Kelly McAllister wrote:

(lots of good points about the interactions between native and introduced
species, which indeed are still a matter of much debate and puzzlement for
many).

>And, just to get back to the subject at
>hand, Eastern Gray Squirrels are likely a factor in the decline of our
>native Western Gray Squirrel and Eastern Gray Squirrels continue to spread
>as well (whew, I think I got back on topic).

Hmm, here's more of that debate and puzzlement. Haven't western gray
squirrels declined in or disappeared from many areas in Washington that
have no eastern grays? What would they compete for besides Garry oak
acorns, which the native species is supremely adapted to harvest? And how
could a smaller species displace a larger one through social interactions?
Or are eastern gray squirrels enough like starlings, rats, and people that
they just bring a basic toughness to the interaction?

To get back to birds, I saw 4 flocks of Cedar Waxwings, totalling around
125 birds, in the air during my commute from Seattle to Tacoma this
morning. I see such flocks each October. They're really on the move, and
I love the "conspicuous movement" aspect of September and October.

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