Point Defiance Park in the north end of Tacoma provided some good
birding this morning, as I did a solo walk to see what is around now
that the snow has melted away. No sooner did I step out of the car in
the parking lot for the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium then I heard and
saw a flock of roughly 30 RED CROSSBILLS flying overhead. Throughout the
4.5-mile walk I did on the trails inside the park this morning, the
sounds of Red Crossbills were the prevalent sounds - along with American
Crows that were busy scolding all of the raptors I saw during the walk.
This is the same flock of Red Crossbills that we had in the park for the
Tahoma Audubon CBC last month, although at one point in my walk I saw
additional birds join the flock to make up a flock of at least 40 birds
- quite a treat!

Later in my walk, when I was in the midst of the most mature part of the
forest off Five Mile Drive within the park, I heard the familiar call of
a NORTHERN PYGMY OWL. I had a quick conversation with the owl, trying to
get it to show itself, and no sooner did I get a glimpse of the owl
flying into a nearby treetop then nine Red Crossbills started harassing
the owl. This was a great interaction to see within an urban park!

I was not too surprised to see the Northern Pygmy Owl in this park,
since there was one present from February through April last year as well.

Other highlights of this morning's walk included watching a COOPER'S
HAWK harassing a PILEATED WOODPECKER, and nice looks at a PEREGRINE
FALCON sitting in the top of a snag in the middle of the forested area
of the park. I also had very close views - within a foot or two - of a
mixed flock of RUBY-CROWNED and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETs.

As a reminder, I lead a monthly nature walk along the same paths I
walked today for Tahoma Audubon. The walks are normally held on the
third Sunday of every month - although this month I did the walk today
rather than on Sunday. Anyone wishing to join the walk on Feb. 18 can e-
mail me for directions.

Rob McNair-Huff ---------- Tacoma, WA
Author of Washington Disasters (Globe Pequot, 2006), Birding Washington
(Falcon Publishing, 2004)
and Insider's Guide to the Olympic Peninsula (Globe Pequot, 2001)
Mac Net Journal ---------- http://www.macnetjournal.com

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