Having noted the ripe fruit on the Oregon grapes, I told myself it was
time for a visit from the Pileated Woodpecker here in my corner ot the
world in residential Anacortes beside a seasonal creek.
It did happen on July 25th when an adult and fledging announced their
presence with cackling and loud thumping on the tree stumps.The
youngster still had it's salmon colored crest and was in the learning
process.
Having lived in this spot for ten years, this year has been the most
prolific year to date for fledgelings ranging from hummers to ravens for
a total of 22 species.Additionaly, I have seen Western Wood Pewees and
Olive-sided Flycatchers but have not documented their young but continue
to hear them.
Despite numerous gray squirrels, several privilege house cats (not mine)
and increased numbers of Cowbirds the White-crowned Sparrows and Spotted
Towhees have done unusually well.
There have been 2 or 3X as many Black-headed Grosbeaks this year and 3
or 4 seem to be persistent at the feeder. They are a wary bunch but as
summer passes they seem less so. Some forty years ago I recall feeding
them grapes at a Southwest Arizona camp site so I think I can gain their
trust.
California Quail have done well with one pair having 16 young ones.
Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers as well as Northern Flickers brought young
to the feeders which is usual here.
Both Chickadees-Black-capped and Chestnut-backed as well as Nuthatches
nested successfully.
Three or four Red Crossbills showed up late in the season with young and
show up intermittently
I submit this because I think it has been a unusually productive year in
this locale where I continually keep my daily bird log for the 32nd
year.
The bird I am missing this year and last too is the Western Tanager.
That is it from here.

Cleo Andreasen
Anacortes, WA
cleoand at fidalgo.net