Tweeters,

Yesterday morning, we had the first WESTERN SCRUB-JAYS of the year (since
the snow in December) show up out front - and had two instead of the usual
loner the first time ever. Later, just one jay came in as I was finishing up
planting in the hedgerow to the south. I think these birds might be part of
a range expansion of the scrub-jays that have been breeding in downtown Roy
for a number of years. Last year, there was a scrub-jay that hung around the
area here most of the spring, but only the one bird.



A female NORTHERN HARRIER just now flew by the back feeders for the second
time in about 15 minutes. Not sure, but I think this might be the harrier
that has been hanging out in the area since late fall. Recently, I've seen
it more often to the southwest in the fields across the road. I'm hoping for
a nest in the area this year - seems to me that the habitat is likely.



Yesterday, had DOWNY WOODPECKERS (m-f), a pair of NORTHERN FLICKERS, and a
RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER in the yard at the same time.



The male AMERICAN KESTREL was in one of the apple trees across the street,
flew down and snagged a small mammal. The female was down the street a bit.
I'm still hoping to talk to the neighbors across the street whenever they
show up at their hay barn - I'd like to get my kestrel box put up on the
side of their barn.



A couple of no-necks were putting their quad-runners to a mud test near the
wetland about a half-mile to the south earlier today. Their antics gave me a
good look at some of the 600 ducks that took to the air: NORTHERN PINTAIL,
GREEN-WINGED TEAL, AMERICAN WIGEON, and MALLARD. Speaking of Mallards, a
pair has started showing up out back under one of the feeders. First time
for this here - we had a pair of Mallards that showed up every year at our
old place in Kirkland.



My wife said she had a small "finch" on the edge of the back deck yesterday
while I was out. She knows most of the local finches (House, Purple, Pine
Siskin, and American Goldfinch), but she said this one puzzled her: the head
was too small in proportion to the body - and sort of a rufous cap. I showed
her a picture of a CHIPPING SPARROW: "That's it!" Nice.



May all your birds be identified,



Denis DeSilvis

Roy, WA

Mailto: avnacrs4birds at q.com