Tweeters,

Both WESTERN BLUEBIRDS and TREE SWALLOWS put in appearances today, and both
at the same time - about 11am. I was in the barn sorting through some things
and when I stepped out, I heard at least three bluebirds calling (different
directions around me). When I looked up to see one bluebird above me on a
fir, I also spotted about five swallows ABOVE the bluebird. Finally!



EVENING GROSBEAKS (three to six) have been ground feeding under the
Douglas-firs out front, and have been here for the last two weeks. The PINE
SISKIN flock has been reduced to fewer than 8 each day, but the usual
plethora of at least 30 DARK-EYED JUNCOS continues front and back.



The CALIFORNIA QUAIL numbers had dropped off in the yard until Friday, when
I saw at least 20 out back. The female RING-NECKED PHEASANT visits every
day, but doesn't seem to stay too long.



SONG SPARROWS and a few juncos have been singing, and I heard a NORTHERN
FLICKER drumming down near the wetland this afternoon. Not certain if the
RED-TAILED HAWKS that are setting up shop across the street are the pair
that nested behind the house last year, but these birds are definitely doing
things as early as those last year.



Last Tuesday, I had just gotten home in the early afternoon when I heard the
distinctive "kik-kik-kik" of an AMERICAN KESTREL overhead out front. The
only time I've heard the falcon sound off like that was when it was
dive-bombing a raptor, especially a COOPER'S HAWK. Sure enough, a Coop was
high in the maple near me, and visibly flinched when the falcon dove on it.
The kestrel landed atop a nearby Doug-fir, kept sounding off, then made one
more pass at the accipiter and flew off across the street, still calling. It
left shortly thereafter. I went out back to check on feed levels, and
spotted a NORTHERN HARRIER coursing up the wetland, with a RED-TAILED HAWK
flying near last year's nest. Within minutes, a mature BALD EAGLE flew from
the ponds near 40th Ave S across our part of the wetland. Five types of
raptors in one day is a first for me at Roy - especially within minutes of
each other. In addition, a GREAT HORNED OWL was calling that evening across
the street - the "hooked beak" crew was in full-tilt boogie that day.



May all your birds be identified,



Denis DeSilvis

Roy, WA

Mailto: avnacrs4birds at q.com