Hello Tweeters,

Jim Flynn asked for migration records. We are more small-town (near forest land) than urban, and farther north than Seattle, but here are recent sightings.

This morning we had a Lincoln's Sparrow -- last year we had our first on the yard list on September 14.

I think of Fox Sparrows as winter residents, but I may be harboring memories of San Francisco birding. This year's first Fox Sparrow on the yard list appeared 3/10 -- first one seen last year was October 14. (Today another Fox Sparrow appeared, with interesting leucistic patches, including a pure white rump.)

So these are our first spring records since moving here in June 2005. Our backyard habitat is a work in progress; I hope to accumulate more and varied records in the coming years, like Dennis Paulson's.

Of note this year, we now have at least six Golden-crowned Sparrows actively feeding all through the day. Last year I saw just one all year, on May 10: it flew into the slider and was momentarily stunned, took a few minutes to recover -- and understandably was not seen again.

Our first dates for White-crowned Sparrow are 4/7/07 and 3/25/08. No dates recorded in 2006, but we had one singing from a treetop for several weeks in the spring.

Song Sparrows and Juncos, of course, stick it out with us through the winter -- bless their hearts!

Good birding,

Kristi Hein
khc
-at-
picturesandwords.com
Anacortes
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