Another dog hair nest and a moaning clicking Crow

While gardening this morning before noon I watched a Rufous
hummingbird buzz in twice for a quick drink at my window feeder.

2 European Starlings* (normally do not frequent my yard)
2 Crow (one Crow was making a moaning sound with a "click" in between
moans) perched in a tree.

I have two visiting Crows that in-frequently fly into and feed in my
yard. Usually, when I am spotted, they fly away. One Crow doesn't
mind that I am near, however, and perches in a tree to watch me ...
watch him. This Crow makes a strange sound, a clicking noise and
moans, unlike the other Crows that "caw". During the moan, he will
raise his head and then lower it. I watched him as he was fished
around in the yard debris for nesting material and flew off with a
beak full of Australian Shepard hair. (Maybe he swallowed it! Do Crows
get hair balls, too? It sounded like something was wrong.) Pine
Siskins are NOT the only birds to like dog hair for nesting material,
evidently. Still learning....

4 Pine Siskins
3 Oregon Juncos
1 Robin
2 Stellar Jay
4 Swallow* (straight ended tail feathers - not notched)


The majority of the Junco's seem to have moved on.....?

[*First yard appearance in 2010.]

Rufous Hummingbird

March 22, 2010

After having my head buzzed with the "engine like" noise of a hummer's wings the day before yesterday (21 March 2010) , I have finally seen the first hummingbird of the year: Rufous. He flew out of the trees and paused at the fronds of an Ocean Spray and Evergreen tree, then flew back into the treeline. Many of the Junco's (12-15) that are usually at my feeders are now absent and for a day were replaced by Stellar's Jay and about seven Crow. Driving, I noticed an adult Bald Eagle circling near the JBLM-McChord Roy gate. It appears that many predators(Hawks and Eagles) have been enjoying the warmer weather, lately. Towards Puyallup and 1/2 way to the South Hill mall exit this weekend I spotted a Hawk, too, circling to the right of the freeway. There were many Robins (6 or 7) ground feeding with Towhee's and a Rock Pigeon yesterday afternoon.