Hello, all!

Well, this morning I joined this winter's Varied Thrush club. Do you
suppose they knew it was Winter Solstice and that they'd better come
by? I live on the third floor of an apartment building across the
street from Coulon Park in Renton, and was surprised to see a gorgeous
VARIED THRUSH sitting in the tree off my deck this morning. When I
walked to the window and looked down, I was thrilled to see 3-4
additional thrushes chasing each other across the snow and pecking up
the handfuls of fruit and nut seed mix I'd thrown down there yesterday
afternoon. What beautiful birds, and what perfect timing!

Feeder highlights this past week or two have been a regular group of 4
CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES joining the usual black-capped culprits, a
large flock of AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES making regular visits, and with
them a single PINE SISKIN. I've also enjoyed a few ground-feeders who
have made their way upstairs to visit--a SONG SPARROW and SPOTTED
TOWHEE. I've had plenty of regular juncos, bushtits, starlings,
flickers, house sparrows, and house finches, too. Finally, my two
hummingbird feeders have been constantly guarded by ANNA'S
HUMMINGBIRDS who are not in the mood for sharing. No surprise there!

Happy snow-birding, all.

Susan Littlefield
Renton
susan.littlefield ( at ) gmail.com