Subject: [Tweeters] Everett Tanagers continue.
Date: May 12 08:21:53 2008
From: jeff gibson - gibsondesign at msn.com


Again this morning many Western Tanagers in and around my yard in north Everett. In the last half hour or so I've seen more than 10. Again, it's hard to tell beyond that as they are moving in and out of the trees in my yard from the surrounding area. Today they are joined by Orange- crowned and Yellow -rumped Warblers, both types singing.
This is the same time in May I've had Tanager's here for the past 4 years. In fall for the last several years they come thru in mid Sept. I,ve never seen more than 3 here at any of those times.
Interestingly , the Tanagers are 'drinking' nectar from the bottle-brush blooms of a large English Laurel tree that borders my backyard. The tree is in full bloom , and the flowers very fragrant (so likely to have plenty of nectar). The birds stick their beak in , sit there for a second, then move to the next flower. The warblers are picking up on the bugs, but the tanagers are sticking to the flowers.
As to overall numbers here - a dozen or so is the most I could count at once, with birds coming and going. Obviously there are many more than that moving thru the neighborhood since may 8th.

Jeff Gibson
Tanager Acres
Everett Wa