Hi, Tweets

Today I ventured east of the mountains to check on my bluebird trail and to
put up three more boxes. My trail goes through Swauk Prairie, only about a
mile at most, but excellent bluebird habitat. I have a little over 20 boxes
now. We saw 35-50 bluebirds. I was amazed at the number of western
bluebirds; nearly half the number. Usually, most of my boxes are used by
mountain bluebirds (and swallows . . . and chipmunks!). Today, there was a
pair of westerns near one of my boxes and, further on, mountains around
another box. Perhaps the same pair returning; perhaps not. But . . . it was
certainly a day for bluebirds.

I do keep lists, as many know, but I'm not a "lister" - however, at the
sign "Swauk-Teanaway Grange" (where did the grange building go??) there was
an immature female goshawk reposing on a utility pole. She didn't move
until I got out of the car to get a photo - then, she vanished. Gorgeous
bird. As to other species, there wasn't a lot of bird activity anywhere.
No turkey vultures back. We did see a very handsome horned lark in breeding
plumage near the Swauk Cemetery, but that's about it. Yes, we saw ravens,
crows, geese, magpies, meadowlarks, and even a swallow spp. (probably tree
or violet green), but that's about it.

Tremendous weather!

Cheers, Diann

_____________________
Diann MacRae
Olympic Vulture Study
22622 - 53rd Avenue S.E.
Bothell, WA 98021
tvulture at vei.net
http://users.vei.net/tvulture/