[birding] Neighborhood loop birds

[Lisa Millbank]

Don & I walked a 5-mile loop this morning starting from home.  
In residential areas we watched male BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS proudly performing their "songs" and displays.  A EUROPEAN STARLING amazed us with his perfect imitation of a Pacific Chorus Frog.
At the Oak Lawn cemetery, there was nonstop singing from LESSER GOLDFINCHES, WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, SPOTTED TOWHEES, SONG SPARROWS, BROWN CREEPERS, and all the other expected birds.  We watched Western Gray Squirrels playing a chasing game and some adorable Douglas's Squirrels (chickarees).  The leaves of Giant Fawn Lily and Spring Beauty (a mustard) were emerging among the tasty green Miner's Lettuce plants.  Someone was drumming, but we couldn't tell if he was a Downy Woodpecker or a Northern Flicker.
At Marys River Natural Area, a SAVANNAH SPARROW and a LINCOLN'S SPARROW perched together.  A young BALD EAGLE soared over the area, and another was perched in an oak.  Lots of WESTERN BLUEBIRDS were all over the place, some inspecting nest boxes.  A MARSH WREN was singing like crazy and a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW preened after having a bath.  A HUTTON'S VIREO and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET flitted along nearby.  And, quite a few MOURNING DOVES were singing as well.
No Turkey Vultures for us yet.
Pictures at http://groups.google.com/group/mid-valley-nature/browse_thread/thread/92fb28908908ce08
Lisa
www.neighborhood-naturalist.com
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