[obol] Black-headed Grosbeaks

[Wilson Cady]

        The BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS using my sunflower feeders have
diminished in numbers only slightly but there are still about a dozen
coming to them. I hear many juveniles and adults calling mostly from the
Cascara grove where they are feeding heavily on the berries. Today I
noticed that they are also feeding on the fruits (drupes?) or whatever
they would be called on an American Linden tree.  SWAINSON'S THRUSHES,
AMERICAN ROBINS and WESTERN TANAGERS are also starting to utilize the
Cascara fruit. This is one of the best plants on our property for
attracting early migrant species and are fully ripe now so I am expecting
more birds species to show up shortly. One species that surprised me when
I first saw them eating Cascara several years ago was Red-eyed Vireo, but
they are annual at the tree. A little research showed that vireos are
considered a "pest" by grape growers as they will puncture fruit and
drink the juices.
        We had a female HERMIT WARBLER at our bird bath this morning. the
first of the fall movement.

Wilson Cady
Washougal, WA (Mt. Pleasant, Skamania County, west end of the Gorge)