Enjoy the following update from John Tschopp:

These hot weeks are not very conducive for birding. Today I took a walk and was surprised by the variety of birds still active. Common Ravens are not known as a social bird, they are solitary or a pair. When the grasshoppers and crickets are thriving, the word spreads among Ravens and they come to the valley to feast. They share the crop with American Kestrels.

A Willow Flycatcher was posing on a branch. I find Flycatchers difficult to ID. Just looking at the bird would give the observer a choice of at least three species. It’s the sound, that tells you, which kind it is.

Last week a Swainson’s Thrush came for a visit into the greenhouse. The door is open and it was a good opportunity for a picture.

The Bullock’s Orioles at Erickson Rd successfully raised  three young ones.
We still have the two Sandhill Cranes in the valley.

Happy birding!