Dan, this is a message for Yardbirds.


I enthusiastically support Dan's efforts to make Yardbirds a more active
list. And I hope that it will develop into a place to share interesting
(albeit perhaps not science-shattering) observations about the birds with
whom we share our homelives. No one should be flamed in the sanctity of
their own backyard, so to speak, for commenting on the first arrivals of
evening grosbeaks or bushtits discovering a suet snackbar. In fact,
Yardbirds could be a very interesting place to be over time, as we watch
the ebb and flow of our local bird populations.

Perhaps some of the Yardbird inmates participate in Cornell's birdfeeder
project. We could share some of that info here and it might help with the
discipline needed in keeping our lists. Most of you probably already know
that Cornell is going to be experimenting with reporting via e-mail.

I am especially interested in reving up Yardbirds because I have just
purchased an old farm (or what is left of one) on six acres located on
Vashon Island. I want to try to start documenting the birdlife as we
discover it ourselves, and the birds discover us, and would like to share
---and learn from---such admittedly plebian observations with sympathetic
fellow travelers.

For instance, we hung up the inaugural birdfeeder on Saturday morning.
Nothing all day until about 4pm when the Einstein of Black-capped
Chickadees figured out what it was. I don't think there have been any
feeders on this property for at least six years. A bird-conscious
neighbor may have feeders; he is just under a quarter mile away. At any
rate, it took the chickadee a moment to figure out the droll yankee, and
the bird is still rather speculative about the whole thing. It doesn't
seem to have shared the news with other birds yet.

The only other birds seen so far are robins, several Common Flickers,
bushtits, Stellar's Jay with one fledgling, crows, and a pheasant with
three youngsters.

Here's to Yardbirds.

Glenda Pearson
University of Washington Libraries