[Birdtalk] the unexpected yardbird

[Connie McManus]

Today I went up Milleville Canyon (drove through the gate and walked up the
the first campground) looking for green-tailed towhees.  I heard several of
them and saw only 1. I saw 1 Western Meadowlark and heard 2 others and I
thought I might have seen a white-breasted nuthatch, but he flew off before
I could get a good look.  But the most wonderful thing about the canyon was
the symphony of Lazuli Buntings and Sage Sparrow songs!  I am guessing there
must have been about 30 -50 of each spp. along my walk.  It was a lovely way
to spend a lovely day!  I just felt all that work-week stress flow out of my
body!

When I got home, putzing around the house, I happened to look out the
backyard and saw a strange looking bird fly to the fence and land there.  A
peek through the binoculars revealed a Green-tailed Towhee!  In my
backyard!  I NEVER!! I have lived in this house for over 20 years and have
never seen a towhee of any kind (nor have I ever seen Lazuli Buntings), but
I have a grundle of Lazulis and 1 Green-tailed Towhee.  I watched it all
evening, tried to get pics of it, but no luck.  It seems to have made it's
home here somewhere.    I agree with Brenda --- this is the year for unusual
backyard bird activity --- at least it seems to be to me.

Glad to hear the Bobolinks are here in Cache Valley.  I am somewhat mad at
myself for not going out to the Mendon Road looking for Bobolinks --- these
are on my "must see" list this year.  I kept thinking I needed to go out
that way after I finished up at Milleville, I went home instead.  Wellll,
there's always tomarrow!

happy bird day!
-- 
Connie McManus
Nibley, Cache County, Utah
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