>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.

Last winter, I saw a Bushtit in my yard that had a snow-white breast,
really stood out among the other birds. I got poor photos of it. A few
weeks ago, I saw what was presumably the same bird in my yard.

The Black-capped Chickadees around my house still include a number of birds
with mostly whitish backs, and Len Lewicki, who lives 5 or so blocks away,
reported several white-backed birds. I haven't seen one with white outer
tail feathers that had been present all summer. You got any of 'em, Fred?

Dennis Paulson, Director phone: (206) 756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail: dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416