Tweeters,

It was cool, but not raining when the nine of us started the walk at the driving range at JBLM's Eagles Pride GC. When the rain finally arrived at about 10:15, we were close to the end of the walk, and the bird sightings dropped off, likely an inverse relationship with the amount of rain. Highlights today included sighting an AMERICAN KESTREL at the same place (behind the driving range) as last year at about this time. The four COMMON RAVENS were a high for the count, as were the two GREAT BLUE HERONS. After not recording RED CROSSBILLS for several months, it was nice to have them feeding above us on 4th hole (green course). One of the RED-TAILED HAWKS was walking (no golf carts for this bird!) on the 5th fairway and snagging earthworms, a not unheard-of habit here. (A course employee even stopped to tell us of this activity today -- he said he's seen one do this quite regularly.) The two CALIFORNIA SCRUB-JAYS were near the area we heard one two years ago. This time, one was in the Dupont housing area, while the other was on the back side of Hodge Lake. Each was within shouting distance of the other, and were vocalizing, likely with each other. (Lots of Garry oaks here, and likely quite a few acorns still available.) We didn't get down to the main viewing area of Hodge Lake because of ongoing course renovation on the 14th/15th holes. Going there might not have added to our species count: all of the water features of the course had at least a skim of ice on them -- thus no waterfowl. It may be the reason the Great Blue Herons, which were flying toward the Hodge Lake/12th-hole pond area, returned several minutes later.



The JBLM Eagles Pride GC birders meet the third Thursday of each month at 8:00AM. Starting point is Bldg # 1514, Driving Range Tee, Eagles Pride Golf Course, I-5 Exit 116, Mounts Road Exit. Upcoming walks include the following:

* February 16

* March 16

* April 20

Anyone is welcome to join us!



For those of you not subscribing to eBird:

23 species (+1 other taxa)



Great Blue Heron 2

Bald Eagle 3

Red-tailed Hawk 2

Anna's Hummingbird 1

Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 6

American Kestrel 1

Steller's Jay (Coastal) 2

California Scrub-Jay 2

American/Northwestern Crow 15

Common Raven 4

Black-capped Chickadee 6

Chestnut-backed Chickadee 4

Red-breasted Nuthatch 6

Brown Creeper 2

Golden-crowned Kinglet 6

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8

American Robin 12

European Starling 6

Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) 6

Golden-crowned Sparrow 2

Song Sparrow 3

Red-winged Blackbird 2

House Finch 2

Red Crossbill 4


View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S33812934

May all your birds be identified,

Denis DeSilvis
avnacrs 4 birds at outlook dot com