The Pulse: Seattle Is for the Birds
A wandering crane and the swan tank top we should all own
By Sarah Stackhouse May 23, 2025
Spring’s nearly over, and the birds are making the most of it. Gulls are stealing beach snacks, robins bounce around in the grass, and crows run the block like little mobsters. As the city grows, so do they. Seattle now has 30 to 40 times more crows than it did in the 1960s. We’re lucky. We’ve got the smartest, scrappiest birds in the game.
Here’s what’s happening around town…
A very cute crane escaped the Cougar Mountain Zoo and is still on the loose. Last we heard, she was “hanging out with a group of Great blue herons.” Hoping she stays safe out there.
Add hot honey. Always add hot honey.
Dang. Lakecia Benjamin shreds that sax in her pretty gold suit like it’s nothing.
How are we all feeling about Barnes & Noble taking over part of the UW Bookstore?
“Filipinotown” was officially added to the First Hill Streetcar. The update honors the deep roots and ongoing contributions of Seattle’s Filipino community. Love to see it.
A breakdown of Seattle’s birds. Crows really do hold grudges.
Shoreline, you’ve always felt like Seattle’s hip younger sister. Mind if we borrow a bike?
The Chinatown-International District recipe project is full of history, food, and love.
Local memoirists are making the leap from page to stage in some very cool ways.
These pandemic photos from spring 2020 are haunting.
Kamau Bell talks politics and macaroni and cheese on a local food podcast.
These PNB dancers doing the whisk dance move is the most elegant thing on the internet right now.
People around here are obsessed with importing tiny Japanese firetrucks. They’re so cute!
I’ve heard these farmers market cooking classes are fabulous. Who’s in?
A Seattle immigration attorney breaks down what to do if ICE shows up. Important read.
This is what anxiety feels like.
And, I think we all need this swan tank.
Reader Comment of the Week:
On our story about Molly Moon’s new waterfront location:
We like how you’re thinking: The waterfront’s always been pretty. Now it’s useful.
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