[EBB Sightings] A morning at Jewel Lake

Dear Birders:

Emilie Strauss and I celebrated the first sunny morning in several days by 
an early morning bird walk around Jewel Lake.  We took the Pack Rat Trail 
which traverses the slope high enough up so you can look over the tops of 
the willows where one often sees warblers and vireos.  Nothing rare to 
report just several Warbling Vireos looking like the yellowing willow leaves 
themselves; Wilson's Warblers in the oaks, both male and female; and an 
industrious Downy Woodpecker.  Heard: Swainson's Thrushes, probably a 
Black-headed Grosbeak (no doubt loath to leave such a delightful place).

A madrone at the far end is heavy with berries, the chokecherries have a 
good crop of red berries, elderberries are loaded with purple fruit, and the 
creek dogwoods have white fruit along with a surprising number of flowers --  
lots of good things to eat for the travelers and the locals alike.

Emilie, who saw both the Brewer's and the Black-chinned Sparrow near the Bay 
shore, is convincing me that this is not the "down" season after all -- at 
least for those with patience, persistence and might I add -- the proper 
perpicaciousness.

Phila Rogers