Tweets,

I find the reports of Red Crossbills in the Seattle
area quite interesting; I haven't seen or heard a Crossbill all
year. I received a report of a pair of Crossbills using a bird-
bath in Kent this last week but despite my knowing their call
note and having birded King County quite heavily the last two
weekends, i haven't come across any. I've birded the North Bend
and Snoqualmie pass areas twice, Flaming Geyser St Pk in Auburn
(heavily wooded), and Discovery Park as well.

Are these Crossbills vocalizing as usual? I wonder if
they're mostly restricted to the park; I suppose if a nomadic
flock found a grove of trees with plentiful seeds they might stay
put. I understand they can breed at any time of year, apparently
a dependable food source is a strong stimulus towards starting
the breeding cycle. It would be interesting to have updates
through the early summer, especially any evidence of breeding.

Jim Flynn
Renton, WA
bf519 at scn.org