[SBB] Recent birds (mostly Hidden Villa), also a weird story

["Garth Harwood" <[[email protected]]>]

All,
Spring migration has been a bit thin at Hidden Villa so far, but there have been a few goodies. On Tuesday 4/19/2005 a single Lazuli Bunting began singing from an area next to the Hostel where they seem to linger for a week or so every spring during migration. On 4/20 a Cassin's Vireo began singing around the White Barn area on the farm, and was still there Friday eve. 4/22. If it settles in to nest, it would be my first HV breeding record for the species. Ash-throated Flycatchers also began singing here 4/20.

On 4/21 a Rufous Hummingbird male fed on tubular flowers just outside my office; another HV first (for me.) In 7 years at HV I have encountered Selasphorus hummers only twice before; there have been 7 observations so far this season.

At Monte Bello Gate 5 on 4/22 I had a group of 8 Pine Siskins. There were also a dozen or more Cedar Waxwings about. One Brown-headed Cowbird and four red-headed baby Coots as well.

On Tuesday 4/19 I had a weird experience at Monte Bello. Rounding a corner on the trail I saw a male deer, its antlers just beginning to grow in and still covered in velvet. It was standing very still, looking right at me, with its ears fully stretched. On its head, right between the antler buds, stood a Western Scrub Jay! The WESJ walked to and fro methodically checking through the deer's fur and plucking things now and then, especially from the ears, both inside and out. The deer was clearly appreciating this service and never so much as blinked, even though it must smart to have ticks plucked out that way. Eventually the bird hopped down to the deer's back and worked it up and down also, finding little except on the neck. Once it hopped up from the shoulder to get another inner-ear goodie.

Finally, I think I know how  some deer deal with all those pests they encounter. I wonder how often this occurs? I had heard of such things on other continents with larger mammals, but I don't recall ever hearing of it here before.

--Garth Harwood
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