Yesterday (5/11) there were a few migrants in the yard (apparently they didn't realize that TODAY is International Migratory Bird Day).

1 Warbling Vireo
1 Wilson's Warbler
2 Golden-crowned Sparrows

3 Violet-green Swallows flew over at one point, but I never saw them again; I almost never see swallows over our yard any more.

Perhaps the most interesting is a female Varied Thrush that is lingering in our yard from the few that were here all winter. We're seeing it every day, including today (5/12). I have never seen one in the yard in May before (usually until mid or late April), and I would think they would be at their breeding sites by now.

Another surprise was a male Rufous Hummingbird at the feeder on May 10, only the fourth mature male I've seen in the yard in 20 years. The others were all in late April or early May, so there seem to be wandering males at this time of year. Late migrants? Changing territories?

Always more questions than answers.
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Dennis Paulson
1724 NE 98 St.
Seattle, WA 98115
206-528-1382
dennispaulson at comcast.net