Subject: Bats & Birds
Date: Sep 24 15:57:33 1997
From: sue ericksen - ericksen at nwinfo.net


Hi Tweeters,

Yep, it must be fall. The bats are heading for a warmer clime.

We found three yesterday (Tuesday) while scattering bins in our
orchard\chard. WE have found them in the past, roosting in the tight spaces
between bins, or even inside. The first one flew over and landed on the
trunk of our willow where he remained until dark thirty (7:30pm). The
second one remained clinging to the side of the bin. Got a close up look
see and a petting. My what wicked little mouths they have! He appeared to
be a Silver-back. We've ID them here before. The third flew around and then
zipped inside a bin. We left him alone. Today, there were none.

Back to Birds: This has been an unprecedented year. A pair of kestrels have
hung around the nest box most of August and even yet. For a solitary bird
they are forging new ground. In the past we have only had the male
maintaining his claim on the area. The flickers of course are seriously
interested in the box for a winter roosting site. We shall see how that
contest progresses.

White-crowned sparrows are starting to show up.

The best surprise today was a young ring-necked pheasant in the
yard...until my cat tried for an impossible meal! He was the first one seen
this year. With so many orchardists practising strip control (no vegetation
under the trees) there is very little cover for them.

The California quail are still here in abundant numbers (60-90). Feed them
and they WILL come!

We have also seen increased activity from Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks
the last 3-4 weeks. But we're short on Red-tails. Only two seem to be
about, last year there were eight.

Sue
Zillah, WA