> Mar. 28th
> Tweeters: I live in Spokane, WA on the East side of Tower Mountain in a
> rural area of predominately Ponderosa Pine habitat. We have four different
> seed feeders plus two bird baths. One not heated that is primarily for
> non-freezing weather use as a drip system. The other bath is a heated tray
> advertised in Birder's World, etc. Now for the observation and then the
> question. Since friday March 21 up to and including today a TOWNSEND'S
> SOLITAIRE has been hanging around in our yard. It comes to drink on a
> frequent basis possibly every hour or so. It never bathes. I put out some
> raisins and diced apples which it ignores. It even ignores the flies
> attracted to the fruit. I assumed that it was just passing through when I
> first saw it. Since male and female are identical I have no way of knowing
> if there is only one or a pair. I have taken photos through the glass slider
> but they will be less than ideal. This is the very first time we have ever
> seen a TOSO in our yard. Have never seen one in our immediate neighborhood.
> The questions: Could it possibly be settling down here? Will the robins
> that frequent my yard drive it away? If it is a ground nester it will not
> have a chance with all the cats around. What is it feeding on? Don't they
> like to bathe? How unusual is this sighting and behavior? Will it stick
> around if there is no mate? Would appreciate hearing from the experts on
> Tweeters. (It may be gone tomorrow for all I know!!)
> Hans Krauss Spokane, WA hkrauss787 at aol.com
>
>
Hans,

I am no authority on Townsend Solitaires, but while in Cheney last
week I observed one on the Eastern Campus. It was there for the 4 1/2
hours I was on campus. I watched it eat berries off of one of the
trees in the central part of the campus. I also saw it foraging on the
ground. I too would like to know if they nest in your area. From
what I've read and heard they are ground nesters.

Yvonne Bombardier
Everett, Wa
ravenn at premier1.net