On Thu, 26 Dec 1996, Susan Treu wrote:

> P.S. I live over on the east side (Pullman) and on Christmas morning a
> Great Blue Heron floated into through the falling snow. That's about the
> last bird I expected to see in the middle of a snow storm with 10" of snow
> on the ground! Every time it would try to take a step it would sink up to
> its belly--finally gave up and preened for about 15 minutes, then flew
> back off toward the river...much appreciated gift from Mama Nature!


Over here in Moscow, we had a similar (but perhaps not so amazing) Xmas
morning event. We've had a flock of House Sparrows in the neighborhood
for sometime which loves to visit the two feeders in the area. Last week,
we had a Pygmy-Owl visit, but otherwise it's been nothing but H. sparrows
for the fall.

On Christmas morning, however, we were greeted by a Song Sparrow who was
trying to integrate with the flock, and a big snow-laden tree covered with
Dark-eyed Juncos. Their brilliant pink sides put our own tree and its
ornaments to shame. And, pathetic though it might be, they were both
yard-list birds...quite a present for us.

I hope everyone else has had as wonderful a Christmas!

-Pat
scott931 at uidaho.edu