Subject: Red Crossbills: (was: BIRD ALERT; Seahurst Park, midday, 05-23-99)
Date: May 24 11:46:04 1999
From: Eric Kraig - kraige at oclc.org


Red Crossbills are funny little critters. Some years they breed in the
lowlands, at odd times too. Back in '95 they were plentiful in the lowlands
along the Nisqually Reach all summer long. The males started singing and
otherwise acting amorous in late August-early September. I understand that
the quality of the cone crop has something to do with this, but whether bad
cone crops in the mountains drive them to the lowlands, or good crops lure
them down, I couldn't say.

Eric Kraig
Olympia, WA
kraige at oclc.org

>
> As I communicate this, I am still seeing a flock of RED CROSSBILLS feeding
> in Hemlock trees in the Seahurst Park area immediately (south
> edge) bordering Sound Vista Condo complex about 1249 SW 132nd Lane in west
> Burien. This is best look I've ever had of this wandering, unpredictable
> species. This is near sea level and it's late May!!!!!
> Wow, what a spring!
> Cheers,
> Maureen Ellis me2 at u.washington.edu U of WA & Burien-Seahurst Park, WA
>