I just got back last night from a 3-day camping trip at Field’s Spring State Park near Anatone, Asotin County. A really cool place. I had spent little time in the Blue Mountains, and wanted to explore, and work on my Asotin County list. A great trip. That said my favorite bird of the week was yesterday on the trip home when Marian wanted me to show her a Yellow-headed Blackbird. We pulled into Othello for a porclein stop, and checked out the Para Ponds. The Yellow-headed Blackbird males were in molt, and quite unimpressive, but several Tricolored Blackbirds shared the lone remaining roadside pond with any water with 8 Lesser Yellowlegs, 8 Greater Yellowlegs, a Pectoral Sandpiper and loads of Killdeer, giving me 3 FOY birds almost by accident.
My real treat this week though was the chance to talk with Dennis Paulson on the Bird Banter Podcast Episode #68. I had put off asking Dennis until I felt confident enough to be comfortable. We all have people we hold in such esteem that it is a bit intimidating, and Dennis was that person for me. Completely self-imposed pressue, as you all know Dennis is very humble and kind. Still it was a thrill for me to get the chance to talk with him. Check out the episode and the associated blog post on my blog post about the episode.
I am also asking any of you who are able and who listen on iTunes to leave a rating and review on the episode. It is not as easy as you’d like. If you listen on your phone you can’t leave it directly on the podcast feed. Please just use the search bar, enter Bird Banter, select the Bird Banter Podcast, scroll down to where you see the little pencil and “Write a review” Click there and rate the podcast with stars ***** and then write a review. This will be a big favor to me.
Now leave your comment with your favorite bird of the past week. Thanks and good birding.
My ONLY notable bird of the week beginning 7/20 was a PURPLE MARTIN which I added to my patch list at Point Edwards in Edmonds. Heard their chirping calls as I was walking Chica – our Black Lab. Did no real birding at all – buried in moving – ugh!!
Life gets in the way of fun sometimes, but it sounds like a good thing. I too love Purple Martins. Living near Ruston Way their calls are a sure sign of summer. Ed
July 30th…. Loggerhead Shrike on our property in Eastern Wa. Our 43 anniversary
Nice. Ed
I regularly visit some ponds just two miles from where I live in Austin. I was excited to see two juvenile tricolored herons. They have reddish coloring on their necks rather than the gray blue of adults. One was doing some canopy feeding. As far as I know, they’re not commonly seen here. They’re found in East Texas during the summer and on the Gulf Coast.
Fun to see the babies out this time of year. Nice. Ed
There was a half-grown small Cottontail on my lawn, when it was overtaken by a walking dark immature Towhee walking near it. The Towhee turned toward the Cottontail and begged to be fed!!! It left disappointed, and the bunny just looked perplexed.
Fun stuff.
Sorry, weeks are running together. the date I seen the Bobwhite was the 20th not the 13th.
On our daily neighborhood walk on Monday evening July 13th I heard an unusual but recognizable sound! I quickly began walking toward this calling bird recording the sound on my phone. When I reached the sound he finally stopped but there he was sitting in a small tree just off the road…….a Northern Bobwhite! I did post this bird and included a picture and audio.
Awesome. Maybe stayed over from the JBLM population? Ed
My best bird was 5 Common Nighthawks, a Barred Owl and the Neowise Comet from my front yard.
I’ve yet to see the comet. Hoping for another clear night soon. Ed