Subject: Nighttime calling bird? (fwd)
Date: Oct 29 22:01:35 2000
From: Bruce McKenzie - bmsh.mckenzie at gte.net


Until we rebuilt the deck this summer we kept a stand with a few feeders on
the deck out from the door. With two infants over the last five years I've
spent many an odd hour out on the deck. Sometimes pacing a small one back to
sleep, none too quickly.

Never bother to turn on the light to walk out on the deck as I want to see
the trees and stars. Several times I've startled Pine Siskin's and House
Finches that were sleeping on the feeders and/or the trees just off the
deck. Have also startled something much larger but have never gotten a good
look at it nor has it called out. Has a very quiet wing beat so believe it
to be an owl.

Quite often I've heard flickers, Steller jay's, towhee's, and junco's call
out in the "distance" (we're a block away from heavy woods) during the
night. Rarely have the calls been an alarm or startled call. Usually sounds
more like an "I'm here!" to a partner or a pleasant dream.

Bruce McKenzie
Kenmore, WA USA


----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Cummings" <mook at drizzle.com>
To: "Tweeters" <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Friday, October 27, 2000 12:40
Subject: Re: Nighttime calling bird? (fwd)


> A few days ago I wrote:
>
> > A couple nights ago, at about 10:30, I went out into my backyard to look
> > at the stars. We have a big tree back there which is often frequented by
a

> After doing a little research listening to bird calls, I'm almost positive
> the night bird I heard was a Northern Flicker. I hadn't heard of them
> calling at night before, but I see them around my house and in that tree
> fairly often.
>
> Mike Cummings
> Seattle, WA (Maple Leaf)
> mook at drizzle.com
>