After about 4 weeks of going seed feeder free (I had suet and hummer feeders still full) on Monday I put up my big black sunflower feeder and a seed feeder back on the side of the deck. Within an hour I had a lot of birds coming in, including a couple that were new to the yard. First visitors to the feeders were some old regulars, Black Header Grosbeak, in what appears to be a family group - adult pair and two fully fledged current year birds. I forgot what spectacular colors the males can have when viewed up close. Other first day visitors included Black Capped and Chestnut Backed Chickadees, Red Breasted Nuthatch, House Finches including a spectacular orange varient that has colors almost as brilliant as Western Tanager, Song Sparrow, Mourning Doves going after seed scattered by other birds, a clumsy Spotted Towhee, and a surprising White Crowned Sparrow. To my utter delight I had a pair of Pine Siskins for the first time since last September.

On Tuesday I had a new yard bird - Red-winged Blackbird. A bit surprising as I'm about 1/3 mile from usual habitat. Scrub Jays are back, with youngsters, so I put out shelled peanuts for them and their Steller's rivals. I also had for only the second time at feeders a pair of Evening Grosbeaks - they visit the yard on occassion, but not the feeder - again another spectacular up close bird. American and Lesser Goldfinches showed up in numbers. The suet feeders are still getting regular visitors - Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Steller's Jays, Starlings (just a couple), Chickadees, and for the first time in months a family group of Bushtits. A single Brown-Headed Cowbird hit the seed feeder late in the afternoon.

Wednesday brought in the second new yard/feeder bird - a Savannah Sparrow. Also visiting for only the second time at this location was a single White Breasted Nuthatch who sparred with a Red Breasted and actually drove off juvenile Black Headed Grosbeaks. The bird was vocal and gave me a good reminder of what to listen for if I can't get an ID on Nuthatches from a distance.

In the yard I had a flock of about 20 Red Crossbills drinking and bathing in my little stream/pond, the resident pair of Red Breasted Sapsucker with a single juvinile in tow, Tree and Violet Green Swallows, and on Wednesday about 20 Cedar Waxwings flycatching and bathing. Black Headed Gray, Yellow, and Wilson's Warblers are yard edge lurkers staying close to the small creek and dense vegetation at the bottom of my lot. A Brown Creeper is regularly visiting the tall cottonwoods and Douglas Firs on the south side of the house.

Once again I will slave for the birds for a few months at least. Bringing them in close is much easier for me than going out and seeking them in the field, though I do that every time I have the energy.
Good Birding
Rob
Rob Conway
Camas, WA
45.58?N 122.44?W - elevation 310 ft.
robin_birder at hotmail.com