Life Bird 240

Life bird 240 came to visit the suet feeder today. I was beginning to think that I had the the most "life skills challenged" birds in the neighborhood because the suet feeder, which contains my premium, homemade, lard, peanut butter, oat and cornmeal mix, was totally ignored for the first three weeks that I put it out!!! Fortunately, the cold weather convinced a few birds to have a go, and now I have Juncos, fox sparrows, goldfinches, and a BEWICKS WREN all taking turns. I was surprised that I hadn't seen a Bewicks yet - but upon further reflection, it makes sense, because most of the Wren's I have spotted were either in Texas, in an ancient caldera located in Malheur, or in a Marsh. So, I have the Carolina Wren, the Rock and Canyon wrens, and the marsh wren - which I wrecked a brand new pair of tennis shoes to get a good look at because it WOULDN'T hold still!!

Bird 239 was the bushtit which I have spent countless hours hunting, and never gotten a good look at (although I am SURE I have spotted them flitting about several times.) This also occurred in my postage stamp sized back yard. I was watching the feeder absentmindedly when a flock of "frolicking" birds overtook the cherry tree for about three minutes and then moved on. They were unmistakable, due to their behavior and general color and size, but I did get a good look at a couple - FINALLY!

The birds I am currently hunting shouldn't be too hard to find, but have eluded me so far include:
Barrows Goldeneye
Ruddy Turnstone
Mountain Quail
Barred Owl
Western Screech Owl
Virginia Rail
Gyrfalcon
Merlin (identified by ME)
and various warblers, peeps and shorebirds

I am hoping to schedule in a few Audobon outings here in the spring. I know that there are SO many hotspots in this area that I am overlooking! I can't wait to get out there again!