Often I read of other's good fortune with visits of congregations of great
birds. Today, I got to join that club, if only for a few moments.

My office window overlooks a small woods with a backdrop of a busy
Sammamish River Trail and Hwy 522. While I was eating lunch, a flock of at
least 8 Yellow-rumped Warblers (all Audubon's) started their gleaning in
the trees just outside my window. Soon followed Black-capped Chickadees and
a Nashville Warbler. Then, an Orange-crowned Warbler chased the Nashville
off. More chickadees came, including a Chestnut-backed who seemed content
following the others around. Two Spotted Towhees and a Song Sparrow joined
the crowd. A Wilson's Warbler surfaced from below the blackberries
underneath. Another (the same?) Nashville appeared, only to be chased off
again by the Orange-crowned. With views from just a few feet away, it was
the best opportunity I have had to appreciate the eye-ring of the Nashville
and the orange crown of, well, the Orange-crowned. The only downside was
that the only bird heard through the plate glass was the harsh call of an
American Robin. Would that all lunchtimes were so entertaining.


Good birding.
Scott Ramos
Seattle