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