Tweets, Saturday 9/1 I enjoyed a delightful morning (8:15-10:30) looking for
migrant songbirds near Tenino, mainly on Mull & Vantine Rds. A great way to
begin September! Of possible interest:
- Cassin's Vireo (2-4, very vocal and aggressive)
- Hutton's Vireo (several; dueling vocals with Cassin's--fascinating, like
two squabbling parties yelling at each other, the Cassin's more the bully.)
- Red-eyed Vireo (2)
- MacGillivray's Warbler (2; one acting very "non-territorial" foraging near
top of tall ash tree)
- Orange-cr Warbler (good numbers in several locations; most if not all
seemed to be the "duller" race)
- Black-th Gray Warbler (1; posed on a utility wire after it chased a
sparrow off its perch)
- Pacific-sl Flyctr
- Evening and Black-headed (1) Grosbeaks
- Sharp-shinned Hawk (1; almost got herself a Steller's Jay)
- Cooper's Hawk (1; biggest one I've ever seen, but no prominent
supercillium; almost got herself a Scrub Jay--too bad!)
- Pileated Woodpeckers - particularly active
Another aggressive bird was a hummingbird chasing and cornering an Orange-cr
Warbler into the center of a serviceberry bush for no apparent reason. The
Cassin's Vireos were more vocal than I've ever observed here, even in
spring. They sang long and loud, seemingly "in your face" with other birds,
particularly with a couple Hutton's Vireos that seem obliged to defend
against them. One Cassin's, at least at one point, was singing at a higher
pitch which seemed more like an eastern bird; and they were scolding and
giving other alternate vocalizations like what I've heard only on the east
coast. One individual seemed to have somewhat more head-throat contrast but
not enough for Blue-headed. Very handsome bird!
Good birding!
Paul Hicks, Tenino, s. Thurston Co
phicks AT accessgrace.org