Tweeters:

Yesterday capped a remarkable week of spring-migration birding right in the yard. About 7 years ago, an odd windstorm from due west gouged out an open swath on our western edge, in what had been otherwise dense 80'-100' mixed forest, and we had to fell several trees adjoining on our side last summer.

A dryer open-edge habitat has resulted, and the combination of remaining mature Bigleaf Maples, with shrubby Vining Maple groves and tall Western Hemlocks further back, was irresistible for many migrant songbirds this week. Our pond nearby helps too.

Photo highlights for yesterday (in EBird link below) included: (finally) a couple recognizable Nashville Warbler photos (3 birds present, probably the same birds as last Monday), Cassin's and Warbling Vireos, an audoboni Hermit Thrush, Townsend's & Wilson's Warblers galore, and more. In the bad photos category, I captured a female Cassin's Finch captured in there as well (and note that while quite rare, we do have a number of early-May records for lowland wWA going back over the decades). Also--a FOS/FOY Western Wood Pewee, & several photos of inland/northern type Orange-crowned Warblers. Warblers were the main event, with 7 species (best ever), about 65-70 individuals from this one yard spot, with Townsend's overtaking Yellow-rumps for the top spot, 25-17, for the first time this season.

And the odd-behavior highlight: how about a Rufous Hummingbird ingesting a non-food item (coal bits for digestion?):

EBird report: https://ebird.org/checklist/S68242292

Scott Atkinson
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