Dear Tweets;

The hail storm seemed to have flushed out a few California Quail on
Canal Rd this week. I watched one cross the road under the oak stand
during the storm. I have noticed two very very FAT California Quail
in a field near the Nisqually River yesterday. How much weight do
they put on during the spring? I mean these two quail were enormous!

There were six baby birds sitting above my birdbath this week.
Possibly Junco's. The only similiar feature to an adult Junco being
the white tail edges and a darker grey head. That thrilled me as the
Chestnut Backed Chickadees seemingly disappeared after the Violet
Green Swallows disturbed the nest.

Question: Do Violet Green Swallows typically raid established nests
(Chestnut Backed Chickadee) with young?

Unidentified bird: very long and thin square ended black tail, black
head, black beak, white throat and white breast. Its overall size 8-10
inches. Perched on electric lines near a small field in Yelm. Does NOT
look like Grey Jay or any other Jay. Somewhat similiar to magpie, but
coloring around the neck is different as is sitting posture. My
unidentified bird has a sitting posture that is upright and erect with
his tail pointed down.


Michelle
Yelm
Thurston County
yelmbackyard at gmail.com