Tweeters,

The extensive dry spell has put a premium on water for the locals and
migrants, and we've had to fill the bird baths twice a day whenever we're
home. I noted lots of CHIPPING SPARROWS down near the "wetland"; I've
watered the new soil that went in two days ago and the sparrows were flying
in and out of the sprinkler "shower." With all the activity, I decided to
count species from the back deck during "happy hour" and right after our
brief dinner.



Birded from back deck only - looking east. Area contains two bird baths, one
suet feeder, and five black oil sunflower feeders. Firsts for the year
include WILSON'S WARBLER, BUSHTIT, and VESPER SPARROW. First on the property
since moving here in 2005 was an adult male MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER. (The
warblers and Vesper Sparrows were all seen at one of the bird baths at
different times -- two Vespers were in at once.) Other notables include
about 10 CHIPPING SPARROWS and an adult male CALIFORNIA QUAIL with 11 young.
I have not seen the female with this group for over a week. Quite likely one
of the local COOPER'S HAWKS (one seen today) was the predator. In addition,
(earlier in the day) I found one of the Tree Swallow boxes empty of adult
birds and nestlings, possibly from a raccoon that's been around at night.
Another Tree Swallow nest had a pile of adult swallow feathers in front
(Cooper's Hawk victim??), and three of four nestlings dead. I relocated the
surviving Tree Swallow nestling into another box that had young of about the
same age. We'll see how this works out.



44 species identified, including the following:



California Quail 12 No female quail has been seen with this group for
over a week.

Cooper's Hawk 1

Red-tailed Hawk 1

Killdeer 1

Band-tailed Pigeon 1

Mourning Dove 22

Anna's Hummingbird 1

Rufous Hummingbird 1

Red-breasted Sapsucker 1

Downy Woodpecker 1

Northern Flicker 1

Willow Flycatcher 1

American/Northwestern Crow 55 Heading east over wetland - possibly to
roosting spot

Common Raven 2

Purple Martin 2

Tree Swallow 2 Two adults feeding young in nest box on garden shed

Barn Swallow 30 Feeding mostly over wetlands below house

Black-capped Chickadee 2

Chestnut-backed Chickadee 4

Bushtit 2 First seen since 2013

Red-breasted Nuthatch 6

Marsh Wren 1

Bewick's Wren 2

Swainson's Thrush 1

American Robin 5

European Starling 6

Cedar Waxwing 2

Orange-crowned Warbler 2

MacGillivray's Warbler 1 First record for property

Yellow Warbler 1

Wilson's Warbler 2 First seen this year - probably heading south

Spotted Towhee 3

Chipping Sparrow 10 Some used bird bath; several feeding on ornamental
grass seeds

Vesper Sparrow 3 Likely JBLM breeding birds - several pairs noted on
13th Div Prairie (just north of us) as well as 91st Div Prairie (about five
miles to the west). One single adult bird in bird bath (rufous coverts quite
visible while bathing -- white outer tail feathers as it preened) at 1650.
Two immature or juvenile birds noted in bird bath (briefly) at 1810. The
very pale yellow on belly on one of the birds (other bird faced away while
in bird bath) and white outer tail feathers on both were clearly visible.
The one bird facing away had distinct facial markings shown when it turned
its head, quite unlike those of juvenile Dark-eyed Juncos, which are also in
the area. All three birds seemed quite a bit larger, and had streaky backs
that differed from the Savannah Sparrows that have been passing through.

Song Sparrow 2

White-crowned Sparrow 2

Dark-eyed Junco 10

Black-headed Grosbeak 8

Red-winged Blackbird 3

House Finch 2

Purple Finch 4

Red Crossbill 3

American Goldfinch 6

House Sparrow 2



May all your birds be identified,



Denis DeSilvis

Roy, WA

avnacrs4birds at outlook dot com