Hello all...An adult pair of Black-Headed grosbeaks showed up at our place ?
7 miles SE of Port Townsend Wednesday of last week and are hitting the
feeders infrequently. Maybe the same pair we had last year. Three weeks
ago we were knee-deep in Golden-crowned sparrows. Sometimes 15 or 20 at a
time. Then they nearly vanished about a 10 days ago, mostly replaced by
White-crowned sparrows. Yesterday we noted 8 Golden-crowneds were back
around a platform feeder, but still not the same numbers as earlier. Is
this period about right for nesting?
I?ll add also a similar pattern with Rufous hummingbirds. A month ago there
were as many as 12 at a time around the feeders, then the number dropped to
one or two at the most. Since Sunday of this week, many (but not as many)
are back and the feeders are being depleted every other day (about 6 cups
worth). I?ve noticed Rufous spread out just about everywhere in the forest
when I walk our dogs as many of the berries are blossoming. We?re also
seeing frequent aerial displays by the males around the house. Hardly ever
see females.
Finally, we had a single Turkey vulture over the house on Monday ? maybe the
same one that flies around with a local Bald eagle family on occasion.

Gary Cummins
Port Townsend
casacummins at yahoo.com