I've written about this before, but it doesn't cease to amaze me. The
flickers that are present here, whether wintering or resident (at least one
pair nests here), seem to be extremely social, something I still don't
associate with that species. Much of the time there are none in the yard,
but then they start piling in until there are 4 or 5 at once, usually
somewhat contentious but still clearly coming in together. They occupy both
places where suet is served and look for ants on the ground or just seem to
be waiting their turn at the suet. A few days ago there were 7 present at
once, I think a record and fairly certainly more than just a family group.
Interestingly, none of them shows much in the way of Yellow-shafted
characteristics, which always makes flicker-watching more interesting, but
one of them is the bird that I've seen earlier in the winter, with
cream-colored patches on its wings and upperparts.

A pair of Pileateds has taken up residency in the ravine behind our house,
perhaps the classiest birds of the neighborhood. I've also heard a Barred
Owl several times since I reported one a month ago, but I haven't heard any
indication of a mate. Mostly what I'm hearing is the pitter-patter of
little raindrops on the roof.

Dennis Paulson
--
Netta Smith and Dennis Paulson
1724 NE 98 St.
Seattle, WA 98115