The first hummingbird in my valley showed up yesterday; a male Calliope.
(The valley is located about 6 miles east of the town of Reardan.) A male
Calliope is always the first species I see here each year, followed by the
female; then black-chinned; then rufuous. It's always interesting to see if
they'll show up in the same order. I had 6 bluebirds here a few weeks ago
but after the stretch of cold weather and snow I was down to what I think is
the same pair that shows up early every year and picks the same house to
nest in. There were also about 20 VG and Tree Swallows then, checking out
the houses, but they went back to a warmer clime for a few weeks. The
swallows have started to return; there were about 8 on the line that runs
above the creek yesterday so I hope to see them building their nests soon.

Regards, Joanne
Reardan (Spokane) WA
mailto: jhpowell at iea.com