This seems to be the season for good yard birds. On Sunday I was
doing yard work and heard a song similar, but seemingly somewhat more
colorful than, a solitary vireo's song. So I quickly retrieved my
binoculars, and, lo and behold, a nice solitary vireo was in one of
the Douglas firs in my back yard! Not more than two minutes later, I
saw a sparrow fly into the yard and land in my apple tree. A quick
look with the binoculars disclosed it to be a Lincoln's sparrow! This
guy stayed essentially motionless for about 10 minutes, then flew to
the ground and foraged among my currants and berry bushes. Quite a
thrill. Both of these were new to my yard list. Then this morning,
13 evening grosbeaks (10 males!) graced my tray feeder. I had put
only safflower seeds in the feeder. Apparently grosbeaks like
safflower!