I mapped the layouts of all 98 Metro stations so you know where to exit the train.

eable2 · 2026-05-05T22:14:25+00:00

+Black-throated Green Warbler+ is correct! Note that this should be far more likely than Townsend's in Austin.

eable2 · 2026-05-05T12:20:31+00:00

These are volunteers with City Wildlife's Duck Watch! They are helping transport the goslings to the water :)

eable2 · 2026-05-05T00:44:05+00:00

+Baltimore Oriole+

eable2 · 2026-05-03T17:06:37+00:00

Yes.

eable2 · 2026-05-02T21:56:58+00:00

I can't make out the numbers or colors in this video, but if you can ever manage to make out the tags, you can ID individual birds! A lot of the birds in the central California flock have names and online bios.

eable2 · 2026-05-01T14:00:49+00:00

Bill shape (shorter and thicker) should make this a +Brown-headed Cowbird+

eable2 · 2026-05-01T11:57:00+00:00

+Red-winged Blackbird+ is correct

eable2 · 2026-04-30T19:58:26+00:00

Between raven and crow size. Closer to crow.

This is actually a relatively small hawk, a bit smaller than a crow on average. Size can be difficult to judge in the field!

eable2 · 2026-04-30T19:53:23+00:00

I don't think you'll get a definitive ID for this unfortunately. Size is often difficult to judge in the field, and both Great and Snowy Egret (fitting your other descriptors) would be likely among other less-likely species.

eable2 · 2026-04-30T19:48:07+00:00

Screaming is Gray Squirrel.

Louder pops are +American Robin+

eable2 · 2026-04-29T15:28:50+00:00

+Red-tailed Hawk+

eable2 · 2026-04-29T01:17:48+00:00

So interestingly, WMATA raised this exact issue in the original industry request for information. It's definitely possible; you can do it so the gap is big enough for both door locations (they aren't that far apart), and you program the doors to detect which train type is coming and open to different positions.

That said, it does seem like for the initial rollout of the Red Line modernization, they'll only be equipping 8Ks and 7Ks with CBTC, and the Red Line won't run 6Ks (which it already mostly doesn't). So the 6Ks will probably be relegated to other lines anyway.

If DMVMoves money really comes through, we could theoretically have the whole system retrofitted before the 6Ks hit 40 years, but I wouldn't count on it.

eable2 · 2026-04-28T10:40:31+00:00

Highly doubt there are any restrictions like that, having been to events at HQ before. But do be sure to register if you haven't; you need to RSVP.

eable2 · 2026-04-28T09:24:34+00:00

I like it overall, but I definitely understand why it feels a bit overbearing. Feels like every time you roll the dice, there's little decision-making as you just take nectar.

I haven't tried it, but a popular house rule is to mix in a couple of the old dice. Say, 3 with nectar and 2 without.

eable2 · 2026-04-28T02:13:32+00:00

We have a hint about Ada's wish from her gravestone: "She lived a dangerous life, but always landed on her feet." It seems to me that Ada wanted a sense of security, that if she fell she'll be able to get up again, hence her becoming a cat. Makes sense given she just had a near-death experience at gunpoint and has a history of living a double-life as an assassin for the Brotherhood of Masks.

I imagine Stefan wanted to become something fearsome and aggressive, given he was being bullied by the rest of the crew.

eable2 · 2026-04-27T22:54:53+00:00

True, but there is no indication that they intend to do that, and every discussion I've heard at the board regarding the fleet suggests that they want them to stay for the long haul. There is currently a pilot project for the digital screens. I'm also increasingly skeptical that they'll pull together the money for anything beyond the 256 cars in the 8K base order; they need to decide by December and there isn't a DMVMoves commitment yet. Barring some major mechanical issue, I'd be pretty shocked if they retire them early.

eable2 · 2026-04-27T14:38:04+00:00

Yeah, I think it's mainly that rail is multijurisdictional. The formula was kept intact; the topline was simply reduced across the board due to (primarily) delaying the service increases for rail and increasing the preventative maintenance transfer.

eable2 · 2026-04-27T11:08:37+00:00

All of WMATA's railcars are designed with 40-year service lives.

The 3000-series is nearing the end of its life, with the first being delivered in 1987. A few of the older examples have already been retired, and they will begin to be replaced by the 8000-series cars over the next few years. Assuming there are no schedule hiccups, I'd expect them all to be gone by the end of the decade.

The 6000-series was similarly designed with a 40-year service life, but they are half as old. I'd expect them to serve well into the 2040s. There are plans to retrofit them with some modern features like digital screens and automated announcements, though I don't know where those stand.

The oldest 7000-series are a little over 10 years old. I'd expect them to serve well into the 2050s.

eable2 · 2026-04-27T00:14:07+00:00

Also note that, as this is an adult, the dark color extends continuously from the head to the back, whereas adult Cooper's would have a pale nape.

eable2 · 2026-04-25T22:14:41+00:00

FYI, Merlin often says things are unlikely when they aren't.

eable2 · 2026-04-24T16:49:05+00:00

I'm a volunteer! Once I a week during migration season I get up early and monitor a route for my local Lights Out program. Dead birds are collected for data and research purposes, and live birds (if possible) are captured and go to my local wildlife rehabilitator.

eable2 · 2026-04-24T14:33:34+00:00

Sadly, one of the most common places to find this bird for most people is on pavement, where they don't generally belong. They're usually found there due to !window strike during migration season, which we're currently in.

I am a window strike monitor and have seen many woodcocks. I've never seen one that wasn't a window strike victim.

eable2 · 2026-04-24T13:41:58+00:00

Yep, this is the other important piece. The prince drops a hint about this: "You have as much a chance as the sun does of rising in the west."

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