Hi Tweets:
I walked into the woods of DesMoines Creek Park yesterday, Jan 24, and
saw a female or juvenile Black MERLIN in the top of a bare-topped
cedar tree eating some prey. This is an unusual raptor to see in
these woods. About the only raptors I see in the woods are Red-tailed
Hawk and various owls. I occasionally see Merlins around here, but
have always seen them in the past in the neighborhoods with feeders.
I saw a Great-horned Owl was in the woods about two weeks ago at dusk.
Other than the Merlin sighting, it sure seemed like spring. It was
sunny and warm and many of the birds were singing in the woods and up
in the fields. Winter Wren, Song Sparrow, Bewick's Wrens, Brown
Creepers, and House Finches were singing. I heard my first whisper
song from a HUTTON'S VIREO, the repetitive wheet, wheet, wheet.
Dark-eyed Juncos, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Golden-crowned Sparrows, and
Fox Sparrows are only calling, but I hope to hear some song from them
soon. Can spring be far away?
Yours, Carol Schulz
DesMoines, WA
mailto:linusq at att.net