This morning (November 16 at 9:40, my wife Diana exclaimed, "New bird!" ?About 50 feet from our rear deck was an adult Northern shrike, sitting atop a tall feeder. ?He stayed long enough for us to check him out with our Sibley guide, after which he flew about 50 feet to the side and swooped onto the ground along our fence line. ?He came up to sit atop a fence fence post holding down what appeared to be a squirming vole. ?He stabbed at it a few times, then flew downhill toward Discovery Bay with the victim. ?The usual feeder birds returned only to be scared off again when a Sharp-shinned hawk flew over the yard and sat for some time in an alder before leaving. ?The Northern Shrike was a life bird for both of us. Great way to start the day! ?We're about 7 miles SE of Port Townsend uphill from SR 20.

Gary Cummins
Port Townsend, WA
casacummins at yahoo.com