[redcliffs] Fox Sparrow

[Larry tripp]

Yesterday I had a Sooty type Fox Sparrow come into the the water bath that I 
have in my yard. There doesn't seem to be many Fox Sparrows of any type seen 
in Washington Co. for some reason but the ones reported  have been later in 
the fall.

I added a running water feature in the yard this summer and it really seems 
to make a difference. I just had bird baths before but the sound of the 
splashing water has had a lot of birds coming in just for it and not even 
going for the food. The last few days I've had late Black-headed 
Grosbeak,Bullock's Oriole, Daily Orange-crown,Yellow and Wilson Warblers 
lots of Spizella Sparrows a Vesper Sparrow and a lot of Green-tailed Towhees 
that I have only see in spring the last few years. 2 weeks ago I had a N. 
Waterthrush come in for a brief stay that really seemed out of place in 
Pinion Juniper Habitat without any nearby water except my water bath. And 
all the residents birds love it.

I've added 8 new yard  birds this fall which brings me to 128 and I'm sure 
the water has a lot to do with it. So if you want to spice up your yard for 
the birds and yourself add some type of drip system  or running water 
feature. It doesn't need to be very big.

There are also more Anna's Hummingbirds around in the last month than I've 
had the last couple of falls. I've seen at least 7 or 8 different birds 
around lately. Most of the other species have headed south. I've had a few 
Black chins, 1 Calliope this week and 1 immature male Rufous came in 
yesterday and was still out there today terrorizing the Anna's which are 
bigger than he is.

Good Birding,

Larry Tripp