Towheeblog

A third blue bird species came into our garden today. Our first Western Bluebird in fours years, after hundreds of eBird checklists. The two previous blueys are the daily visiting jays. This male wasn’t around long and I had carelessly stepped outside without my camera. He was at a feeder with some siskins. I have never seen a bluebird anywhere within a half-mile of our home. That includes the seven-acre park three blocks from here.

The one abundant local bird I have never seen here: Brewer’s Blackbird. I think they must be allergic to big trees which abound here–sitka spruce, cedar, deodar, gum tree, poplars, walnut, white oak, Doug-fir. I can find them in a shopping mall parking lot, but among all these trees and leaves.

My friend, Peter Thiemann, sent a couple images from his home up in Sequim. Members of the local Olympic team (representing the Olympic Peninsula). For this team there is no competition beyond the natural desire to survive. No drugs involved, no stopwatches, nor performance judging.

THen, mid-morning, Peter adds this image, a female Calliope at his feeder:

Calliope are the smallest bird species that breeds in North America.

Can you do seagull? Hear a nine-year-old boy win European gull contest–click here.