Subject: [Tweeters] Everett Home Birds.
Date: May 19 16:22:21 2009
From: jeff gibson - gibsondesign at msn.com


Lucky for me I have a rainy day office day at home , here in the urbs of north Everett, because I'm seeing all sorts of cool birds out the window.

First, a Swainson's Thrush just landed on our covered front porch just a few feet from where I'm sitting. The first of the year for me and only the second one I've seen here after 8 years at the place. It's a wee bit too urban in this neighborhood for Swainson's. When I want to hear one I go to Spencer Island - only a few miles away.

Then, noticing more movement out the window I found 6 female Western Tanagers feeding up in our very tall cherry tree. A few others have been moving thru here the past week, but nothing like last May when there were so many here during the week of May8 - 14 that I called the place Tanager Acres. In last years hypothermic conditions the bugs were'nt flying, so the Tanagers were drinking nectar from the blooming English Laurels in the neighborhood and our yard - so they really stuck around. This year it's warmer and dryer (mostly) with more bugs and the laurel is past bloom already.

While craning looks up at the Tanagers, noticed a smaller bird - a Pacific slope Flycatcher, another bird that it's a bit too urban for in the hood here- it's only the 3rd one I've seen here and earliest by 11 days.

Yesterday the first of year Cedar Waxwings also showed up , as they do every May here.

Jeff Gibson , Everett Wa