Tweeters,

On 4/23 five GREATER YELLOWLEGS flew over the house heading north, and on
4/24, a CHIPPING SPARROW was feeding on a dandelion seed-head down near the
wetlands. PURPLE MARTINS also flew over on 4/24. The Yellowlegs were the
only the second time I've seen these shorebirds here, the first occurring in
October 2009. I spotted another Chipping Sparrow today just behind the
house.



Sparrows today also included SONG, FOX, WHITE-CROWNED, WHITE-THROATED,
GOLDEN-CROWNED, and LINCOLN'S. A Savannah Sparrow would be a good bird for
today (making a clean sweep of the likely sparrows), but I've not had them
in until after the Fox Sparrows leave, which I expect will likely be soon,
with the remaining Golden-crowned by mid-May at the latest. I don't know
whether the White-throated will depart, but it's been singing almost every
morning. Other emberizids singing include SPOTTED TOWHEES and DARK-EYED
JUNCOS.



The 20 or so EVENING GROSBEAKS and up to six RED-CROSSBILLS are definitely
going through the black oil-seed. Of course, the PINE SISKINS and recent
arrival AMERICAN GOLDSFINCHES have been getting their share. As has the imm.
COOPER'S HAWK, which I saw take a MOURNING DOVE yesterday. I'd like to see
the Coop take one of the half-dozen or so BAND-TAILED PIGEONS, just to see
the feathers fly and the swallows use them to line their nests.



Down in the wetlands, WILSON'S SNIPES have been winnowing, both VIRGINIA
RAILS and SORA are sounding off, as are the MARSH WRENS and COMMON
YELLOWTHROATS. MALLARDS are possibly nesting, and I spotted a pair of
GREEN-WINGED TEAL yesterday.



A pair of RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKERS and at least two pairs of DOWNY
WOODPECKERS are almost daily visitors, along with the NORTHERN FLICKERS.



All the 26 nestboxes have defenders, one by VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS, two by
CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES, and the 23 remaining by TREE SWALLOWS. Since I
changed the entrance holes from round to slots, the House Sparrows haven't
gained access, although the count of these has dropped quite a bit over the
past few years.



Looking forward to some possible Swifts coming through, as they've already
been seen at the Fort Lewis part of JBLM.



May all your birds be identified,



Denis DeSilvis

Roy, WA

Mailto: avnacrs4birds at q.com