Tweeters:

We hit a stunning high of 83 F. on Saturday, in the shade, after a morning low of 36 F--extremes of temperature I had not experienced in this part of the country ever before, despite growing up here. After the dreary weather and below-average temperatures we've had so much of the first quarter of the year, the day brought new meaning to Spring Fever as an actual condition!

And the migrant birds clearly responded. Of 41 species present in our near the yard, most remarkable was not one, but two accomodating HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHERS this morning, first calling, then actually going into the "se-put! tssurrp!" series. If this wasn't enough, a PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER called from deeper in the interior forest. Both were the earliest-ever arrivals for our 13 springs here at Tiny's Land.

YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were also notably on the move, as it seems that they and Hammond's are often associated on the early side of spring passerine migration. I counted 31 Yellow-rumps, usually flying northbound in 2-3s and some stopping to feed in the taller deciduous trees. Four singing TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS were also on the move. Two FOX SPARROWS (usually rare here) were also of note below in the thickets, one of them an altivagans type.

For finches, PURPLES seem unusually apparent this spring, I figured we had 8 singing males atop tall conifers; AM. GOLDFINCH had arrived in force, although as in most years the first were heard around April 1. Also of note on Saturday, 4/12: single overflight OSPREY and one-two TURKEY VULTURES, both only seen once previously at the place. Last but not least, thought I heard a distant W. Tanager once, but in this case wasn't sure.

Non-avian news: this is a banner year for PACIFIC TREE FROG, never have we had numbers and sound like this before. Single N. LONG-TOED SALAMANDER and ENSATINA have been around as well recently. But CHICKAREE (Douglas' Squirrel) seem downright scarce, and I wonder about BARRED OWL predation. Perhaps like W. Screech-Owl, Chickarees are becoming more cautious about sounding off at the wrong time. Finally, for mammalia, we had a very humorous episode with a COYOTE a week or so back: upon Coyote arrival at the yard's edge, our very aged German Shepherd barked and attempted to give chase. Much to the Coyote's delight, each time the dog got close (by the Coyote's choice), the Coyote turned on the jets and easily escaped. They circled a small marshy area, for some minutes, like this before our dog tired and headed back to the house. But the Coyote soon followed, coming right up to the house, close enough very close view. The dog gave chase once again, and our laughs began anew.

Here's to spring after a long winter!

Scott Atkinson
Lake Stevens
mail to: scottratkinson at hotmail.com
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