8 Towhees are unusual? Really? We easily have that many after the nestlings
hatch. The Towhees in our yard dominate the ground under the feeder. They
spread their wings and flash their tails to intimidate the song sparrows and
juncos. Well gosh, I am just going to have to actually count them
tommorrow, since they are the most intimate and numerous bird in my yard.

Rob Sandelin
Naturalist, Writer

_____

From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Nancy
Sent: Friday, November 19, 2004 10:31 AM
To: Tweets
Subject: [Tweeters] Spotted Tohees and friends


Tweeters,
I am doing the Project Feederwatch for Cornell University. I reported 8
Spotted Tohees in our yard and they told me that was highly unusual for our
area. The tohees had 3 clutches this last summer and it may be a result of
our feeding them so well. I have been putting out fresh corn on the cob to
try to keep the squirrels away from the feeder and the tohees just love it.
So do the Song Sparrows. The Song Sparrows were singing again on Tuesday.
Music to my ears.

I was able to count more individual tohees than I could see at one time
because of their incessent eeping. We can count 4-5 birds under the feeder
at one time but can hear them all around the yard. There is still one tohee
that has a tumor on his head the size of his head. But he seems to be
eating well anyway. There is quite a lot of brush for them to hide in.
They do squabble with each other and chase each other around the yard. Now
thats entertainment.

The highlight of Tuesdays count though was 15 California Quail under our
feeder. I had no idea there were so many around here. We can hear them
calling but they rarely come to the yard. I purchased a new black oil
feeder and the chickadees have been creating a frenzy. It must be what
attracted the quail. There has also been many Ruby Crowned and Golden
Crowned Kinglets mixed with the chickadees. They are such beautiful little
critters. There are many more Chestnut Backed compared to the numbers of
Black Capped, but they seem to stick with their own kind and fight over who
dominates the feeders.
Nancy Lander
Renton, WA.


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