Tweeters,

I heard Barn Swallows making their "I see a predator" call just before 6 PM,
looked out back expecting to see the local Cooper's Hawk, but when I spotted
the predator, it turned out to be a PEREGRINE FALCON circling over the
wetland. I grabbed the bins, and glassed the bird just as it turned and
folded its wings, looking as if it were power-gliding directly at me. It
passed right over me and the house, close enough for me to hear a "whoosh"
as it went by. After running to the front of the house, I spotted the falcon
circling to the south, with a bunch of swallows nearby; it kept circling and
gliding south. I usually don't see peregrines until late fall or sometimes
during the winter - this was the first time in the summer.



After spotting the falcon, I decided to go out back on the deck to read, and
had just settled in when I heard the distinctive "peeent" of a COMMON
NIGHTHAWK nearby over the wetland. There appeared to be more than one bird
calling, and when I finally spotted them, there were 4 nighthawks flying
close together, heading south. This is the first nighthawk sighting I've had
here since July 2006; and the 88th species at the property this year.



A third family of California Quail showed up about a week ago. I'd seen one
pair without a family, but likely they were nesting nearby. At any rate, we
now have over 30 juvenile quail here of three different ages. The oldest
hatching was feeding on the back lawn early this morning as I was sipping
coffee in the family room. I heard a "whir" of wings and when I popped out
of my seat to look, five of the youngsters were standing on back deck. When
I raised my head up high enough to see them all, at least one of them saw me
and they all scooted south, hopping off the deck and joining their
hatch-mates.



I've seen one Turkey Vulture each of the past five days - I usually only see
one a couple of times a week.



A YELLOW WARBLER still sounds off as it forages in the early morning and
late afternoon, and WILLOW FLYCATCHERS and WESTERN WOOD-PEWEES are
persistently vocal, especially in the morning for the flycatcher, and
mid-day for the pewee.



Yesterday, 11 COMMON RAVENS were circling over the area at the south of the
property, where someone had just hayed the field. The two juvenile
Red-tailed Hawks were also in the area, likely because the lack of ground
cover gave them good visibility of some prey. Three ravens and both hawks
were back this afternoon.



May all your birds be identified,



Denis DeSilvis

Roy, WA

Mailto: avnacrs4birds at q.com