Dennis writes:

"Bushtits feeding on Cotoneaster berries in my back yard in Seattle on 7
October. The bush is full of berries and is visited by House Finches and
other species. A whole little cluster (ca 5) of Bushtits descended on one
bunch (this must be the "Bunch" in BRB) of berries that had been punctured
by finches, and I could see their tiny little beaks enter the fruit and
come out munching. I never knew they ate fruit before..."

I didn't either. I thought that they were obligate bug caviar eaters.

I would like to report that the West Seattle herd has been very
conspicuous in the last few weeks. The best estimate at the number
individuals in the herd is around 35, althought, it sometimes varies. I
was thinking just yesterday that it would be nice to color band the birds
that come throught my yard to see just which individuals are retuning on a
regular basis.

Russell Rogers
Research Associate
Bushtit Research Bunch

Lab:
4510 Glenn Way SW
Seattle, Washington 98116
(206) 935-6280
rrogers at halcyon.com

Home:
4510 Glenn Way SW
Seattle, Washington 98116
(206) 935-6280
rrogers at halcyon.com