[Tweeters] Question for Bob O'Brien (was RE: Northern Hawk Owls)

[Robert O'Brien via Tweeters]

I replied to Rob and Jim offline.  As they surmised, my presence at Kelly
Bar  on the Noatak was indeed to find and photograph the Siberian Tit. (I
don't accept the name change to Gray-headed Chickadee).   The trip was
successful and quite adventurous. My Tot photo appeared in the hard copy
version of North American birds but has been replaced in the current World
Birds online.
If anyone is interested in these details drop me an email separately
baro at pdx.edu and I'll send what I set separately.
The sad upshot is that soon after my trip, the birds disappeared from that
site and soon the entire Noatak Drainage.
eBird shows a few scattered reports from Northern Alaska in 2016-17.  But
no reports at all in  the last 5 years.  Puzzling.  My trip was in about
1980-85.
I don't believe there are any theories to explain their disappearance.  If
anyone knows of such theories let us know.
Bob OBrien  Portland.



On Thu, Feb 20, 2025 at 2:36 PM Rob Faucett via Tweeters <
tweeters at u.washington.edu> wrote:


> I’ve been up there 2-3 times in the past year and seen nothing close. And

> I’m familiar with the bird.

>

> rcf

> —

> Rob Faucett

> +1(206) 619-5569

> robfaucett at mac.com

> Seattle, WA  98105

>

> > On Feb 20, 2025, at 1:24 PM, Jim Elder via Tweeters <

> tweeters at u.washington.edu> wrote:

> >

> > This post from Bob O'Brien caught my attention (I would have responded

> directly but Tweeters digest doesn't show email addresses any more).

> > You've been to the Kelley River? Do tell. Some years ago there were

> reports of Siberian Tits (aka Gray-headed Chickadees) in that area. Were

> you looking for them? Did you see them? Anyone have any idea if they are

> still there? I'd love to hear more about your experience there. Considered

> trying to go there a few years ago but was overruled by other members of

> the party but still would like to go there some day.

> >

> > -----Original Message-----

> > Message: 9

> > Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2025 18:15:32 -0800

> > From: Robert O'Brien via Tweeters <tweeters at u.washington.edu>

> > To: Thomas Einberger <teinberger at gmail.com>

> > Cc: TWEETERS tweeters <tweeters at u.washington.edu>

> > Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Northern Hawk Owls

> > Message-ID:

> >        <

> CABL+5aEzAzhJJ5iFXvVxOSi_RjTcm+TEeECATrwfqTi0KdOebw at mail.gmail.com>

> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

> >

> > I don't have a lot of experience with them.  But I have seen them

> hovering like a kestrel, when searching for prey at dusk, but still quite

> light.

> > This was at the Kelley River mouth on the  Noatak River, north of

> Kotzebue, Alaska.  One hovered, moved a short distance and  then  hovered

> again.

> > Quite spectacular.  Bob OBrien   Portland

> >

> > End of Tweeters Digest, Vol 246, Issue 17

> > *****************************************

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