Today set a house record for the most bird diversity in 20 minutes. It was
sort of like a bird watchers parade, an astonishing number of birds all
within 20 minutes. The usually chestnut backed chickadees were about and I
started paying attention when 5 red crossbills showed up again at the feeder
at exactly 3pm. They showed up yesterday at 2:49. Late today. Must be all
the traffic. While I was watching them, my daughter noticed behind them in
the garden shrubs was a Townsends warbler, then we saw a wilsons, and a
minute later a yellow warbler joined from the cedar, giving us three
warblers to look at at one time. The crossbills were replaced by a Black
headed Grosbeak, who was joined on the feeder by an Evening grosbeak. Having
both at once was a never before seen treat, they always have been at
different times. Behind them in the cherry tree a pair of western tanagers
showed off their colors (well the male did anyway) and then a minute later a
pacific slope flycatcher flew into the cedar tree. On the ground below the
feeder the usual assortment of Song Sparrows, Pine siskins, and dark eyed
juncos was joined by a yard first golden-crowned sparrow. Then to top off
the assembly, at 3:30, a coopers hawk came soaring, sort of half speed, and
all the birds hit the brush and went away. Then the rains started again,
followed by hail. Not a bad afternoon just sitting at the kitchen table and
waiting to see who would show up next.
Rob Sandelin
South Snohomish County at the headwaters of Ricci Creek
Sky Valley Environments <http://www.nonprofitpages.com/nica/SVE.htm>
Field skills training for student naturalists
Floriferous at msn.com



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