Hi Tweets:
My daughter said she saw a pair of Western Bluebirds down in Kent this afternoon about 4pm. I arrived at the grassy field w/ stumps and bushes around the edge about 5pm but the bluebirds were gone. This field is just south of Meeker Street and the Interurban Trail borders it to the east. To reach it go east on Meeker from W. Valley (called Washington St locally) about 1 block. Just after passing under I-167, turn right and the grassy field will be to the left. There was at least one W Scrub-Jay there at 5pm. My daughter had seen the bluebirds earlier, as they flew across the road from the freeway side, and landed on two large stumps toward the south end of the field.
Then I headed to Willis Street. Just east of I-167, I turned south from Willis onto 74th Ave. Shell Gas on the corner, and the driver's licence office is down that street. Continue south on 74th as it curves around past Foster Park and arrives at a parking lot by the Interurban Trail. Walk south on Interurban Trail just over the Green River, and walk right on a gravel road that's on the south side of the river. Walk about a block to a stand of mature cottonwood trees. You will be just to the east of I-167. There are at least two Bullock's Oriole nests there, hanging right over the gravel road, only about 12 to 15 feet up. Both nests are active, and an adult flew w/ food to one of the nests. Babies were cheeping inside that bag nest. A Yellow Warbler perched up on a bush at the river and was singing loudly. The orioles are flying about and going over to the river. They are really noisy. Much fun to watch at about 5:30 pm today, Sun, June 3.
Yours, Carol Schulz
Des Moines
carol.schulz50 at gmail