I remember some chatter on this list not long ago about the Pine Siskins
seeming lower in number. Today on my walk with the hubby and dog, we
stopped by my favorite little pond in Discovery Park, just in time to watch
a small flock of about 25 of them take turns drinking.

I have included a link to a photo I was able to get at the time if anyone is
interested.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/backyardbirderwa/267481862/in/photostream/

Up at the west overlook by the bench near the beach stair access, we stopped
to let the dog rest (she's been recovering from knee surgery), and there
seemed to be quite a bit of activity all around us in the bushes. After a
bit of manuevering to avoid looking DIRECTLY into the afternoon sun, I was
able to spot about 5 or so Ruby Crowned Kinglets doing thier thing. Was
able to get a photo of one, but that was pure luck - they're just so fast
and twitchy, yet totally adorable!

I also had my first 4 Oregon Junco's show up in the yard for the fall. I
had to stop the feedings for mid-summer due to a family of four rats that
decided to move into my rockery. Needless to say, the neighborhood cats and
lots of pluggin of holes seemed to fix that problem. Onward and upward!

Whitney H.
Lower Magnolia, Seattle