Tweets,
I'm wondering if Lazuli Buntings arrived particularly late in this cool
spring. July 4th I encountered 5 perhaps 6 males "packed" together in a
space of no more than 70 or 80 yards square. Three were singing at their
post (including one younger appearing individual) while up to three more
were calling frequently but laying low in the brush, popping up only
occasionally and sometimes getting chased (but not far) by the singing
males. No females were observed. Three weeks ago there was one or maybe two
(can't recall for sure) singing males here, and two weeks ago none were
evident (though it was noon-ish not early morning). In western Washington I
have seen many males together like this only once before, and that was
during mid-May migration in central Skagit county in the early 70s. Normally
here I expect buntings to arrive around May 8 to 15. "Unfortunately" I was
not here in May to note this year's arrivals. ("Fortunately" I was birding
in Europe instead, yay!) But even from May 29 I'd seen but one maybe two
individuals, up until July 4th's bonanza. (Because they are such consistent
singers through early summer, I would expect their presence to be easily
detectable. Normally 2 or 3, perhaps 4, singing males are well-spaced across
the large expanse of Scotch Broom at this site on Melville St west of
Tenino.) Thoughts?
--Paul Hicks, Tenino, s. Thurston Co
phicks AT accessgrace.org