Yesterday I spent four hours sitting in my sister's back yard, from
mid-afternoon 'til 7:30, awaiting the arrival of the purported Blue Jay.
Neighbors said they had seen it around 1 p.m., and had taken photos. Said
photos are to be developed today, w/any luck I'll get a couple of .jpgs w/in
the next few days.

What a great way to spend an afternoon, though! Sitting in the yard in the
shade, listening to/watching the birds visit her feeder, watching the
activity at the neighbor's bird bath. Learned that Chestnut-backed
Chickadees live in the neighborhood, that was cool. There's a tangle of
blackberry and other bushes behind the yard, which looks like it could be a
sparrow haven/heaven. Will have to check it out when the winter sparrows
are here.

The backyard bird list, in no particular order:

Gull sp.
Swallow sp. (light was bad, but I suspect Barn Swallows)
Black-capped Chickadee
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Steller's Jay
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Song Sparrow

There were two more species, can't remember 'em at the moment, and the list
is with my sister. Oh well.

Good birding,
Mary

Mary Klein
Seattle WA
CelloBird at seanet.com