week and I'd anticipate that the snow pack will diminish.

Nothing new to report re the nest-building project, but there were a pair of eagles displaying some dramatic paired flight.


Along the path leading from the benches, a pileated woodpecker was very busy drilling into a log.  Somehow, despite dense shrubbery, I managed a couple of possibly unusual photos of her.





I think the second shot, with the woodchips on her beak, demands a caption.

4 November

A very late visit to the Estuary after a morning of errands.

The river is swift and very high--I assume due to heavy rains and snowmelt.




It isn't very birdy in mid-afternoon.  Offshore there were mallards, wigeons, and the first bufflehead of the season.


Bufflehead are typically very social ducks, and seeing one bufflehead is kind of like eating one potato chip...No doubt more will follow.

In combination with the high river flow, there was a very high tide.  I don't recall seeing the water so muddy offshore.





More rain is forecast tomorrow.  Time will tell.












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