Date: 4/10/26 12:33 pm From: Chuq Von Rospach via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Western Flycatcher time
As the spring birds have been arriving, I’ve been expecting a few species
to arrive — today I got my first call from a Western Flycatcher here on the
property. Time for everyone to keep eyes and ears open for them, they’re
arriving.
We had our first swallows (Violet-green) six days ago along with the first
purple finches. Still missing but due any time are Western Tanager,
Black-headed Grosbeak, and Swainson’s Thrush, but it seems like the
transition from winter is mostly complete.
A few days ago with the improving weather I spent some time doing a survey
around the homestead, and found 17 species. We’re at about 500’ altitude
above Silverdale on 4 acres of mostly unmanaged pine, alder and cedar. The
usual suspects here are the Anna’s, Juncos, Spotted Towhees, Song Sparrows,
Stellar’s Jays, Golden-crowned Kinglets and both chickadees. We currently
have Robins everywhere, both Bewicks and multiple Pacific Wrens (loudly
declaring their territory) and at least three pairs of purple finches.
Some other fun highlights are a brown creeper, Pileateds (our other woodies
are elsewhere right now, but I’m hearing flickers on and off) and the other
day, caught a Hermit Thrush out in the open foraging along with four of the
Robins.
Since we moved here in 2021 the yard list is now 80 species, including five
woodpecker species (Pileated, Hairy and Flicker being fairly common with
two confirmed breeding, red-naped Sapsucker FINALLY showed up for a one day
visit) and we’ve confirmed breeding of 12 species with another half dozen
suspected but not confirmed. It’s surprisingly weak on warblers here, and
I’m not sure why, but we get one wander through every so often.
It won’t be too long before the first fledglings show up around the feeders
demanding to be fed….
chuq
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Chuq Von Rospach (http://www.chuq.me)
Silverdale, Washington
Birder, Nature and Wildlife Photographer
