[EBB Sightings] another splendid morning at Jewel Lake

Dear Birders:

For the second time this week I joined Emily Strauss for a couple of hours 
at Jewel Lake.  We didn't have to leave the parking lot before seeing 
interesting things.  The winter birds are arriving (early, it seems) or are 
passing through to points south.  A Hermit Thrush was silently feeding on 
Elderberries, so intent on 'fueling up' that it neither 'twitched' its wings 
or raised and lowered its tail -- both familiar gestures.  Two immature 
White-crowned Sparrows worked the upper margins of the lawn.  In the trees 
and shrubs we saw: Hutton's Vireos, Warbling Vireo, Western Wood-Pewee, the 
resident Black Phoebes, Yellow, Wilson's, and Townsend's Warblers.  Along 
the upper Pack Rat Trail we caught a quick glimpse of a Winter Wren and 
listened to its calls marveling, as usual, that such loud sounds are uttered 
by such a diminutive bird.

At the end of our Monday walk Emily saw a Western Tanager feeding in a 
madrone and early this morning I heard one in my neighborhood.

Friday's predicted cold front may bring in some interesting migrants.

Phila Rogers