I think most of the backyard birds are back - the black headed grosbeaks
arrived this week and that pretty much ends the new summer resident
arrivals, except for the Swainson's thrush which has passed through, but not
stayed. The female of one of the pairs of grosbeaks had a partially black
head, which I had not seen before.



The towhee brought a fledgling to the feeder, the red-breasted nuthatches
were also feeding young, and the chestnut-back chickadees have young in the
nest box. I have 13 band-tailed pigeons, a flicker, and song sparrows at
the feeder as well - not too exciting. My red columbine bloomed so now I
have a male rufous hummingbird. None of the woodpeckers have brought their
young to the suet, but the pileated woodpecker is working very hard on my
rotted stump, and probably is feeding young. For the last couple of years
an adult has brought a young pileated to the suet, so I am hoping that will
happen again. I noticed a golden-crowned kinglet flying off with some
lichen. I have had so many brown creepers around this spring, but don't
know if they are nesting although it is a good place for them. I have heard
western flycatchers and western wood pewees and a Wilson's warbler is still
around. No olive-sided flycatcher has been through my area, but I have
heard one in a nearby wooded area where I am salvaging plants because the
area will be developed.



This year was a first for seeing western tanagers (5) but I imagine it is
because I was not home as much before and missed them. That was a happy day
for me.



Trumpeter swans flew over this week.



Think warm!!



Janet Carroll

Mukilteo WA USA