Tweeters,

We live right next to a rather large pond called Sunset Pond, only about
1.5 miles from Highway 5. We have been here for about 9 months while we
work up here in Bellingham. Lately the birding has been superb.For the
first time I have been able to watch a Willow Flycatcher go about its
daily chores. It calls often (fitz bew) making it easier to identify. I
notice that when it calls it lifts its head straight up. I have never
seen this behavior in Pacific Slope Flycatchers. A Green Heron has been
very active lately flying through out the pond. All of this is against a
backdrop of singing Yellow Warblers, Yellowthroats, Song Sparrows, and of
course Red-Winged Blackbirds. After work yesterday we also had a Western
Tanager, a Northern Oriole (immature) and American Goldfinches. The list
of species seen from our apartment is now at 53. Backyard birding at its
best.

Jim Rosso
Issaquah, Washington
jrosso at mediaseek.com
jlrosso at msn.com
(425) 392-8440