Hi,



It was a peaceful, mild, almost windless morning, so I birded the park in Lakewood, Pierce County from 8 am to 9:30 am today. A list of the more interesting birds included: 2 calling California Quail, Olive-sided and Willow Flycatchers, Western Wood-Pewee, Wilson's and Yellow Warblers, Western Tanager, 5 singing Black Headed Grosbeaks, 3 or 4 calling Evening Grosbeaks, 3 Bullock's Orioles, and 2 singing House Wrens. Interestingly, zero Yellow-rumped Warblers...usually a few linger after the majority head north.



A couple years ago the county removed the ruins of the old Hill Ward of Western State Hospital, along with several nearby old trees with dead snags. Before that, large numbers of Violet-green Swallows nested in the ruins, and House Wrens and Red-breasted Sapsuckers nested in the big old trees. Since then, I have seen much fewer Violet-greens, and no sapsuckers in the park. The House Wren numbers are down about 75%. Progress, I guess.



Gary Sogard

University Place