In a message dated 10/7/2006 7:11:44 AM GMT Daylight Time,
vickibiltz at comcast.net writes:

Hi,
Twice this past week I have spooked the male Pileated trying to eat
sunflower chips at the feeders hanging from my windows. Tuesday morning, I heard a
clanging and opened the front office blinds, and spooked him. He was apparently
trying to use the drift-wood next to the feeder, to get to it. It is
squirrel proof, which can make it hard for them to reach their head through the
bars. Today I spooked him off of the kitchen feeder. He let out a huge squawk,
and flew into the neighbors trees. He has been having a hey-day on my suet
feeders, having discovered the suet in a round green basket hanging in my
cherry tree.
Last Sunday afternoon was a treat for me however, when he let me within
about 25 feet of him. I was trying to fill the log suet feeder, and he was
content to sit on the ground eating the crumbs that lay beneath it. I finally
scooted him into the trees and did my chore, since I was getting tired of his
poking around.
The Evening Grosbeaks continue to fly by on occasion, but have not stopped
to feed yet. It doesn't appear there are very many in this flock.
I do hear occasional Crossbills, but they too, are not as often as in years
past.
The yard has been a beehive of activity with all the smaller birds, and the
woodpeckers coming and going, not much on Sapsuckers these days. Still am
holding off on spraying the Aphid tree, it is really starting to suffer, so I
may spray insecticidal soap on it when it starts to bud this coming spring.
However, it attracts as many birds as the feeders, and bird baths. BTY, when a
Pileated takes a bath, you need to refill the bath, they use it all.
Going to Israel again, from the 1st to the 16th. This time Mark and I will
be able to go to Jericho, and Hebron with someone who lives there. The guy
who lives in a settlement north of Jericho, said there are tons of Eagles, and
so I am studying up. Didn't get to do much birding last time. (two years
ago). At least this time I do have a book on birds of the middle east, to take
with me.
--
Vicki Biltz
Bonney Lake Wa
vickibiltz at comcast.net
_______________________________________________
Tweeters mailing list
Tweeters at u.washington.edu
http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters


Hi! You seem to see the same yard birds that we do-- what about Cedar
Waxwings? We've had none this year. Bon Voyage !



(Mrs.) Murray Hansen
Graham, WA
MurrayH at aol.com