Larry… oui. Sleepless in Gem County. The Western Kingbirds started at
4:30 a.m. yesterday – it’s hopeless trying to snooze in the din. Then the
quail starts with that blasted single note call. Every 35 seconds. But
what is sleep anyway; time enough when we’re pushing up daisies.

I’m wondering about the big migration of red winged blackbirds that came
through and perched/mobbed in the cottonwoods on the canal where the red
tails were nesting. Starlings joined in. Way too much noise. But the RTHA
hung in there for a few weeks, then gone. Mike and I are speculating – our
rural neighbors have caught on to raising chickens – could it be – god
forbid – they’re shooting the RTHA? I just can’t go there.

Hoping others will join in on this RTHA conundrum.

Liz Medes
Emmett