hi Tweets,

after my fortunate experience this summer with a Red Breasted Nuthatch taking food out of my hand. I was again honored with two Evening Grosbeaks eating sunflower seeds from my hand as they perched on my hand and wrist.

The EG are voracious eaters, but always seem to spook easily. So it was a surprise today to have them actually accept my presence. Well lets say the two I had with me and the few right next to them at the feeder.

One Nuthatch came over to get some seed as I was replacing the top to the feeder. So I lifted the feeder up to her and she helped herself to a few choice seeds before zipping away.

I do have one Pine Siskin and House Finch going shoulder to shoulder with the Evening Grosbeaks, and holding their own pretty well. The sheer numbers of EG
usually push them to the outskirts eventually. But they seem to come and go with the Grosbeaks, and seem to be flocking with them as well.

I also have a crow trying to eat suet in the back yard and noticed the hawks were not evident today as well. One big bird in the yard is enough?

I got to see a Coopers Hawk take a EG a few days ago, it happened so fast I was not even sure the hawk caught anything at all, as her back was to me. I saw her lift off the ground with effort and in her talons her dinner. She has been hanging around for over a week now and my husband got to see her close up as she sat on our steps, just a few days ago.


Dawn Bailey
Eatonville, WA
mailto:dawnsdog at rainierconnect.com

Let a joy keep you. Reach out your hands and take it when it runs by.

~~Carl Sandburg