Interesting, Jim. Although I have varied thrushes in my yard all winter, I
have had a tremendous number the last week or so. In addition, I had my
first townsend's warblers of the year in my yard this weekend. I agree, I
think things are starting to happen!?


In a message dated 96-02-25 13:22:17 EST, you write:

>While having my morning coffee I turned around and realized that there a few
>Varied Thrushes in the backyard. Got the binoculars and realized that there
>were a few more. Went outside and counted up to about 20 and could hear
>others off in the trees. The Dark-eyed Juncos were chasing them from the
>junco's recently established territories(?). A Raven flew over ( a first for
>my yard) and a couple of Townsend's Warblers flew by. A Hairy Woodpecker was
>busy (another first for the yard) and everybody who could sing or call was
>doing it. Walked down toward Pine lake and up on top of one of the taller
>trees was an adult Bald Eagle. And then I looked around and all the Varied
>Thrushes were gone and the Winter Wrens were quiet and the Juncos seem
>satisfied that they had defended their territories sufficiently. A glorious
>morning that makes me forget the rain for awhile.
>
>For the past two springs I have watched juncos defend territories and have
>not seen any sign of nesting. Maybe I am incorrectly identifying the
>behavior. But I recognize the song and I watch them chase each other and
>other species, around the yard. Do juncos aquire mates on their wintering
>territories and then go elsewhere and breed?
>
>