Today one of the nestling juncos was out, toddling about after its parent.
Since these are ground nesting birds I am not sure fledging involves being
able to fly, which is probably a bad idea given the abundance of domestic
predators that shall not be named. Anyway, as Junco Jr. was following a
parent around they strayed into the range of the nesting towhees and Mr.
Towhee jumped out, flashed his white wing edges which spooked the adult
Junco into flying up to a perch and chipping loudly. Two hops later Mr.
Towhee was right up in the beak of Junco Jr.. I held my breath wondering
what would happen, and to my enormous amusement Jr. opened his beak and
begged! Mr. Towhee looked behind him as if not quite sure how to handle
this cheeky proposition then hopped back into the shrubbery. I half expected
Junco Jr. to follow him, but apparently his parent was telling him otherwise
and a few seconds later the parent bird flew down and led the bold little
one out of that neighborhood.

There has been a larger number of Puget Sound Garter snakes in my yard than
in any other year since I have lived here. I have seen a photo sequence of a
garter snake eating a mouse and I wondered if there are any accounts of
garter snakes raiding ground nestlings?

Rob Sandelin
Naturalist Writer