All the robins are in Gig Harbor. Thursday while waiting in traffic at the
construction on Burnham Dr I rolled down my window and listened and watched
the birds in the trees alongside the road. There was a flock of easily 140
robins in the trees. These were joined by about 20 cedar waxwings. Then
along came a pair of downy woodpeckers. Until the huge gravel truck came up
behind me I could hear kinglets in the shrubs nearby. Juncoes flitted about
along with everyone else. Thank goodness it wasn't raining at that time.
Watching the birds made the 10 minute wait in traffic much more enjoyable
and my last minute Christmas shopping much less stressful.

Yesterday, on the way into Belfair, I stopped at Belfair State Park to check
on waterfowl. As I slowed to make the turn into the park a small flock of
birds flying over the road and into the park caught my attention. Their
flight pattern and body shape said 'take a look, this is something
different'. As I drove into the park the flock alighted in a maple tree
near some robins. Having binoculars handy I got at good look at the small
birds that had just flown in. Even without binoculars the bright blue on
two males caught my eye. The flock consisted of two adult male and two
adult female and three probably immature western bluebirds. They
immediately began foraging on the lawn along with the robins and a few
starling. After checking for waterfowl (not much around) I went back to
watch the bluebirds and try for a couple photos. The birds seemed to be
very comfortable with the park area and may be spending the winter there.
This is the first I've seen western bluebirds at Belfair State Park in the 4
years I've been going there.

Mary Hrudkaj
hrudkajm at hotmail.com
Belfair/North Mason County