Hello Tweeters.
After eight years of watching, finally this week I had the pleasure of
seeing a Townsend's Warbler come to my backyard. The TOWA ate suet and
picked off something tasty from the old cedar garlands. I offer black-oil
sunflower seeds & suet in several different feeders. Just now there are
areas clear of snow under the porch & the dogwoods that seem particularly
popular with the ground feeders. Earlier I had set out water and raked an
area clear of snow for the doves. I've left the Christmas lights on in the
hope that they may warm some feathered friend.

Haven't seen a single squirrel! Asleep?

Hope you don't mind hearing from a rank amateur's backyard birds.
P. Kennedy


Bird species today:
Townsend's Warbler (1)
Dark-Eyed Juncoes (10+)
Red-Breasted Nuthatches (2+)
Chestnut-Backed Chickadees (5)
Fox Sparrows (2)
Spotted Towhees (2+)
Mourning Doves (18+)
House Finches (10+)
Pine Siskins (25+)
Downy Woodpeckers (3)
Ubiquitous Starlings (5+)

Poem by PNW Donnelly:
http://www.otago.ac.nz/DeepSouth/vol3no3/donnelly2.html

"university birds"

without benefit of language
sparrows suggest
it is our duty to
feed them

no larger than the heel
of my shoe
they
seem to know I'm here
eating

heads cocked
fill the pathway at
my feet
with the clear intention
of sharing



Patty Kennedy
Gig Harbor
pcflyer at harbornet.com