Recent visitors

Varied Thrush are visiting along with Chickadees and Oregon Junco's. Nearly one week before the snow came there were flocks and flocks of Gulls moving West of North Yelm. The Gull flock held about 50+ in each days passing West where one flock a day were spotted for 4 days.

Eagles dominate Crows infiltrate

For the past two sunny afternoons, an Eagle has been circling just above tree top level. Three Canada Geese flew over the tree tops yesterday evening at dusk in the direction of the pond. My normal bunch of 12-15 Juncos have been absent. Visits to the feeder are primarily from a pair of Pine Siskin and a pair of Red-Breasted Nuthatch and a Chestnut backed chickadee or two. I have heard Towhees and Stellar Jay in the back brush and have seen at least one of the pair of Varied Thrush. Junco's are largely absent at the feeders and have taken to flitting in the lower branches of evergreen trees. The Stellar Jay annoy my puppy as do the squirrels here in the green belt. Puppy would love to chase them away! I wonder if the absence of Junco's has anything to do with the increased number of crows in the area? Are the Junco's nesting now? Or have they moved? I have noticed quite a few more bugs in the afternoon.

We have had quite a bit of heli traffic in the past month, too. This week I noticed that a group of 6 or 7 crows perched in various tree top locations across approx. 2 acres, call to each other using three caws each and in turn each will respond with three caws. Once, a crow called six or seven caws in quick succession where all seven simultaneously flew away from the direction of an approaching helicopter. I believe that crows are very intelligent. Some say that they can even recognize human faces.

One night, just at dark, there was a bird that flew right by me. It was small in size with pointed wing tips. I wonder if it was a nighthawk.

A strange band and two Bald Eagles

I have been watching a flock of Oregon Juncos mixed in with a few Slate and Dark Eyed Juncos feed daily here. I have mentioned earlier that I attempted to take a photograph of a Variegated/Varied Thrush, who is quite skiddish. Well, the Thrush flew INTO the flock of Junco's feeding yesterday. Normally, the Thrush feeds OUTSIDE of the flock. This was different behavior from this Thrush in the last week or so! ALSO there is one more Black capped chickadee now for a full set. The chickadee and the Red Breasted Nuthatch have been eating my millet and making quite the mess for the Junco's to eat below and the 4 squirrels to pick up afterwards. I have had much activity here with this flock of 30 or so Juncos all day!

*One note on the Varied Thrush. He has a second dark black band, the same width of his neck band, near his lower breast or tail area.*

There were two Bald Eagles to fly at a low altitude here yesterday. They were playing and calling out to one another - flying very near one another - darting in and out of one another at close range. They both flew Southwest of here.


Cross posted TWEETERS
NOTE: January 6, 2010

Good Birding Today!

My backyard became a feast for no less than 20 - 30 Juncos, 3 Towhees, and 3 Varied Thrush this afternoon. It was a treat to watch the Junco's flit back and forth among themselves pecking at whatever they thought was good to eat on the ground about 2:30pm. Grey clouds were moving in by 3PM and it seemed so much later in the evening. I hope it doesn't snow, but it just might.

Yesterday evening there was a small flock of geese that flew over quite low and were heading East. I wonder where they were headed. I'll have to check my pond and lake maps for the nearest water body. I imagine a few have iced over in the past few days.

The Varied Thrush are uncommon visitors here and as soon as I attempted to snap a photo... I was spotted and they flew off!

[AND Thank you, C. Southwick for the wonderful idea. Wrapping a hummingbird feeder in Christmas lights just might be the trick to keeping the ice away! ]

Cross Posted to TWEETERS