Hi, Tweets

I took a day off from paperwork today and went birding out in the
Snoqualmie and Snohomish Valleys - I was sure I would see some turkey
vultures which I haven't seen yet this year. Well, I still haven't seen
any vultures, but I did see about eight redtails, a sharpie, and two
northern harriers. Also, visited *my* eagles and they seemed firmly
settled in their nesting duties. I looked for the eagle "gathering"
mentioned earlier near Duvall but did not find it; either the eagles have
dispersed or I got the directions wrong. The ospreys are back at the huge
nest on the Ben Howard Road near Monroe.

A rufous hummingbird returned to my yard yesterday, 25 March. I put my
feeders up in February as Mike Patterson instructed, but hadn't seen any
activity until yesterday.

I have a very forested area, mostly evergreens, that is overrun with
eastern grey squirrels. I also have a small population - 4, at least - of
Douglas squirrels. Believe me, numbers mean nothing! The Douglas squirrel
reigns and will chase off any greys that come too close to it or the peanut
or any other offerings.

Beautiful day for birding - I hope everyone had an enjoyable day. And
thanks to those of you including turkey vultures in your reports; I can
enjoy them vicariously.

Cheers, Diann
___________________________
Diann MacRae
Olympic Vulture Study
22622 - 53rd Avenue S.E.
Bothell, WA 98021
mailto: tvulture at halcyon.com
http://www.halcyon.com/tvulture/