Subject: [Tweeters] (no subject)
Date: Feb 11 19:09:43 2011
From: Linda Phillips - linda_phillips1252 at msn.com



Hi Tweeters,

Inspired by Michael's post about his trip up to Skagit County, today I chased after the Western Bluebirds at Nookachamp Hills Estates.
I arrived at 11:40, followed Michael's directions and parked on Fly Fish Lane,
I walked down to the pond and scanned all the empty lots that surrounded me. No Bluebirds.
Realizing that they could be anywhere in the area I went back to my car and planned to cruise through the development. Just as I got to my car the robins and flickers who had been feeding near the pond let out a warning cry and headed for the woods. I soon saw the reason for their dismay. An American Kestrel was after them. When I saw a second Kestrel I knew there would be no Bluebirds for me today. So as a consolation prize I followed one of the kestrels hoping to get its picture. As I did I got a glimpse of something flying by on my left. The "something" turned out to be a male bluebird. Forgetting the kestrel, I was back to chasing bluebirds. He landed on a post in lot 174. As I crept closer and closer attempting to get a picture of him I scared him into a tree. There he was joined by a female, I lost them but thought they had gone into the woods so I spent some time searching the trees, when I gave up and headed back to my car they were at the same post again. One on the post the other on the ground below it. Occasionally the top bird would sally forth to hunt in the grass and return to the perch on top of the pole. For a while the two of them seemed to be playing King of the Mountain. Just trading places with each other. I watched them until 12:30. The bluebirds were #293 on my life list.
If you want to see them you can find a map of where they are hanging out at www.nookachamphillsestates.com.
Maybe they can be persuaded to remain at this location if the people in the complex put up nest boxes for them, meal worms too.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24984572 at N02/5437686510/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24984572 at N02/5437686576/
Linda Phillips
Kenmore WA