Actually, this is about Juncos. Joan MacDonald of Issaquah wrote:

>Last weekend I saw small numbers (4-6) of red-necked phalaropes several >times at Lake Wenatchee. This was the first time I've observed them
>there in the eight years we've had a cabin there.

>(Also saw a junco feeding a cowbird fledgling - no junco babies in
>sight! Agh!)

Two weekends ago (Aug. 11th-12th) a pair of Juncos were feeding two
Cowbird young in my yard in Lacey, WA. Both mornings and afternoons both
days. Got a picture or two Sun. p.m. of the female Junco mom with one of
the Cowbird young-uns. The Mom and Dad Juncos had been regular feeders
in the yard during the summer, and I was surprised to see them feeding
the large, brown-streaked "babies." I also saw a Mom Junco (don't know,
of course whether it was the same one) feeding a Junco juvenile a time
or two. So the nest-pirating Cowbirds had not completely taken over. I
watched for them last weekend (to see if I could get better pictures)
but did not see any more Juncos feeding young. Saw Juncos last weekend
and today but no feeding of young, and no juvenile Cowbirds. Good
Birding!

Bill Ward
Lacey WA
wward at mail.cco.net