Tweeters,

On Friday, I thought I saw a BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK fly from one of the
feeders out back, but wasn't positive. This morning, we had one singing from
different spots around the property, and I've seen at least two subsequently
since then. We didn't see or hear this species yesterday at Fort Lewis.



Yesterday evening, my wife wanted to go down to the wetland to see a
WILSON'S SNIPE, since she'd heard one winnowing. I played a snipe call, and
had SORA and VIRGINIA RAIL respond. (I think they respond to any loud sound:
yesterday afternoon, a rail responded to my miscued playing of a Cassin's
Finch.) Then, a snipe came rocketing over the top of the willows toward us,
banking hard north and out. Soon, the snipe was winnowing around the area,
up over our heads (quite high compared with what I saw before), and back out
over the wetland. Not too long after, at least three other snipe were
calling or winnowing, and kept it up until well after dark.



Coincidentally, since the Black-headed Grosbeaks arrived (presumably on
Friday), I've not seen or heard EVENING GROSBEAKS, which have been feeding
here almost every day for the past several months.



BAND-TAILED PIGEONS are coming here in flocks up to 20 birds, although I
didn't see any today.



May all your birds be identified,



Denis DeSilvis

Roy, WA

Mailto: avnacrs4birds at q.com