Tweets,
I haven't seen much reported lately on swallows. Sunday, Oct 16, over the
Pioneer Park soccer fields, Tumwater, at least one V-g Swallow (maybe 3+)
was observed. Temps were moderate but the wind blustery with a definite
chill factor to it (for humans, anyway).
Monday, Oct 17 a pygmy-owl was responding to my fairly lame imitation
whistle on Vantine Rd east and north of Tenino. I have encountered at least
one pygmy-owl on each of my 4 trips up Vantine Rd this month, usually at
about the 1/1.1 mile point but once at about 1.6.
Monday I observed two ravens soaring in/against the strong wind (and
updraft?) high over the ridge and old quarry above Old Military Rd near the
junction with Mull Rd, east and north of Tenino. They were being harassed
(or vice versa) by a Peregrine Falcon, but resolutely stood their ground
(winged their air??). It was quite an aerial display! The bird finally
(after ~15 minutes) gave up removing his antagonists and took after a flock
of robins in the fields below--with equal success. The falcon is my personal
first sighting in the area, though Bob Sundstrom has previously observed
them in this spot.
Two hours later a Cooper's hawk was tangling with a raven high overhead in
the same vicinity.
49 species for the morning, more than expected.
Good birding!
Paul Hicks
Tenino
phicks AT accessgrace.org