Subject: [Tweeters] N. Ballard: Goldfinch, Black-headed Grosbeaks,
Date: May 13 23:07:22 2007
From: Pjgumbo at aol.com - Pjgumbo at aol.com


There's been a tendency to feel neglected what with that flock of 10 or more
goldfinches I reported a few wks back having moved on to other climes. So
it was a great relief to spot an electric flit out in the backyard Saturday.
He happily shared space working over the seed I'd spread on the bulkhead with
several well-decked-out golden-crowned and white-crowned sparrows. He came
and went several times, ever-so-shy, but several hours after first appearance
we also saw our first black-headed grosbeak of the season sharing the
bulkhead provender with goldie. At one point, to our great amusement, they flew
off in tandem, as though they were of long acquaintance, spooked by cause
unknown. Soon there were two gorgeous blackheads flitting through. We speculated
since they were both quite colorful whether they could be a pair or two
males.

I don't think I saw the goldfinch today. What I did see was two
full-breeding-plumage blackheaded grosbeaks as well as a distinctly chubbier companion
with more mild coloration. The disappointment in having them fly away is
compensated to a great degree by the wonderful flashes of color in their wings.

At breakfast today, well before the technicolor grosbeak show, I was struck
dumb (ok, it doesn't take much these days, at least when it comes to wild
critters) to see two band-tailed pigeons perched ever-so-awkwardly on the feeder
eight feet from our kitchen windows. They have been occasional visitors,
but this is the first time I know of that they have come so close. It was
definitely not the spot for them - the feeder would not have accommodated them
even if the feed would have been to their liking. But it was a terrific though
brief spectacle. I'm guessing they were drawn by the regular house finch
and sparrow visitors to that feeder.

Paul Johanson
North Beach, Seattle
(North Ballard)
_www.gumboblog.blogspot.com_ (http://www.gumboblog.blogspot.com)



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