Tweeters,

My wife has names for all the physical features on our property (i.e.,
Goldfinch Hill, Butter-butt Meadow, Dove Alley, etc.), and before our new
wildlife viewing patio/arbor was built - she actually named it last year -
she said it was going to be "Wren View," basically because of the Marsh
Wrens that are in the wetland below the patio. Today is the first nice day
that we were here, so we went out (with libations in hand - as well as bins
and scope) to check things out. One of the first non-swallow birds we heard
and then saw was a FOY HOUSE WREN. I couldn't believe it, mainly because
I've never seen a House Wren at the rear of the property, only out front and
across the street. It sang from various trees around us, and even went in
one of the swallow nest boxes. I've not seen a swallow at that box for
several days, so the wren might have taken it over recently.



Note: Glad I birded somewhere today - I was going to scout for birding trips
to JBLM this weekend, but ALL of the training areas are closed every day
through Sunday, except for a few sites on Saturday.



Below is the eBird report for Wren View for today - 34 species - not too bad
since many of the summer visitors aren't here as yet.



Avian Acres - Wren View overlook, Pierce, US-WA May 7, 2014 2:35 PM - 4:20
PM

Protocol: Stationary

Comments: Point count from wildlife viewing patio overlooking wetland
and toward Mt. Rainier to the east. (Weather clear, track fast.)

34 species



Mallard 1

California Quail 1

Cooper's Hawk 1

Bald Eagle 2 Two adult birds soaring in the distance

Red-tailed Hawk 1

Wilson's Snipe 1 Calling

Band-tailed Pigeon 7

Mourning Dove 6

Northern Flicker 2

Steller's Jay 4

Western Scrub-Jay 1

American Crow 3

Tree Swallow 26

Barn Swallow 4

Cliff Swallow 1

Black-capped Chickadee 4

Chestnut-backed Chickadee 4

Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Calling

House Wren 1 FOY - persistently singing - went into a nest box - stayed
within 75 ft of observation point

Marsh Wren 2

Bewick's Wren 2

American Robin 3

Common Yellowthroat 2

Spotted Towhee 1

Chipping Sparrow 2

Song Sparrow 6

Dark-eyed Junco 8

Red-winged Blackbird 2

Brown-headed Cowbird 1

House Finch 1

Purple Finch 10

Red Crossbill 4

American Goldfinch 1

Evening Grosbeak 4



View this checklist online at
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S18279258



May all your birds be identified,

Denis DeSilvis



avnacrs4birds at outlook dot com