The Blue Jay came in this AM for 2-3 visits. Others this week have been the arrival of House Wrens, immediately establishing their pair bonds & territories. Sev Red-naped Sapsuckers are now here, as well. A N Flicker has been busy excavating a new cavity in a backyard cottonwood for the past 5 days. Wood Ducks are already quietly nesting.

Yesterday, I had 2 White-crowned Sparrows scratching seeds from around the feeder base along with a full breeding-plumaged Harris’ Sparrow. The American Goldfinches are all in breeding plumage now, too. And, for the past week, I’ve had evening visits by 2 Wild Turkey toms squaring off, gobbling & spurring each other over 6 hens. They’ll all put on a show for nearly an hour. The toms’ heads, waddles & necks turn crimson red with hues of bright blue when they get within a few feet of one another. Then they fan their tails, bristle their back feathers, puff out their chests to show their beards & square off for minutes at a time. Quite the show! Last evening, just the tom with the longer beard appeared with 4 hens. So, guess he’s the main winner of the standoffs.

Appreciate the advice & comments re: eBird. Hoping, the next couple of weeks brings the arrival of some colorful songbirds.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot