Tweeters,
Yesterday and today we had hundreds of Vaux's Swifts and Barn Swallows, with a sprinkling of Violet-green Swallows, feeding on a big hatch of insects in the sky over our house and the wetland to the east. Largest assemblage I've seen of swifts and swallows in the Roy area. Most birds appear to be feasting and continuing to the south.

Also, still getting the occasional Chipping Sparrow moving through, but the bulk of those last came through about two weeks ago, along with some Vesper Sparrows. More Chipping Sparrows this year than seen previously - could be some later breeding than in past years?

Later-than-usual hatchings of California Quails seem to be doing fine despite the presence of two very persistent juv. Cooper's Hawks. The latter feeding mainly on House Finches and House Sparrows, with an occasional Mourning Dove and Dark-eyed Junco thrown in. A juv. Sharp-shinned Hawk has been picking off a few finches and sparrows, but hasn't had nearly the success, at least around our house, as have the Coops.

Haven't seen the Red Crossbills in over a week - had at least 8 for a a couple of weeks.

Three, and sometimes four, Western Scrub-jays continue to be daily visitors to the back yard. First time these raucous birds have fed in the back - in the past 4 years, a couple would feed out front almost daily.

May all your birds be identified,
Denis DeSilvis
Roy, WA
May all your birds be identified,
Denis

Denis DeSilvis
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