Subject: The DPaulson Water Test
Date: May 24 08:49:42 1999
From: Jim Rosso - jrosso at mediaseek.com


Inspired by the account from Dennis about the warblers flocking to the
bubbling fountain I decided this weekend to see what effect my taking an
indoor fountain and putting it outside next to the birdbath. Migration has
been very slow through the yard although I did see the first Willow
Flycathers, Swainson's Thrush, Warbling Vireo, Western Tanager, Hutton's
Vireo, and one Wilson's Wabler. Sitting out on the deck in the morning only
got 20 species. But there was interest in the fountain. Within 5 minutes of
setting it up a Rufous Hummingbird came over and investigated. Very quickly
a set of Song Sparrows investigated, sat on the side and then bathed. I
figured it was a great success. The next Song Sparrow that came in, went
and bathed at the stationary bird bath. Then the big test came. A Wilson's
Warbler fed in the Elm tree for quite awhile. It was great to watch it and
listen. It would feed for awhile and then stop and sing. It repeated this
for about 20 minutes. Then it became aware of the fountain. It flew down
and studied it from a branch. It flew over it a couple of times. It thought
some more. It went and sat on the side and then went away. Then it went and
bathed at the stationary bird bath. I was perplexed. But then I realized
that in the four years of having the water bath we had never had a warbler
take a bath in it. So maybe the sound of the fountain attracted the warbler
but it decided it liked the larger bird bath for the bathing. My wife
suggested another variable. Get a speaker and an hour long CD with the
sound of running water. Would that be as effective?

It would be cleaner. I have to take some time tonight to clean out my
indoor fountain. The Song Sparrows were not discrete during their baths, if
you get my drift.

Jim


Jim Rosso
Issaquah, Washington
425-392-8440
jrosso at mediaseek.com