Probably partly because we have been home most of the last two days in addition to the cold weather, we have a couple of unusual birds in our backyard this weekend here in North Vancouver, USA.

Our first varied thrush other than the one that tried to fly through the picture window in early October. It survived although it was dazed for several hours. Fortunately, the cats that sometimes enter our backyard did not come by. This weekend we have had at least five. One of them seemed to have a stomach growth, although I could not get a good enough view to be sure it wasn't just some loose feathers.

One of the Flickers has a loose wingfeather, too.

Our broken-winged Stellar's Jay showed up again after an absence of a month. We think we have seen this one for four years now although that seems like a long time for a bird that has to do as much jumping from branch to branch as flying.

Yesterday, our Townsend's Warbler made several visits. We have a fairly regular pair, but no visits since prior to Christmas.

One Bewick's Wren made several stops yesterday. I have seen one before, but only quick visits. This one came back at least four times.

Then, just at dusk when I went out to replenish the firewood before dark, I saw the Cooper's Hawk that lives in our little neighborhood pocket forest. It flew off as soon as he saw me or maybe it had already decided that the feeding birds were not going to return as long as it waited there.

Finally, Our regular flocks of bushtits - I counted 28 at the three suet feeders this morning.

David Barber
Salmon Creek close to the freeways
Vancouver, WA