Hi Folks,

I'm working in an area of oak "savannah" (heavily invaded by scots broom)
west of Fort Lewis, and have been asked to investigate the possibility of
western bluebirds breeding on the property. They have a WEBL sighting from
last February, and the landowners are suddenly concerned that they may be
plowing under breeding habitat. What is the likelihood that a bird sighted
in February would stick around the same spot to breed, as opposed to a very
lost/cold/early bird just passing through? And, isn't it a bit late to be
looking for signs of breeding in that area? I'm operating under the
assumption that a lack of evidence does not at this point mean that WEBL
did not breed there.

Since I still can't afford to get all the tweeters messages, please reply
directly to me (or copy responses to me if you think this is of general
interest).

Thanks,

Katie Sauter
Center for Streamside Studies
University of Washington Box #352100
Seattle, WA 98195
(206)685-3505
sauter at pisces.fish.washington.edu