Subject: [Tweeters] Male rufous on Whidbey
Date: Feb 24 14:25:41 2016
From: earthman1950 at whidbey.com - earthman1950 at whidbey.com


Noticed on feeder right outside living room late morning. It is very likely
that this is not our first sighting here this spring.

On the 18th, we heard "chips" and saw one fly by within a few feet of us
after being chased off a feeder by an Anna's male. The back was clearly
"rufous" red as it passed by at a high rate of speed. My wife and I both
looked at each other and said "Rufous male" at the same time. But given the
early date and sparsity of sightings between here and northern California,
and the fact that we were only 98% certain, I decided not to report the
bird. On the 20th and again on the 21st, I again noticed what appeared to
be a rufous male in flight in our yard, but once again, I wasn't 100%
certain because it was moving so fast and at those times a little farther
away. Today, I watched a male drinking from the feeder twice this morning
without being harassed by an Anna's male this time and there was no doubt
what it was. They are always so striking, especially the first one of the
year. I wonder if this was the same one as I saw previously and if our warm
winter and early blooms are bringing them north a little early this year.

George Heleker
earthman1950 at whidbey.com
Clinton, WA. Whidbey Is.