Hello Tweets,

Today a generous walk of the TCC(Tacoma Community College)natural area produced some fairly good species by walking the many trails,which can be accessed north of 19th Street and west of Pearl Street in Tacoma. This area host large stands of brushy areas,as well as stands of conifer and deciduous trees providing ample cover and good for many bird species and as such is one of our best areas for wintering sparrows. Most noteworthy were up to 2 Mountain Chickadees observed in a stand of pines at the north part of the natural and maintenance area,which adds to the growing list of recent western WA Mountain Chickadee sightings. In addition an immature Northern Shrike was noted perched in very thick cover within the more open areas,as well as a single adult tan-striped White-throated Sparrow noted amongst a flock of Golden and White-crowned Sparrow in the northwest corner of the natural area. Good numbers of migratory Am.Robins were also encounter throughout the immediate area along with lesser numbers of Cedar Waxwings,of which both species were noted consuming Madrona berries and Crabapples. The skies remained cloudy until around 1pm when clearing began from the east. A single Pacific Tree Frog was also noted calling from a dense,brushy area. Other highlights noted during the visit to the TCC natural area included the following:

2 Red-tailed Hawks
1 Merlin
14 Band-tailed Pigeons
14 Northern"Red-shafted"Flickers
3 Anna's Hummingbirds(2 adult females,1 adult male)
1 Western Scrub Jay(heard calling along Pearl Street just east of the natural area)
4 Chestnut-backed Chickadees
3 Bushtits
17 Bewick's Wrens
3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
1 Varied Thrush
1 Yellow-rumped Warbler
18 Spotted Towhees
12 "Sooty"Fox Sparrows
3 Lincoln's Sparrows
24 Golden-crowned Sparrows
14 White-crowned Sparrows
45+ Dark-eyed"Oregon"Juncos
32 Purple Finches
62 Pine Siskins
53 Am.Goldfinches
2 Evening Grosbeaks


Good birding,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
Fircrest,WA
godwit at worldnet.att.net