There is a towhee nest in my backyard and I have been watching it daily.
Yesterday late afternoon to my surprise and delight a weasel went galloping
across my backyard/forest boundary, staying in the ferns, the path of its
travel would led it straight into the where the towhee nest was. I moved
position to be able to see better and the weasel stopped. I froze thinking
it had seen me, but it was looking the other way. An adult towhee, I assume
a parent of the nest was running and sort of hop flying. The weasel ducked
low and took off after the bird. I had a great view and I was amazed how
fast the weasel moved! The Towhee flew up into a lower branches of a young
cedar and the weasel stopped, then the towhee flew down on the ground again
and the weasel took off after it, and out of my view. I checked the nest
and was surprised to see the female on the eggs. I waited a long time but
the weasel did not return. Neither did the towhee. I spent the morning
waiting to see if the towhee would return but we have several and I am not
sure which is whom, the female continues on the nest. I hope she still has a
mate.

Rob Sandelin
Snohomish County