On Wed, 11 Feb 1998, Mary K. Rogers wrote:

> Coincidentally, I haven't seen a House
> Sparrow in my Ballard neighborhood in weeks.

Not to belabor the topic, but while a wintering sharp-shinned hawk was
prowling about the premises near my Queen Anne home, the house sparrows
virtually disappeared over the last few months (seeing only 1 or 2 a day).
Unfortunately there were 8 of 'em here today; I'll bet the sharpie has
headed back north. Maybe the native raptors are developing a taste for the
house sparrow???

On the good news side, big flocks of American goldfinches (~30), cedar
waxwings (~30) and house finches (hey, I like 'em, okay?) have been
frequenting the area over the last several days.

PS In regards to the decline of English birds, on behalf of American
birders I'll offer our government to repatriate the missing starlings
(it'll give the INS something constructive to do for a change) :^)


Michael H. Patrick ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
mpatrick at eskimo.com + diversity is essential for healthy systems +
Seattle, Washington ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++