[obol] Banks passerines(Washington Co)

[Lars and Gail Norgren]

      No concentrations of Robins here. But
VARIED THRUSH numbers are way up over last
year.
     A male BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD was among
the blackbirds on the feeders at Horsin'
Around Stables in Banks today. I suppose
most of us would rather not see them, but
this is the first time I've added it to my
year's list in January. Up to now it's invariably
been about April 19. It was rather fun to
look at at close range in the dazzling and rather
FROSTY sunshine(8;30 am).
      Across hwy 6 on the east shoulder of Aerts Rd
I saw up to 30 WESTERN MEADOWLARKS, by far the
largest concentration I have noted in western
Washington County since moving here 14 yrs ago.
     A CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE was in the
Walnut orchard to the immediate north. It was
unaccompanied by other members of its guild
and 3 or more kilometers from the nearest
appropriate breeding habitat. Lars Norgren