Subject: [Tweeters] Towhee vs chipmunk
Date: Apr 7 19:14:19 2015
From: Rob Sandelin - nwnature1 at gmail.com


Today Mr. Towhee decided it was time to clean up the chipmunk situation under the bird feeder. In the past, the mammal controlled the primary seed fall area and Mr. and Mrs. Towhee foraged in the outskirts. Not today. Mr. towhee came rushing in, tail feathers spread, like a linebacker going after Russell Wilson (Seahawk reference). The Chipmunk scurried out of the way and waited in the wings as the Towhee pair claimed the fallen seed debris. At one point the chipmunk tried to skulk in from under a fern and got tail flashed and chased again.

So far today, if the Towhees are in the area, the chipmunk is not intruding. I wonder how long that will last.

Rob Sandelin
Naturalist, writer, mostly retired teacher
Snohomish County