[EBB Sightings] We're Parents Again!

After returning from my morning ride through Heather Farm Park in Walnut 
Creek, I heard a Bushtit-like noise in our patio.  It would not be a first 
to have them there, they come in to take nesting material in the spring.  I 
took a glance out the window to see where the Bushtit was and instead found 
a fledgling Dark-eyed Junco.  It has been there over an hour now.  Mom has 
fed it both seeds and a small worm.

We have been seeing two CA Towhees, two Oak Titmice, and up to three 
Chestnut-backed Chickadees (once I had four).  The two adult Juncos have 
been in and out of our patio for 4-6 weeks, sometimes together.  Last 
Thursday I thought a third Junco flew out of the patio when the two adults 
left, maybe it was the fledgling.

In the park Denise Wight and I had Lark Sparrows, Yellow Warblers and the 
Spotted Sandpiper (for the third day).  I had an empid with a thin eye ring 
and a sharp whit call, but it was gone by the time Denise was with me.

While leaving the park over the footbridge beyond the dog park, I did see an 
almond-eyed Pacific-slope Flycatcher, another Yellow Warbler and a Wilson's 
Warbler.

These birds and the Junco fledgling have soothed my frustration after 
suffering a flat tire and pushing my bike home.  Much of the frustration is 
that I had just taken the tire to the bike store yesterday.  Darn thorns, 
but great birds!.

Hugh B. Harvey
Walnut Creek