Hi Tweets!

I have been off list for 7-8 months, during which time I moved to a wonderful place near Stanwood. It is being a busy summer, with gardening, lawn mowing, and summer apple harvesting taking up much of my spare time. But I want to post about a couple of exciting bird sightings and add a few words in appreciation of birds!

First, I just had a wonderful sighting! Several times I have heard a Willow Flycatcher on the far side of the property (10 acres....What a change from my former apartment abode!). A few minutes ago I went out to the greenhouse to check for ripe figs (big old tree which fills 2/3 of the space :-); after looking at one big fig I turned to the left to see if another one I have had my eye on was ready yet. Right there at eye level and a foot away, snoozing on a branch, was a small flycatcher! I am 99% sure it is a Willow Flycatcher. I keep the greenhouse door open during the day so more light will get in and the glass won't fog up, etc. Birds also get in under the eaves and small open area at the top of each end, but until today I had seen only Spotted Towhees and House Sparrows in the fig tree, and much evidence of dust-bathing on the greenhouse dirt floor. The flycatcher stayed perfectly still, so I tip-toed back out and went back in the house to check Sibley's. I
did go back in and put a shallow saucer of water on the ground, since I had also gone out to the yard in the first place to change the water in the bird bath . The flycatcher was still there, but did move to another branch of the tree when I peeked at it to check field markings. I may go back later and try for a photo, but actually prefer not to disturb the bird at all, so maybe it will hang around more and maybe sing. It would be good to get an auditory as well as visual ID!

Another interesting yard bird....
A big Red-tailed Hawk has made frequent visits, perching either in the tall evergreens or on the light post in the front yard (on which a bird feeder also hangs). It started showing up in the yard soon after a small flock of Mourning Doves began visiting the feeders.

I have been most grateful to all the birds this summer for keeping my garden slug and insect free. My firends expressed surprise that I was able to grow lettuce (It grew abundantly well!) and other vegies without slug problems. My garden has been well taken care of by Barn and Violet-green swallows, Dark-eyed Juncos, House Sparrows, Song Sparrows, American Goldfinches, a Rufus Hummingbird and, of course, American Robins. Black-headed Grosbeaks are also still around. I have seen one North Western Salamander, one tree frog and three garter snakes, all of whom also helped, I suspect!

That's all for now!

Judy Rowe Taylor
Warm Beach, WA
judyrowetaylor at verizon.net