Here in Graham south of Tacoma, we have awakened the last two mornings to
temperatures below freezing. Yesterday, it rose to about 45 degrees; today
we're up to over 60 degrees. Hasn't seemed to have very much effect on our
birds: locals still here (including at least one Varied Thrush), Fox Sparrow
still hanging around, Orange-crowned Warbler very vocal, Band-tailed Pigeons
still visiting . . . am wondering if anyone along the straits or on the coast
has seen any unusual evidence of an early arrival of migrating shorebirds? or
will the cold here now slow down the migration of birds going north to breed?
Love the "wind birds" and would really like to be around when--and where--they
arrive for at least a short moment. The information I have is that the last
week of April and the first week of May are the best times to explore.
Anyone have any ideas about El Nino's effect on our shorebirds? All
suggestions cheerfully and gratefully accepted!

Murray Hansen
MurrayH at aol.com