Yesterday, I observed my first swallows of the year in Monroe. They were seen flying over the Oxbow along Tester Rd. (which parallels highway 522 just West of Monroe).
The flock included about a dozen VIOLET-GREEN and TREE SWALLOWS.

This morning, while stepping out the door I first heard, then saw 2 BAND-TAILED PIGEONS doing a courtship flight over the farm. A flock of RED CROSSBILLS has been heard and seen around the farm
this week with some regularity. Winter wrens, spotted towhees, dark-eyed juncos, song sparrows, varied thrushes and American robins have all been singing regularly this week as well.
The pacific treefrogs have been chorusing this week as well, which makes for a wonderful evening time listen.

An AMERICAN DIPPER has been visiting our ponds for the past several months, and has been singing regularly at both of our larger ponds for the past few weeks. Certainly, one of the
most gifted songsters I have ever had the pleasure to listen to here on the farm...

Hope everyone is enjoying the sun and all the singing!

Filip Tkaczyk Monroe, WA
mailto: pathwithaheart at hotmail.com