Jim Rosso and Hugh Jennings want to know:

I live in Seattle (Queen Anne), in a well established neighborhood (i.e. many
mature non- native plants with a few natives tossed in for kicks, developed
in the 20's).

> For the first time ever, a Bewick's Wren has been feeding at one of our
> suet feeders. Have others observed similar behavior?

No! I have a year-round Bewick's Wren, and found a Winter Wren last weekend;
neither will have anything to do with the suet (commercial "High Energy" type).

> I am very curious how the feeding patterns
> are different throughout the area. Previously people were comparing if their
> bushtits came to suet or not. I am beginning to think that it might be
> learned behavior.

The neighborhood Bushtit Bunch visits my suet regularly (a morning and
sometimes a late afternoon visit). The chickadees (almost exclusively Black-
capped) very occasionaly will take suet (but are close runner-ups, to the
House Finches, for sunflower seed hogs). Starlings are infrequent visitors.
I haven't seen a nuthatch in 2 and 1/2 years at this home. There are usually
flickers present, but I have yet to witness one near the feeders.


--
Michael Patrick - Staff Engineer
University of Washington, Radiation Oncology, Box 356043
1959 NE Pacific St.
Seattle, WA. 98195
mike at radonc.washington.edu
(206) 548-4536