Ever wonder what a bored Anna's hummingbird does on a sunny autumn afternoon? When I went out to put out fresh nectar I noticed a young Anna's hovering about 2 feet off the ground along the north lot line. Below was a foraging robin. It sure looked like the Anna's was just following it around the yard for a while. Once it noticed me it flew up into the scotch broom to keep an eye on me instead of the robin.


This year I have five Anna's over-wintering in the yard. They have figured out how to perch in various places under the eaves, even on the suet feeder, to keep out of the rain. This is the most I've had over-winter since I've been out here.


Yesterday (Wed) from about 11:00 am to after 2:30 pm group of mountain quail, unseen but heard, keep up a running argument downhill from my house. Every time I went out I could hear them. I could even hear them from inside with the windows closed. They have several sets of vocalizations and this one certainly was their 'arguing' sound. Maybe they all wanted to forage in different areas and couldn't make up their minds about where and what to eat. All too human a behaviour.


Mary Hrudkaj

Belfair/Tahuya