Subject: [Tweeters] berry interesting
Date: Dec 3 19:02:10 2006
From: Ed Swan - edswan at centurytel.net


In reading Cooper and Suckley describing their experiences in the Fort Steilacoom, Fort Vancouver and Shoalwater Bay areas from 1854-1856, they talk about how uncommon the Cedar Waxwing was compared to back east with all of its agriculture providing various fruits and berries. I have to check again what they said about the status of robins, though they did take three specimens and one Varied Thrush specimen.

On Vashon right now through late winter, robin flocks roam the island finding madrone berries and mob them. The madrone also provide the best bet for spotting the wintering Band-tailed Pigeons other than bird feeders. A group of madrone with berries in December and January might attract 15-20 species and several hundred birds in total.

Ed Swan
Vashon Island